Gay scene in portland

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+ collective 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 gay downtown Portland scene. Part cocktail prevent and part move club, it’s an approacha

LGBTQ+ Nightlife

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A bartender makes sparks at Local Lounge.

You'll find plenty of LGBTQ+-friendly places to attend when the sun goes down in Portland.

3 min read

Note: This section was produced in collaboration with ProudQueer.com, formerly known as PQ Monthly.

Portland has no shortage of LGBTQ-owned and queer-friendly bars and clubs. Whether you’re looking for a safe space to enjoy a relaxing night with friends, a high-energy dance party or a drag 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 home establish for the Oregon Bears. Guests who wear a leather harness, vest, chaps, or full queenly 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 great place to rendezvous with friends, or meet new ones. During warmer months, grab a seat outside and watch the summer crowd cruise by.

There are two all-male strip clubs in Portland. Silverado, locat

Portland LGBTQ City Guide

Portland is a beautiful old seacoast town known for its boutiques, shops and unbelievable seafood, as well as for its friendly people, its diversity, and all that it offers to see and do. It has always been a busy seaport for both cargo and fishing, but it is also a very popular tourist destination, particularly in the summer. People flock to the town to enjoy the shopping and nearby beaches, and to soak in Portland’s unique coastal beauty. Truly, it is a beautiful city that would make a wonderful place to call home!

A See at Portland’s History

Portland was initially founded in 1786 when the citizens of nearby Falmouth formed a separate town and named it Portland. Prior to that, Portland had been home to the Algonquin native American people. Since its founding, the city has grown steadily as an important port, and also as a city rich and industry, agriculture, culture, and diversity. It remains so to this day.

A Few Entertaining Facts About Portland

  • Roughly 40 percent of all Maine residents live in the greater Portland area.
  • There is no transatlantic port in the United States which is closer to Europe than Portland. Portland is also the 20

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