Gay bars in portland

The space-themed drinks, like an extraterrestrial espresso Meteorite Martini, will have you feeling like First Man. It's a great time to think about how you can put some of your hard-earned dollars toward supporting local queer-owned businesses, both while you're out and about this June and all year long.

Back2Earth

This lively gay bar, owned by Eagle Portland proprietor Dan Henderson, features bar grub like burgers, barbecue fried chicken sandwiches, and loaded fries, not to mention drinks like espresso martinis and Tajín-rimmed watermelon mojitos.

All pizzas here start with the essentials: aged mozzarella, Grana Padano, pecorino, and red sauce before getting zhuzhed up with toppings like spicy honey, Calabrese salami, or Scalia anchovy.

It hosts karaoke, drag shows, dance parties, art shows, jazz concerts, the odd TV viewing party—you name it.

Featured Events: queer meets, juicy clubhouse

Strip Clubs

Silverado

Est. (4641 NE Fremont, redsaucepizza.com)

Sammich

Those in search of Chicago Italian beef or Montreal-style pastrami sandwiches to die for (see: the Pastrami Zombie) head to Mel McMillan’s East Burnside sammich shop.

Tin Shed serves everything from breakfast burritos to biscuits and gravy and has been featured on the Food Network and in the New York Times. The drinks are cheap, the greatest gay pop hits and deep cuts are on repeat. They still do today, entertained by a house cast of some of Portland’s best drag artists. The duo also owns Stem Wine Bar, which offers tastings, wine flights, and weekend tarot readings.

Not in the mood for pizza? The city’s oldest surviving bars were havens in an openly homophobic era, while its newest venues join a chorus of voices against an increasingly transphobic national climate. The bar hosts a calendar of drag shows, game nights, and dance parties to unite the LGBTQ+ community’s full spectrum, like the Nu-Glitter queer comedy open mic and monthly tarot evenings.

Though it plays nicely off the name of Portland’s favorite boots, the bar is named for Dr. Marie Equi, a turn-of-the-century Portland activist and advocate for labor rights and birth control. Huge pride parades have been hosted here since the beginning of the gay rights movement, and in more recent years there has been an increase in everyday celebration as well.

The welcoming, unpretentious vibe extends to all members of the LGBTQ+ community. Twirl feels like a West Coast take on the classic East Coast tea dance, with DJs, local drag, and a rotating costume theme to keep guests looking and acting their best.