Gay bar portland or
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2007 | piedmont
Eagle Portland isn’t related to the other gay leather bars called Eagle found across the country, but it might as well be. It offers two very different experiences all in one place, catering to all types of crowds. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the cafe’s senior pug mascot, A$AP Douglas.
Part cocktail bar and part dance club, it’s an approachable introduction to LGBTQ+ nightlife, which is why it’s most Portlanders’ first gay bar. The restaurant also slings hoagies on the weekend.
Drag Dangerzone
various locations
Each month, DJ Aurora and drag queens Valerie DeVille and Marla Darling’s long-running comedy variety show takes audiences right to the danger zone with local drag, burlesque, and live music.
Back2Earth
This lively gay bar, owned by Eagle Portland proprietor Dan Henderson, features bar grub like burgers, barbecue fried chicken sandwiches, and loaded fries, not to mention drinks like espresso martinis and Tajín-rimmed watermelon mojitos. Tragically, the beloved institution announced it will be closing its doors on August 3, 2025.
There's always something happening here but no matter the music or the event, the venue is warm and welcoming to everyone.
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Silverado
Dancing
The Silverado has been one of the most popular bars for gay men in Portland for almost 35 years. Scandals hosts annual block parties, draws camp crowds for karaoke every Tuesday nights, and puts local bands in the spotlight every week.
Even resident straights are welcome for an infusion of brunch, drag, and board games. (2137 E Burnside, sammichrestaurants.com)
Speed-O Cappuccino
Flipping the script on the classic "bikini barista" format, this cheeky Barbie-pink espresso stand and vegan food cart founded by sex workers Dahlia Hanson and Joseph Miller employs a staff of queer sex workers, or as they put it, "thembos and flirts." Besides coffee drinks, you can expect to find vegan versions of Crunchwraps and deep-fried Oreos.
Though it plays nicely off the name of Portland’s favorite boots, the bar is named for Dr. Marie Equi, a turn-of-the-century Portland activist and advocate for labor rights and birth control. Downstairs is a basement club where you can dance the night away and enjoy entertainment by the hottest male dancers in the city.
ranch, bleu cheese, honey dejon, chipotle, ketchup, mustard, tarter, bbq, teriyaki. When they have the space and budget, Judy on Duty also pulls off some impressive art installations, like the shiny black cars parked on the dance floor during the annual Time-Based Art Festival.
Twirl
various locations
This monthly North Portland daytime disco usually roosts at the World Famous Kenton Club but also pops up at the Get Down.
After a change in management a few years back, the newest in Portland’s modest collection of mostly male queer strip clubs feels infused with fresh energy. (1001 SE Water, clarklewispdx.com)
Coffee Beer
Run by artist Phillip Stewart, this vegan coffee shop pours Portland’s two favorite beverages.
The spots serve dishes like Impossible egg rolls, shaken beef or tofu, pho, and lemongrass chicken skewers, in addition to playful cocktails.
Blow Pony
white owl social club
Blow Pony—Portland’s longest-running freaky monthly queer dance party—has been too big to contain since its grimy warehouse days.
Dancers of all experiences and expressions shake whatever they got. (831 SE Salmon, Suite 50, meals4heels.com)
Mis Tacones
After moving to Portland, Los Angeles transplants Carlos Reynoso and Polo Abram Bañuelos began making vegan tacos inspired by California street food. The restaurant’s social media accounts are worth a follow for the staff’s cheeky content.
2023 | king
Surreal queer paintings, starry sky projections, and a conservatory’s worth of plants make you feel like you’re in an alien jungle at this newish queer bar. served with ranch or bbq dipping sauce