Best Gay Bars & Clubs in Portland 2026: Top 10 + Honorable Mentions

Portland's LGBTQ+ nightlife is as eclectic as the city itself. The Burnside Triangle — the cluster of gay bars in Old Town/Chinatown along NW Broadway, NW Davis, and NW 3rd Avenue — is the epicenter, with five dedicated venues within walking distance of each other. But Portland being Portland, queer bars and businesses are intentionally spread across the city, from SE Belmont cocktail lounges to NE Portland queer bars to a leather bar in North Portland. No single gayborhood, no single vibe — just a city where the LGBTQ+ scene is woven into the fabric of every neighborhood. Here are the 10 best gay bars and clubs in Portland for 2026, plus the spots that didn't quite make the main list but are still worth your time.

1. CC Slaughters Nightclub and Lounge

219 NW Davis St · Dance Club & Lounge · Old Town/Chinatown · Open since 1981

Portland's longest-running gay nightclub and the anchor of the Burnside Triangle. CC Slaughters narrowly avoided closing in 2025 when original owners retired — new owners stepped in at the last minute, and the community exhaled. Named to Out Magazine's "200 Greatest Gay Bars in the World," it's the city's go-to dance club with a big dance floor, laser light show, drag shows, DJs, and a lounge side for chill cocktails. Open until 2 AM Thursday through Saturday, with no cover most nights.

• Don't miss: Weekend dance nights, drag shows, the lounge side for cocktails
• Good to know: The new owners preserved the legacy while updating the vibe. One of only a handful of US gay bars that's been operating continuously for 40+ years

2. Darcelle XV

208 NW 3rd Ave · Drag Cabaret · Old Town/Chinatown · Open since 1967

One of Portland's most iconic cultural institutions — full stop. Darcelle XV Showplace has been staging drag shows since 1967, making it one of only two known drag clubs in the US that opened before 1970. Walter Cole, performing as Darcelle XV, held the Guinness World Record as the world's oldest performing drag queen until his passing in March 2023 at age 92. New owner Jeremey Corvus-Peck took over in early 2025 with 30+ years of drag experience, and the tradition of Las Vegas-style cabaret revues, camp comedy, and jaw-dropping performances continues.

Sunday drag brunches are so popular they added a second seating. The City of Portland is building a Darcelle XV Plaza nearby — a public space honoring Portland's drag legacy.

• Don't miss: Weekend cabaret shows, Sunday drag brunch (book both in advance)
• Good to know: This isn't just a bar — it's a Portland cultural landmark. Shows sell out, especially weekends. Also popular for bachelorette parties, so expect a mixed crowd

3. Silverado

610 NW Couch St · Male Entertainment Venue · Old Town/Chinatown · 35+ years running

A two-level Burnside Triangle fixture. Downstairs is a basement dance club with male dancers and entertainment — the energy is unapologetically spicy. Upstairs is a quieter bar with food service, perfect for daytime drinks and conversation before the night heats up. Silverado caters to all types of crowds by offering two distinct experiences under one roof.

• Don't miss: The downstairs show floor, the contrast between upstairs chill bar and downstairs energy
• Good to know: Two levels means you can calibrate your night — start upstairs with a drink and food, head down when you're ready for the show

4. Eagle Portland

835 N Lombard St · Leather Bar · North Portland (Piedmont)

Portland's leather and fetish bar, deliberately located away from the Burnside Triangle in North Portland. Eagle Portland is laid-back, unpretentious, and welcoming — more casual neighborhood bar than you might expect for a leather venue. Themed nights include leather nights, bear events, karaoke, and showtunes evenings. Cold beer, no frills, and a crowd that includes everyone from leather daddies to first-timers.

• Don't miss: Themed leather nights, karaoke evenings, the casual neighborhood vibe
• Good to know: It's a 15-minute drive from the Burnside Triangle — plan for a rideshare ($10–12) or bus. Worth the trip if you're into the leather/kink scene or want a different vibe from Old Town

5. Badlands Portland

110 NW Broadway · Dance Bar · Old Town/Chinatown

The high-energy dance bar on NW Broadway in the Burnside Triangle. Badlands draws a diverse crowd with strong drinks, fierce beats, and a packed dance floor that keeps going until close. The vibe is anything-goes — come to let loose, stay to dance until dawn. It's the Burnside Triangle's most unpretentious spot, and that's exactly the point.

• Don't miss: Weekend dance parties, the diverse crowd
• Good to know: No cover most nights. The energy peaks late — arrive after 11 PM for the best vibe

6. Stag PDX

317 NW Broadway · Gay Strip Club · Old Town/Chinatown

Portland's all-nude gay strip club, located in the Burnside Triangle. Stag PDX offers male entertainment in an upscale setting with craft cocktails and a more polished atmosphere than you'd expect. Beyond the nightly shows, Stag hosts a popular weekly Sunday Drag Brunch — a mix of performance, food, and cocktails that's become a Portland Pride weekend institution.

• Don't miss: Sunday Drag Brunch, nightly shows, the craft cocktail menu
• Good to know: More upscale than typical strip clubs. The Sunday brunch is a great way to start a Burnside Triangle afternoon

7. The Nest Lounge

2715 SE Belmont St · Queer Bar · Southeast Portland (Belmont)

A queer-friendly neighborhood bar on SE Belmont with free drag shows, trivia nights (Sativa's Treetop Trivia is a local favorite), a patio, and a jukebox heavy on local artists. The Nest is more intimate than the Burnside Triangle clubs — a dive bar in the best sense, where the energy is inclusive, the drinks are good, and the crowd is there for vibes over volume. Perfect for a date night or a chill start to the evening before heading to Old Town.

• Don't miss: Free drag shows, Sativa's Treetop Trivia, the patio
• Good to know: Not in Old Town — it's on SE Belmont, about a 10-minute rideshare from the Burnside Triangle. The SE Portland vibe is mellower and more residential

8. Back2Earth

3536 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd · Queer Bar · NE Portland (King)

Portland's newest LGBTQA+ destination, opened in 2024. Back2Earth is a design-forward cocktail lounge with a vertical plant wall, eco-modern aesthetic, high-end sound system, and lounge seating. Programming rotates weekly — drag artists, karaoke, open mics, game nights with projected video games, and DJ sets. It's a different kind of queer bar — grounded, intentional, and reflective of Portland's eco-conscious ethos.

• Don't miss: Rotating weekly programming (check their Instagram), the plant-wall aesthetic, DJ nights
• Good to know: On NE MLK Jr. Blvd in the King neighborhood, about 10 minutes from the Burnside Triangle by rideshare. The lounge vibe attracts a mellow, creative crowd

9. Escape Bar & Grill

9004 NE Sandy Blvd · Queer Bar & Grill · East Portland

The neighborhood queer bar with karaoke, comfort food, and a genuinely welcoming vibe. Escape is out on NE Sandy in East Portland — far from the Burnside Triangle, and that's kind of the point. It's low-key, unpretentious, and the kind of place where regulars know your name. Live performances, karaoke nights, and hearty bar food anchor the weekly calendar.

• Don't miss: Karaoke nights, the comfort food menu, the welcoming atmosphere
• Good to know: It's in outer East Portland — plan for a rideshare ($12–15 from downtown). If you're tired of the scene-y scene and want a real neighborhood bar, this is it

10. Misfits Bar + Lounge

2530 NE 82nd Ave · Queer-Friendly Bar · East Portland

An offbeat hideaway on NE 82nd where the outcasts feel right at home. Misfits has retro decor, an inclusive spirit, and the kind of late-night energy that draws a diverse crowd of regulars. It's queer-friendly rather than exclusively queer, but the vibe is firmly "everyone's welcome here — especially the weirdos." This is Portland at its most authentically Portland.

• Don't miss: The retro vibe, the anything-goes crowd
• Good to know: Another East Portland option — pair it with Escape Bar & Grill for an outer-SE bar crawl that's nothing like the Burnside Triangle

Honorable Mentions

Speed-o Cappuccino

1015 SE Stark St · Queer Café · Southeast Portland

Not a bar, but too Portland to leave off this list. Speed-o Cappuccino is a queer-owned café where baristas serve espresso in speedos. The coffee is good, the vibes are cheeky, and it's the kind of place that could only exist here. Stop by for a morning latte before a day of exploring SE Portland.

Community Wine Bar PDX

614 SW Dakota St · Wine Bar · South Waterfront

An inclusive wine bar focused on local Oregon wines with a laid-back atmosphere and community-first ethos. It's queer-friendly rather than a gay bar, but the welcoming vibe and curated wine selection make it a great option for a mellow date night or afternoon tasting.

Sanctuary Club

33 NW 9th Ave · Members Club · Pearl District

Portland's boundary-pushing playground for those who like to mix nightlife with kink. Sanctuary Club is a members-only space in the Pearl District with themed events and an anything-goes attitude. Check their website for membership details and event calendar.

Queer Culture Beyond the Bars

Portland's LGBTQ+ scene extends well beyond nightlife:

Triangle Productions

1785 NE Sandy Blvd · Queer Theater · NE Portland

Portland's queer theater company has been producing bold LGBTQ+ plays and musicals for over 30 years. If you want culture with your cocktails, catch a show on NE Sandy and then head to a bar afterward.

Q Center

4115 N Mississippi Ave Suite D · Community Center · N Portland

Portland's LGBTQ+ community center on Mississippi Avenue. Workshops, support groups, advocacy, events, and a welcoming space for connection. Worth visiting even if you're just passing through — check their calendar for community events during your trip.

Mis Tacones

1670 NE Killingsworth St · Queer Vegan Taquería · NE Portland

Unapologetically queer vegan taquería on NE Killingsworth serving plant-based Mexican food with rainbow pride. Exactly the kind of spot that could only exist in Portland.

Which Bar Is Right for You?

• "I want to dance all night" → CC Slaughters or Badlands
• "I want world-class drag" → Darcelle XV (cabaret shows since 1967)
• "I want male entertainment" → Silverado (two levels) or Stag PDX (upscale strip club)
• "I want a chill cocktail" → The Nest Lounge (SE Belmont) or Back2Earth (NE Portland)
• "I'm into leather/kink" → Eagle Portland (N Portland) or Sanctuary Club (Pearl District)
• "I want a neighborhood bar" → Escape Bar & Grill or Misfits Bar + Lounge (East Portland)
• "I want drag brunch" → Darcelle XV (classic cabaret) or Stag PDX (brunch + show)
• "I want queer food/drink" → Mis Tacones (vegan tacos), Speed-o Cappuccino (coffee in speedos), Community Wine Bar PDX (local wines)
• "I want it all in one night" → Burnside Triangle crawl: CC Slaughters → Darcelle XV → Silverado → Badlands → Stag PDX

Is Portland LGBTQ+-friendly?

Extremely. Portland has the second-highest percentage of same-sex households of any US metro area (behind only San Francisco) and a progressive culture that permeates every neighborhood. Oregon banned discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in 2007, elected the first openly gay mayor of a major US city in 2008 (Sam Adams), and had the first openly bisexual governor in US history (Kate Brown, 2015–2023). For the full history, see our LGBTQ+ Guide to Portland.

How do I get around between bars?

In the Burnside Triangle, walk — every bar is within a 5-minute stroll. For venues outside Old Town (Eagle Portland, The Nest Lounge, Back2Earth, Escape, Misfits), plan for a rideshare ($8–15 from downtown). The MAX light rail connects PDX Airport and downtown, and the Old Town/Chinatown station is one block from the Burnside Triangle bars. Portland is also one of the most bike-friendly cities in America — BIKETOWN bike-share stations are everywhere.

What's the best night to go out in Portland?

Friday and Saturday are peak nights at the Burnside Triangle, but Portland has something every night of the week. Darcelle XV runs cabaret shows multiple nights, CC Slaughters has DJs and drag throughout the week, and The Nest Lounge has free drag shows and trivia on weeknights. Check venue Instagrams for the weekly schedule. Pride weekend in mid-July is the absolute peak — book and plan ahead.

Are there lesbian bars in Portland?

Portland's dedicated lesbian bar, Doc Marie's, closed in October 2025. The broader bar scene — especially The Nest Lounge, Back2Earth, and CC Slaughters — is welcoming to all identities. Q Center offers regular programming for women, trans, and nonbinary community members, and Portland's queer event scene features regular women's/NB-centered gatherings.

Can I do a bar crawl in Portland?

Absolutely. The Burnside Triangle is purpose-built for bar crawling — five LGBTQ+ venues within walking distance:

• The Classic: CC Slaughters → Darcelle XV → Silverado → Badlands → Stag PDX
• Drag & Dance: Darcelle XV (catch a show) → CC Slaughters (dance) → Badlands (dance until close)
• Citywide Queer Tour: Start at The Nest Lounge (SE) → rideshare to Back2Earth (NE) → rideshare to the Burnside Triangle (Old Town) → close at CC Slaughters

When is Portland Pride 2026?

Portland Pride 2026 is July 18–19. The Waterfront Festival at Tom McCall Waterfront Park runs both days, and the parade is Sunday, July 19 at 11 AM through downtown. Gaylabration, the official dance party, is Saturday night at the Crystal Ballroom. Every bar on this list goes all-out for Pride weekend with special events, extended hours, and visiting DJs. See our full Portland Pride 2026 Guide for the complete rundown.