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Fez Ballroom
Rating Details »
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- DJ, Music Videos
- Best Nights:
- Thu
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- Yes
17 reviews for Fez Ballroom
Went to Friday night's 80's Shut Up and Dance. My friends and I stayed up top in the large dance area rather then the other rooms. Great tunes thanks to DJ Gregarious, I danced for 3-3.5 hours straight! It's nice and laid back, no meat market scene which is a huge plus. I really appreciate the coolers of water in the back since I'd rather rehydrate than drink myself to oblivion.
We are going to make the Fez a regular thing since we had so much fun.
I went here for my bachelorette party. My friend recommended that we go here because it is a low key dance place and many rooms are available to meander in if people would rather sit and talk instead of dance. But, everyone wound up dancing all night non-stop thanks to DJ Gregarious spinning 80's 90's and current music. Also, the crowd was great. It wasn't like a lot of clubs where people are trying to hook-up and thrust pelvises at one another. It was a lively crowd just enjoying the opportunity to dance. We all danced together in perfect harmony :-) The best part was when DJ Gregarious and his friend decided to completely disrobe and dance naked with everyone at the club. We all celebrated in their freedom and danced around them...what else could a bride- to- be ask for?
I had a lot of out-of-town girlfriends to go party with and well...it was a good introduction to Portland for them A great great time was had by all.
Thanks Darcie for the recommendation!
Can a Dance Club ever be more than 3 stars? This is the question I wrassle with as a nurse my Mom's day hangover.
The reason I ponder is because so much of the experience is about the music/dj - which Fez hires from indie-pendent contractors (see what I did there?), and the crowd - and truly one feeds off the other. That means Fez neither takes the 100% blame, not deserves 100% of the credit for a great (or suck) experience.
Been to FEZ a few times now. For DJ Anjali (Bhangra and Bollywood rhythms), and 80s night.
Bollywood night was great! Even though the music can sound like the same song after a while, I learned a new step from some of the guys there, and taught them a 2 beat stomp - so there was these awesome moments where 1/2 the dance floor was entirely in sync to these steps we were doing. There goes my 15 mins of fame...
and there was 80s night, which was the suck. Like the way they only played Emo music (Depeche Mode, Morrisey, etc). Don't get me wrong, I like both but, wtf? It's not self angst night, it's 80s night, and this was nothing like the 80s - I know, I was there! 2nd Pet peeve was playing non 80s music to keep up with the theme. *cuts self a little*
Anyway, drinks are moderately priced at Fez, and the dance and lounge spaces are well balanced. On the extremely off chance that you should meet someone and wish to engage in some sophomoric groping, there are even a few dimly lit, semi private corners for you to get busy.
Covers vary, as does the crowd. It's Portland so you are still going to get the Gortex bunch, but I did spy a scantily clad go-go dancer one of the nights. Nice! Minus points to her bf/pimp/bodyguard for telling me to take it easy when I said "hi" - I know, such a sleazy come on line. Sorry I was friendly when she sat down right next to me.
All in all, worth going
Oh Fez,
Where have you been all my life? During my early 20s I spent many Fridays or Saturday nights looking for dance clubs that aren't "meat markets". I really want to just dance, not to be molested, no bump and grind with greasy guys, and I gave up since two years ago.
Now I'm in my late 20's and I found Fez. I had the best dance night ever for their "Eye Candy Booty Shakes" event every first Saturday of the month. They are playing songs from the 70s up to 2008. The cover is only five dollah and you got to pick songs and video clips that you want them to play.
I danced to my song selections from Prince "Lil Red Corvette" to New Kids on The Block "The Right Stuff". I shook my bootay to other people awesome song choices from Abba "Dancing Queen" to Madonna "Like a Prayer". No one cares how you dance and no perverted guys will just bump and grind from behind.
I can't quite give five stars, just because cash only for the bar and drinks aren't as strong as what you pay for. $5.50 for a Malibu Pineapple, more liquor in it please.
I've only recently started going to the Fez, and so far I'd have to say that I quite enjoy it!
I've been to two shows at the Fez, and both the of the shows had excellent sound. There was plenty of room, but not so much that it looked empty. There's a lot of seating around the edges of the floor, in case your the sit-down-at-shows type of person, and the seating is comfortable.
I've also been going to Shadowplay at the Fez, and the sound for that has been excellent as well. The music is good, the alcohol is good, and the bartenders are friendly enough.
There are only two complaints I have:
1. It seems like a place like the Fez shouldn't have so many stairs. People are drinking, and when people get to drinking they lose their motor skills. It seems like all those flights of stairs are just asking for an accident.
2. I go listen and dance to industrial music. While the environment is comfortable, the atmosphere is just a little weird with its whole Middle Eastern deal. Not terrible, just a little weird.
I'm definitely going to be continuing my weekly trips to the Fez (Shadowplay is every Thursday).
I like that the dance space is large and each time I've been there, it's been full, in a good way. This club attracts a good, friendly and eclectic crowd. Drinks are just so so and I've never been blown away by the music.
Oooh, y'all, my feet still hurt. I had my first experience of 80's Night Portland-stye up here at the Fez. I went in with no expectations, only a longing for some Toto and Madonna. Well, 1out of 2 ain't bad. I have to say, cover charges always put me off. $5 ain't terrible, but it always makes me think I better have a good time--or else. I mean, that's five double cheeseburgers at McDonald's!
I would say there was ample dance floor available for everyone, and I didn't get too hot or sweaty--always a good thing when you are shaking your groove thing. Nothing puts people off more than flinging your forehead sweat at them or smelling like moldy bread. (I'm talking to you, guy in green polyester shirt.)
I myself stuck to $4 wells, but I think I will do the $1.75 Highlifes next time. Also, if you start a tab with one bartender, stick to that line. I got yelled at when I ordered from a different one. The bathrooms were kind of gross, and everyone went in groups. That means they're doing drugs, right?
All in all, I thought the DJ spun them right round, and there was fantastic people watching. There's always that one old guy who is really awkward and creepy and won't leave you alone the whole night! And then the nerdy librarian girl who ends up taking off her shirt and dancing in her bra and Teva sandals. Madonna would have been proud.
Cool vibe for the Flesh Show put on by MARC. Staff was friendly and funny ("hey, take your ticket for the show for your scrapbooking collection [points to my husband] you know what I'm talking about, right man?"). The venue was interesting, somebody put a lot of effort into the paint and decorations. I can imagine the 80's dance party would have a funky groove and be a lot of fun. The show was good, but I'm reviewing Fez, not the show here! The drinks were strong and five bucks. The only real downside to the venue is the smell. Somebody has been smoking in there for many many years. I have no idea what it would take to desmokeify it, but I imagine ripping out the walls would be included.
I don't know if it's really my scene; I felt about 10 years older than most everybody there but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy it! Just turn down the music a bit...I don't want to go deaf! (FYI, Powell's carries earplugs in their travel section in the red room. 5 bucks for the plugs, but a lifetime of hearing is worth it.)
Fridays boast 80's night with a $5 cover, and $1.75 tall boy Highlifes until 11pm.
My observations of this Mediterranean feel dcor with ample seating:
Best dancer there: sassy gay boy
Lesbian love triangles
Bad bad BAD dressed 40yr old Goth
Too cool 40's retro girls slightly dancing to the side holding their drinks
Bad dancing gay boys
Bad dancing drunk girls running into me
Tubby boy sitting to the side waiting for the perfect song. Waiting; waiting. We were so excited to see the dance skill he MUST posses, only to be let down when he started flailing in some form of the African Ant Eater Ritual Dance
A typical Goth dancing: throwing and receiving the Frisbee, pulling the taffy, dropping and picking up the handkerchief
I love 80's nights
This joint plays unusual music (bhangra hip hop night, 80's night...) and is full of characters. Great for dancing the night away without being subjected to the "charms" of inebriated frat boys. Plus, I can usually manage to snag a spot to sit down and rest my tired self when I've vogued too hard.
The restroom facilities are a bit limited, but my wait has never been uncomfortably long.
The Fez is definitely an interesting dance hall/club. It is dark and they blast a bunch of fun 80's music (at least the times I went). The play has a trendy vibe maquerading as an anti-trendy place.
I remember my second and last time at the Fez when a dude in tight leather pants and leather vest walked over towards me. His first words were "I'm just looking for a time to pull out my stuff.."
I said, "Excuse me, what did you say?"
"I'm just looking for an opportunity to pull out my stuff," he reiterated.
I emplored, "No, dude you don't need to do that."
"Where's the competition?" he asked with desperate inflection in his tone.
"I don't know dude", I said, "Just don't pull out your stuff."
Again, with an urgent whisper he inquired "Where is the competition?"
"I don't know, man" I said again with awkward disinterest.
The Fez is a great place to hang out for some people, for others like me, its a place thats cool to dance at, even though the social interaction with some could prove awkward.
Don't let my discomfort deter you from trying out the place, because I think everyone should go at least once, just to experience something new. The place is smokey, but plays some interesting music which is a nice departure from other clubs that only place hip hop all the time.
However, to me, The Fez will always loom as a large, white dude in a leather vest desperately seeking an opportunity to unleash his stuff on the unsuspecting masses. And I'm just not interested in that sort of thing.
loved the friday 80's night!!!
the roomie and i drank $1.75 tall boys and danced the night away : )
there's always a special energy when you go to an 80's night and it just felt so great to be out there shakin' my tailfeather and not give a sh*t : )
i totally saw a 40-year-old version of napoleon dynamite... the biggest treat of the night!!
needless to say i was pretty exhausted when i got home... YES!!!
Smokey as hell and the music can tend more toward the "suck" end of the dance meter, but an overall fun experience. The drinks are decent and cheap and the space is cool and BIG so you never feel packed in. The staff and clientele are laid back and fun.
A great place to go and dance. The cover when I was there was $5 which isn't too bad. There are multiple floors for people to explore, up on the very top is where a huge dance floor is. They had jugs of water everywhere for people to drink which I thought was pretty cool. I had lots of fun dancing to the 80's all night.
Probably the best place to dance, watch people, drink, chill or even take a nap in the city. Right on 11th and Burnside, this joint is remarkably well known for avid independent dance events in the city. The classics are 'Shut up and dance' on Fridays and Dj Anjali's 'Andaz' every last Sat - the only Bhangra party in Portland.
I have seen a couple really great shows here and 80's night is crazy. Definitely an eclectic crowd as some others have mentioned, but nothing wrong with that?
We were in Portland for 3 days and our Friday 80's night at the Fez was a highlight of the visit. Our favorite club back home with an 80's Saturday night had closed down, so I was looking forward to finally be able to get dolled up again and dance to some of my favorite music. I was not let down. I attired myself in a tutu and heels and set out for the night. The dance floor was the perfect size, not too large and intimidating or too small where you're constantly stepping on someone else's toes. I danced with some cute gay guys and accidentally elbowed another guy in the chin. Sorry! I consumed several drinks and kept thinking they weren't putting any whiskey in them, but I was obviously wrong as I was plastered by the end of the night. The doorman was super nice and let me leave my jacket with him since he said there wasn't a coat check. I liked that this place had a lounge downstairs one could head down to to cool off or relax ones feet during less stellar dancing music. And the 1st dj played She Wants Revenge! For that alone I love this place! And I liked the mix of indie and 80's tunes and enjoyed dancing to Shiny Toy Guns and Pulp along with Billy Idol and the Go Go's. If I lived in Portland I would don my 80's attire and dance at this place every Friday night.
