McMenamins Bagdad Theater & Pub

Specialties

The name «McMenamin» is well known throughout the Pacific Northwest, signifying a great place to enjoy handcrafted ales, wine, spirits and pub fare with family and friends. The dream began more than 30 years ago in the hearts of brothers Mike and Brian McMenamin and continues to spiral upward. With 57 properties (and counting!), the siblings are considered to be pioneers of the Pacific Northwest microbrew, historic hotels and music venue industries. Go to mcme​namins​.com for additional information, photos and more.

History

Established in 1991.

Since its 1927 opening, the Bagdad Theater has presented more than 25,000 shows — on stage and screen. In the theater’s formative years, the movie industry was revolutionized by the replacement of silent movies with «talkies.» Through this transition period, live stage shows were constantly big draws. In fact, vaudeville remained a key part of the Bagdad’s programs through the 1940s. The best-​known vaudeville star to grace the Bagdad’s stage was Sammy Davis, Jr. More recently, the Bagdad has been the scene of some notable movie première galas. In 1975, actors Jack Nicholson and Louise Fletcher, and producer Michael Douglas appeared at the Bagdad for the Oregon première of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Sixteen years later, just after McMenamins’ renovation of the movie palace, My Own Private Idaho debuted here. In its present incarnation as a cinema-​and-​draft house, the Bagdad continues as a favorite spot to escape into splendor and make-​believe.

Meet the Business Owner

Mike and Brian M.

Business Owner

The creative force behind McMenamins is brothers Mike and Brian McMenamin. At first glance, these down-​to-​earth men seem an unlikely pair to head the hotels, pubs and breweries company that began when older brother Mike and a couple friends opened Portland’s Produce Row Café in 1974. They just don’t fit the typical corporate make-​up — and perhaps that’s why it’s all worked out as well as it has? The McMenamins are of Irish descent and Portland birth — Mike was born in 1951, Brian in ’57 — and both fully absorbed the culture and quirks of their upbringing in Oregon’s City of Roses. From great bartenders to the razing of the classic Portland Hotel to the launch of Oregon’s first craft brewery and beyond left indelible imprints upon their psyches and cultivated their appreciation for local character and characters. Mike and Brian expanded their educations at Oregon State University in Corvallis, both graduating with degrees in political science during the 1970s.