Portland

Where are you traveling from?

Not a travel article, but it's good.

I know that bartender at r2--he works at Stag PDX. He's very nice, but not gay.

Stag is pretty new, right? I know LA gogo dancers who've worked there and escorted out of there - I mean, met new clients there.

Stag is about four years old. When it started it was the big thing and everyone flocked there from Silverado, which had been the previous big place for strippers/go-go dancers, and which was run really badly (the owner had very draconian rules for the dancers). Silverado was almost deserted for two years as a result, but the owner loosened up considerably on his rules, and now Silverado gets the better business again, and has by far the better looking dancers.

Stag is too small a venue, and they allow bridal parties to go into it (which Silverado does not).

You sound like a real class act, r4.

How loose are the rules at Silverado now?

I lived there for five years, and it is probably my favorite US city. Lots of fun things to do without being touristy. The gay scene can be cliquish like anywhere else, but you should have fun. Definitely check out Powell's. God, I miss Powell's

The Silverado (or the Silver Dildo as it is frequently referred to) was trash. It was mostly for gaggles of screeching straight women there for bachelorette parties. No respectable gay man went there.

Is Darcelle still with us? Can any Portland DLers report on her well-being? She was an ancient drag queen and was fun to watch, but again....bachelorette parties. Yuck.

The Head Light provides much needed light for your nighttime head.

[quote] How loose are the rules at Silverado now?

There's still "no sex in the Champagne Room." But you can grope the dancers pretty openly if the dancers allow it (the ones who've been there long enough encourage it; newer ones tend not to like that if they don't know you).

CC Slaughters was always fun for a drag show and had a quieter bar off to the side to get away from the thumping dance music. If you like a more laid back bar, there is Embers close by, and they have Karaoke on Sunday nights if you are into that. There is the Eagle way up north if you like daddies and bears, but it is not in the downtown area so may be out of your way. And there was usually outright sex going on on the back patio/smoking area. Not really my thing but no judgment!

Then again, I left in 2011. Have no idea how much it has changed. So I am probably useless.

Visited a few years ago, and like you OP, i asked about the gay scene but on craigslist.

boy was i surprised to get a number of guys volunteering to take me around town and show me the spots during the day and then the night spots. I took one guy up on it and we had a great time. BTW, i was in my late 40's and just your average gay guy, so it wasn't a sex hook up thing (although in the end it did turn out to be) it was more like Portland guy was proud of his city and wanted to show it off.

R1, from LA...

I visit often as I have a close friend there. It’s fun, you’ll like it.

Do any locals know if Darcelle is still alive? Just curious.

Many years ago, I lived there. I hung out at a bar called Somebody’s Place, IIRC. There were two nice bartenders, Chris and Bill. I find myself wondering from time to time if they survived the ‘80s. I moved away in 1981.

R115. Darcelle is still alive, and performs occasionally.

Her drag bar still bears her name and is in business.

Did you ever pick up a guy at Powell's?

I saw Darcelle honor a 92 year old woman's birthday at Hobo"s recently. Do stop by Hobo's for a drink before your evening really gets going.

R18. in the late 90s, yes. I married one of them.

R17, thank you. That warms my heart. That bitch is 1000 years old, but fabulous.

And have a drink at Hobo's, but I wouldn't suggest eating there. The food is overpriced and not that good.

For Portland restaurants, I highly recommend Screen Door. It was always my favorite, before going vegetarian again. But I think they likely have vegetarian options too.

Hey cunts? You DO realize there's a Portland on the East Coast, right? And it's become insanely popular. And it's the original Portland. And that the West Coast Portland was named for the East Coast Portland? And that technically when referring to the West Coast, one should say "Portland, Oregon", while the older city should simply be "Portland".

Now, which one are you asking about OP?

R22, the one with the Ace Hotel. Oregon. The one in the video at OP. Oregon.

I actually prefer Portland, ME. Lobsters and limited foreskins

R22, you seriously need to unclench.

We know that Portland, ME was the original. We also know that the Maine Portland is quite small and provincial, and that the one in Oregon has a metro population of 3 million. It is a much bigger and more exciting city.

Sorry you lobster eaters got eclipsed, but them's the facts.

Portland, Oregon is where I travel when I want out of state cock. Unless I feel a little adventurous, then I hope to Seattle Washington. But if I feel like being a bad boy, I head to Idaho.

I was born and raised in Portland, and I'm sorry to say that I feel like a lot of what was big in the 70's, 80's, and 90's gay scene of Portland just kinds dissapeared because of gentrification.

There was this awesome gay/drag bar called Ember's that was located downtown. It was around for about three decades before closing last year. I think another gay bar might be replacing it though, but it's going to be different.

A lot of rich Californians are coming up here and buying out a bunch of properties. Portland is so expensive most of the residents here can't afford it, so a bunch of quirky businesses are well, going out of business. That and a bunch of the gay scene that was once so prominent in NW Portland is now a bunch of hipster joints.

There's still places like Stag PDX and Silverado, but I heard the first one ain't doing to well. Silverado sucks because you're not allowed cheer on at the performers. It makes the atmosphere really awkward.

R8 Oh god the gaggling geese bachelorette's at Silverarado SUCK. They make the atmosphere really unpleasant and annoying as fuck. I think they actually banned bachelorette parties from the joint a few years ago, but the last time I've gone I haven't seen any (thank god).

And Powell's is awesome. I go there every Sunday night and visit the cafe with a book. I have great memories there.

Fuck no! Embers is closed?

I used to love going there on Sunday Nights for Karaoke.

That really sucks.

The old quirky Portland is dead, killed by immigrant Californians and those unfortunates who saw “Portlandia” as a documentary, and hoped that they would find community here. Well, let me tell ya....the Portland freeze is real and if you couldn’t make it socially in Peoria, you won’t make it socially in Portland either.

Unfortunately, the social retard’s bodies are even worse that the native Portlanders.

Visit for the food and the proximity to nature, but the gay scene is tragic.

R29 the owner of Ember’s had a stroke and the club couldn’t go on without him.

The building is supposed to reopen with a new gay club called “Badlands”.

Cliche name.

R1 While the Porter is brand new, I would recommend against staying there. It's in an isolated corner of downtown next to the police bureau, federal courthouse and IRS building, so once the work day is done, it's deserted in that area. If you're familiar with the ACE brand, then you know what you're getting, which depending on your age, can not be a good thing.

The "scene" is pretty limited. There is Scandals, a tavern on Start Street (a few blocks from the ACE), which used to be the strip, but is now the last remaining gay bar there. As mentioned by either, Silverado and Stag are strip bars. Strippers here go full nude and you can touch pretty much everywhere but hole and cock, although if they like you, things can get a little friendly during a private dance. The other bar in that area (Old Town) is CC Slaughter's which as mentioned above is a dancefloor on one side and a lounge on the other called Rainbow Room. Darcelle's and Hobo's are both near these three bars. The Eagle is located in north Portland about a 10-15 cab/uber drive from downtown.

Ember's as mentioned above closed last year after the owner had a major stroke. There is rumor someone from CA bought it and is opening some type of franchise gay bar, but activity seems to be non-existent at the building.

The bars are hit and miss, depending on your age and what you're looking for. There are a lot of one off or monthly parties that tend to draw bigger/more fun crowds. The most popular is Blowpony which is the 4th Saturday of each month and is part dance, part show (they usually have one or more drag queen alums as a guest). It is heavily attended, so would recommend going early if you're in town when it happens.

A few of the other regular events are Boyeurism (kind of a queer themed burlesque/vaudeville/cabaret show) and Lumbertwink.

If you're visiting strictly for the gay scene, you'll most likely be disappointed, but if you enjoy food and the outdoors (mountain is 45 minutes one way/beach 60 the other) it's a pretty great place to visit as long as you do it during the proper weather times.

R1 I forgot to mention that you can walk to all of the gay bars (except the Eagle) within 5-15 minutes of The ACE.

Ugh, sorry R1, in R32, I meant Stark Street.

[quote]A lot of rich Californians are coming up here and buying out a bunch of properties. Portland is so expensive most of the residents here can't afford it, so a bunch of quirky businesses are well, going out of business

It's called natural selection sweety.

39.77 million people (about to hit 40mil) cannot be expected to live in one single state, naturally California is regrettably expanding her boarders.

It's ok, don't fight us, obey.

Have been several times, OP. Loved it. Go and enjoy yourself!

I feel like nobody goes to the bars in Portland anymore (I certainly don't). I think the various monthly parties (and one-offs) that R32 mentioned are the only thing that really bring out the gays.

[quote] That bitch is 1000 years old, but fabulous

Darcelle is only 87

Thanks, R32. Do you live there?

R26, why is Seattle now adventurous for cock?

So there a champagne room at Silverado's? What goes on there?

Limited selection of dancers and escorts. Most are tattooed and not "pretty."

I love our new angry Portland, ME Troll!

Portland, Maine: what's cool there? Any contemporary design hotels?

The Ace is pure shit right?

r38 is adorbs!

[quote] And that technically when referring to the West Coast, one should say "Portland, Oregon", while the older city should simply be "Portland".

And Portland, ME was named after the original Isle of Portland in the UK. So none of this "technically" bullshit.

If you're just looking at the gay stuff, it's 2 days, 3 nights max.

R39 I do if you have any other questions. If you like queer/gay dance themed parties, you can check Holocene and Mississippi Studios. They both host various monthly nights.

R41 It's not a room per se, rather an open space that looks down on the main floor/stage. I think they charge $10 to get up there on the weekends. They do have a bar open upstairs on the weekends. There are three little seats against the wall that the dancers use for private dances, but they are open to everyone and the manager keeps a close eye on it. Stag has curtains that close all the way around you and the dancer for privates.

[quote] I feel like nobody goes to the bars in Portland anymore (I certainly don't).

Well, if YOU don't, then NO ONE must!!!

(I am a Portlander and I do go to the bars, and so I can report that yes, other men do go, and in large numbers--though we all miss your presence dearly.)

[quote] Portland, Oregon is where I travel when I want out of state cock. Unless I feel a little adventurous, then I hope to Seattle Washington. But if I feel like being a bad boy, I head to Idaho.

What makes Seattle more adventurous than Portland for cock? Idaho for being a bad boy?

Seattle is bigger...

Is Portland expensive?

Seattle is a lot more expensive. Portland 4-star hotels are $250/night-ish, Seattle's are $400-ish.

Are the city's two bathhouse still in operation?

Went to both on my visit in 2012. I liked Steam, especially, as it seemed very clean.

Is Fat Cobra and its gloryholes still open?

[quote]We know that Portland, ME was the original.

No, we don't, R25. We are not fucking mind readers. It was incumbent on OP to state EITHER Portland OR, or Portland, ME. Since there seems to be a disparate number of DLers in the NY/East Coast area, I assumed the Portland in question was in Maine.

Maine or Oregon, R53?