Bagdad Theater
Fodor's choice
Built in 1927, the stunningly restored, eminently quirky Bagdad Theater shows first-run Hollywood films on a huge screen and serves pizza, burgers, sandwiches, and McMenamins ales. The Bagdad is a local favorite.
6 Best Performing Arts in Portland, Oregon
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Portland is quite the creative town. Every night top-ranked dance, theater, and musical performers take the stage somewhere in the city. Expect to find never-ending choices for things to do, from taking in true independent films, performance art, and plays, to checking out some of the Northwest's (and the country's) hottest bands at one of the city's many nightclubs or concert venues.
Given the city’s unabashed passion for craft cocktails and beer, local wines, and artisanal coffee, it makes sense that Portland abounds with cool lounges, coffeehouses, and bars. Hard-core clubbing and dancing has a bit less of a following here than more casual bar-hopping, and Portlanders do like to combine noshing and sipping—you’ll find an abundance of nightspots serving exceptional food (and often offering great happy hour deals on victuals and drinks), and quite a few full-service restaurants with popular side bars and lounges. Nightlife and dining really overlap in the Rose City.
Hollywood Theatre
Fodor's choice
A landmark movie theater that showed silent films when it opened in 1926, the not-for-profit Hollywood Theatre screens everything from obscure foreign art films to old American classics and second-run Hollywood hits, and hosts an annual Academy Awards viewing party. It also hosts a slew of film series and festivals.
Cinema 21
Nob Hill
An old-school, one-screen movie theater in Nob Hill, Cinema 21 shows independent and foreign films and hosts the annual Portland Queer Film Festival in October.
Recommended Fodor's Video
Living Room Theaters
The boutique cinema, which has a lobby restaurant with a full bar, shows 3-D blockbuster, foreign, and independent films in, true to its name, living-room-like theaters furnished with spacious seats and movable couches and tables. You can dine and drink from your seat.
Mission Theater
Nob Hill
First opened in 1987, the Mission Theater was the first McMenamins brew theater. It shows recent Hollywood hits, art films, and cult classics—as well as hosts live musical performances.
PAM CUT
Located adjacent to and operated by the Portland Art Museum, PAM CUT (Center for an Untold Tomorrow) screens art films, documentaries, and independent features, and presents festivals, workshops, and other cinema-related events.
