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It’s the queer version of a workingman’s tavern, more beer than cocktails, with karaoke, video poker, and decidedly non-vegan barbecue on Sundays. The industrial, north district of the city is represented by Eagle Portland on North Lombard Street, a hard-drinking leather bar with a weekly underwear night. Related article: Buddy Bravo- Queer Dance Parties, Kiki Balls, and the Drag Scene According to the Willamette Week, “It’s an intimate space, but not cramped, a bit of a squeeze around tables for a proper dance floor, but that’s not so bad if you want to get closer to someone.” It’s a woman-owned space whose proprietor is a talented mixologist. Meanwhile, in the upscale southwest, Sante Bar focuses on swank. In the Old Town district near the west end of the Burnside Bridge, where every building is historic, and every establishment relies on exposed bricks and low lighting, Hobo’s Bar and Grill is a throwback to the low-key, queer hangouts of the 70s and 80s. Portland’s queer and queer-friendly bars come in as wide a variety of flavors and moods as the city itself. And second, Portland lost several of its queer bars recently-including the legendary Embers Avenue-so we wanted to shine the light on a few that are still going strong. First, they provide a window into the city’s multifaceted character. We’ve chosen to start with inns and taverns, not because they’re the only places in town to be out and proud, but for two other reasons.
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They call it “culture.”Ī queer scene is definitely about more than just bars. Why should you decamp to the City of Roses? Because Portlanders have their own special word for LGBTQ culture. And like everyone else, you can’t afford to live in San Francisco anymore. They’ve got a street named after Harvey Milk, legally-mandated, gender-neutral bathrooms, Gus van Sant, and Darcelle XV, Guinness record holder for the world’s oldest drag queen. Portland was the first major city in America to elect a gay mayor (sorry, Pete Buttigieg, but Sam Adams has you beat by four years).
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It’s just the whole city.”Ībout 5 percent of Portlanders identify as LGBTQ, and together, they’ve built a queer culture that’s woven deeply into the fabric of the city. Many gay clubs have closed in Portland in recent years, such as The Brig and Boxxes.ĬC Slaughters, another gay club in Old Town, will remain open.Īn Embers spokesperson said: ‘Onyx Lynn will be hosting the final show of the bar.First-time, queer visitors to Portland often ask where the gayborhood is. On 110 NW Broadway, the club features frequent drag shows, a large dance floor, and has catwalks and go-go boys many nights of the week. ‘The main owner of our beloved club has had a massive stroke and we can no longer operate as a business.’ ‘Unfortunately The Embers Avenue will be closing as of 2:30am on Friday morning,’ reads the post. The Embers Avenue owner had a ‘massive stroke’ The club have announced it because of a far more tragic reason: the main owner has had a stroke. Portland’s gay club Embers Avenue is going to close after 48 years tonight (30 November).īut it isn’t rising rents or growing disinterest in LGBTI nightlife that is being blamed.