The McMenamins empire
McMenamins is a family-owned chain of brewpubs, restaurants, and hotels that started in the Pacific Northwest. Mike and Brian McMenamin opened the first location in Portland, Oregon, in 1983.
There are 56 locations in Oregon and Washington, and the number is growing!
McMenamins properties are known for their historic buildings (many on the National Register of Historic Places).
For instance, one movie theater we visited in Portland inhabited a beautiful domed building that used to be part of a fairground. And if the walls could talk in Centralia’s Olympic Hotel, the stories of bootlegging, brothels, and bandits would make for an excellent mobster movie.
Add quirky decor, eclectic entertainment, excellent food, and drink – you have a winning combo.
(Disclosure – we have NOT received compensation, merchandise, or perks for creating this post. We love McMenamins that much.)
The McMenamins Passport
What is the McMenamins Passport?
The McMenamins passport is a scavenger hunt for adults!
The passport has spaces to collect stamps at each McMenamins location – pubs, breweries, and historic hotels. Some locations have multiple stamps highlighting different features and venues on the property.
Along the way, you win prizes for each series of stamps collected.
For example, after collecting stamps at the two Vancouver, WA locations, you receive a basket of tots or fries. Visit all three sites in Seattle, and you’ll be rewarded with a hamburger!
When a passport is “completed,” you will become a Cosmic Tripster (see below) and earn lifelong status as a McMenamins superfan – along with other good things.
When did the McMenamins Passport start?
The McMenamins Passport started on November 5th, 2013.
Here’s a fun video of the first Cosmic Tripster Party 6 months later – a sneak peek of Edgefield’s hidden Jail bar.
Who can have a McMenamins Passport?
Anyone 21 years or older can purchase a passport.
Each person must have their passport – no sharing with your partner.
Passports are non-transferable. However, you can purchase a passport for someone as a gift – see details below.
There is a limit of 2 completed passports per person per calendar year.
How much do McMenamins Passports cost?
McMenamins Passports cost $35 and can be purchased at any McMenamins location or online.
Purchase your passport online here.
Do you have to make a purchase to get a stamp on your McMenamins Passport?
There is conflicting information on the purchase rule floating around the internet. We’ve never been questioned or asked to buy anything as we tour a property and collect stamps.
However, we have always made a purchase during a passport stop – I’m not sure what the point is to just run in for the stamp, but I know people do this. Sometimes, we stay in the hotel and spend a chunk of money, and sometimes we buy a beer.
But they do not require you to spend money in a bar, see a movie, eat in a restaurant, and then buy a cigar in the lounge (or any other ridiculous scenario you may see people complaining about on social media)!
Some stamps require you to solve a clue/puzzle. Usually, this involves searching the property for a specific art piece – a significant part of the fun. And you don’t have to be a hotel guest to participate in the scavenger hunts.
Every encounter at McMenamins related to our passport has been gracious, generous, and helpful.
I believe this is a “Spirit of the Law” issue. If you’re genuinely interested in McMenamins and its unique properties, the staff will treat you with equal respect. If you’ve made this into a speed footrace where the only goal is getting stamps for ‘nothing,’ you may get some pushback.
Here is the rule taken directly from McMenamins Terms of Use page:
There is no purchase required to gain location stamps.
https://www.mcmenamins.com/about-passport/terms-of-use
- You may receive a location stamp by completing the clue/task. OR
- Grab a bite or a pint or make a purchase, and you can receive the stamp without needing to solve the clue.
One exception to the purchase rule: if a venue requires a ticket purchase, you must have a ticket to get in and get your stamp. These are designated in the passport with a TIX icon.
Venues that require ticket purchase:
- Bagdad Theater
- Mission Theater
- Crystal Ballroom
- Lola’s Room (Crystal)
- Spanish Ballroom (Elks)
How many stamps are in the McMenamins Passport?
There are 117 location stamps in the McMenamins Passport.
16 Experience stamps.
8 Passport Insert Experiences (available for $5 extra)
(Note – this is my count as of 2023; they add stamps periodically.)
What are the prizes for getting McMenamins Passport stamps?
Specific prizes vary by location.
Some locations offer food prizes, while others give out t-shirts or branded merch. As you collect stamps from each location, you can redeem them for a prize on the day of the visit or wait until your next stop.
Pro tip: When you and your travel companion earn a basket of tots or fries, don’t redeem both baskets in the same visit. We were off tots for at least a year after that mistake! Get one basket now, and save the other prize for another day🤢. You’re also allowed to take your prize food to go.
We have received $20 gift cards, bottle openers, burgers, and a very cool tote.
We also have an extensive wardrobe of McMenamins t-shirts!
In the passport, the specific prize is listed under the location’s name. Sometimes, it’s very specific; at some locations, it’s left to the venue’s discretion.
The one prize I’ve never seen is alcoholic beverages. I imagine giving away alcohol steps into weird legal territory.
Can I buy someone a McMenamins Passport as a gift?
You can purchase a McMenamins Passport for any recipient, whether it’s yourself or someone else. The best part is that you can do so online or at the pub.
McMenamins Passports are a popular wedding gift. At least in our family. You’re giving the couple potential date night ideas for years.
You can purchase a special gift pack with a passport and a $20 gift card for $50 (a savings of $5).
Five dollars is a nice discount – you may want to purchase this for yourself😉.
How do I keep track of my McMenamins Passport?
When you get your passport, fill out the first page with all the information – if you leave it on the pub table, having your name and phone number inside is your best chance of seeing it again.
Passports are like cash; once it’s gone, it’s gone. So don’t lose it. McMenamins will not replace or recreate a lost passport.
Except…
Register your passport on the portal, and McMenamins will replace a lost, stolen, or mangled passport – they will not replace the stamps unless you still have the mangled but readable passport. Again, don’t lose the passport!
Experience Stamps
It’s important to note that Experience Stamps are not required to complete the passport.
But for every 4 Experience Stamps earned, you’re rewarded with a $20 gift card.
Experiences
See a movie
Seeing a movie at McMenamins is one of our favorite things to do. They show first-run or slightly already run😉films in the afternoon and evening.
The afternoon movies are generally open to families – the evening movies are 21+.
The best part is you can order food and beverages and watch the movie from a variety of comfy couches, chairs, or table set-ups.
Movie theater locations:
Anderson School Theater | Bothell, WA |
Olympic Club Theater | Centralia, WA |
Bagdad Theater and Pub | Portland, OR |
Kennedy School Theater | Portland, OR |
St. Johns Theater and Pub | Portland, OR |
Grand Lodge Theater | Forest Grove, OR |
Power Station Theater (Edgefield) | Troutdale, OR |
Old St. Francis Theater | Bend, OR |
Play a game
Some pubs have billiards, shuffleboard, pinball machines, and darts. These games may be free at some locations but plan to pay a small fee to use the equipment.
Locations with games:
Olympic Club | Centralia, WA |
Spar Cafe | Olympia, WA |
Backstage Bar (Bagdad) | Portland, OR |
Bagdad Theater and Pub | Portland, OR |
Barley Mill Pub | Portland, OR |
Blue Moon Tavern and Grill | Portland, OR |
Crystal Ballroom | Portland, OR |
Ringlers Pub | Portland, OR |
Tavern and Pool | Portland, OR |
Cedar Hills | Beaverton, OR |
Murray and Allen | Beaverton, OR |
Edgefield | Troutdale, OR |
Greenway Pub | Tigard, OR |
Rock Creek Tavern | Hillsboro, OR |
Grand Lodge | Forest Grove, OR |
McMenamins Pub at Hotel Oregon | McMinnville, OR |
McMenamins on Monroe | Corvallis, OR |
East 19th Cafe | Eugene, OR |
Old Francis School | Bend, OR |
Tour the Coffee Roaster
McMenamins started roasting coffee in 2001. Their small-batch roastery provides coffee to all the McMenamins locations, and you can buy bags to enjoy at home.
Tours of the Knott Street location in Portland are offered Monday – Wednesday at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Attend a McMenamins Brewfest
Brewfests have been on hold for the past few years due to global happenings.
Typically, McMenamins hosts a big party a few times a year – there’s brew tasting, music, and foodie fun events. Happily, they’re kicking up their feet again.
A few to look forward to in 2023:
- 30th Annual Hillsdale Brewfest in February
- 6th Annual Winter Beer Festival at the Anderson School in February
- 26th Annual Olympic Club Brewfest in April
- 5th Annual Edgefield Brewfest in June
Attend a history-sponsored event
Free presentations with a history theme.
The presentations are hosted at different McMenamins properties.
The best place to look is the upcoming history event page.
A few upcoming events to give you a taste (it’s October, so these have a Halloween flair, to be sure).
Horribly Mangles: True Crime in Victoria Tacoma and Seattle
Whiskey, Mixologists, and the Pacific Northwest
And…not to leave out compelling current events:
The Blind Side Race Talks Movies + Conversations
Spa treatment
McMenamins has two spa locations, both run by Ruby’s Spa and Salon
One at Edgefield in Troutdale, OR, and one at the Grand Lodge Hotel in Forest Grove, OR.
Ruby’s is a full-service head-to-toe spa.
You can get a massage, mani-pedi, facial, you name it.
Spa patrons have access to the soaking pool, whether they’re a guest of the hotel or not.
Soak in a pool
There are currently 6 saltwater soaking pools. The pools are available to hotel guests, the above-mentioned spa patrons, and sometimes the public. Before you get your heart set, call ahead to confirm the pool is open to the public.
Hands down, the most amazing of the 6 pools is at Edgefield. It’s outdoors and designed as a grotto with meandering planters in the middle of the pool to create private spots and little coves.
It’s magical at night. Be aware that the Edgefield pool is a bit of a walk from the hotel. Guests are provided with robes, but you’ll want to bring appropriate shoes for walking on the wood chip path. It’s not very elegant to drip into your dress shoes when returning from the pool.
The Anderson School pool is a full-size traditional pool, offering public fitness classes and swimming lessons.
The pool at St. Francis in Bend reminds me of a Roman Bath.
Locations with pools:
Edgefield Soaking Pool | Troutdale, OR |
Crystal Hotel Soaking Pool | Portland, OR |
Kennedy School Soaking Pool | Portland, OR |
Grand Lodge Soaking Pool | Forest Grove, OR |
Old St. Francis Soaking Pool | Bend, OR |
North Shore Lagoon Swimming Pool (Anderson School) | Bothell, WA |
Stay in a hotel
If you’re roaming around the Pacific Northwest and looking for a place with a soul, you’ve got to check out McMenamins hotels.
Each spot, whether the quirky Kennedy School in Portland or the peaceful Edgefield, has a unique vibe and story.
Imagine staying in a place that’s not just a bed for the night but a trip down memory lane with cool art and a touch of history. It’s like stepping into a blend of the good ol’ days with today’s comforts.
Pro Tip: If you want an en suite bathroom, double-check to ensure your room has one. Some of the older properties have shared bathrooms.
Location | Town, State |
---|---|
Anderson School | Bothell, WA |
Crystal Hotel | Portland, OR |
Edgefield | Troutdale, OR |
Elks Temple | Tacoma, WA |
Gearhart Hotel | Gearhart, OR |
Grand Lodge | Forest Grove, OR |
Hotel Oregon | McMinnville, OR |
Kalama Harbor Lodge | Kalama, WA |
Kennedy School | Portland, OR |
Old St. Francis School | Bend, OR |
Olympic Club | Centralia, WA |
White Eagle Saloon & Hotel | Portland, OR |
Play golf at Edgefield or Gearhart
Looking for a fresh golfing experience in the Pacific Northwest?
McMenamins Edgefield (Troutdale, OR) or Gearhart (Oregon Coast) might be your next stop.
These courses aren’t just about the game; they’re about the atmosphere, the history, and the views. Each course is thoughtfully designed, offering challenges for seasoned players and enjoyment for casual golfers.
And when you’re done? There’s always a McMenamins brewery nearby to toast to a game well played.
Attend a specialty dinner
Specialty dinners are themed revolving around a cuisine, a location, or a season.
The best way to discover these one-off dinners is to check the home page under the “What’s Going On?” section.
Tour the Edgefield Winery
McMemamins is in the wine business.
Tours of the Edgefield Winery are offered Mon-Sat at 3 p.m.
Note: no tours on ‘Concerts on the Lawn’ event days.
The tasting room is open daily.
We’ve attended fantastic live music events (free) in the tasting room. The space is intimate; you’ll want to arrive early for a table. I don’t think they accept reservations.
Find the wine-tasting room music schedule here.
Tour the Distillery
The Edgefield location offers tours Mon-Sat at 1 p.m.
The distillery produces an extensive line of Whiskeys, liqueurs, gin, vodka, brandy, and rum.
Order a beer flight
At most McMenamins properties, you can order a beer flight and taste a variety of beers in one go.
McMenamins currently brews beer at 24 different locations. The beer menu changes seasonally and will be slightly different at each location.
Flights will vary slightly by location. One flight earns one stamp.
Order a Distillery flight
Distillery flights are served at most locations and vary in selection and price.
One flight earns one stamp.
Order a wine flight
Wine flights are served at most locations. They will vary in selection and price.
One flight earns one stamp.
If you love MeMemamin wines, there are currently 3 wine clubs to choose from.
Tour one of the breweries
Location | Town, State |
---|---|
Anderson School Brewery | Bothell, WA |
Concordia Brewery | Portland, OR |
Cornelius Pass Roadhouse Brewery | Hillsboro, OR |
Crystal Brewery | Portland, OR |
East Vancouver Brewery | Vancouver, WA |
Edgefield Brewery | Troutdale, OR |
Elks Brewery | Tacoma, WA |
Fulton Brewery | Portland, OR |
High Street Brewery | Eugene, OR |
Highland Brewery | Gresham, OR |
Hillsdale Brewery | Portland, OR |
John Barleycorns Brewery | Tigard, OR |
Kalama Harbor Brewery | Kalama, WA |
Lighthouse Brewery | Lincoln City, OR |
McMenamins On Monroe Brewery | Corvallis, OR |
McMenamins On The Columbia Brewery | Vancouver, WA |
Mill Creek Brewery | Mill Creek, WA |
Oak Hills Brewery | Portland, OR |
Old St. Francis School Brewery | Bend, OR |
Queen Anne Brewery | Seattle, WA |
Roseburg Station Brewery | Roseburg, OR |
Thompson Brewery | Salem, OR |
West Linn Brewery | West Linn, OR |
Wilsonville Brewery | Wilsonville, OR |
The Passport Experience Insert
In addition to the original passport experiences, there are new experience inserts.
Inserts are available for an extra $5 at all locations or online.
The insert offers the same $20 gift card reward for every 4 experiences.
Buy a pint of hard cider
McMenamins make their cider. You can choose from a traditional apple or one of their special seasonal batches.
Visit McMenamins on your birthday
Stop by McMenamins on your birthday, show your ID, and receive an experience stamp.
You’ll probably want to buy a beverage to toast your special day.
Buy a Growler fill
Fill a growler with any beverage on tap – beer or cider and get a stamp.
Sample beer
Occasionally, they host beer tastings of special edition beers.
The website says they’re not doing beer tastings now, but I think that’s a leftover from the ‘global event that shall not be named.’ Keep an eye out; I’m sure tastings will return.
Ride a bike to a pub
This is simple: ride your bike to the pub and take a selfie. Show the selfie to your server and receive a stamp.
This is so Pacific Northwest!
Buy a bottle of McMenamins spirits
Buy a bottle of spirits and receive a stamp.
Bitters are not included.
Bring your dog to a pub
Also, very Pacific Northwest – many properties allow dogs. You’ll have to check the individual location to verify.
Bring your dog and get one stamp (one stamp per dog!)
They specify that it must be a living dog – so all you jokers can leave your stuffed animals and beanie babies at home.
Attend a Friends and Family night
McMenamins gives back to the community at special Friends and Family nights.
You can find a current line-up here.
50% of the pub proceeds at these events are given to a local cause.
You receive your stamp when you spend at least $10 on food and beverages. Purchases have to be made at the designated community event.
Passport Just-For-Fun Stamps
Near the back of your passport, there are several blank pages. These pages are for special edition just-for-fun stamps.
Try a seasonal beer, attend a location’s birthday party, or stop by on a holiday, and you may have the chance to collect these extra stamps. They’re not required to complete the passport and don’t come with any prize but joy.
What is a Cosmic Tripster?
A Cosmic Tripster is a very special MeMenimins fan that has completed a passport. Remember, you don’t have to complete all the experiences to “finish” a passport.
They require you to register your passport on the portal. Book your free hotel stay for 2, and bring the completed passport to the front desk when you check in.
There is some small print, which you can read on the terms of use page under the Cosmic Tripster Prizes tab.
Being a Cosmic Tripster comes with many perks – tickets to a concert, discounted drinks, merch, an invite to a Cosmic Tripster party, and more.
McMenamins secret rooms
You may have heard of McMenamin’s secret rooms. Truth or urban legend?
McMenamin’s pubs and breweries do have a variety of hidden spaces. Some are behind bookshelves or cleverly painted walls, while others require walking through an unmarked door or down a hallway. These spaces aren’t advertised, and they can be hard to find.
When visiting a property, first ask if there are any hidden rooms. Give it a go and see if you can sleuth it out on your own. Ask a friendly staff member for a hint if you come up empty.
I’m not going to spoil the fun for you, but I will say most (all) of the hotel properties have at least one hidden space.
Do a McMenamins pub crawl
A pub crawl is a great way to explore the best McMenamins locations in an area.
Pick 3-4 locations close together and plan a route to visit them all.
Have an appetizer at one location, a burger at the next, see a movie, and have a beverage at the third.
(Please don’t drink and drive!)
Here are a few of our favorites:
Hawthorne Boulevard crawl
Get all five stamps on Hawthorne – dinner, drinks, and a movie within a short walk.
Eugene pub crawl
Eugene has three locations, reasonably close together. The East 19th Street Cafe has a large game room. This is a great chance to get an experience stamp and spread out the eating and drinking!
Salem
There are two locations in Salem; unless you live nearby, you’ll probably want to hit them both. They’re at opposite ends of town, but Salem isn’t big, and you can take a look at the capitol and downtown district as you drive through.
Seattle
We visited the three Seattle locations in one evening after work. Parking was easier than we expected – but plan to walk a few blocks.
Enjoy!
Have a great time filling up that passport!