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PQ Monthly

A bartender makes sparks at Local Lounge. A bartender makes sparks at Local Lounge.
i
A bartender makes sparks at Local Lounge.
Culture / LGBTQ+ Community

LGBTQ+ Nightlife

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

Updated Dec. 4, 2019 3 min read

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.

drag queens and other customers having a drink at a bar
Revelers get their drag on during the monthly Gaycation party at Holocene.

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

More cultural communities
Portland\'s Red Dress Party attracts thousands of revelers every May.

LGBTQ+ Festivals & Events

From film festivals to parties and pride parades, Portland's LGBTQ community celebrates all year 'round.

ポートランド・プライドパレード

Portland Pride

Every June, the Portland Pride Festival & Parade makes a name for itself — and LGBTQ+ community members — all over town.

A group from Oregon Health & Science University marches in Portland\'s annual Pride Parade.

LGBTQ+ Resources

These publications and organizations will put you in touch with Portland's LGBTQ+ community.

Portland is a very LGBT-friendly city.

LGBTQ+ History in Portland

Portland’s LGBTQ history includes many years of activism, legislative progress and the election of the first openly gay mayor of a major U.S. city.

OutKayaking\'s Kyle Sheeley leads a paddle on the Willamette River.

LGBTQ+ Sports & Recreation

Located only a few hours from the beach, the mountains and the high desert, Portland is a sports and wilderness lover’s fantasy come true.

The annual family-friendly Portland Pride Festival returns every summer to downtown Portland\'s Waterfront Park, along with events throughout the city.

LGBTQ+ Community

Visitors to Portland can experience huge LGBTQ+ Pride parades, drag performances, queer film festivals, dance parties and more.

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.

LGBTQ+, Nightlife

Portland After Dark

More nightlife
The Crystal Ballroom hosts the 80s Video Attack dance party every month.

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.

For late-night fun, head to Dig a Pony in Portland\'s Central Eastside, where local DJs frequently host dance nights.

Nightlife Round-Up

Portland comes alive after dark, with restaurants, clubs, theaters, concert venues and performance halls open late all over town.

The Society Hotel is the perfect base camp for late-night fun in Old Town Chinatown.

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

More events
Editor's Pick
Portland Pride Festival
June 13–14, 2020

Portland Pride Festival

Tom McCall Waterfront Park Free

Every June, the Portland Pride Festival & Parade makes a name for itself — and LGBTQ+ community members — all over town.

Editor's Pick
Festivals
LGBTQ+
Spring
Summer
Editor's Pick
Peacock in the Park
Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Peacock in the Park

Washington Park

Sequins, boas and a rainbow of talent mark LGBTQ variety show Peacock in the Park’s takeover of Washington Park.

Editor's Pick
Arts
LGBTQ+
Summer
A Thousand Cuts
Nov. 16, 2019–Dec. 10, 2020

A Thousand Cuts

Fuller Rosen Gallery Free

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…

Art & Design
Exhibition
Film
LGBTQ+
Big Ol' Ditties: Musical Improv, Drag Kings & Live Piano Karaoke
Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019

Big Ol' Ditties: Musical Improv, Drag Kings & Live Piano Karaoke

Curious Comedy Theater Suggested $10

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…

Comedy
LGBTQ+
Music
Performing Arts
BenDeLaCreme & Jinkx Monsoon: All I Want For Christmas Is Attention!
Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019

BenDeLaCreme & Jinkx Monsoon: All I Want For Christmas Is Attention!

Aladdin Theater SOLD OUT

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.

LGBTQ+
Nightlife
Performing Arts
Lavender Country
Friday, Jan. 3, 2020

Lavender Country

Mississippi Studios & Bar Bar $10 advance, $12 door

Subversive, inspiring sounds from the world’s first openly gay country band. With: Ashleigh Flynn And The Riveters.

LGBTQ+
Music
Nightlife
Flight: Acid From Another World
Friday, Jan. 3, 2020

Flight: Acid From Another World

The Liquor Store $10

Flight returns this month with Acid From Another World, with audio pilots Tom Mitchell, Art of Hot, The Perfect Cyn and Carissa Illy.

LGBTQ+
Nightlife
Opening Reception for As I Am and Artist Talk with Ebenezer Galluzzo
Friday, Jan. 10, 2020

Opening Reception for As I Am and Artist Talk with Ebenezer Galluzzo

Paragon Arts Gallery Free

As I Am is a photographic celebration of gender non-conformity and performativity by Portland-based artist Ebenezer Galluzzo.

Art & Design
LGBTQ+
Readings & Talks
The End of Summer
Jan. 25–26, 2020

The End of Summer

Q Center Portland $5 at door

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…

LGBTQ+
Performing Arts
White Bird Gala 2020
Saturday, May 16, 2020

White Bird Gala 2020

The Loft at 8th Avenue

Join up for an evening of glitz and glamour at White Bird’s annual fundraising gala.

Art & Design
Exhibition
Food & Drink
LGBTQ+
Performing Arts

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