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  • Things to Do in Portland
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      • three women walk through rows of rosesView All Things to Do in Portland
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      • On a Budget
      • EVEN MORE THINGS TO DO
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      • a person in bright clothes and high-heeled boots vogues in front of a park fountain, surrounded by manicured rose bushesView All Culture
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      • Cannabis
      • Cultural Communities
      • Craft Spirits
      • Food
      • Makers
      • Music
      • Nightlife
      • Outdoors
      • Sports
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      • Wine
      • MORE CULTURE
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      • Northwest / Nob Hill
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i
Karma Rivera performs in Portland in 2019.
Credit: Tojo Andrianariva
Culture

Nightlife

Dance clubs, karaoke and comedy all come out at night in Portland — as do swanky bowling and other unexpected delights.

i
Karma Rivera performs in Portland in 2019.
Credit: Tojo Andrianariva

Nightlife in Portland doesn’t mean just hitting the club. Portland comes to life after hours with open mic nights held throughout the city, nationally acclaimed karaoke spots, delicious late-night eats, adult-friendly gaming spots, and plenty of alcohol-free fun. Read on for our guides to the city’s nightlife scene, then check out our events calendar to discover more things to do at night on your next trip to Portland.

More Portland Events

Visit our events calendar to discover even more things to do in Portland. Search by date, event type and more.

See All Events

Happy Hour

Every night of the week — not just on weekdays — happy hour generally gets the party started. Almost every establishment in town has one, so finding the best depends on where you are and what you want to eat (or drink). Read on for some highlights.

Departure has daily happy hour specials running from 4-6 p.m., mixing inexpensive, inventive Asian cuisine with equally mouthwatering views of the city’s downtown.

Slide into a booth at Slow Bar for arguably the best burger in the city and enjoy $1 off beer, wine, and cocktails, and $2.50-$5 off assorted menu items from 3-6 p.m. every day.

Hawthorne’s colorful Cuban restaurant, Cubo, has happy hour specials from 3 to 6 p.m. and 9 to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursday, with $6 daiquiris and mojitos, $4 pints of beer, and Cubanos with plantains for just $7.

For a happy hour with vintage style, step into Clyde’s Prime Rib. Every day from 3 to 6 p.m., find $9 prime rib French dips, $7 Louisiana-style hot wings, and a $9 lounge burger with fries alongside Old Fashions and martinis. Cocktails are $2 off during happy hour.

Late-Night Bites

When hunger strikes after closing time, head to these local eateries that stay open late.

  • Tik Tok

    Hearty, home-style dishes like chicken-fried steak smothered in gravy, meatloaf and deep-fried fish and chips await at this diner, which stays open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

  • Luc Lac Vietnamese Kitchen

    Tuck in to a belly-warming bowl of pho and other Vietnamese dishes at this downtown Portland eatery, which stays open until 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

  • Original Hotcake House

    Beloved by local night owls and pancake enthusiasts, Portland’s Original Hotcake House stays open 24/7, dishing up delicious diner grub and breakfast classics.

  • Voodoo Doughnut – Northeast

    Open 24/7, this iconic Portland destination’s second outpost sells wild doughnuts topped with ingredients like bubblegum and bacon (and has shorter lines than the original spot in downtown Portland).

  • Prost!

    Situated in the historic Mississippi District, Prost! is an inviting neighborhood pub that features authentic German food and beer.

Day and Night Eats

From early afternoon to early in the morning, explore Portland dining.

More Food
cocktail by a menu and a candle

Happy Hours in Portland

If you sense it’s five o’clock somewhere, Portland has you covered — whether you’re craving cocktails, beer, wine, pub food or pizza, read on to find the best happy hour to satisfy your appetite.

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Late-Night Dining

Where to eat after last call? These Portland bars and restaurants keep their kitchens open late, serving high-quality food into the night.

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Can’t Miss Mocktails in Portland

Bars and restaurants are embracing the artistry of non-alcoholic drinks for those seeking alternatives to boozy libations in Portland.

Karaoke

Karaoke is a popular way to keep the good times going, and from dive bars to private boxes, there are no bad places to sing — only bad singers. Serving tropical drinks and piles of Hawaiian food, The Alibi Tiki Lounge will make you feel like you’re on an island vacation just long enough to belt out some Elvis in front of the packed house. The Ambassador Restaurant and Lounge meanwhile, embraces everything that a Chinese food restaurant and karaoke bar should be and raises the bar with a light-up stage and a fog machine. The Baby Ketten Klub basement bar includes two private rooms, ’70s and ’80s themed, in addition to a public main stage and bar area. The songbook is packed with selections not available anywhere else, including some wild mashups.

If you ever wished you could front a real, live rock band then Karaoke From Hell is for you. Hosted by Voodoo Doughnut co-founder Tres Shannon, the band’s repertoire includes 600 songs, and they play twice a week at clubs like Dante’s and the Spare Room. Rather keep your singing voice between friends? Voicebox can accommodate up to 20 members of your entourage with pay-by-the-hour private suites at its Northwest and Central Eastside locations.

Niche Live Music Venues in Portland

These hidden gems are havens for jazz, punk, bluegrass, funk and more.

Explore

Live Music

When it comes to professional music, Portland has all sorts of options. The Crystal Ballroom and Roseland Theater attract all genres of current and pop music acts to Portland’s downtown, while the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall hits the classics by hosting performances by the Oregon Symphony, Portland Opera, and Oregon Ballet Theater. Recording its popular public radio program in front of Portland audiences, Live Wire stitches together sketch comedy, music, and confessionals in a variety show format.

5 to Try

Nightlife Destinations

For a late-night party scene, locals recommend these five hot spots.

  • The Fixin’ To

    This Southern-inspired bar in the St. Johns neighborhood serves up decadent snacks and unique (often bourbon-based) cocktails. Try their chicken and dumplings, pulled pork nachos or Frito pie (that can be made vegan).

  • Holocene

    A popular independent music venue, Holocene also hosts Gaycation, one of the city’s longest-standing dance parties.

  • White Owl Social Club

    White Owl Social Club is a bar, restaurant, music venue and event space in Portland’s Central Eastside. They offer a large vegan menu, plus wine, craft beer and unique craft cocktails that focus on products from local and regional distilleries.

  • Goodfoot Pub & Lounge

    This Southeast Portland dance club hosts many international musicians and eclectic styles. It also has a robust food menu, nightly drink specials and occasional art openings.

  • Doug Fir Restaurant, Bar & Lounge

    East Burnside’s iconic Doug Fir is known for live shows in the lounge downstairs, hearty brunch and generous dinner plates enjoyed in the mid-century meets log-cabin dining room.

Comedy & More

Meanwhile, Helium Comedy Club is all about the punchlines, drawing everyone from touring, a-list professionals to emerging local talent to its stage. The nightly shows at Darcelle XV are also good for a laugh. Still, the world-famous female impersonators take their art very seriously, as their Las Vegas-style cabaret has been entertaining Portland for over 40 years.

Comedy in Portland

Discover the next up-and-coming comic at one of Portland's many comedy showcases and festivals.

Blond comedian on stage performing in front of large crowd sitting in a park

Kickstand Comedy Brings Laughs to Portland’s Laurelhurst Park

Friday evenings in the summer grab a picnic and head to Portland’s Laurelhurst Park for Kickstand Comedy in the Park, a series of free outdoor shows featuring local and national standup comics.

a comedian performs on stage at a comedy club

Comedy in Portland

There’s always something funny happening in Portland. From stand-up comedy to improv or even comedy classes Portland has any kind of comedy you may be looking for. Portland boasts many stages to bring you fresh, up-and-coming, and touring comedians.

A historic building with a variety of business signs

Free Live Music and Comedy in Portland

Discover a new favorite comic or musician at Portland’s free concerts and comedy nights, scattered across the city and scheduled throughout the week.

Portland Board Game Bars and Stores

Pair your board game night with a crafty cocktail or find a new favorite tabletop game at these Portland board game bars and stores.

Play Games

Portland’s Entertainment District

Located at the heart of downtown in the vibrant Old Town Chinatown neighborhood, Portland’s Entertainment District is a go-to spot for late-night frivolity, whether it’s live DJs, tasty cocktails, or rowdy dance floors. To maximize fun, visit on Friday and Saturday nights after 10 p.m. when the blocks between W. Burnside St., N.W. Everett St., N.W. Second Ave. and N.W. Fourth Ave., are closed to cars, transforming the area into a pedestrian-friendly party zone.

Set within walking distance of a number of popular nighttime destinations, The Society Hotel, a newly revived 19th-century sailor’s boarding house, provides a perfect weekend basecamp. Fuel up for your evening adventures at Kasbah Moroccan Cafe an inviting restaurant serving authentic Moroccan fare, like kefta meatball tagine.

For the full-blown dance club experience, CC Slaughters, BIZU, and Stag PDX are always bustling on weekends and often feature energetic live DJs. If you prefer a more down-and-dirty, rock-and-roll vibe, swing by Dixie Tavern where servers are known to dance on the bar and brave revelers are sometimes invited to join in.

Nightlife

Dancing in Portland

Get your groove on at these Portland nightclubs, dance halls and studios.

a crowd dancing at a nightclub

Dance Clubs

Portland may be best known for its indie music, but with a wide variety of dance clubs, the city has a rhythm that’ll get just about anyone moving.

A bassist performs on stage in front of a drummer

Live Music Venues in Portland

From gritty rock to velvety jazz, Portland’s live music scene offers tunes for all types.

a person raps into a microphone in front of a small crowd

The Portland Hip-Hop Scene

Take a deep dive into the past, present and future of the Portland hip-hop scene with our expert guide to the best rap artists, showcases, shops and more.

Portland Bars

Explore more Portland watering holes and find the perfect bar for the occasion.

More Portland Bars
a patron plays Skee-Ball and a bartender leans against the backbar in a tavern lighted with Christmas lights

Celebrating the Dive Bars of Portland

Local dive bars are a part of the culture in Portland. We take you inside some of the city’s best-loved, dimly lit dives — from Reel M Inn and its famous fried chicken to century-old legends like Kelly’s Olympian.

a crowd of people dancing at a night club

Portland Karaoke Bars and Nights

Choose from private suites, pop-up events, tiki drinks and Chinese food as you select your ideal Portland karaoke venue from among the city’s top spots.

a bartender making a flaming drink behind the bar at Local Lounge

LGBTQ+ Nightlife

Portland has no shortage of LGBTQ-owned and queer-friendly bars and clubs. Whether you're looking for a relaxing night with friends, a high-energy dance party or a drag show, Portland delivers.

the facade of a large Irish pub with groups of people eating and drinking out front

Best Irish Pubs in Portland

Celebrate all things Irish, including beer, pub food and live music, at these beloved Irish bars in Portland — on St. Patrick's Day, or any time of year.

A woman in a plaid button-down and red t-shirt sits at a bar in front of a wall of women\'s sports memorabilia.

The Sports Bra in Portland Is the Nation’s First Women’s Sports Bar

Owner and chef Jenny Nguyen reflects on creating an inclusive community for women and LGBTQ+ sports lovers at The Sports Bra, the first and only U.S. sports bar highlighting women athletes.

a crowd of people eat, drink and converse on an expansive, warmly lit patio at night

Outdoor Dining in Portland: The Best Bar and Restaurant Patios

Many Portland bars and restaurants offer outdoor dining on scenic rooftops and spacious patios — find top spots where the view’s as good as what’s on the table.

Two friends clinking glasses over a large tabletop board game.

Portland Board Game Bars and Stores

Pair your board game night with a crafty cocktail or find a new favorite tabletop game at these Portland board game bars and stores.

Slabtown

Northwest Portland’s trendy Slabtown neighborhood boasts walkable streets, plentiful shopping, coffee, restaurants and art galleries -everything you need can be found in this lively, friendly neighborhood.

Nearby

More Nightlife

Looking for something to do tonight? Scroll through a round-up of some of our favorite nightlife activities.

nighttime street view of neon signs adorning a historic neighborhood theater and arcade

The Best Arcades in Portland

Portland offers a wide range of arcades, from family-friendly game rooms to dive bars and adults-only bar arcades.

a crowd of people dancing at a night club

Portland Karaoke Bars and Nights

Choose from private suites, pop-up events, tiki drinks and Chinese food as you select your ideal Portland karaoke venue from among the city’s top spots.

a bartender making a flaming drink behind the bar at Local Lounge

LGBTQ+ Nightlife

Portland has no shortage of LGBTQ-owned and queer-friendly bars and clubs. Whether you're looking for a relaxing night with friends, a high-energy dance party or a drag show, Portland delivers.

two people sit together in the sunshine in the middle of a crowd

Portland Date Ideas for Every Season 

Fun things to do in Portland for adults out on a date night abound! Whatever the season, find gardens to wander through or sweet treats for your sweetie.

a patron plays Skee-Ball and a bartender leans against the backbar in a tavern lighted with Christmas lights

Celebrating the Dive Bars of Portland

Local dive bars are a part of the culture in Portland. We take you inside some of the city’s best-loved, dimly lit dives — from Reel M Inn and its famous fried chicken to century-old legends like Kelly’s Olympian.

interior of a casino showing the gaming room with multiple rows of slot machines

Gaming and Casinos Near Portland

If you've got a passion for poker or want to give the roulette wheel a spin, test your luck at these gaming centers and casinos near Portland.

Upcoming Nightlife Events

Enjoy a night out in Portland at these upcoming after hours events.

Go To Events

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