Blackstones

Absolutely Amazing. The Vibe, The Staff, The Drinks 10/10! First time here was awesome. I’m a OTR trucker, so I’ve seen my fare share of gay bars across the country. My experience here was above all expectations. Played pool, sang karaoke, met some cool people. From the bartenders to security, every interaction was welcoming and warm. I’ll definitely be back. ❤️

I’ve never been welcomed with such belligerence at a bar in all my life. I was with my family and partner, mostly all female identifying. I’m queer and was just looking for a nice night with my loved ones. The bartender mocked my sister repeatedly. Misogyny? Felt like it! Honestly if I’m questioning something like that at all - it’s not a place I would ever consider going near again. Women and younger queers beware 🙁 we deserve better. Edit: We were not upset in the slightest we all had to show ID. We were upset with how the bartender made fun of us aggressively. I never leave reviews, I work in the industry so I know how impactful they can be, especially bad ones not based on truth. But this experience was truly so horrendous I don’t feel a lick of guilt warning people about this place. I want people to feel safe and have fun and this is simply not the setting.

Very small and crowded space, always too many people to even maneuver around the place. The bartenders won’t give you full change, they decide to just take whatever they like for tips out of your change without asking. I handed the bartender a $20 bill for a single drink and only got $2 back. The average age is, well much older than myself, and many of the patrons get grabby and inappropriate without any care for consent. I was extremely uncomfortable and felt unsafe the entire time. Will not be going again.

This is not a safe place for women. From the second my group and I walked in we were profiled. We were visiting from out of town and I was the designated driver. From where we are from you don’t need to see someone’s ID if they weren’t drinking and I wasn’t. The bartender was checking our IDs and I simply told him “I’m the designated driver”. He was not happy with that. He immediately snapped back and before the business replies to my review (don’t waste your time by the way you know deep down you are in the wrong, but i genuinely feel bad for you as you clearly have it so hard you need to act out against others. it’s genuinely sad). it was NOT just a joke he went on and on, even went as far as to go down the bar and start talking bad about me to others. It was weird and he was aggressive and mean for no reason. You go to places like this to have fun and feel safe, but this bartender made us feel the opposite. Don’t waste your time here. Especially if JR is working. I pity you JR.

Blackstones on Friday evening was a blast. Great crowd, felt safe, and drinks were fairly priced. Cash only, but there's an ATM right there. They also have a pool table and great TVs. Bartenders were very friendly.

Frankly, I had an obscenely terrible experience here. I am from New York and came in with my sisters to have a fun night in an inclusive space as some of us identify as queer. From the second we walked in it felt as if we were being profiled. As he was checking our IDs, the bartender (I believe he is named JR), was berating my sister incessantly. Then, as she was pulling her ID out of her wallet, he went to the other end of the bar to loudly talk trash about her to someone who was sitting there. All before we ordered drinks, which I assume he would've spat in. We go to gay bars to feel welcomed as historically they are safe spaces, but our experience here was so misogynistic that I think if you're not an older gay man this is NOT A SAFE SPACE FOR ANYONE. We have family in Portland and will be spreading the word on how awful it was here. The swiftness in which they reply to bad reviews should be very telling for prospective visitors, as it makes it clear they are anticipating these for their awful behavior. I hope to find a better alternative soon.

It’s the only actual queer bar in Portland, so it’s the default for much of the community. Generally a good time. If there were any other options, the security (Ivan) and bar (JR) staff probably wouldn’t be allowed to act the way they do because they’d kill business. ‍♂️

I was very upset because the security at the door saw smoke and accuse me of vaping even though my vape was dead since i walked into black stones. I tried to explain to him and show him that my vape is dead and it wasn’t me. He grabbed the drink out of my hand and push me outside the door very aggressive. Without letting me explain to him that it wasn’t me. I used to live in Maine and I love coming to black stones every time i come to visit family and friends because this place felt like home it was my first 21st birthday drink. but this experience shocked me. I don’t even know if I will ever go back. He was very aggressive to the point he push me so hard that i hit my back hard on the door.