Navigate NXNW Intro ABOUT LAST NIGHT Schedule by Club Reviews of the Acts: Thursday Friday Saturday A-to-Z List of Acts Club Descriptions Conference Info Critics' Picks The Winners! Preview: Seattle's Sweet Mother record label zaps electronic music with an organic touch. Preview: Dave Bazan keeps Pedro the Lion running after his bandmates split. Preview: L.A. DJ the Angel spins her way out of the conception that women can't bring the beats.

ALEXANDER'S HILTON HOTEL 921 SW 6TH AVE., 23RD FLOOR, 220-2687 Swanky dinners and swoon-worthy views draw hungry folks to Alexander's. This posh eatery and piano bar perches on the 23rd floor of the Hilton, offering vistas that sweep from Mount Hood in the misty distance to West Hills mansions closer in. The dinners carry a wallet-lightening price, but the soft strains of jazz tickling your ears should ease the pain, and you won't be thinking about money once you see the city swimming below you. (JG) ASH STREET SALOON 225 SW ASH ST., 226-0430 The Ash Street's regular crowd of business people and bike messengers start packing into the tidy bar right at 5 pm, and many are still there for closing. The stage is in a room to the right of the entrance. The saloon's airiness and wood-hewn interior give the joint a laid-back, vacation feel, even though it's in a bustling section of downtown. (BD) BERBATI'S PAN 231 SW ANKENY ST., 248-4579 With its brick walls and high ceilings, Berbati's Pan feels more like a giant, stately living room than a music club. But the L-shaped venue has been the site of rock concerts by the likes of Wilco and Guided by Voices, jazz shows with local legend Leroy Vinnegar and funk fests with Maceo Parker. Attached to a Greek restaurant, Pan has a menu of its own, not to mention three bars serving a wide selection of liquor and beer. Don't miss the Shanghai Tunnel, a dark, cave-like bar right around the corner with a 25-cent pool table and decent food. (RM) COBALT LOUNGE 32 NW 3RD AVE., 225-1003 The Cobalt Lounge is Exotic magazine founder Frank Flatch's latest endeavor, and the sleek decorating job certainly attracts a sexy crowd. Blue sparkle-flecked booths are perfectly suited to large groups and late-night noshing, and the high ceilings and brick walls give the place something of a speakeasy feel. The Cobalt hosts lounge and jazz shows regularly, along with the occasional fashion show and weekly Xotica-Go-Go nights--soirées complete with dancers, live art and B-movies. (CM) EJ'S 2140 NE SANDY BLVD., 234-3535 EJ's has become one of Portland's premier rock clubs. At first glance, the interior looks like an alpine lodge after a particularly fierce après-ski party. But after a few minutes in the dimly lit club, you realize that it's one of the comfiest punk palaces around. The beer line starts at the side of the bar, and showgoers often chat amiably while waiting to order a local microbrew or the house favorite, Pabst Blue Ribbon. Only five minutes from downtown, EJ's is easily accessible by cab, though parking usually isn't a problem. (RM) FLANDERS STREET BREWPUB ALL AGES 1339 NW FLANDERS ST., 222-3414 A Portland Brewing Co. outpost, Flanders offers out-of-towners an excellent opportunity to sample some classic Northwest microbrew while watching bands. The simple space is crisply masculine, with huge windows, booths and a grand wooden bar. An old­fashioned stage is recessed in the wall about 10 feet off the floor so you can view it from almost all the seats in the restaurant. (BD) GREEN ONION ALL AGES 15 SW 2ND AVE., 227-2372 The Green Onion, located in the heart of historic Old Town, is a favorite Portland eatery featuring Persian cuisine, either buffet-style or from the menu, on Friday and Saturday nights. It has a separate stage area, usually occupied by jazz musicians, and was one of the most popular venues at last year's NXNW. (BD) JIMMY MAK'S 300 NW 10TH AVE., 295-6542 Jimmy Mak's is an urban restaurant and club that serves Greek/American food and has become one of Portland's most popular spots for jazz, funk and blues bands on the weekends. The restaurant and adjacent lounge are both intimate and comfortable, a nice alternative to standing-room-only clubs. (BD) KEY LARGO 31 NW 1ST AVE., 223-9919 One of Portland's first and finest rock clubs, Key Largo has diversified over the years to include blues and jazz. A full-service bar and restaurant, the sprawling establishment features brick-lined walls and a cozy outdoor patio. Set in the heart of Portland's Old Town district, Key Largo is a must-see during NXNW. (RM) LALUNA ALL AGES 215 SE 9TH AVE., 241-5862 Simply put, LaLuna is one of the coolest clubs in the country. The gymnasium-like main room, with its ultra-high ceiling, offers a spacious all-ages section that gives way to a separate bar, where the over-21 crowd has the option to drink beer and wine within view of the stage. Another room on the downstairs level has coffee, soft drinks and snacks, while the upstairs boasts a balcony that looks down on the stage. The adjacent Living Room is a refuge from the concert atmosphere, with pool tables and a bar. At the end of the upstairs hall, there's a game room with pinball machines and air hockey. Located just across the Burnside Bridge on the east side, LaLuna is Portland's Taj Mahal of rock. (RM) MISSION THEATER 1624 NW GLISAN ST., 223-4031 If this is your first time in Portland, there's one name you'll undoubtedly hear, and it's not Phil Knight. The McMenamin brothers have built an empire out of brewpubs and renovated buildings that they turn into restaurants or movie theaters. One such place is the Mission Theater, a boxy brick warehouse that's a beloved neighborhood cinema in Northwest Portland. Now, it doubles as a music venue as well--Mark Eitzel played a mesmerizing show here recently. Comfy couches, oddball chairs and a prim balcony offer tons of seating. This is also a good place for a hearty sandwich and all the in-house brew you can drink. (CM) MOUNT TABOR PUB 4811 SE HAWTHORNE BLVD., 238-1646 Referred to lovingly as "the Tabor" by its loyal clientele, this fixture on upper Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard has a loft-like interior made up of two adjoining rooms. For those who like their microbrews with a view, arrive early and secure a stool at the lengthy bar, which is opposite the stage. In between, there are numerous tables--and standing room. Just across the street at the Space Room, you'll find this city's coolest skyline mural and great bloody Marys. (RM) NXNW OUTDOOR STAGE ALL AGES, FREE PIONEER COURTHOUSE SQUARE 701 SW 6TH AVE., 223-1613 Nicknamed "Portland's living room," Pioneer Square is an urban paradise that replaced a parking lot. The bricked outdoor space is a favorite lunch spot for many downtown workers and the chosen hangout for both straight-laced teens and gutter punks. Pioneer Square debuts as a NXNW outdoor stage this year, but it's no stranger to musical acts. Past performers include Jon Bon Jovi, Keb'Mo and Candlebox. Conveniently, there's a Starbucks in the square in case you need a caffeine jolt. (CM) POKERFACE 128 SW 3RD AVE., 294-0445 Pokerface started out as a small, eastside outlet for club clothes and recently added a new downtown location that offers some hot, hard-to-find threads. Yep, it's a clothing store. But it looks more like a warehouse and has hosted DJ nights and First Thursday art exhibits. Those who like to shop should show up during the day; the gorgeous garments on the racks will be wheeled away to make room for concertgoers at night. (CM) ROCCO'S PIZZA ALL AGES 949 SW OAK ST., 223-9835 Across the street from the world-famous Powell's City of Books, Rocco's is the official urban pizza parlor of Portland. Bands, bike messengers, executives and bookstore browsers congregate there for enormous (and inexpensive) slices. A sense of casual mayhem surrounds the indoor/outdoor restaurant. While you're there, visit neighboring Reading Frenzy, which sells a huge variety of 'zines and small-press books, and Retread Threads, a spacious vintage store that also carries new goggles and local designers' labels. (BD) ROSELAND ALL AGES 8 NW 6TH AVE., 224-2038 In the middle of downtown Portland sits the 1,000-plus capacity Roseland Theater, which hosts national acts like De La Soul and Sonic Youth and the occasional lineup of popular locals. The roomy, all-ages dance floor is framed by a balcony with seats, and the bar is located upstairs, as well. If the Roseland looks nicer this time around, that's because this music landmark recently underwent a massive renovation project and now comes complete with a street-level, sports bar-like grill. (RM) SANDOVAL'S 133 SW 2ND AVE., 223-7020 Family-owned Sandoval's has been an anchor of Portland's Mexican-American community for years. The soothingly tropical restaurant, close to the waterfront and all the Old Town venues, features Latin bands on the weekends, as well as authentic enchiladas and huge, icy margaritas. (BD) SATYRICON 125 NW 6TH AVE., 243-2380 Satyricon isn't the grimy punk club it used to be. In its early days, this local rock institution hosted on-the-way-up bands from Nirvana to Soul Asylum. In recent years it has added a hip adjoining restaurant called Fellini and an improved bar area inside the club that now offers reasonably priced mixed drinks in addition to beer and wine. To the right of the stage a wall of concert posters traces the history of modern alternative and punk rock and gives a sense of Satyricon's importance in the Pacific Northwest rock scene. (RM) THE SPOT 239 SW BROADWAY, 223-0900 Right down the street from the Hilton, it's Mary's corner. First in line is Hamburger Mary's, a classic Portland burger joint that also serves breakfast and late-night snacks. Then there's Mary's Club, the strip bar--one of Portland's oldest and most popular. Between the two, the Spot is a 300-capacity club attached to Hamburger Mary's cozy bar. (BD) STAGE 4 THEATER ALL AGES 527 SE PINE ST., 238-9692 This all-ages venue is a low-key hipster favorite. The owners put a DIY-style lounge in a sectioned-off area that feels like a friend's rec room. This down-home feel is extended to the performance space, which doubles as a theater during the year. There's room to dance, or you can sit on chairs placed on a platform. The best way to get to Stage 4 from downtown is to go over the Burnside Bridge and take your first right, then take a left onto Pine Street. (BD) TONIC LOUNGE 3100 NE SANDY BLVD., 239-5154 A lounge in the truest sense, including its slightly obscure location, Tonic offers a unique niche: bistro tables, a full bar and live rock music. Since opening this winter, Tonic has hosted a number of local bands as well as a popular weekly South Park night. Located inside Shaughnessy's Bar & Grill, this is a perfect place for people who love live punk rock but don't love standing around an all-ages club. (BD) TUGBOAT BREWPUB ALL AGES 711 SW ANKENY ST., 226-2508 The Tugboat is a little enclave off West Burnside Street that feels much like a campus pub circa 1972; family-style picnic tables make it easy to meet your fellow quaffers. Tugboat creates all its own brews on the premises, complemented with hearty, inexpensive Mexican food. The size and atmosphere make it a friendly forum for acoustic music and spoken word. (BD) UMBRA PENUMBRA ALL AGES 314 SW 9TH AVE., 223-4497 This funky downtown coffeeshop routinely metamorphoses into a nightclub for poetry readings, bands, film events and performance art. Get there early and check out the great thrift stores next door. (BD) ZOOT SUITE 13 NW 13TH AVE., 827-4148 Local promoter and former EJ's booker Mikey Thrasher has turned this dance joint into a venue for big national acts like Blonde Redhead, Trans Am and Seaweed. But it still hosts internationally known DJs, as well; recent guest on the turntables include Vadim, Dmitry and Terry Mullan. Downstairs, there's plenty of floor space and an easy-to-see stage; upstairs, the full bar gets almost as crowded as the band area and features a picture window overlooking a warehouse. Located in Portland's arty Pearl District, Zoot Suite is a short walk from plenty of great restaurants and late-night bistros and a modest jaunt from the downtown clubs. (BD)