Dance Clubs
Whether it's with soul nights, '80s parties or dubstep bashes, Portland's dance clubs will get you moving.
John Patrick Pullen
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.
Dance Clubs by Neighborhood
Old Town Chinatown
Portland’s densest concentration of dance clubs is in the Old Town Chinatown nightlife district. Bars like Stag PDX and the Southern-themed Dixie Tavern are at the epicenter. Gay nightclub CC Slaughters boasts a live DJ seven nights a week; Wednesdays are all-request dance nights.
Downtown Portland
With a big neon sign that says “Dance,” Lola’s Room is hard to miss, located below the Crystal Ballroom. Regular ’80s and ’90s nights ensure that you’ll be glad you popped into this intimate space in Downtown Portland.
Central Eastside
Running everything from DJ sets to local performers, Holocene has mixed music with visuals for a decade-plus, turning an old auto-parts warehouse into a 5,000-square-foot temple to art and audio. Nearby, 45 East also rocks a converted industrial space, with an upstairs lounge and downstairs dance floor hosting frequent EDM shows.
The Goodfoot Lounge is where locals go for laid-back nights of festival-style stomping on the hardwood dance floor. Great for small music and big laughs, the two-level dance hall plays everything from funk to dubstep, so long as it gets the crowd moving.
The big basement dance floor at the log-cabin-themed Doug Fir Lounge gets plenty of traffic on its electro-pop and hip-hop nights, though most of the time, the club stays true to the city’s indie-rock ways with live performances.
Northeast Portland
Aztec Willies in Northeast Portland’s Lloyd neighborhood is a go-to for salsa and Latin grooves, with different offerings nearly every night. Church, an ironic Roman Catholic-themed bar, brings live music and DJ sets in a cozy space on Sandy Boulevard.
Hit the Dance Floor
Dance Clubs by Style
Bushwackers
It doesn’t get more honky-tonk than Bushwackers, the premier spot for bass-thumping, foot-stomping country dance. Show off your two-step, boogie with the line dancers or waltz around the perimeter of the Texas-sized dance floor at this venue in Tualatin, 20 minutes south of downtown Portland. Belt buckles and cowboy boots aren’t required, but you might want to make room in your luggage, just in case.
The Coffin Club
A horror-themed bar complete with a child-sized coffin as decoration? Yep, Portland has that. Get your goth on at The Coffin Club (previously known as Lovecraft Bar) with a steady stream of industrial and darkwave.
Lola’s Room
Located on the second floor of the iconic McMenamins Crystal Ballroom, Lola’s Room plays host to Portland’s favorite dance party, ‘80s Video Dance Attack. Every Friday night, break out your scrunchies and lace up your high-top Chucks to relive MTV’s heyday and bop your head to your favorite throwbacks. Classic music videos are projected across giant screens, so it’s a lot like when you used to dance along with Paula Abdul’s “Cold Hearted” in your living room (but with less carpet burn). Prefer songs and styles from the following decade? Dance to hits by Nirvana and Snoop Dog at “Comes As You Are: 90s Dance Flashback” on Saturday nights.
Tango Berretin
Portland has one of the largest Argentine tango communities in North America, with studios offering lessons, practicas and milongas (social dances) almost every night of the week. At the heart of the scene is the Tango Berretin in Foster-Powell. Owned by world-renowned tango instructor Alex Krebs, this intimate dance hall injects the old-world charm of dimly lit Spanish salons and a tango’s overt sensuality. The popular Saturday night milonga is prefaced with a beginner lesson and frequently hosts live music.
Find more milongas the second Friday of the month at Norse Hall, or every February, participate in Portland ValenTango with more than 50 classes, ranging from beginner to advanced and nearly 20 milongas featuring music from top tango DJs and live bands.
On Tuesday nights, Tango Barretin takes things down a notch by offering soulful, sultry blues music. Stop by before the dance for a free introductory lesson hosted by the Portland Blues and Jazz Dance Society. There’s no partner required, which is perfect if you’re flying solo. If not, enjoy cuddling up to your sweetie in a close embrace and swaying the night away.
Trio Lounge
Trio Lounge is a neon beacon that beckons night owls hungry for a slice of Miami’s nightclub vibe. It looks a bit out of place in Portland, but for fans of salsa, it feels like home. With three different dance floors and DJs spinning everything from traditional mambo to Latin EDM, the Trio Club’s Salsa Sunday is sure to keep you shimmying into the wee hours of Monday morning. (The party goes ‘til 4 a.m.!)
Nightlife Events
Enjoy a night out in Portland with these upcoming events.
Karaoke From Hell
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Charli XCX Dance Night
VROOM VROOM: A Charli XCX Dance Night is back again by popular demand. A dance party exploring the music of Charli XCX, her collaborators, producers, and related artists, as well as the hyper pop, PC Music and experimental avant-garde dance/pop realms. (Think artists like Shygirl, A.G. Cook, Caroline Poloachek, Kero Kero Bonito, Lady Gaga, Sophie,…
DAPPERLESQUE: A Gender Bending Burlesque Cabaret
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HUNK! Spring Break 1990 – A TransMasc + Non-Binary Revue
RETRO WITH XO Presents: HUNK – a TransMasc + Non-Binary Revue Travel back to Spring Break 1990 with an all-star cast in this immersive Vegas-style show. Two Nights of incredible entertainment to choose from at Black Water Bar Doors at 7 PM Tickets starting at $15+ at retrowithxo.com 21+ Only Fashionable 1980s-1990s attire encouraged
'80s New Wave Video Dance Attack
Portland’s longest running video dance night is now featuring a special New Wave & Alternative edition of 80s Video Dance Attack at Polaris Hall. 80s New Wave Video Dance Attack dives into our archives to feature videos from artists like Depeche Mode, Yaz, The Cure, A-ha, Siouxsie & The Banshees, Thompson Twins, New Order, Adam…
Juice Drum & Bass 19th Anniversary
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HUNTER : PRESENTS nolongerhuman with Fraqtured : Sound and Ghost Motor
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Drag Bingo
Get your ass to The Houston Blacklight for DRAG BINGO hosted by the one + only Peachy Springs every first Wednesday of the month. Play your favorite geriatric game-gone-glamorous with the queen of bingo for a chance to win prizes. Get there early cause they've got drink specials, and your girl’s got a following.
sapphic factory
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Black + Loud Music Festival
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Burlynomicon – A Darkly Decadent Burlesque Revue
Burlynomicon – A Darkly Decadent Burlesque Revue beckons you back into the cozy crypt at The Coffin Club for another delightful soiree. Celebrate another revolution around the sun of producer and host Natasha Riot, as well as bringing you all the gloriously ghoulish entertainment one birthday evening can hold. Enter this lush, decadent, and special…
Burly-Q AF
Fuse Theatre Ensemble and Baby B Stiletto proudly announce ‘Burly-Q AF,’ a monthly burlesque celebration of diversity. Enjoy burlesque on the second Saturday of every month.
The Big Sipper
Don't miss the cocktail & spirits tasting event of the year. Your ticket includes samples from local distilleries and spirits companies, tastes of participating craft cocktails made by your favorite bars & restaurants, yummy food, one vote for the People's Choice award for the best cocktail in Portland, photo ops & more.
St. Paul Rodeo
Located in the charming town of St. Paul, Oregon, this annual rodeo has been a beloved tradition for over eight decades. Experience the thrill of saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, and the legendary bull riding that keeps spectators on the edge of their seats. With a rich history and a reputation for delivering…
Magic Men Australia
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Portland Erotic Ball
In 1999, a group of sex-positive friends started the Portland Erotic Ball. Twenty-three years later, the Ball returns as Rose City's biggest adult Halloween experience. Guests can experience the sexy side of the scare as the Ball does a complete venue takeover with 3-floors of non-stop entertainment. Hosted by Emmy-nominee Sasha Scarlett, the 23rd annual…
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