What is the Gay Neighborhood in Portland?

Portland's LGBTQ+ scene is uniquely decentralized compared to cities with a single gayborhood. Instead, queer life thrives across multiple neighborhoods, each with its own character and community.

Old Town/Chinatown

The historic heart of gay Portland centers on NW 3rd Avenue and West Burnside Street in Old Town/Chinatown. This is where you'll find Portland's most legendary LGBTQ+ venues, including Darcelle XV (one of the oldest drag venues in the US, operating since 1967, and the first LGBTQ+ site in Oregon on the National Register of Historic Places) and CC Slaughters Nightclub and Lounge (Portland's flagship gay dance club). Other staples include Silverado and Stag PDX.

Inner Southeast Portland

The stretch along SE Stark Street and SE Belmont Street (roughly SE 12th to SE 30th) in the Buckman-Belmont area has become a thriving queer corridor. You'll find bars like The Nest Lounge and a growing number of queer-owned cafes, shops, and restaurants.

Other Queer-Friendly Areas

• North Mississippi Avenue — A queer-friendly strip in North Portland with bars, coffee shops, and creative spaces
• Alberta Arts District — NE Alberta Street features queer-friendly galleries, boutiques, and community spaces like Q Center, Portland's LGBTQ+ community center