Hawthorne Theater (Main)

Over the course of its nearly 100 year history, the Hawthorne Masonic Building, which holds the Hawthorne Theatre, has donned many different hats, each no less interesting than the last. From its humble beginnings in the early 1920s as the Eastside’s central meeting place for Masons, to its more recent foray into live music venue, the Hawthorne Masonic Building has become a Portland institution in and of itself.

The present day Hawthorne Theatre is one of the few places left in an ever-changing Portland to see all-ages shows, and hosts everything from metal shows to dance nights, from comedians to art shows, and everything in between. The size of the Theatre is a big draw for up-and-coming acts on the edge of breaking out, as well as legacy acts that enjoy playing a more intimate venue for die-hard fans. The interior of the Theatre holds a large stage, an underage section toward the front and a 21+ section in the back with a bar, and a large balcony that provides excellent views of the stage.

The contrast between contemporary musical acts playing in a building steeped in history is part of what makes this venue so unique. In a city that, in the last few years, has been plagued by the demolition of old buildings for the construction of high priced luxury flats, the Hawthorne feels distinctly Old Portland.