Gay bars portland downtown
11 Wine Bars for Every Kind of Vibe
Portland’s gay bars are more than just hangouts. Most of the city’s dozen-plus queer bars opened in eras hostile to the queer community. The city’s oldest surviving bars were havens in an openly homophobic era, while its newest venues join a chorus of voices against an increasingly transphobic national climate. The entire LGBTQ+ group should, in the best bars, experience safe and free to let loose, have fun, and maybe nibble on something tasty, on menu or off.
Not all gender non-conforming gatherings have a permanent home, so we’ve assembled a rundown of the city’s robust scene of recurring pop-up parties alongside our favorite brick-and-mortar establishments. From leather bars to drag dens to lesbian parties to trans cabaret revues to Portland’s “gay Cheers,” there’s always somewhere where everyone’s glad you came.
Jump to: Upbeat Clubs / Low-Key Venues / Strip Clubs / Recurring Queer Parties
Upbeat Clubs
CC Slaughters
Est. 1981 | old town
Though technically on the outskirts of Old Town’s Entertainment District, CC’s is very much at the center of the gender non-conforming downtown Portland scene. Part cocktail block and part boogie club, it’s an approacha
Gay Portland
Portland has a rich history of LGBTQ+ culture, with a prominent community of Two-Spirited people of the First Nations. Communities here have been embracing gender and sexuality for centuries, and the city continues to be a hub for the whole queer community. Huge pride parades have been hosted here since the beginning of the homosexual rights movement, and in more recent years there has been an increase in everyday celebration as well. You'll find a full calendar of performances, parties, festivals, and other events across the city that are focussed pride, plus a great selection of nightlife destinations.
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Portland Gay Bars
Portland Gay Bars
GayMapper brings you information about gay bars and cruising bars in the city. Here are the foremost choices, read more about these bars or click below to see listings of all lgbtq+ venues in this city.
Portland Homosexual Bars
Recommended gay friendly hotels in Portland
GayMapper brings you a curated selection of accommodation lgbtq+ destinations around the world, which are in preferred locations and are welcoming to LGBTQ+ travellers. Grab a great deal on your hotel stay when you book via GayMa
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The Silverado is obviously and stridently a gay prevent. Rainbow tassels line the kitchen, attractive men in snug underwear sling drinks, and posters of shirtless guys adorn the walls. Also, after nine at night male strippers execute in the Silverado’s basement.
The Silverado was established over four decades ago and today is one of Portland’s longest-standing gay bars. It’s now in its third or fourth location, depending on how you count.
“It started as Flossie’s, which was up on Burnside where the Fred Meyer is now,” says Trevor Wion, the Silverado’s bar manager of nearly 25 years. He says that Flossie’s was “the same as what we are now, which is a very queer prevent, but much quieter. I don’t think they started having dancers until ’87.”
According to Wion, sometime in the early ’90s the owner of Flossie’s surprised everyone by announcing that the bar was suddenly moving to what is now Harvey Milk Street.
“Everyone picked something up. There was a procession of bar stools, records, and bottles of liquor. Everyone just carried everything, and that’s when they opened up down at Stark Stre
LGBTQ+ Nightlife
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A bartender makes sparks at Local Lounge.
You'll uncover plenty of LGBTQ+-friendly places to see when the daystar goes down in Portland.
3 min read
Note: This section was produced in collaboration with ProudQueer.com, formerly recognizable as PQ Monthly.
Portland has no shortage of LGBTQ-owned and queer-friendly bars and clubs. Whether you’re looking for a secure space to love a relaxing evening with friends, a high-energy dance party or a kingly show, Portland delivers.
North Portland
Florida Room is both queer-friendly and dog-friendly. Enjoy a drink with your favorite two-legged and four-legged friends on one of their two patios.
Eagle Portland is Portland’s leather bar and dwelling base for the Oregon Bears. Guests who wear a leather harness, vest, chaps, or complete drag with “significant effort,” get in free on Friday or Saturday nights.
Downtown and The Pearl District
Scandalscalls itself, “Portland’s Gay ‘Cheers.'” The relaxed vibe makes it a amazing place to meeting with friends, or meet new ones. During warmer months, grab a seat outside and view the summer crowd cruise by.
There are two all-male strip clubs in Portland. Silverado, locat