Blue Diamond Bar & Grill — Restaurant in Portland

Tucked away with the kind of low-lit charm that only authentic Blues joints possess, the Blue Diamond Bar & Grill at 2016 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland is where Rhythm & Blues meets refinement. The stage is alive 5 nights a week with rotating talent—each night offering a new voice, a new sound, a new flavor of Blues. From silky sax solos to hard-swinging rhythm sections, the variety and quality of musicians, including established veterans such as Fenix of Fenix Rising or Kevin Selfe who runs Jam Night, and frequent ascending stars like Kivett Bidnar, is nothing short of stellar. Vintage portraits of jazz legends look on approvingly as the next generation carries the torch.

But it’s not just the music that sings—Chef Patrick’s kitchen deserves a standing ovation of its own.

The food is Southern soul with gourmet finesse. I chose tonight's Jambalaya special, and you can taste the intention in every bite, from the tender, smoky collard greens to the peppery kick of perfectly fried green beans. The cornbread is warm, golden, and speckled with sweet peppers—comfort food at its finest. The standout jambalaya bursts with layers of spice, savory sausage, and fresh, culinated local shellfish with just the right touch of heat, after the mouth-watering appetizer of hearty cheese stuffed meatballs & bacon-wrapped dates with blue cheese crumble added for a bold, satisfying punch to get the juices flowing.

Even the Brussels sprouts are a revelation: crisped to perfection, kissed with balsamic, and lightly scattered with creamy cheese. It's food that complements the music—layered, expressive, and deeply rooted in tradition with a modern twist.

Pair it all with a cold craft beer or a smooth cocktail, and you’ve got more than a night out—you’ve got an experience. Whether you're a diehard Blues fan or simply chasing a memorable evening, this club delivers on every note. I highly recommend a visit soon, tell them...

The Blue Diamond is so much more than just a bar. It's a home for some of Portland's best Blues/Rock/R&B musicians and for true lovers and supporters of live music. It has the feel of a "Cheers" but with kick a** live bands. I'm not normally a bar person but I find myself here often. This is the place to go to dance (everybody does here - the good, the bad, the young, the old), to people watch, to have some conversation with friendly folks, to eat some great food (NOT your typical bar food) and to soak in the sounds of the excellent music. Thursdays are a hit with Hot Tea Cold, some of the funkiest live music you'll hear in town. I can't count how many times I've seen them, they are amazing. Tuesdays have LaRhonda Steele. If you don't know who this woman is, you should. Her singing gives me goose bumps every time. Sunday's have an excellent blues jam hosted by Kevin Selfe. There are several musicians in rotation (Peter Dammon, Kathryn Grimm and The Blues Tools, etc.) as well as special dinner shows honoring fav artists from Hendrix to Rosetta Tharpe. Thank goodness for the new owners Sonny and Jamie who have transformed the place and kept the music going. They should be crowned for their diligent efforts and support of Portland's live...

Wow, where I have been these past 10 years? I actually live right in the neighborhood, but never went to this place until I walked by one night and heard the music coming from the place. So I went Wed. night and thought I was transported back to Oakland, California to my favorite jam session bar. Clean, friendly, neighborhood vibes with actually people who weren't all 20-30 years old, and the music was amazing. Great blues and r & b...if you're into dancing, perfect for that too. I didn't order the food, but I hear it's also good. Hate to let the cat out of the bag, but this is a neighbhorhood gem and I'll be trying some of their other nights as they have music 7 nights a week. No cover, and the drinks are extremely reasonable. What's not to like? And the review that had something about a crazy waitress? Have no idea about that, lovely waitress who was friendly and helpful. The whole place had a...