If you’re a lover of old movie palaces, Pacific Northwest history, or you’re simply chasing the mysterious pull of places that time refuses to forget, the Bagdad Theater in Portland, Oregon should be at the top of your must-visit list. Located in the heart of the eclectic Hawthorne District, this historic theater fuses vintage charm with whispers of the past—some of which many believe still roam its art-deco halls. Whether you’re there for a classic film, a pint of beer, or a brush with the otherworldly, the Bagdad Theater offers a surprisingly rich and eerie experience unlike any other. Pull up a seat and dim the lights—this story is just beginning.
The History
Opening Night Magic (1927)
The Bagdad Theater first opened its ornate doors on January 14, 1927. Commissioned by Universal Pictures, the theater was designed as a show-stopping movie palace—a beacon of entertainment in Portland’s rapidly growing east side. Designed by architect Thomas and Mercier, it was one of the most extravagant structures in the city at the time, featuring a lavish Middle Eastern-inspired façade, brightly colored tiles, wrought iron murals, Asiatic ceiling murals, and dramatic lighting. With nearly 1,492 original seats, it was one of the few theaters in Oregon built to fully embrace the golden age of silent films and talkies alike.
A Jewel of the Golden Age
During the 1930s and 1940s, the Bagdad operated as one of Portland’s premier destinations for moviegoers. Patrons would flock to see newsreels, cartoons, and major Hollywood hits. The theater was more than just a place to watch films—it was a cultural cornerstone and a hub for community life. Featuring high-vaulted ceilings, flowing red velvet curtains, and thick carpeting, entering the Bagdad was like being transported into another world—a historically romantic and cinematic one.
Decline and Rebirth
By the late 1970s, like many urban theaters, the Bagdad began to fall into decline. Crowds dwindled, and the once-glorious facility was in real danger of permanent closure. Fortunately, in 1991, the local McMenamins group—famous for transforming quirky historic properties around the Pacific Northwest—purchased and restored the theater. They carefully preserved the building’s unique design while bringing new life to it with a bar, a brewery onsite, and a renewed event calendar. Today, it operates as part of the McMenamins operation, showing both new blockbusters and cult classics, while serving cold ales brewed yards from the screen.
Recognition and Legacy
The Bagdad Theater isn’t just a beloved haunt for locals—it’s also earned national recognition. In 2004, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building’s careful preservation and continued use make it a prime example of adaptive reuse and a triumph in keeping American cinematic history alive. With its Romanesque and Moorish architecture, atmospheric charm, and rumored paranormal activity, the Bagdad invites evocative comparisons to Europe’s storied opera houses and shadowy, haunted playhouses.
The Haunt
Whispers Behind the Curtain
With nearly 100 years of continuous operation comes an inevitable collection of ghost stories. Staff and visitors alike have often shared unexplained experiences within the Bagdad Theater. From phantom footsteps to cold drafts that appear in the dead of summer, there are numerous eerie occurrences that continue to fascinate and disturb even the most skeptical patrons.
The Woman in the Balcony
One of the most widely cited paranormal encounters at the Bagdad involves a spectral woman dressed in period 1920s clothing. She is often spotted standing quietly on the balcony as if waiting for a show—or perhaps reliving one. Several patrons have reported seeing her during late-night screenings or during private events, only for her to vanish when they take a second glance.
Cinema Specters and Stage Sounds
Employees who work late have reported unexplained noises after closing—footsteps echoing on empty tile floors, the clink of glasses at the bar with no one around, and glimpses of movement just at the edge of vision. Projectionists, in particular, have spoken of voices whispering near the reels and a heavy presence felt while working alone in the booth. Some even claim curtains have moved without any air currents or visible cause, almost as if someone backstage—and unseen—is waiting for their cue.
Previous Ownership Secrets?
Rumors swirl that one of the theater’s original backers may have died suddenly during the Depression era and his spirit never truly left. While there are no conclusive historical records of any fatal incidents within the theater premises, this hasn’t stopped paranormal investigators from speculating—and probing deeper into its shadowy corners. Some say the energy tied to nearly a century’s worth of performances and emotions—joy, heartbreak, drama, and laughter—has built a spiritual resonance that lingers within its stone and steel frame.
EVP Recordings and Unofficial Investigations
Independent ghost hunters and amateur paranormal groups have conducted quiet investigations of the Bagdad Theater in recent years. A few claim to have captured Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP)—audible whisperings that don’t appear during real-time playback. Others report detecting cold spots and EMF spikes in seemingly inert locations such as the old dressing rooms and stairwells leading to the projection level.
Conclusion: A Place Worth Investigating
The Bagdad Theater is more than a beautiful relic of cinematic history—it’s a living, slightly haunted memory still playing out stories behind its grand façade. For ghost hunters, researchers, or even curious movie lovers, visiting the Bagdad isn’t just about catching a film—it’s about stepping into a different era, one that doesn’t remain entirely in the past.
So grab your EMF meters, bring your cameras, and don’t forget your sense of wonder. Whether you’re catching a cult classic or seeking a conversation with the unexplained, the Bagdad Theater doesn’t disappoint. Paranormal energy is often said to cling to places that have seen it all—joy, heartbreak, life, and death. If you listen closely among the laughter and filmic echoes, you just might hear something—or someone—stirring in the shadows.
And if your ghost hunt turns up empty? There’s always a local pint and a timeless film to enjoy in one of Portland’s most atmospheric haunts.