Crush

Crush is an okay place, I've been there a few times and usually enjoyed myself. It's low key and pretty friendly, so I took a friend with me who'd never been there before. I normally pay cash when I go to a bar, it's just easier. Unfortunately this particular evening I just hadn't hit the ATM and it wasn't all that busy so I used my credit card. But when I saw my tab it looked high. I asked for an itemized one and they had overcharged me. Honest mistake. So they fixed that but then neglected to void the other amount that was reserved on my card, which caused me quite a bit of trouble the next day when Netflix tried to charge me my monthly payment because I was over my (very low) credit limit! I'm trying to rebuild my credit and this kind of thing sure doesn't help! I phoned them and Steve told me the manager would probably give me a call and offer some kind of compensation (I would have settled for a couple free drinks) since this had caused me so much trouble, but I guess they couldn't be bothered, or Steve forgot to give him the message. Too bad. I might think twice about going there next time. I vote with my dollars, boys, and I don't think you did enough to make this right. more

This is definitely an overlooked place. It is a great place to go to avoid all the downtown drama. Crush is very innovative. There is a chalkboard that people can draw and write on in one of the back rooms. The couches and seating area stand apart from competitors. They do trivia that actually have intelligent participants that leave drama at the door. And, the gay and lesbian group get along well here.\r \r The only areas of concern are the questionable staff. Management will target employees and give them selective scheduling w/o any reasoning and unfairly schedule the ""pets"" to bartend more and avoid being barbacks. Also, the owner/manager will sleep with customers on the couch after customers leave. Unfortunately, it isn't clear which couch this is!!!\r \r Besides that, Crush rocks! Pros: chill, carefree, nice location Cons: sleazy staff more

Went in there for a bite to eat, and got food better than expected. Nice choices and value. Not a 'bar place' in other words its not like so many other bars that put some folding tables up and call itself a pub/grill. This is a legit place to get some good food. The DJ is a joke though. Can't he get it when people are leaving and rather stand/eat outside in the snow than listen to him that its time to change the tunes, or that nobody is dancing? Pros: Food and place to hang out Cons: DJ more

I had always heard that Crush had an awesome brunch, so some friends and I tried it out for our first and most certainly not our last time. To start off the bloody mary's were spicy and tasty. While we waited for our order there was free coffee cake and corn bread to hold us over. We got our meals and they were delicious. The stand out item was the chilaquiles. My friend, said it was the best egg dish she had had in a long time. We also had another scramble that was full of fresh garden vegtables and veggie sausage, which was fantastic, as well. Crush is a great new brunch place to add to my list of favorites. Pros: Brunch, Bloody Mary's, Chilaquiles more

FULL of terribly annoying people. Really high drink prices -- but they were so strong they could remove paint, if you like that sort of thing. The DJ was so bad that we ended up sitting outside. And I'm not too sure who decided that fondue should cost over $20. Ugh. I won't be going back. Pros: Couldn't really find one. Cons: Expensive. No parking. Annoying crowd. more

After reading the other reviews, I was going here expecting huge crowds. Well, some friends and I went this past weekend, and I was pleasently suprised. There was hardly any one there. We went at about 11:30 until closing on Saturday night. The look of the club reminded me of a piece of modern art. It was very chic yet not overwhelming visually. I liked that Crush has three sections to it. First, there is a traditional bar section. Then, there is a more loungey part with big oversized couches and chairs. The dance area would have been too small if there were a lot more people, but it was just the perfect size when I went. There also was a ""Vice room"", which is just another bar area but for those who smoke. My friends and I had some of the nachos (for two) which was plently for the six of us. The drinks were a little exspensive, yet delicious. I particularly enjoyed the Pear O' (Underwear). I would definitely recommend this club for those looking for a bit of the sweet life. Tres Chic! Pros: Delicious Food, Yummy Drinks, Great Atmosphere Cons: Service was a little slow more

crush has one of THE BEST happy hour menus in portland. cheap cocktails and food that taste fantastic. the wait staff are personable and respectful. one of the top ten bars in portland, definitely on the comfortable, laid-back, hip side of the spectum without being pretentious. highly recommend tuesday nights; happy hour lasts until 11pm. Pros: low prices, great happy hour drinks and food more

Crush is one of my favorites! I just moved in to the building that's behind Crush, and had never been there before. I started going just to get drinks with my friends (only on less busy nights... sometimes they have giant shows where they can't let anymore people in) but as I stayed longer I realized they have an excellent menu as well! I love the Mac & Cheese, one of my favs in Portland. The fruit, bread and cheese plate appetizer is good for a few people and a nice conversational piece. I heard the mixed drinks are made well, I wouldn't mind a larger beer selection. Other than that, I've always felt very welcome there, the service is usually spot on and a nice ""Portland"" vibe. The music can get a bit loud depending on where you are... its best to sit out of the room with the DJ in it if possible. Good times are to be had at Crush, I'm very lucky to live around the corner from it! more

waited for 1/2 hour to get the waiters attention, on a SAT night, were totally ignored, had to walk up to him and ask him if there is table service only to be told no, you have to go to the bar. The bartender was pretty bad and the drinks were tiny. For $8.00 plus tip you should get the regular size martini glass, not the miniature version.\r You have to get your own food at the bar, no on tells you it's there, so too bad if it sat there and it got cold!\r This place has gone Down Hill! Whoever the owner is they obviously don't care anymore.... Pros: has a dance floor/can smoke Cons: small expensive drinks, lackluster crowd more

I love this place to take my girlfriends in order to get the party started. The drinks are out of this world (such fabulous martinis!), and the food provides a good base for late night crawling. I've always had great service, I enjoy the music and the fact that smokers have their own spot to do their thing. The crowd is friendly too, not over the top hip or below the table gross. Love It! Pros: Martinis, atmosphere, service more

There are so many great breakfast/brunch places in Portland that it's hard to pick a favorite (Helser's Tin Shed, Jam, Genie's, Bread and Ink, Cafe du Berry, Junior's all come quickly to mind). Topping my list at the moment is Crush. I've never been there at night when the hipsters allegedly arrive, but have had the Sunday brunch (9 to 3). The menu is reasonably varied, with classy breakfast choices on one side and some more lunch-brunch type selections like mac & cheese on the flip. I especially like the chilaquiles and the scrambles, some with meat and others vegetarian. Very flavorful with ingredients like Antique Cheddar (not sure what that means). They even get the little touches right -- e.g., using sliced fennel on the sliced apple that garnishes most of the dishes. There's also something I haven't seen elsewhere in P-Town: free cornbread and toast, both self-serve. The Stumptown coffee (not free) is also self-serve. There's amazing art throughout the place (apparently by the owner), and a cool DJ named Mike who mines a lot of '60s and '70s easy listening, disco, and Top 40. \r \r Why there are lines out the door on Sunday a.m. for most brunch places and this one is still easy to get into even at 11 o'clock is a mystery. Prices are pretty damn cheap too, with most meals in the $7 to $8 range. And oh yes, if you're one of those ""breakfast dessert"" types they always have a special french toast with stuff like chocolate drizzle. I'm not quite decadent enough for that, nor have I tried their bloody marys and other a.m. drinks, though friends who have say they're excellent. Between the friendly staff, the smooth sounds, and the yummy affordable food, the whole vibe is just warm and wonderful. I was reluctant to write this, as I (selfishly) hope the place doesn't get overrun. But I had to give credit where it's due. Yay Crush! Pros: Excellent food and atmosphere Cons: Service can be a little slow but hey, it's brunch! more

Awesome drink menu, a little pricey but the quality of the drinks makes up for it. The bartenders and wait staff are very friendly but the place can be really busy so a little patience goes a long way. The food is really good, especially the baked macaroni and cheese and the chicken sandwich among several others. The DJ's are very talented but quite often the place is pretty crowded and getting people to dance is a little difficult. Very eclectic mix of people but everyone seems to be having a great time. It is my favorite bar in Portland now and since 2/3 of the club is non smoking (smoking section is completely separate) it is even more enjoyable for us non smokers. Pros: Drinks, Food, Atmosphere, Staff Cons: None! more

Food is good, not a lot of options. Music not so great, nobody was dancing - Can't DJ's see that and think well maybe we need to change things up? Cool appearance wise, but music was so not my scene so won't be coming back - Check this one off my list Pros: Ambience Cons: Music more

Several people have commented that service is slow but I haven't found that to be the case myself. I love the food choices available at Crush. There are plenty of great options for carnivores and vegetarians alike (I recommend the mushroom skewers). Prices are especially reasonable during happy hour. Drinks are tasty and potent, some a bit pricey for Portland. It's a little loud for socializing at times if you are seated in the back room, but overall I'd recommend it highly. Pros: Food, seperate smoking area Cons: Drink prices, noise level more

All day happy hour on Tuesday is great! The flat nachos are a great deal and the drinks are usually great. This spot is good for a large group and also excellent if you don't feel like smelling like smoke for the rest of the night. The service on the other hand is unreliable. Though the food/drinks are worth the wait, this wouldn't be somewhere I would head if I was starving. Other than that, good atmosphere and non-smoking makes it a regular spot for me. Pros: Good variety of food Cons: Service not consistent more

I had some friends in from out of town and decided on CRUSH based on a friend's recommendation. The Friday night we went in was mellow, but good background atmosphere and music made it comfortable to talk. We had some cocktails (try the one with pommegranite juice), and were going to leave, but then the nightly dj started. My friends were quite impressed with type of house music being played and complemented Portland for being ahead of the scene in terms of electronica. \r \r The only downside that we saw was that the dj was located in an awkward space. Instead of being placed to interact with the crowd, he was off to the side and less effective. Other than that, everyone else is right -the staff is friendly, the drinks crafted perfectly, and the atmosphere classy, but not uptight. It has become one of my regular spots to meet people and enjoy Portland Pros: Staff, atmosphere, good dj's, location, separate smoking room Cons: odd placement of dj more

This place rocks -- it's a little speny but worth every cent. LOVE that is has it's own smoking area so I can go and have fun with my friends without smelling like a bar after.. the only neg thing I have to say is that it gets SUPER LOUD in there and it's hard to even talk to the person you are with. It seems to not matter much if the room is full of people eating or not -- UP IT GOES! The food is tasty, the drinks are amazing, the people are friendly, there is good parking and the place is very nice. Just TURN DOWN THE MUSIC. \r Thanks, Pros: Trendy, good service, good drinks Cons: music WAY TOO LOUD - can't even hear the people I'm with sometimes. more

We came here for a Friday night out of downtown, quick service lots of bar variety primarily a gay audience but still felt very comfortable with my group of straight friends. I would definitely come again. Great for a place to dance and you can get right up close to the DJ. Three rooms for three different feelings and even a quiter place if you want to talk. Located in a great little neighborhood, parking can be difficult more

Crush makes the best drinks and happy hour food in town! You really owe it to yourself to check it out - the staff is wonderful! If you are a smoker, you can eat and drink in the ""Vice Room"" - they don't technically serve in that room during happy hour, but you won't be ignored and you certainly won't go thirsty or hungry. Tuesday nights are all night happy hour, so go and enjoy!! (Try the sunflower hummus or the mashed potatoes with curry gravy - yum!) Pros: Great food, Delicious drinks, Wonderful staff Cons: Not open on Mondays more

I spent a part of my birthday at the Crush, from about 8:30 to 11pm.We went there right after the dinner in downtown.There was about 15 of us and we loved the place. First of all when we walked in they had $2 cover,after telling the door man that we were celebrating a birthday he let all of us in for free!!!After that cocktails started flowing (which btw were very strong adn yummy).It didn't take us too long till we really started feeling the music.We all started dancing and had a blast!Not to mention the place was decorated with taste, people were cool & outgoing. They have a smoking room, which i couldn't be in for 3 min bc i hate second hand smoke, but some of my friends were happy with it bc its a nice room to chill and puff on a cig. I WILL DEFF BE BACK! Pros: vibe, decor, music Cons: coed bathrooms more