Frosty glasses, stiff drinks: 28 long-gone Portland bars we wish were still here. The trio played for Vice President Richard Nixon during his visit in Portland last week. At 240 N. Broadway in Portland, a stone's throw from The Rose Garden where the Trail Blazers play their home games, a worn brick building stands alone, a forlorn island in a sea of traffic. Decadent '80s | Portland OR The large Mayfair operation included the Mayfair Lanes bowling alley. Famous visitorsincluded Madonna and Henry Rollins. Soul Siren is a hit at clubs, casinos, festivals, private parties, and weddings. In the 1970s and '80s, this Beaverton bar was a popular spot for disco dancing and live music. We have date night ideas, activities and adventures for couples with all sorts of interests. [35], The club was used as a filming location for Gus Van Sant's 1985 film, Mala Noche. Address: 33 NW 9th Ave, Portland, OR 97209, USA, Opening hours: Fri - Sat: 9pm - 2:30am; Wed: 8pm - 12am; Thu: 8pm - 2:30am (closed from Sun - Tue), A post shared by Detox Pop-Up Nightclub (@detoxnightclub). El Gaucho steakhouse, which has its own clubby lounge area, is in the ground-floor location now. Postscript: After sharing this initial list of long-gone bars, we heard from readers about their favorite places. These Portland bars and restaurants keep their kitchens open late, serving high-quality food into the night. The buildings later became the popular Legin Chinese restaurant, which was sold and torn down in 2012 to make way for the expansion of PCC's eastside campus. 2023 marks the 14th year partnering with The Childrens Cancer Association. Meanwhile, Helium Comedy Club is all about the punchlines,drawing everyone from touring, a-list professionals to emerging local talent to its stage. Peters' Inn in downtown, which was notable for owner Frank Peters, a former professional baseball player and coach, who later went to prison for illegal drugs and sexual assault. On September 20, 1985, Satyricon began offering food,[16] which included a souvlaki take-out window called Eat or Die. In the 1950s, Pago Pago and its adjoining Turf Club came under the scrutiny of police during a crackdown of secret gambling dens. In the late 1980s and early 90s, this sleek restaurant was located on the ground floor of downtowns US Bancorp tower. Biddy McGraw's, a Northeast Irish pub that's now home to The O'Neill Public House. Try their chicken and dumplings, pulled pork nachos or Frito pie (that can be made vegan!). When Portland was founded in the 19th century, it had plenty of old-time saloons catering to tradesmen and early settlers. The club moved to its NW Broadway location in 1979. 1999 Portland Gay History Walking Tour. When this venerable downtown restaurant and bar closed in 2016, it ended a 45-year run. virtual services offered. CC Slaughters CC Slaughters in Old Town has been a gay-bar standby since the early '80s, drawing in people from the entire Pacific Northwest region with its LGBTQ events. Another popular downtown nightclub in the 1950s was Sidneys. Every night of the week not just on weekdays happy hour generally gets the party started. During his time working at Embers, James Hemphill wore many hats - he was a cocktailer, a DJ, a lead cook, security, and his personal favorite - an entertainer - performing as drag queen Terrika St. James. Nightlife in Portland doesnt mean just hitting the club. [18] The interior of the building was described by journalists as such: As you step up to the long, obsidian-black bar, you may notice the Buddha that presides from behind the bar, the sensual art above, and stars on the ceiling. Having been home to many talents making waves all around the country, Darcelle XV gives you a chance to experience a one-of-a-kind display of glitz, pageantry, and luxurious cross-dressing by a talented bunch of guys-cum-ladies. We were happy to be a part of finding a home for these vintage pieces that tell important storiesfrom Portlands LGBTQ community. [26], Commenting on the various stories and lore surrounding the club, journalist Zach Dundas wrote: "The written record of the club's existencewhich can amount to no more than 1 percent of the Whole Truthis a florid tale of excess, controversy, creative chaos. In 2014, the building was converted to mixed-income apartments. 8. The year was 1985 when King Kong took over the Portland Building to market the Oregon Lottery. First opened in 1928, it served chop suey, chow mein and lo mein when they were considered exotic. Serving tropical drinks and piles of Hawaiian food, The Alibi Tiki Lounge will make you feel like youre on an island vacation just long enough to belt out some Elvis in front of the packed house. "In Wake of Jimmy Mak's Closure, New Jazz Club Will Open in Basement of Rialto. In a 2010 interview, she claimed she met Cobain there in 1988 at a Dharma Bums concert where she was reading spoken word poetry,[22] although other accounts state that the two met in January 1989 or 1990[23] when Nirvana was playing at the club,[24] and that they playfully wrestled in front of a jukebox that night. The owner, Roman Wydra, was Ember's owner Steve Susss primary partner. James Hemphill, an Embers long-time staff member of 26 years, contacted City Home looking for a buyer for some of the clubs memorabilia. The list of musicians who played here is a "who's who" of the local blues scene, and the bar became a popular after-hours gathering spot each summer during the Waterfront Blues Festival. As a younggay man in the 80s, heremembers hiding behind his clothes and accessories entering gay bars. Tasty memories: 97 long-gone Portland restaurants we wish were still around. Many readers mentioned this basement club as a favorite watering hole they wish was still around. He was cute, he was attractive, and he was funny Everyone always writes that the song that was playing [on the jukebox] was Living Colour, but that wasn't it. It was rebuilt after a fire in the early 20th century, and continued operating under various names -- Erickson's Saloon, Erickson's Cafe and Erickson's Working Man's Club -- until 1980. Discover a new favorite comic or musician at Portland's free concerts and comedy nights, scattered across the city and scheduled throughout the week. On November 21st, 1970 dynamite was placed underneath the bell and detonated, destroying it. This bar in the Uptown Shopping Center in Northwest Portland was a hot-spot for live blues and folk music in the 1980s and early '90s. Randy L. Rasmussen, The Oregonian/OregonLive. Will the bar's distinctive sign be spared? Sewickly's, a Hawthorn District cafe and bar that served breakfast all day. It was totally unique to Portland., Jimmy Maks rose to become Portlands premier jazz club along with the economic and demographic changes of its Pearl District neighborhood, Dietsche says. Take a break from the real world with the help of these themed bars in Portland, where the ambiance is just as important as the menu. In the early 1880s, Finnish immigrant August Erickson opened this bar at West Burnside and Second Avenue, which catered to the rough-and-tumble crowd of Portland's earliest settlers. In 2005, the restaurant moved out to Southeast 82nd Avenue, where it ran for a decade before closing in 2015. This workingmans bar located downtown at Southwest Second Avenue and Alder Street opened in the 1890s and continued until the 1980s. It closed in 1952 after lease difficulties and battles with City Hall over its liquor license. In this 1985 photo, Carcy Flatch, a waitress at the Beaverton location, sported a special T-shirt to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in 1985. We wrote about many of these spots last year when we looked at the visual history of Portland nightclubs and live music venues. They deserve to be remembered for all the good times. The building was torn down in 2011 as Lower Burnside became more gentrified, and was replaced by the larger Trio Club, where karaoke continues, but without the cool, gritty vibe. Address: 219 NW Davis St, Portland, OR 97209, USA, Website: CC Slaughters Nightclub and Lounge. From unforgettable parties to touring acts and art shows, this incredible nightclub in SE, Portland is one of the citys premium nightlife spots. [30] Other events, besides notable concerts, include a number of incidents involving notable people (including Courtney Love passing out) and a police riot in 1990. The tavern closed in 1996 after a 19-year run. In May of 1970 students from Portland State University and other Portlanders took to the streets to protest the war and the killing of students at Kent State University. . [8] The block was characterized as Portland's skid row,[9] "a real shithole of a neighborhood" with "open drug dealing, fights, knives, [and] guns. Textile Trends: Find the Perfect Blanket Type for Your Space, A Buyers Guide: Cozy and Luxurious Bedroom Sets, Decorating with Houseplants: 10 Tips You Need-to-Know, Dorm Room Decorating: How to Bring Your Personal Style to College, 7 New Kitchen Color Schemes That Complement Dark Cabinets, How to Decorate Your Space Sustainably with Artisan Pieces. Choose from private suites, pop-up events, tiki drinks and Chinese food as you select your ideal Portland karaoke venue from among the citys top spots. In the 1960s, The Broadway Inn added topless dancers to the mix to compete with Marys Club on the other end of Broadway. The space was later converted to a health club, and is currently vacant. East Burnsides iconic Doug Fir is known for live shows in the lounge downstairs, hearty brunch and generous dinner plates enjoyed in the mid-century meets log-cabin dining room. is an inviting neighborhood pub that features authentic German food and beer. A lot of people think were easy marks, Tucker said. And if you want to have a full experience of the fantastic nightlife of the city, visit any one of the above-listed nightclubs in Portland, Oregon and have the time of your life. Portland is a beautiful place to visit. In this 2005 photo, Joes Place owner Joe Benjamin looks out over rapidly changing Northeast Alberta Street. Get in touch! The public was dissatisfied with the way the Marquam Bridge looked, so the Portland Art Commission helped design the new Fremont Bridge. The bar, housed in a one-time silent movie theater, had a small-town vibe, with wood-paneled walls, neon beer signs and a cast of friendly regulars. The restaurant was demolished after the city purchased the block to make room for the streetcar line connecting downtown to the South Waterfront District. The building is scheduled to be demolished soon, and replaced with an office park. In 1911, Oregon passed a vagrancy law that was the first to criminalize prostitution in the state, according to a 1980 City Club report. Subscribe to our newsletter for inspiring travel guides and articles from around the world! Young, Gifted and Brown Fosters Community Through Dance in Portland. In the decades that followed, he saw the neighborhood change, including times of rising crime and gentrification. Losing Albina from Christina Belasco on Vimeo. It's a Saturday night in 1985. With an exclusive male strippers show at midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, you would be glad you visited this showplace. 13 cool features of old Portland restaurants you won't find anymore. It was the longest-running punk venue in the western United States,[3] and has been referred to by some journalists and historians as the "CBGB of the West Coast. Detox Nightclub gives you a safe and inviting environment to party hard and enjoy all the thrills of a great night out. There might have been about two blocks of this type of thing on Belmont and Clinton, but that was it -- of course it has since popped up on 28th, Williams, Missisippi, Division, Stark in Montevilla, etc. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. She loves nature, photography, hiking, camping, and exploring Oregon's wilds. Address: 125 NW 5th Ave, Portland, OR 97209. Cover Band & 80s Band from Poulsbo, WA (154 miles from Portland, OR) Soul Siren is the Northwest's Premier Party Band. aims to create healing spaces for Black and Brown Portlanders through music, dance and collaborative experiences. Co-owners Sam Usher, seen here in 1959, and Jack Urman remodeled and expanded the restaurant, which featured two bars and a dance floor. Live Irish Music, Bagpipers, Irish Dancers, Corned Beef and Cabbage, Guinness, Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey and more Sponsorship, 10th Annual Brazilian Carnaval Ball: A Decade of Light. Satyricon became a prominent music venue in the city, and hosted various local and touring punk and alternative rock bands throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Departure has daily happy hour specials running from 4-6 p.m., mixing inexpensive, inventive Asian cuisine with equally mouthwatering views of the citys downtown. Address: 208 NW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97209, USA, Opening hours: Fri - Sat: 6pm - 2am; Tue: 6pm - 6:30pm; Wed - Thu: 6pm - 11pm (closed on Sun & Mon), Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account. Portland, a town of friendly people and progressive ideologies is famous for its relaxing vibe and of course, beer. Explore a bit more and you'll find graffiti on the tables, an open-staged DJ booth, black & white checkered floors, and the infamous Round-table, in a corner, with a pentagram etched into it. A few recommendations were large, long-closed nightclubs like Beaverton's disco-era favorite Earthquake Ethel's. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. [7], Satyricon was founded by George Touhouliotis, a former taxi driver who acquired Marlena's Tavern in 1983. The photo below shows the bridge still under construction in 1973. "The sad part about Embers disappearing is that its the last of the old school gay bars in Portland. Upon closing in 1984, owner Larry Hilaire recalled notable events that had happened here, including how a woman had given birth under a stairway. Its success was also due to music policy and management by [the late] owner Jim Makarounis, and the internationally known club was famed for hosting drummer Mel Browns groups three nights a week. Join Portland's club kids most nights for laser lights, EDM and some of the best dancing in town. [2] Commenting on the club's closure, owner Touhouliotis said: "I had gotten tired. Fourth Ave., are closed to cars, transforming the area into a pedestrian-friendly party zone.Set within walking distance of a number of popular nighttime destinations, The Society Hotel, a newly revived 19th-century sailors boarding house, provides a perfect weekend basecamp. If you grew up in the 80s, you certainly don't remember the Oregon Convention Center being there. But something was simmering beneath the Retreats posh veneer. Anybody who was anybody who came to town, who wanted some after-hours action, they came to the Chicken Coop., The small record store on North Broadway was the meeting place around Williams Avenuea social center, if you will, Dietsche says. In May 2003, the club abruptly closed, after which it was acquired by new owners and reopened as an all-ages venue in 2006. The club endured an era of no live music and then re-emerged in the 90s, when groups led by legendary bassist Leroy Vinegar and drummer Alan Jones filled the booths with young listeners.. Touch Restaurant & Bar has been in the space since 1995, but closed last year. We are a promoter and steward of this evolving city and its progressive values, which have the power to transform the travelers who visit us. With barnwood walls, other hippie-era decor and photos of jazz legends on the walls, the Jazz deOpus was an Old Town night spot that presented many national touring artists in the 70s, Darroch says. Owners Huston Davis and Jeff Jenness created special house drinks, like the Pomegranate Red Martini and Pear-Sage Margaritas, many of them crafted with homemade fruit infusions ladled out of super-sized apothecary jars. The Oregonian took note of the diverse musical offerings: "A French guitarist one night gives way to traditional Irish or Spanish music the next. This incredible show bar offers you an exciting National Touring Talent competition ever weekend. "[10] Local historian SP Clarke recalled that "A mere attempt to walk the sidewalks required a helmet and full body armor."[10]. It closed in 1996, and became the now-closed Rose & Raindrop pub. From small rock cafes to loud hip-hop-themed nightclubs, the city has a thriving and exciting nightlife. The second Vat became a Pastini Pastaria. Back in the 80s and the early 90s, if you wanted to visit OMSI, the river was not the place to go. This was a place to go when you were dressed up and ready to be seen. Embers was originally locatedon SW Parkand Morrison next tothe Virginia Cafe. According to The Oregonian, materials from seven different countries were used to decorate the club, which cost $25,000 to build. It was so important, because after the big bands would play their shows, they were looking for some action, and thats when they would head to the other clubs to jam after hours., This elegant supper club featured nationally touring artists, backed by Ron Steens trio, which gave Portlands younger players golden opportunities to learn from the giants of jazz, Darroch says. But the unique thing about 45 East is in the position of its dance floor. Introduction. It became known as the home of legendary local bassist David Friesen and the Mel Brown Sextet., Youd get in a cab and say, Take me Uptown, Dietsche says. Plus there were a lot of bachelorette parties, James said with a laugh, pointing out that this wasnt a bad thing at all If there wasn't a gay guy to dance with, there was always a nice straight woman to dance with!. Long before tiki bars became retro-cool, this downtown restaurant was mixing stiff Polynesian drinks and serving puu puu platters to students from nearby Portland State University. Two significant events in Portland history took place in 1970. Hosted by Voodoo Doughnut co-founder Tres Shannon, the bands repertoire includes 600 songs, and they play twice a week at clubs like Dantes and the Spare Room. Portland boasts many stages to bring you fresh, up-and-coming, and touring comedians. [7] Upon taking ownership, Touhouliotis re-conceived the location as a nightclub that would offer live music. In 1958, the luxurious lounge opened at the Mayfair House restaurant, which was located at Southeast 80th Avenue and Division Street. But the real action was in the downstairs lounge, which featured live jazz nightly, including this set by Sandra Simmons and Calvin Walker, performing with drummer Carlton Jackson, bassist Kevin Dietz and pianist Joe Heinermann. And by the late '90s, the turn of the millennium, my energy wasn't there. A Analog Caf and Theater B Backspace (Portland, Oregon) Berbati's Pan Blue Monk (Portland, Oregon) Brasserie Montmartre C Candlelight Cafe & Bar D The Dude Ranch J Jimmy Mak's L La Luna (Portland, Oregon) The Liquor Store N No Vacancy Lounge P Paris Theatre (Portland, Oregon) S Satyricon (nightclub) T The Know (Portland, Oregon) Tonic Lounge X The club hosts some of the citys most talented artists weekly with an occasional visit from an international jazz act. You had to use a little bit of intuition to find Tiger Bar. Though gentrification and changing culture eventually forced the number of jazz clubs to witherthe recent shuttering of Jimmy Maks is just the latest in a long line of closuresthere has long been a history of unique venues in Portland. If you prefer a more down-and-dirty, rock-and-roll vibe, swing by Dixie Tavern where servers are known to dance on the bar and brave revelers are sometimes invited to join in. Enjoy an enthralling Las Vegas-style show of glamour and comedy when you visit this place. We asked readers if there were other watering holes that they missed, prompting a flood of suggestions. Because we serve liquor in a relaxed atmosphere and wear abbreviated costumes, they sometimes assume were pushovers, an easy mark for the man out on the town. Others faded as their neighborhoods changed. 13 The Jazz de'Opus (1970s-2003) NW 3rd and Couch. But they linger on in memories and in photos that captured their essence. The town is complete in all areas; theres something for everybody here. Before it was the swanky Hotel Modera, the downtown motor lodge at Southwest Fifth Avenue and Clay Street was home to the Portland Motor Hotel, where in 1979, cocktail waitress Gail Tucker served customers in its smoky lounge. The US Bancorp Building went up in 1983 and the skyline of the city was changed forever. But the building that housed the Harbor Club is still around, and is home to Paddys, Portlands oldest Irish bar, and is one of the most-popular drinking spots for sailors from the U.S. and Canadian navies when the Rose Festival Fleet docks here every spring. Second Ave. and N.W. It was a time when female sportswriters were still denied entry to press boxes at Civic Stadium because of their gender, and Portland State University students protested war and the killing of college students at Kent State University. If we missed one of your favorites from days gone by, tell us what made it special in the comments. IMAGE: Thomas Teal. Shards of the bell went flying, and the blast damaged City Halls East portico columns and shattered windows. Heres how The Oregonians photographer Allan J. de Lay described it in 1958: New York City's Lexington Ave. isn't the only place where they have singing bartenders and waitresses. Heres a brief look in photos and videos at what life in Portland Oregon was like in the 1970s. Big bands came therebig-name big bands. Portland offers a wide range of arcades, from family-friendly game rooms to dive bars and adults-only bar arcades. Managed by the Leroy Vinegar Institute of Jazz at PSU and booked by jazz pianist and professor Darrell Grant, LVs was a former motel restaurant that gave PSU students a nearby lab to interact with touring as well as local artists, Darroch says. During World War II, Americans became obsessed with Polynesian culture. But it wasnt known for its food The Oregonian described the Italian menu as having an identity crisis in a scathing 1986 review. Address: 32 NW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97209, USA, Opening hours: Sun: 4pm - 12am; Tue - Sat: 4pm - 2:30am (closed on Mon), A post shared by The Goodfoot (@goodfootlounge). Heres where to check in for the night. . The Baby Kitten Klub basement bar includes two private rooms, 70s and 80s themed, in addition to a public main stage and bar area. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. A former firehouse, it changed hands and was known as Remos, and then, in the early 2000s, resurfaced as a jazz club called Touch.. "[33], In October 2010, Ben Munat, the Satyricon's booking agent, organized thirteen "Farewell Satyricon Shows" for that month. A jazz club that presented the most popular jazz-influenced styles of its day, Rays Helm is most notable for hosting the Jeff Lorber trioa funk-jazz band that featured for a time a young Kenny G, Darroch says. Sixth Avenue, was formerly Marlena's Tavern, "a dark, narrow barroom on a seedy stretch. Today it houses a plastics company, but in its heyday half a century ago it was Portland's premier jazz venue, the Dude Ranch. Nestled right in the center of Portlands Old Town Entertainment District, The Barrel Room is the only and longest running dueling piano show bar in the city. Included in photo: John Brkich (third from left), Oscar Olson (sixth from left), Marko Susnjara (far right). Its location gives the club a historical feel coupled with the eclectic mix of the very best modern equipment and gear. Situated in Washington Park, now the home of the Portland Children's Museum, was the place to go to explore science and technology. Plastered with hundreds of band stickers, that would take someone days to take in. [20][34] Bands included Big Daddy Meat Straw, the Dandy Warhols (with original drummer Eric Hedford, playing songs from first two albums with some original guitars), Pond, Poison Idea, and Napalm Beach,[35] with the final concert taking place on October 31, 2010. Come to celebrate 10 years of Brazilian Carnaval in Portland. The wood carvings gracing the bar were made by Portland's Ed Quigley. We'll send you a newsletter with what you need to know every week. 14. The wheel is a last vestige of one of Portland's first gay bars. The food here is excellent, too. 2023 | That Oregon Life LLC | All rights reserved. But Nirvana was obviously playing. By the end of 1983, change was in the wind for the Portland music scene. The Go Go Cages were a super fun addition to Ember's dance floor. ". Trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire playing Jimmy Mak's in 2014. This North Portland tavern, which was a workingmans oasis for more than 50 years, sat on North Columbia Boulevard in the heart of Junk Yard Row, just east of the St. Johns landfill. Same bar stools, same black paint. Hawthorne's colorful Cuban restaurant, Cubo, has happy hour specials from 3 to 6 p.m. and 9 to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursday, with $6 daiquiris and mojitos, $4 pints of beer, and Cubanos with plantains for just $7. Patty's Retreat, a downtown dive that lost its liquor license after numerous patron arrests for drunkenness, drug use and dealing, and serving alcohol to minors. And when the Cocktail Nation trend hit in the 1990s, swanky bars opened in the downtown core, offering posh sips in sleek surroundings. Couples with all sorts of interests Portland OR the large Mayfair operation included the Mayfair bowling... 82Nd Avenue, where it ran for a decade before closing in 2015 Embers disappearing is that its the of. `` the sad part about Embers disappearing is that its the last of the best... Someone days to take in crackdown of secret gambling dens to market the Oregon Convention Center there... Dance floor location as a favorite watering hole they wish was still around the is! Mcgraw 's 1980s nightclubs portland oregon a former taxi driver who acquired Marlena 's Tavern in 1983 liquor.. About their favorite places President Richard Nixon during his visit in Portland doesnt mean just the. Shows the Bridge still under construction in 1973 to build game rooms to dive bars and restaurants their... Grew up in 1983 and the blast damaged city Halls East portico and. Restaurant was demolished after the city has a thriving and exciting nightlife small rock cafes loud... 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Richard Nixon during his visit in Portland a newsletter with what you need to every!