Division/Clinton
This pair of close-in Southeast Portland streets features block after block of must-see — and must-eat — destinations.
Once a sleepy thoroughfare, Southeast Division Street is now one of Portland’s most dynamic and stylish neighborhoods. Spend a day wandering its many blocks, stopping along the way to snack, sip and shop. Read on for our favorite things to do in Division/Clinton.
Cafes and Coffee Shops
These cozy neighborhood bakeries and coffee shops are local favorites.
Where to Eat and Drink on Division/Clinton
You could plan a week’s worth of meals on Southeast Division Street, the city’s hottest dining corridor, and still not hit all of the must-try restaurants. But don’t let that stop you from trying.
Begin where Division Street’s heralded food scene got its start back in 1999: Stumptown Coffee Roasters. With brewers, grinders and beans by the bag, this neighborhood café is home to more than just expertly brewed joe.
Find foods from any cuisine and something to suit any desire as you eat your way down Division/Clinton. Here are some highlights: La Bonita is a family-owned and operated local chain, serving up Mexican fare with the best, local ingredients. At Alpenrausch find house-cured meats from Olympia Provisions featured in Alpine cuisine. A local favorite and Division Street stalwart, Bete-Lukas, try authentic Ethiopian dishes with house-made injera.
If you’re in the mood for fine dining, wander over to Clinton Street for Northwest seafood at Jacqueline, an upscale oyster bar.
Upscale restaurant Nuestra Cocina has been a neighborhood staple for years, thanks to nuanced Mexican cuisine such as authentic albóndigas (meatballs served in a hearty chipotle sauce) and spot-on margaritas.
For casual dining or lunch and dinners on the go, grab a vegan slice from Virtuous Pie, and be sure to sample their non-dairy ice cream treats. With a large, outdoor patio for sunny dining, Mestizo is a dedicated gluten-free (and soy-free) restaurant serving up tasty Latin American food with vegetarian and vegan options; try their chifles (plantains chips) and ceviche. For more vegan fare try DC Vegetarian, with vegan burgers and subs. Garden Monsters is a beloved food cart in Portland that caters to many food intolerances in its salad-focused menus.
Bike over to the Division Street beer garden, APEX, and sit outside on one of the many picnic tables. Home to a rotating menu of 50+ great beers from around the world and the Pacific Northwest, as well as an excellent pinball arcade, it’s a lovely place for people-watching.
Divison Wines is another bottle shop and a bar with great imports, with a knowledgeable staff to help you choose the right glass or bottle. Sit at the bar and enjoy a wine flight and a house-made charcuterie board. Or, for low-key cocktails head across the street and try cool-kid neighborhood bar Cat’s Paw Saloon.
What to Do on Division/Clinton
A walkable stretch in Portland, Division street’s transformation from modest homes to bustling urban streetscape offers boutique shopping and Portland landmarks.
Wild Cactus Boutique sells shoes and clothing from fashion-forward brands in a beautifully designed space. They also stock eye-catching accessories, body care products and tastefully chosen home goods. On the right day, you might be greeted at the door with hugs and kisses from their dedicated, furry sales staff, Finn, a floofy white labrador.
Good Reads
Books with Pictures -as they say- is a “kid-friendly, woman-owned, aggressively inclusive” comic book store on Division Street. The staff is full of recommendations and ready to help you find the right comic. For the collectors, make your way to Clinton Street’s Cloud 9 Comics for a wide selection of vintage and rare comics.
Places to Shop on Division/Clinton
Art, Film and Music
First opened in 1915, the Clinton Street Theater is a gathering place and a champion of Portland artists and activists. Showing cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show every Saturday night since 1978, this classic theater will keep you coming back for avante-garde cinema and fan favorites from the past.
Landmark Saloon is a great place to wet your whistle on Division Street. With a second bar outside, that includes a fire pit, corn hole courts and a food cart, this is a perfect place to spend an evening. The authentic country bar also hosts live music most nights, getting everyone inside and out to do some toe-tapping.
Retro style doesn’t get more authentic than the vinyl stocked at Clinton Street Record and Stereo, where customers can dig through rare records and pick up high-quality audio gear — including vintage headphones.
Equal parts clay studio and curio-laden gift shop, Carter & Rose, founded by a ceramicist and a florist, sells ceramic air plant wall planters and made-in-Portland bags, jewelry and home goods.
Sweet Treats
Division/Clinton offers an abundance of Portland-only cool treats, like Italian-style gelato and sorbetto from Pinolo Gelato made with local fruits and natural ingredients. With fun flavors, non-dairy options (try their vegan-staple coconut lemon saffron), and house-made gluten-free waffle cones Fifty Licks, tucked away on Clinton, is a must-try. Don’t let the lines scare you away; Salt & Straw delights experimenting with peculiar ingredients such as olive oil, blue cheese and spring flowers, but visitors can always play it safe with Double Fold Vanilla or Freckled Woodblock Chocolate. The pies at Lauretta Jean’s, with layer after layer of buttery, crispy crust, routinely lock customers in indecision over what slice to spring for. Rhubarb streusel? Chocolate cream? Apple? You can’t lose.
Food Scene
From Division Street and beyond, explore Portland's specialty offerings.
Portland’s Best Pies
Every season is pie season in Portland! Sit down to a delicious slice made with Oregon-grown seasonal fillings at these favorite local pie spots.
Ice Cream in Portland
Savor culinary creativity by the scoop at Portland's top ice cream spots, including regional chains, frozen yogurt shops and vegan options.
Gluten-Free Restaurants
As the demand for gluten-free options has grown, Portland’s forward-thinking chefs have set their tables for diners with dietary restrictions.
Rest and Relaxation
An entire bar devoted to the mildly psychoactive (and totally legal) root drink from the South Pacific, Bula Kava House can help ease any nerves. Served in coconut cup shells, the drink’s mood-altering effect can be euphoric, but it’s also consumed for relaxation.
But to truly unwind, treat yourself the Scandanavian way with relaxing steam at Löyly Sauna, which offers wet and dry saunas and full-body Swedish massages. Their packages bundle bodywork, steam treatments, facials and more.
Division Clinton Events
Get to know the Division/Clinton neighborhood at these upcoming events.
Cascadia Drag Festival
Marla Darling presents The Cascadia Drag Festival. This dazzling three-day event is being held at the Clinton Street Theater. It serves to recognize, elevate, and celebrate the artistic expressions of BIPOC, Queer, and Trans performers from around the Pacific Northwest. Friday, May 24th: 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.: Drag Dangerzone, a new works showcase. Hosted by Valerie…
Party Girl Bingo hosted by Violet Hex
ON SCREEN: Party Girl 1995. Directed by Daisy von Scherler Mayer. Runtime: 94 minutes. Rated R. Mary (Parker Posey) is a hip 20-something and hostess extraordinaire known for organizing the most trendy and outrageous parties on the New York club scene. When her roommate moves out, she stages an illegal rave to cover her rent,…
With Love and a Major Organ + Heart-Shaped Arts & Crafts
Step into an alternate reality where emotional pain is personified: human hearts are held outside of the body. Take home your own anatomically correct or artistically inspired heart, with a painting craft session before the film.
Game Night at The Houston Blacklight
Gather up some team players and join The Houston Blacklight for Game Night every fourth Sunday of the month starting March 24. The Houston Blackligh provides the drink specials and the family classics — Scrabble, Yahtzee, Jenga, etc. — you bring your niche games and your worthy opponents. The good times will roll all night. …
Catching Fire: The Story of Anita Pallenberg
Come celebrate Anita Pallenberg, the Italian-German actress, artist, model, style icon, and “It Girl” of the 1960s and 1970s, with this stunning new documentary. Dress in your best 60s/70s rockstar garb in her honor. Credited as being the muse of the Rolling Stones, she was the romantic partner of the Rolling Stones founder, multi-instrumentalist…
Friendly Feuds w/ Imani Denae
Hold onto your butts, City of Roses, because everybody’s favorite, laugh-filled evening of comedy, trivia, and goofy fun, FRIENDLY FEUDS w/ Imani Denae, is making a triumphant return to Funhouse Lounge. This one and only, one of a kind knockoff game show is back and ready to party with an evening positively packed full of…
The Cat and the Canary w/ Live Score by Corey J. Brewer
Seattle-based musician Corey J. Brewer performs a new live score over the 1927 silent horror comedy film The Cat and the Canary. Regarded as one of the most important and influential films in the early history of American genre cinema, The Cat and the Canary perfected the ‘old dark house’ formula and set the stage for the Universal horror cycle…
Kiki’s Delivery Service // CRAFTERNOON
Join young witch Kiki and her beloved cat Jiji as she takes to the skies on her broomstick, discovering the true meaning of independence and friendship along the way. Further experience the charm of Studio Ghibli with a pre-screening craft session, where you can make your own felt Jiji to take home.
The End of Evangelion
Step into the surreal world of The End of Evangelion with this special screening. Delve into the depths of the human psyche alongside Shinji Ikari and the enigmatic NERV organization in a journey that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy. The iconic anime film is a visual spectacle meant for the big screen.
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.
@1minworld w/ Princess
@1minworld (One Minute World) is a video song cycle that features original animations and live musical performances. The music is performed live alongside the video projection. The first half of the performance comprises 15 intentionally brief one-minute video songs. @1minworld‘s primary-colored bubblegum visuals contrast the songs’ content, which explore the discontents of the social media age:…
First Friday PDX
Located in Portland’s vibrant East Side Arts District, the First Friday Art Walk takes place on the first Friday evening of every month year-round. Offering a gateway into Portland’s thriving arts culture, First Friday PDX includes more than 23 independent galleries, shops, and studios and a street exhibition from April to October. The self-guided tour…
Purple Rain
In honor of the Purple One’s birthday (June 7, 1958), celebrate one of the greatest musicians of all time with his film debut. Singing along is highly encouraged. ON SCREEN: Purple Rain 1984. Directed by Albert Magnoli. Runtime: 111 minutes. Rated R. Winner of Grammy and Academy Awards for its pulsating score, Purple Rain marks the electrifying movie…
Beat Street 40th Anniversary Film Screening
DJ Klyph and XRAY FM present "That Was Fresh" Film Series screening of Beat Street celebrating the 40th anniversary of one of the most celebrated Hip-Hop films. The event takes place as XRAY also celebrates 10 years broadcasting on air in Portland. The event will feature a DJ set by the No Requests DJs, prize…
Ghost World with Pop-Up Record Fair
Step into the whimsically offbeat world of Ghost World, where the unconventional reigns supreme and the soundtrack is as iconic as the characters. Directed by Terry Zwigoff, this cult classic film follows the misadventures of Enid and Rebecca, two sardonic teenage outcasts navigating the murky waters of post-high school life. Come early for a pop-up…
Singles with Pop-Up Record Fair
Rocket back to the 90s when hair was long, and grunge was strong. Featuring multiple appearances from rock legends and one of the decade’s most iconic soundtracks, Singles is a musical time capsule of the Pacific Northwest. Come early for a pop-up record fair inspired by the film, where vinyl aficionados and cinephiles alike can revel in…
Slow
Slow, winner of the Directing Award (World Cinema Dramatic) at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, is a beautiful romance about a tender relationship between two complex individuals learning how to connect with one another. “A love story so delicate, it instantly becomes a straight up classic.” — Into:Screens “Keenly perceptive and delicately sensual.” — Slant Magazine…
Death Becomes Her Bingo w/ Violet Hex
Start mixing your good luck potions, it’s time for another bingo GAME-O-RAMA, this time with Death Becomes Her hosted by our bingo starlet, Violet Hex. ON SCREEN: Death Becomes Her 1992. Directed by Robert Zemeckis. Runtime: 104 minutes. Rated PG-13. Madeline is married to Ernest, who was once archrival Helen’s fiancé. After recovering from a mental breakdown, Helen vows…
Rose City Mile
Rose City Mile is a fun, competitive, and accessible opportunity for runners of all ages and abilities to test their fitness. The track meet includes a 100 m and 400 m dash for kids 7 and under, open and masters mile, and a mixed 4 x 400 m relay. Rose City Mile is hosted once…
Wildcat with a reading from author Leni Zumas
Celebrate Flannery O’Connor with this screening of Wildcat, directed by Ethan Hawke and starring his daughter Maya Hawke, who plays the celebrated Southern Gothic writer. Local author and novelist Leni Zumas will do a short reading and touch on the impact of O’Connor’s work before the film.
Janet Planet
ON SCREEN: Janet Planet 2024. Written & directed by Annie Baker. Runtime: 113 minutes. Rated PG-13. In rural Western Massachusetts, 11-year-old Lacy spends the summer of 1991 at home, enthralled by her own imagination and the attention of her mother, Janet. As the months pass, three visitors enter their orbit, all captivated by Janet and…
Mrs. Doubtfire // Father’s Day Crafternoon
Helloooooooooooooo. Celebrate fatherhood and the ridiculous lengths one man will go to be a part of his family with a screening of the Robin Williams classic Mrs. Doubtfire. Arrive early for a family-friendly Father’s Day crafting session.
Love Lies Bleeding
ON SCREEN: Love Lies Bleeding 2024. Directed by Rose Glass. Runtime: 104 minutes. Rated R. From Director Rose Glass (Saint Maud) comes an electric new love story; reclusive gym manager Lou (Kristen Stewart) falls hard for Jackie (Katy O’Brian), an ambitious bodybuilder headed through town to Vegas in pursuit of her dream. But their love ignites…
Slam
Experience the electrifying world of Slam, where the silver screen meets the spoken word. Twenty-five years later, with a brand new digital restoration, this 1998 film still captures the raw essence of live poetry alongside the complexities of life, love and identity.
Why Dig When You Can Pluck w/ Pregnant in the Archives & Rad Dad
Join a night of local multimedia storytelling featuring local filmmaker Cambria Matlow’s new film Why Dig When You Can Pluck, about balancing motherhood and creative practice. Lindsay Baltus will kick off the evening with her storytelling piece “Pregnant in the Archives,” inspired by her personal experience with childbirth, interspersed with archival recordings of feminist consciousness-raising groups of the 1970s….
School of Rock with a Live Band
Those who can’t do, teach. And those who can’t teach, screen School of Rock. Grab the whole family and join us for a screening of the Jack Black + Richard Linklater classic. Alumni from Portland’s own School of Rock will perform a short set before the screening.
Swing Kids w/ Swing Dancing Lessons
Step into the rhythm of the 1930s with an unforgettable evening of dance and cinema. Join Tomorrow Theater for a special screening of the beloved film Swing Kids and arrive early for a special swing dancing lesson before the movie. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or a newcomer to swing, the evening will pull you in through…
Sasquatch Sunset
ON SCREEN: Sasquatch Sunset 2024. Directed by Nathan & David Zellner. Runtime: 88 minutes. Rated R. In the misty forests of North America, a family of Sasquatches — possibly the last of their enigmatic kind — embark on an absurdist, epic, hilarious, and ultimately poignant journey over one year. These shaggy and noble giants fight…
Gasoline Rainbow
ON SCREEN: Gasoline Rainbow 2024. Directed by Bill Ross IV and Turner Ross. Runtime: 110 minutes. Celebrated directorial duo the Ross Brothers (Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets and Contemporary Color) turn their pioneering hybrid lens to the cinematic road trip with Gasoline Rainbow. Undoubtedly candid yet deeply loving, this is an expansive portrait of the new generation as told…
Jaws // Blockbuster Weekend
Get ready to dive into a Fourth of July weekend like never before. Tomorrow Theater is making waves with a jaw-dropping screening of this ultimate summer blockbuster. Join a shark-tacular evening and celebrate the film that put Steven Spielberg on the map. Before the movie, test your blockbuster knowledge with rapid-fire trivia that’ll challenge…
Twilight // Blockbuster Weekend
Prepare to immerse yourself in a Fourth of July weekend unlike any other. Tomorrow Theater is bringing the magic and romance with a screening of this Pacific Northwest classic. Join a fang-tastic evening and celebrate the vampires who captivated hearts worldwide. Before the film rolls, put your blockbuster knowledge to the test with lightning-fast…
Jurassic Park // Blockbuster Weekend
Get ready for a Fourth of July weekend like no other. Tomorrow Theater is unleashing the prehistoric thrills with a colossal screening of this summer blockbuster. Join a dino-mite evening and celebrate the film that makes you believe in the power of cinema. Before the T-Rex roars on screen, put your blockbuster expertise to the…
Twister // Blockbuster Weekend
Get ready to be swept off your feet this Fourth of July weekend. In honor of the new 2024 sequel, Tomorrow Theater is whipping up a storm with a thrilling screening of this summer blockbuster. Before the tornadoes touch down on the screen, put your blockbuster knowledge to the test with rapid-fire trivia that’ll have you…
Explore These Nearby Neighborhoods
Southeast Portland Has a Lot to Love
Hawthorne
Southeast Portland’s laidback, bohemian district is filled with local artisans and flare. Hawthorne Boulevard is a walkable street with block after block of vintage shops, boutiques, cafes, and historic venues.
Central Eastside
Criss-crossed with train tracks and lined with old industrial factories, some of Portland's favorite restaurants, microbreweries, boutiques and events call the Central Eastside home.
Belmont
Located a few blocks from Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard, Belmont, a once sleepy residential street boasts its own mix of vintage and indie shops, coffee houses, bars and food carts.
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