LGBTQ+ Nightlife
You'll find plenty of LGBTQ-friendly places to visit when the sun goes down in Portland.
PQ Monthly
Know Before You Go
This section was produced in collaboration with PQ Monthly, dedicated to serving the LGBTQ+ communities of Oregon, Washington and the Bay Area. PQ Monthly is published on the third Thursday of every month and updated daily online.
Portland has no shortage of LGBTQ-owned and -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.
Bars & Clubs
CC Slaughters
This downtown dance spot also hosts a Sunday-night drag show.
Crush
From brunch to dance nights to fashion shows — this laid-back lounge offers something for everyone.
Darcelle XV Showplace
Darcelle XV and her troupe of talented female impersonators have been entertaining diverse audiences for decades.
The Eagle Portland
Portland’s leather bar and home base for the Oregon Bears has also been known to put on a lesbian night.
Escape Bar & Grill
Northeast Portland lesbian/mixed bar with a full menu and daily happy hour.
Florida Room
This North Portland bar is a popular hangout for both hipsters and queers.
Hobo’s
This restaurant and lounge is popular with gay men and their friends.
Holocene
A popular indie music venue, Holocene also hosted one of the city’s longest-running dance parties, Gaycation (ended in winter 2016).
Local Lounge
This Northeast Portland bar is gay-owned but committed to bringing together everyone in its diverse neighborhood.
Scandals
A Stark Street landmark, Scandals offers a cruising-friendly sidewalk café during the warmer months.
Silverado
In a city that loves its strip clubs, Silverado is the only bar featuring exclusively male dancers.
Vault Martini
This affordable but upscale bar has a sizable gay clientele.
Vendetta
This gay-owned neighborhood bar off of North Portland’s Williams Avenue hosts popular LGBT events once a month.
Queer Community
Dance Nights
Blow Pony
Hosted at the historic Bossanova Ballroom, this bash has been known to draw celebs like Jakes Shears and John Cameron Mitchell. Fourth Saturday of the month.
Bridge Club
The city’s self-described “queer collective of DJs, artists, promoters, socialites and designers” descends upon Produce Row Cafe for laid-back mingling. First Sunday of the month from late spring to early fall.
CAKE
This “trans/queer/all-inclusive hip-hop dance party” happens at Killingsworth Dynasty in North Portland. Second Friday of the month.
Club Kai-Kai
This queer dance party is held at the goth- and horror-themed dance bar Lovecraft. Fourth Friday of the month.
Hot Flash/Inferno
This bimonthly, age-diverse bash heats up karaoke hot spot Trio Club by offering up female- and trans-only dances. Dating back 10 years, it’s known for retro music and zero attitude. Second Saturday of the month at Trio Club and fourth Saturday of the month at Bossanova.
Jump Jack Sound Machine
This body-positive, gender-bending fete at Mississippi Studios is perfect for “art darlings and audiophiles.” Second Saturday of the month.
Judy on Duty
Currently the reigning monarch of parties for the queer women adjacent community, expect to run into everyone you know at this pop and hip hop centered party hosted by a monthly Judy. Last Saturday of the month, usually at the High Water Mark.
Werk
A relative newbie to the scene, Bad Weather Productions puts on queer hip hop and house dance nights to come kiki at Killingsworth Dynasty filling the void left by the departure of Lez Do It. First Friday of the month.
Portland After Dark
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.
Nightlife Round-Up
Portland comes alive after dark, with restaurants, clubs, theaters, concert venues and performance halls open late all over town.
Portland’s Entertainment District
On weekend nights, several blocks in the Old Town Chinatown neighborhood are closed to cars, making it easy to visit the area's many dance clubs and bars.
LGBTQ Events
Portland Pride Festival
Every June, the Portland Pride Festival & Parade makes a name for itself — and LGBTQ+ community members — all over town.
Peacock in the Park
Sequins, boas and a rainbow of talent mark LGBTQ variety show Peacock in the Park’s takeover of Washington Park.
A Thousand Cuts
B. G-Osborne’s work in A Thousand Cuts addresses the misrepresentation of trans people in film and television, and the ongoing reality of violence that transgender/transsexual people encounter. The immersive, three-channel video installation is comprised of appropriated footage from 48 films, 34 television series and one music video spanning the 1990s to the present day. The…
Big Ol' Ditties: Musical Improv, Drag Kings & Live Piano Karaoke
Kick off your holiday weekend and titillate your jingle bells. This one-night-only musical event will feature a fully improvised musical by Double Pretty, a performance by Portland drag kings XXXY, and live piano karaoke where the audience can get up and sing out (Louise) to their favorite show tunes, Disney songs, standards and more. Tickets…
BenDeLaCreme & Jinkx Monsoon: All I Want For Christmas Is Attention!
BenDeLaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon are back in an all new two-queen holiday extravaganza. After last year’s wildly successful To Jesus, Thanks for Everything, Jinkx and DeLa return to the stage this holiday season in a high-spirited scramble to maintain your interest.
Lavender Country
Subversive, inspiring sounds from the world’s first openly gay country band. With: Ashleigh Flynn And The Riveters.
Flight: Acid From Another World
Flight returns this month with Acid From Another World, with audio pilots Tom Mitchell, Art of Hot, The Perfect Cyn and Carissa Illy.
Opening Reception for As I Am and Artist Talk with Ebenezer Galluzzo
As I Am is a photographic celebration of gender non-conformity and performativity by Portland-based artist Ebenezer Galluzzo.
The End of Summer
A new queer play premiering here in Portland. Ted is marrying Max, but he’s been keeping a few secrets about his past. Forced to spend time at his childhood home after his father falls ill, Ted’s carefully cultivated image begins to unravel like a poorly made sweater. To Ted, image is everything. What will he…
White Bird Gala 2020
Join up for an evening of glitz and glamour at White Bird’s annual fundraising gala.