Entry No. 35 — the Portland file — filed under: true crime
Roseland Theater
Built in 1922 as an Apostolic Faith Church hall, this 1,400-capacity venue turned nightclub is where 21-year-old publicist Timothy Moreau was murdered in a backstage hallway in 1990 — a crime the club's own owner was later convicted of, to cover up a counterfeit-ticket scam. Willamette Week named it 'Best Haunted Venue' in 2008, citing the killing as the source of its reputation.
The story
Before it became one of Old Town Chinatown's primary mid-sized music rooms, 8 NW 6th Avenue opened in 1922 as an Apostolic Faith Church hall. The congregation eventually left, sound equipment moved in, and the 1,400-capacity floor became a nightclub. But the building's history took a permanent shift in 1990 when 21-year-old publicist Timothy Moreau vanished from the venue. He was murdered in a backstage hallway—a crime later pinned on the club's own owner, who killed Moreau to silence him about a counterfeit-ticket scheme running out of the office.
That backstage killing cemented the building's place in local lore. In 2008, Willamette Week named the Roseland Portland's 'Best Haunted Venue,' tracing its persistent ghost stories directly to the 1990 murder. Today, as concert promoter Double Tee Concerts books touring acts and local bands onto the main stage, you're standing on the same floor where church history, heavy amplification, and true crime overlap. Staff at the bar still trade details of the Moreau case between sets, keeping the venue's grimmest chapter alive alongside the live sound.
What it's like
Arrive in Old Town Chinatown with a plan for getting back to your car or transit—locals frequently flag the surrounding blocks on NW 6th Avenue for extra caution at night, so keep your wits about you when leaving the show. Inside, expect a classic general-admission crowd packed onto the main floor beneath a wrap-around balcony. If you want to talk shop about the building's dark past, grab a drink at the venue bar where long-standing staff know the history inside out. Just make sure to secure your entry through official partners Etix or Cascade Tickets; given the venue's history with fraudulent stubs, sticking to legitimate sellers is a fitting rule of thumb.
The move: Catch a touring band on the actual floor where the murder happened, then linger for a drink at the bar where staff still swap the Timothy Moreau story.
- 📍 Old Town Chinatown
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 8 NW 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- 2NW5 — Located just 0.1 miles away in Old Town, this discreet basement speakeasy tucked under The Hoxton is ideal for a quiet drink after a loud show.
- Shanghai Tunnels Underground Tour (Old Town Pizza & Brewing) — Two blocks away, continue your tour of Old Town's dark history by exploring 14,000 square feet of subterranean brick corridors.
- The Skeleton Key Odditorium — Located half a mile away in the Arts District, keep the macabre tone going with vampire mannequins and weird relics.
Good to know
Where is the Roseland Theater located?
It is located at 8 NW 6th Ave in Portland's Old Town Chinatown neighborhood.
What true crime history is attached to the Roseland Theater?
In 1990, 21-year-old venue publicist Timothy Moreau was murdered in a backstage hallway by the club's owner to prevent him from exposing a counterfeit-ticket scam.
Why was the Roseland named 'Best Haunted Venue'?
Willamette Week gave it the title in 2008, attributing its reputation for hauntings and unsettling vibes directly to the 1990 backstage murder.
Who owns and operates the Roseland Theater today?
The venue is owned by Double Tee Concerts and hosts national touring musicians as well as local Portland acts.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Wikipedia · Official site · Reddit
last checked: 2026-07-20