Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

We are not a nazi bar. We are not white power. We are not racist. We are a nerd bar. So please, stop spreading and believing lies.

- Do you serve food?

Yes, by OLCC regulations we have to, but we are not a restaurant. Do not expect free range gluten free macro biotic bacon buffalo burgers and tots w/ wasabi mayo dipping sauce from Indonesia; go to a restaurant for that; we are a bar. Outside food is allowed, but we don’t have any silverware. See the menu link above for more details.

- How do I book a show at Lovecraft?

Read the booking page and email us after reading it.

- Why do you open so late?

Because people did not come earlier.

 - Do you cater art shows?

We used to until some one-of-a-kind art was stolen. Live and learn.

 - Why do you not have outside seating?

If we did, homeless people would poop on the tables. We would also legally be required to have cameras or a full time staff member watching you. It doesn’t seem worth it for the 3 months of sunlight a year  we have in Portland for an expensive outside seating license. Drinking is only legally permitted inside.

 - Is there a cover?

Occasionally. It is up to the promoter/band/DJ booked for the night, and they get full door. Please check the calendar for details.

 - Is every night a dance night?

Mostly and that is up to you- if you dance, it is a dance night. Please check calendar.

 - Why do bands end so early?

Thank the city noise curfew for that. It’s not just a Portland issue, I’ve talked to bar and pub owners in Europe and many American cities and noise curfews are apparently a global epidemic. Gentrification kills culture.

-Are you affiliated with the Lovecraft Bar in NYC?

No. We opened in 2011. They opened in 2014. When contacted they refused to provide an explanation.

- Is there a dress code?

Now there is but only on specific Friday and Saturday nights. No khakis, baseball hats, sweatpants (gross), team jerseys, plaid or tye dyes please. You can get in wearing that “fashion” Sunday - Thursday.

NO NAZI APPAREL OR ACCESSORIES. Pagan - YES, Nazi - NO. Ever. Always.

We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason.

  - If I get kicked out, is it forever?

That depends on the incident and how you handled being asked to leave. Apologies go a long way. Internet slander is inexcusable so think twice before you drunken Yelp or Facebook us.

  - Is The Lovecraft a Satanic bar?

No, we have no religious opinions or views at all. All are welcome but please don’t peddle your views. It’s fucking boring.

Safety

We care about your safety, but we cannot oversee everything that happens at the bar. Please keep an eye on your drink from the time that it is made to the time that you ingest it.

If you think you have been drugged, get to the company of safe people and have someone inform security. If you want us to, we will call 911 for you.

Be aware of what any substances in your body (prescription meds, etc..) and how alcohol affects you on them. 

Make sure you eat! We have vegan food and free water to absorb alcohol in your system if you need it.

Do not leave your phone or personal belongings unattended.

If someone is being creepy and/or harassing you, please inform security. We have a -no tolerance- rule for creepy and/or harassing behavior towards women or members of the LGBTQ community.

Do not drink and drive.

If we catch anyone drugging someone’s drink, we will call the cops on them!

Nazis/racists/etc.

We do not allow overt symbols of racism or white supremacy. We do not play music by Death in June, who have been known to use racist symbols.

While we cannot inspect every person who enters the bar, we will check someone out if we hear that they are wearing any sort of racist symbolism.

Goths and metal heads have traditionally been the targets of suspicion and rumor by both the left and the right, but the goth movement has always been a welcome home to people of all races, genders, identities, and sexualities. We are all about that.

There are many pagan people who frequent our bar, and some pagan symbolism has been co-opted by horrible organizations throughout history, but we would no more kick them out of the bar than someone wearing a Christian cross, which has also been co-opted by horrible organizations.

Portland is a town obsessed with the power of rumors, but please take a moment and investigate what you may hear. Dispelling recent rumors:

 - We do not have a nazi breakroom (we actually don’t even have a break room),

 - a nazi did not leave a racist jacket at the bar, because actually, a customer who is a person of color left a jacket with pagan symbolism and someone “found” it and started a rumor he was a nazi,

- we do not hold white supremacist events- never have, never will.

HP Lovecraft - who was he?

And finally, to our namesake: the author HP Lovecraft died in 1937. In his youth, like many people at the turn of that century, had a racist viewpoint. At the end of his life he regretted the stupidity of his youth and admitted that he was wrong. Because people change. We place emphasis on Lovecraft’s folklore and mythos, tentacles and madness, NOT his ignorant early years. People of all race, ethnicity, religion, and gender are welcome to come and dance. We prefer the ignorant and racist stay at home. And do I have to point out that we are really gay? Nazis would not hang out in gay bars.

thanks!