Mcmenamins Crystal Ballroom Tickets

Mcmenamins Crystal Ballroom
Any evening at the historic Crystal Ballroom is literally a multi-faceted experience.

The steady flow of music, food, beverages and fun raging on the Crystal's three floors; Crystal, Lolo, Ringler and in the subterranean lair of the Annex, just half a block away, is actually more characteristic of the generation next than of the Baby Boomers and one wonders how this venue achieved its resonating success even in the early 1900.

At the Crystal, the dance floor itself is the beehive. "Like dancing on clouds," is how people describe a dance here. At the time of its construction, the Crystal's mechanical dance floor (now fully restored to proper working order) was said to be unique on the Pacific Coast.

Today, it may be the only one left in the United States. The gorgeous decor adds to the mood and also provides for an energy shot: flamboyant wall sconces and light fixtures, grand paintings and gigantic windows are thought to be prerequisites for vigor. People who come to the Crystal seem to be inspired by an energy emanating from the site itself; phenomenon social scientists call "the power of place."

"Still grooving after all these years" is how the historians would describe Mc Menamins Crystal Ballroom. However a more "happening" description would be "The Crystal Ballroom: on any night, anything can happen!" The two expressions above aptly describe the venue.

The Crystal Ballroom is a member of the Mc Menamins family of neighborhood gathering spots in Oregon and Washington. Centered upon the underline philosophy of "Its gotta be fun", the Crystal Ballroom does just that - where any night anything can happen.

Visitors expect music, dance, beverages and just plain pleasure??.It is the typical neighborhood spot to hang out with friends on a weekend?.and the place has seen it all!Like its present, its past has seen it all as well.

No place can boast 90 years of being silent witness to music, first love, dance and memories. Neither can any place boast of being a silent condole to unsuccessful actors, strugglers, beat poets, psychedelic light shows, police raids, narrow escapes from fire, demolition, and neglect who have all, at one time and another, thought this place a better friend than any other human being.

And the place has stood by them through thick and thin. It has also stood the test of time and perhaps that"s the reason it enjoys a listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Today, it is a vital, thriving Mc Menamins owned and operated live music palace that hosts everything from rock 'n' roll and country, to hip-hop and big band swing.

The Crystal Ballroom dates back to Portland in the early 1900s.Tales about the grand hall at N.W. 14th and Burnside cover myriad topics and time periods. It first opened to general public as a ballroom in 1914 (as World War I began); in the days when dancing the Tango could have residents arrested.

During the Great Depression, "Dad" Watson staged popular old-time dance revivals here in an effort to provide for an entertaining diversion from the hardships of life.

African American formal dances at the Crystal, because of segregation, were as rare as they were special. Many of the locales have nostalgic, bittersweet memories of first meeting their spouse or their first love at this historic place.

In the 1960s, the Crystal spelled all out rock. People still relate stories of having seen Jimi Hendrix whom Little Richard fired in the middle of a performance at the Crystal.

Other bands having adorned the Crystal Ballroom stage include the Grateful Dead (twice), Ike & Tina Turner, Country Joe & the Fish, and Buffalo Springfield (with Neil Young and Stephen Stills), are among a few that have thrilled audiences at the big ballroom.

This legendary procession of talented and celebrated artists continued its appearances at the Crystall Ballroom after its reopening in 1997.

The ballroom has been honored to host celebrated artists such as George Clinton, Dick Dale, James Brown, Michael McDonald, Billy Idol, Gregg Allman, the Wailers, and Robert Cray, as well as contemporary favorites including Medeski, Martin & Wood, Liz Phair, Steve Earle, Nick Cave, the Indigo Girls and Ween.

Mc Menamins is proud to welcome a whole new generation of fun-lovers and repeat offenders to the renovated, always-happening Crystal Ballroom, and its sister venue, Lola's (one flight down).

The Crystal is the only place we know where you can enjoy national, regional, and local bands live while dancing the night away on air.