To the one person who gave a low 2 star review, people don't come for the food. They come for the live music, especially blues and jazz. In that context the food is good enough. They have a full bar including about 7 brews on tap. Not an outstanding wine selection, but good enough to keep you happy during the live music just about every night 9pm to Midnight. Also they serve a full menu I think to almost midnight every night. The crowd tends to be older but also plenty of 20 and 30 year Olds around. Dancing to the music too!
(5)
Deanna D.
Great place to listen to live jazz and blues bands and people watch! The drinks are basic, the crowd is eclectic, the music is solid, and the dancing couples are entertaining. I love that they have music every night and the no cover charge keeps me coming back on a regular basis.
(4)
Dan H.
The Blue Diamond is very unassuming. It is so unassuming that there are only 9 other reviews on Yelp about it. It is so unassuming that you've driven past it thousands of times as you are on your way to Hollywood along NE Sandy Blvd and probably never noticed it. I notice it all the time, but it took an article in a paper I saw within the last 6 months or so that finally prompted me to go check the place out. How happy am I that I know how to read? Very. They have live music here 7 days a week. There is never a cover. The music is mostly (maybe all) blues. There aren't many bars like this in Portland. The Blue Diamond is a diamond in the rough in this town. Sue and I came over here on a Saturday night. The place wasn't very packed when we walked in the door shortly after 9pm. The band had just started their first set, so we found our way to the bar, ordered some drinks (we found out later that there is table service) and found a seat at one of the communal tables near the stage. Most of the tables are near the stage as the place isn't very big. As I said there is no cover charge, but you do have to spend a minimum of $5 if you want to stay. Within 30 minutes or so of us arriving, the place packed up nicely. The crowd was very mixed. Young and old. I would say this is an "old man bar" if there ever was one in Portland, but there were plenty of younger folks here on this night as well. People were up dancing and just having an all around good time. The band was really good and it wasn't too loud. Later on we ordered some food. Greasy fare dominates the menu, but they also seemed to have a good variety of salads. There were only 2 bartenders. One stayed behind the bar and the other ran around the room taking orders while still mixing drinks behind the bar. Saying that, the service was very friendly and very good. I plan to make my way back here again very soon.
(4)
Ruins ..
I'm not quite sure why all the rave reviews. I've been twice now for dinner and both times the food was mediocre at best. The first time I had the chicken tenders and they smacked of fast food. Granted, they are but they can be very flavorful. The last time I had the Cajun chicken breast with French fries. Expensive for what I got and it just wasn't that good. The cocktails are okay. The service is always pleasant. The place is relatively clean. I've not been for the entertainment.
(2)
Rob W.
Live music is great. The atmosphere is wonderful. Great little place on sandy blvd. I am a Vancouver resident that rarely finds himself crossing the river for my entertainment but this place will be seeing me again. I came for the music and stayed for the atmosphere. Thanks Blue Diamond.
(4)
Olga H.
The Blue Diamond is on my way home. The food, the drinks, the service--all are topnotch! And there is live music every evening. No cover, just spend $5 at least on something you will enjoy. I've been coming here since October 2012 and have witnessed the kind of consistency that keeps folks ready to return.
(5)
Connie M.
Haven't tried the food, but the music vibe is terrific. Some of my favorite local bands perform here now. Update: I tried the steak tidbits and fries. Yummy delish!
(4)
Cheri M.
I simply love this place!!!!! it's a great place to go during the day for a quiet lunch to get away from the office. The food is Amazing and Bev, the owner, will remember you if you go in there more than once. My boyfriend and I go after hours for music and drinks and the staff is attentive but not hovering. I asked the bartender to make a drink she never had before and she did an amazing job!!!! I am so lucky to only work a 5 minute drive from here.
(5)
Jennifer S.
I came here the weekend after my 21st birthday with my parents and we had a blast. Lisa Mann was the live music for the night and she was incredible! The drinks were fantastic, and I was amazed at how pack this little bar was and how fast the bartenders were moving. Definately get there early if you are going to watch the music. It was PACKED! There was also a blazer game on that night that people were watching so I would recommend getting there an hour to 30 minutes early to grab a seat. Great service! I will definately be coming back!
(4)
Katie B.
Great live music! We went on a Tuesday and just so happened that Anthony Hamilton's band, the Hamiltone's, decided to stop in as well and they kilt it! Amazing. Just to be clear before they came on the local band was great too. Friendly atmosphere, great people, great bartender. Would definitely return.
(5)
Josh S.
SUPER LOUD!! Can you Hear me??? What did you say?? People on there cell phones.. Learn some Manners when going out and leave your Phone in your Pocket.. Good Bar Food though. Would come again...Maybe.. Nothing Great!
(3)
kelly s.
Blue Diamond is your garden variety Portland dive bar with a little character. Apparently they are proud of the jazz scene here, but I might beg to differ. it seemed more like a band slammed in the corner playing a deafening keyboard solo that sounded like Max Headroom short circuiting. Music wasn't the cause of my visit though, was just there to catch up with friends over cheap drinks, that was a success. In a state of starving we decided to order some eats. Food is basic to be sure, I ordered a veggie burger and chowder. Veggie burger is as you might expect, but chowder was actually not too shabby. Overall this joint is about a C, but the bartendress has enough character to warrant an a-ok.
(3)
Anna M.
Definitely not a fancy place, but definitely worth it to check out the quality blues musicians that blow through. The bartenders are great, too!
(4)
Paula W.
I came here Saturday night for a special event. I knew there was going to be a band so went a tad early to grab a seat. Well, was I surprised when I walked in and discovered that every seat in the place was filled half an hour before the band started playing. They were even setting up more tables and chairs in the aisles to try to offer up some more seating. I finally wormed my way into a free seat at a table of about 16. The waitress (Barb I think) was amazing! She was waiting on about 50 people and though a tiny bit surly was super quick to offer service. The bartender must have had about a dozen arms as quickly as Barb was bringing drinks out. I was definitely impressed with the service. I ordered my typical Long Island Iced Tea ($6 by the way) and was told that I could only have two of these. I haven't heard that for a while. I was told by the man next to me that the Fish and Chips was great but I just wanted a little 'snack' so ordered a chicken quesadilla. I didn't see the price but when I gave her a $10 all she gave me back was three quarters. $9.25 for a quesadilla? WTF? I have a feeling she might have charged me for the fries the lady next to me also ordered. The quesadilla was great. It filled so full of chicken, peppers, onions, cheese, and (bacon?) that I had to use the utensils provided instead of picking it up with my hands. Maybe it was $9.25. It would have been worth it even at that price. I didn't stick around for the second Long Island as it was so crowded you couldn't even dance. I definitely want to come back here for dinner sometime and another of their $6 drinks! (I hear the steak dinners are killer)
(3)
Heather K.
This is a great place that I discovered this February, and have returned 4 times since then. Superb live music each time from different bands. Also, it has some of the absolutely nicest waitstaff/ bartenders that I've seen in any venue.
(4)
Sonya S.
I am a former Portland resident. When living there, I worked for a time within close proximity to Sandy Boulevard. I discovered the Blue Diamond, by happenstance one day. I wanted something different to eat for lunch that day, besides the Happy Teriyaki food, which is also on Sandy Boulevard. And, I was tired of my other lunch choices-microwaved canned ravioli, or brown-bag-leftovers. I hesitated to walk in, since I don't really like bar and grill joints much. But I was feeling bold that day. Once inside, I was tantalized by the smell of food being cooked. It smelled strongly of grilled steak, onion-rings, and a hint of something garlicky-perhaps spaghetti or pizza. Being famished, I grabbed a menu from the bar, and sat down at a small, cozy booth in the corner. A waitress appeared quickly, and told me that they had daily lunch specials. On that day (Friday), the special was a grilled ham-n-cheese sandwich, with your choice of sides-fries, potato-salad, or cole-slaw. I said yes, and chose cole-slaw for my side dish. My sandwich was hearty. It featured thick-sliced ham, and gooey, melted American cheese. It came with a few sweet-pickle chips, which were a delicious garnishment. The cole-slaw was in a small plastic cup. It was tasty, but a bit on the watery side. The soup of the day, was clam chowder, featured every Friday. I had a cup with my lunch, and was hooked from that day on. Their chowder is rich and creamy. It seethes with juicy, tender clams, and big chunks of vegetables. The decor is a bit run-down, but not seedy. It's brightly-lit for a bar, and has some cheery wallpaper. This place has been around for a while, and the retro-factor has it's charm. No one could say it's a flashy, yuppified bar-it reeks of well-worn, corner-bar character. The Blue Diamond allows smoking indoors, which I didn't like. I'm a dedicated non-smoker. So, after that first visit, I always got my food to go. Their food is above-average, especially their clam chowder (which is way, way, above average). I recommend the Blue Diamond. But, you might want to get your food to go too, if you're also a non-smoker.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Late Night Parking : Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Live Good For Dancing : Yes Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Wed, Fri Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Vik C.
To the one person who gave a low 2 star review, people don't come for the food. They come for the live music, especially blues and jazz. In that context the food is good enough. They have a full bar including about 7 brews on tap. Not an outstanding wine selection, but good enough to keep you happy during the live music just about every night 9pm to Midnight. Also they serve a full menu I think to almost midnight every night. The crowd tends to be older but also plenty of 20 and 30 year Olds around. Dancing to the music too!
(5)Deanna D.
Great place to listen to live jazz and blues bands and people watch! The drinks are basic, the crowd is eclectic, the music is solid, and the dancing couples are entertaining. I love that they have music every night and the no cover charge keeps me coming back on a regular basis.
(4)Dan H.
The Blue Diamond is very unassuming. It is so unassuming that there are only 9 other reviews on Yelp about it. It is so unassuming that you've driven past it thousands of times as you are on your way to Hollywood along NE Sandy Blvd and probably never noticed it. I notice it all the time, but it took an article in a paper I saw within the last 6 months or so that finally prompted me to go check the place out. How happy am I that I know how to read? Very. They have live music here 7 days a week. There is never a cover. The music is mostly (maybe all) blues. There aren't many bars like this in Portland. The Blue Diamond is a diamond in the rough in this town. Sue and I came over here on a Saturday night. The place wasn't very packed when we walked in the door shortly after 9pm. The band had just started their first set, so we found our way to the bar, ordered some drinks (we found out later that there is table service) and found a seat at one of the communal tables near the stage. Most of the tables are near the stage as the place isn't very big. As I said there is no cover charge, but you do have to spend a minimum of $5 if you want to stay. Within 30 minutes or so of us arriving, the place packed up nicely. The crowd was very mixed. Young and old. I would say this is an "old man bar" if there ever was one in Portland, but there were plenty of younger folks here on this night as well. People were up dancing and just having an all around good time. The band was really good and it wasn't too loud. Later on we ordered some food. Greasy fare dominates the menu, but they also seemed to have a good variety of salads. There were only 2 bartenders. One stayed behind the bar and the other ran around the room taking orders while still mixing drinks behind the bar. Saying that, the service was very friendly and very good. I plan to make my way back here again very soon.
(4)Ruins ..
I'm not quite sure why all the rave reviews. I've been twice now for dinner and both times the food was mediocre at best. The first time I had the chicken tenders and they smacked of fast food. Granted, they are but they can be very flavorful. The last time I had the Cajun chicken breast with French fries. Expensive for what I got and it just wasn't that good. The cocktails are okay. The service is always pleasant. The place is relatively clean. I've not been for the entertainment.
(2)Rob W.
Live music is great. The atmosphere is wonderful. Great little place on sandy blvd. I am a Vancouver resident that rarely finds himself crossing the river for my entertainment but this place will be seeing me again. I came for the music and stayed for the atmosphere. Thanks Blue Diamond.
(4)Olga H.
The Blue Diamond is on my way home. The food, the drinks, the service--all are topnotch! And there is live music every evening. No cover, just spend $5 at least on something you will enjoy. I've been coming here since October 2012 and have witnessed the kind of consistency that keeps folks ready to return.
(5)Connie M.
Haven't tried the food, but the music vibe is terrific. Some of my favorite local bands perform here now. Update: I tried the steak tidbits and fries. Yummy delish!
(4)Cheri M.
I simply love this place!!!!! it's a great place to go during the day for a quiet lunch to get away from the office. The food is Amazing and Bev, the owner, will remember you if you go in there more than once. My boyfriend and I go after hours for music and drinks and the staff is attentive but not hovering. I asked the bartender to make a drink she never had before and she did an amazing job!!!! I am so lucky to only work a 5 minute drive from here.
(5)Jennifer S.
I came here the weekend after my 21st birthday with my parents and we had a blast. Lisa Mann was the live music for the night and she was incredible! The drinks were fantastic, and I was amazed at how pack this little bar was and how fast the bartenders were moving. Definately get there early if you are going to watch the music. It was PACKED! There was also a blazer game on that night that people were watching so I would recommend getting there an hour to 30 minutes early to grab a seat. Great service! I will definately be coming back!
(4)Katie B.
Great live music! We went on a Tuesday and just so happened that Anthony Hamilton's band, the Hamiltone's, decided to stop in as well and they kilt it! Amazing. Just to be clear before they came on the local band was great too. Friendly atmosphere, great people, great bartender. Would definitely return.
(5)Josh S.
SUPER LOUD!! Can you Hear me??? What did you say?? People on there cell phones.. Learn some Manners when going out and leave your Phone in your Pocket.. Good Bar Food though. Would come again...Maybe.. Nothing Great!
(3)kelly s.
Blue Diamond is your garden variety Portland dive bar with a little character. Apparently they are proud of the jazz scene here, but I might beg to differ. it seemed more like a band slammed in the corner playing a deafening keyboard solo that sounded like Max Headroom short circuiting. Music wasn't the cause of my visit though, was just there to catch up with friends over cheap drinks, that was a success. In a state of starving we decided to order some eats. Food is basic to be sure, I ordered a veggie burger and chowder. Veggie burger is as you might expect, but chowder was actually not too shabby. Overall this joint is about a C, but the bartendress has enough character to warrant an a-ok.
(3)Anna M.
Definitely not a fancy place, but definitely worth it to check out the quality blues musicians that blow through. The bartenders are great, too!
(4)Paula W.
I came here Saturday night for a special event. I knew there was going to be a band so went a tad early to grab a seat. Well, was I surprised when I walked in and discovered that every seat in the place was filled half an hour before the band started playing. They were even setting up more tables and chairs in the aisles to try to offer up some more seating. I finally wormed my way into a free seat at a table of about 16. The waitress (Barb I think) was amazing! She was waiting on about 50 people and though a tiny bit surly was super quick to offer service. The bartender must have had about a dozen arms as quickly as Barb was bringing drinks out. I was definitely impressed with the service. I ordered my typical Long Island Iced Tea ($6 by the way) and was told that I could only have two of these. I haven't heard that for a while. I was told by the man next to me that the Fish and Chips was great but I just wanted a little 'snack' so ordered a chicken quesadilla. I didn't see the price but when I gave her a $10 all she gave me back was three quarters. $9.25 for a quesadilla? WTF? I have a feeling she might have charged me for the fries the lady next to me also ordered. The quesadilla was great. It filled so full of chicken, peppers, onions, cheese, and (bacon?) that I had to use the utensils provided instead of picking it up with my hands. Maybe it was $9.25. It would have been worth it even at that price. I didn't stick around for the second Long Island as it was so crowded you couldn't even dance. I definitely want to come back here for dinner sometime and another of their $6 drinks! (I hear the steak dinners are killer)
(3)Heather K.
This is a great place that I discovered this February, and have returned 4 times since then. Superb live music each time from different bands. Also, it has some of the absolutely nicest waitstaff/ bartenders that I've seen in any venue.
(4)Sonya S.
I am a former Portland resident. When living there, I worked for a time within close proximity to Sandy Boulevard. I discovered the Blue Diamond, by happenstance one day. I wanted something different to eat for lunch that day, besides the Happy Teriyaki food, which is also on Sandy Boulevard. And, I was tired of my other lunch choices-microwaved canned ravioli, or brown-bag-leftovers. I hesitated to walk in, since I don't really like bar and grill joints much. But I was feeling bold that day. Once inside, I was tantalized by the smell of food being cooked. It smelled strongly of grilled steak, onion-rings, and a hint of something garlicky-perhaps spaghetti or pizza. Being famished, I grabbed a menu from the bar, and sat down at a small, cozy booth in the corner. A waitress appeared quickly, and told me that they had daily lunch specials. On that day (Friday), the special was a grilled ham-n-cheese sandwich, with your choice of sides-fries, potato-salad, or cole-slaw. I said yes, and chose cole-slaw for my side dish. My sandwich was hearty. It featured thick-sliced ham, and gooey, melted American cheese. It came with a few sweet-pickle chips, which were a delicious garnishment. The cole-slaw was in a small plastic cup. It was tasty, but a bit on the watery side. The soup of the day, was clam chowder, featured every Friday. I had a cup with my lunch, and was hooked from that day on. Their chowder is rich and creamy. It seethes with juicy, tender clams, and big chunks of vegetables. The decor is a bit run-down, but not seedy. It's brightly-lit for a bar, and has some cheery wallpaper. This place has been around for a while, and the retro-factor has it's charm. No one could say it's a flashy, yuppified bar-it reeks of well-worn, corner-bar character. The Blue Diamond allows smoking indoors, which I didn't like. I'm a dedicated non-smoker. So, after that first visit, I always got my food to go. Their food is above-average, especially their clam chowder (which is way, way, above average). I recommend the Blue Diamond. But, you might want to get your food to go too, if you're also a non-smoker.
(4)