Backspace, Portland, Oregon Restaurant Details

Food:

This airy, all-ages Old Town institution, a "haven" for the city's "young creatives", serves as an art gallery, Internet cafe with LAN gaming center, bar and music venue, providing a "model for how a third place should function"; the "friendly" staff serves a "great cup of coffee" and kombucha to software developers by day and beer and wine to crowds of mixed-age "music lovers" after dark – "who thought being a geek could be so cool?"

Food:

*note* this location is now closed and will be relocating to the east side of the river. You'll be missed, Backspace!

Since moving to Portland, I have adored this multi-use space (predominantly in the daytime, though I understand the space changes a bit in the evening). The staff are always down-to-earth and easy to get along with, the coffee is delicious and it's located on 5th Ave, conveniently right at a MAX stop.

Some notes:
-Try the "toddy" (or cold pressed coffee). It's less acidic and more flavorful than regular brewed coffee.
-Computers and internet for rent, should you find yourself in a jam (or out of town without your own device)
-Beat up sofas (frankly, I'd *love* to see them add some more comfortable furniture... nothing like sinking into a couch while sipping tea or coffee)
-Ever-changing art on the walls; keeps things interesting
-They also have food, beer and wine (I have yet to try any of this)
-Frequently, they have live shows (also something I've yet to experience, but plan to)

Food:

Now THAT'S good coffee!! I am so picky it is hard to find goood fresh coffee in this town, even with the hundreds of coffe carts, shops, and cafe's. To discover Backspace's delectable coffee was a pure treat!

Food:

Only Had coffee here so can't review much more. But coffee was good. Have walked by at other times, seems to be quite the hang out spot.

Food:

Backspace is a very versatile space. It fills many rolls during different times of day. My experience with it has been as a concert venue, and as it stands for that, it is mediocre. The sound system is far from great and the stage is lacking. It has its own level of charm. The fact that it has the drinkers and the under 21 crowd non-delineated is an interesting, sometimes double-edged, sword. While it is nice if you have a friend with you who is under-21 to be able to drink and enjoy the concert with them, you are also then surrounded by a large number of teenagers which can be quite the frustrating experience.

Food:

This is the place that made me fall in love with portland. I have never found another Coffee shop anywhere in the world that is like this place. The food is wonderful (if a bit pricey), the coffee is great, the beer is great, the wifi is great, the atmosphere is amazing!!!