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Dance clubs, karaoke and comedy all come out at night in Portland — as do swanky bowling and other unexpected delights.
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.
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.
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-cum-karaoke bar should be and raises the bar with a light-up stage and a fog machine. The Baby Kitten 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.
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.
Nightlife Destinations
For a late-night party scene, locals recommend these five hot spots.
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.
All Jane Comedy Festival
Portland's five-day comedy festival showcases nearly 50 female comedians each October.
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.
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’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, Spark Lounge, 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.
Dancing in Portland
Get your groove on at these Portland nightclubs, dance halls and studios.
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.
Young, Gifted and Brown Fosters Community Through Dance in Portland
Y.G.B. aims to create healing spaces for Black and Brown Portlanders through music, dance and collaborative experiences.
Tango in Portland
The City of Roses boasts one of the best tango communities outside of Buenos Aires, with dances and lessons available almost every night.
Portland's Bar Scene
From speakeasies to classy rooftop bars, Portland's after-hours spots are sure to satisfy.
More Nightlife
Looking for something to do tonight? Scroll through a round-up of some of our favorite nightlife activities.
Upcoming Nightlife Events
Enjoy a night out in Portland at these upcoming after hours events.
Ha Ha Harvest Comedy Festival
The Ha Ha Harvest Comedy Festival, originally conceived in 2018 as a fleeting comedy extravaganza during the Thanksgiving weekend, has since evolved into a premier showcase of comedic talent. With its annual growth in stature and allure, the festival has become a beloved highlight of the Portland comedy scene. It features an impressive lineup of…
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