[4] At the time, the surrounding Old Town Chinatown neighborhood had a seedy and dangerous reputation. Tuck in to a belly-warming bowl of pho and other Vietnamese dishes at this downtown Portland eatery, which stays open until 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The bridge opened in November of 1973 at a final cost of $82 million dollars. The space later became the Middle Eastern restaurant Mummy's. Technically, this Southeast Portland business was an Italian restaurant, but a number of readers said they thought of it as a bar because of its nightly jazz, where you might catch a set by hot vocalists Nancy King or Rebecca Kilgore. Sidneys, which was owned by Porter, continued to be a popular venue for live jazz until its closure in 1971. And at night, The Tilly was known for live blues. 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. Embers was originally locatedon SW Parkand Morrison next tothe Virginia Cafe. [2] The marquee above the club's entrance was believed to have been either stolen or destroyed in the demolition process, as it remained unaccounted for. Over the decades, neighborhood regulars came to the bar, with its wood paneling and smoke-stained ceiling. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Brothers Rob and Bruce Burns ran a company that was known for truck-stop restaurants, and in 1978 opened a fancy New Orleans spot in the historic Barber Block building on Southeast Grand Avenue. Located in a basement space, it offered a menu of sandwiches by day, and live music at night. These Portland bars and restaurants keep their kitchens open late, serving high-quality food into the night. [3][20] In 1993, Satyricon opened its own restaurant called Fellini, a nod to the club's namesake. Sunset doesnt end the fun in this quaint town. Every day from 3 to 6 p.m., find $9 prime rib French dips, $7 Louisiana-style hot wings, and a $9 lounge burger with fries alongside Old Fashions and martinis. These hidden gems are havens for jazz, punk, bluegrass, funk and more. The Portland International Raceway was going strong in the 70s, but . From unforgettable parties to touring acts and art shows, this incredible nightclub in SE, Portland is one of the citys premium nightlife spots. When Portland was founded in the 19th century, it had plenty of old-time saloons catering to tradesmen and early settlers. Still, the world-famous female impersonators take their art very seriously, as their Las Vegas-style cabaret has been entertaining Portland for over 40 years. If you lived here in the 80s, you may remember these things about our city before it made this change. Discover a new favorite comic or musician at Portland's free concerts and comedy nights, scattered across the city and scheduled throughout the week. Media Portland boasts many stages to bring you fresh, up-and-coming, and touring comedians. Tom McCall Waterfront Park is located there. Unofficially known as "The Candlelight Room," this downtown bar was Portland's most-dependable venue for live blues, with music happening every night of the week and no cover charge. Nothing topped the Dude Ranch, Dietsche says. In the 1980s, buoyed by the success of Alexis Greek Restaurant, West Burnside became home to a number of Greek restaurants, including Demetris Mediterranean Restaurant, which opened in 1984 and served authentic Greek dishes and baklava made by a real Greek mom. Portlanders went to the disco, and adult bookstores and strip clubs sprouted up across the city, prompting the Oregonian to call Portland The pornography capital of the West Coast. The 1970s were also a time of physical change, as Portland began to turn into the city we know today. virtual services offered. 15 LV's Uptown (Early 2000s . aims to create healing spaces for Black and Brown Portlanders through music, dance and collaborative experiences. There was a lot of organ-driven jazz there.. 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. In the decades that followed, he saw the neighborhood change, including times of rising crime and gentrification. [20][31][32] Mild renovations were undertaken, though a review of the club upon its reopening noted: "The club looks the same eerily so. During World War II, Americans became obsessed with Polynesian culture. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Today it houses a plastics company, but in its heyday half a century ago it was Portland's premier jazz venue, the Dude Ranch. Upon closing in 1984, owner Larry Hilaire recalled notable events that had happened here, including how a woman had given birth under a stairway. By the end of 1983, change was in the wind for the Portland music scene. Open to all adults (18+), this night club is a proud supporter and welcomes the LGBTQ community to its nightlife haven. In 1984, there was no Pearl District, no River District, no Chinese Garden, no MAX. Portland is a beautiful place to visit. Ruby Bryan, who owned the tavern in 1982, led a campaign to get drivers to slow down on Killingsworth after several patrons had near-misses with cars. The Crystal Ballroom and Roseland Theater attract all genres of current and pop music acts to Portlands downtown, while the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall hits the classics by hosting performances by the Oregon Symphony, Portland Opera, and Oregon Ballet Theater. We wrote about many of these spots last year when we looked at the visual history of Portland nightclubs and live music venues. [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. Many readers mentioned this basement club as a favorite watering hole they wish was still around. 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. The public was dissatisfied with the way the Marquam Bridge looked, so the Portland Art Commission helped design the new Fremont Bridge. The nightly shows atDarcelle XV are also good for a laugh. The Portland Oregon we know today is much changed from Portland of the 1970s. With street art and contemporary art galleries all over the town, it is a place of authentic artistic expressions, too. The bar lost its lease in 1993. If you grew up in the 80s, you certainly don't remember the Oregon Convention Center being there. With a large patio, it was a busy spot for outdoor drinks in pleasant weather. Hawthornes 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. If we missed one of your favorites from days gone by, tell us what made it special in the comments. Holocene has an impressive building fitted with hand-built modern furnishings, state-of-the-art sound system, fantastic video projecting lighting, and a performance area. Film flashback: 31 movie theaters from Portland's golden age. Bushy-bearded and colloquial, Clark stunned everyone when he defeated the buttoned-up and predictable incumbent to become Portland's mayor in 1985. She has been blogging since 2006. We were happy to be a part of finding a home for these vintage pieces that tell important storiesfrom Portlands LGBTQ community. In 1978, Mike and Rose-Marie Barbeau-Quinn opened this quirky downtown restaurant and wine bar, which became a hit with the symphony crowd, drawn by the blaring opera on the sound system and the dependable roasted game hen and the smoked pork chop. See our privacy policy for more information on how we use your data. Search by date, event type and more. Our information desk is currently staffed Monday Friday. With its impressive features, including a large, spacious dance floor, live DJ performances every night, weekly drag shows, daily happy hour drinking, drag queen bartenders, and one of Portlands most popular hosts Queen Bolivia Carmichaels. They deserve to be remembered for all the good times. Magic happened every Sunday night, when drummer Ron Steen hosted a weekly jazz jam, which often attracted the talents of pianist Tom Grant and sax player Jay Collins. In 1971 as the bridge was under construction a six foot long crack was found along one of the girders and it costed $5.5 million dollars to repair. Heres a brief look in photos and videos at what life in Portland Oregon was like in the 1970s. People came here for the bar, which was a popular after-work drinking spot, that became on of the citys best places to hear live jazz and blues later in the evening. If you visit this nightclub on weekdays, what you get is a laid-back place where you can enjoy good rock music, have great cocktails and delicious meals, and strike exciting discussions with the bartenders and friendly staff. Fuel up for your evening adventures at Kasbah Moroccan Cafe an inviting restaurant serving authentic Moroccan fare, like kefta meatball tagine.For the full-blown dance club experience, CC Slaughters, Spark Lounge, and Stag PDX are always bustling on weekends and often feature energetic live DJs. A venue for music, arts, and even hosting, this club comes alive at night with all manner of parties and club night activities happening every night. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. You can buy the building but you cant buy the business, he said. Last week, we took readers down memory lane with a gallery of vintage photos of 28 long-gone Portland bars and taverns that we wish were still around. And if you've got a photo of the long-lost bar to share, you can e-mail it to [email protected], and we'll share it in a future story. Crowds for live music dwindled, and Caf Vivo closed in 1993. Portland offers a variety of unique, excellent home-brewed beers. Longest running 80's night in PDX playing the best in B-Sides, Alternative & Dark 80s since 2004. Frosty glasses, stiff drinks: 28 long-gone Portland bars we wish were still here. The wheel is a last vestige of one of Portland's first gay bars. On New Years Eve 2005, the bar closed when Benjamin retired. To say Portland has changed a lot in the past 30 years is a bit of an understatement. Construction is underway for a new courthouse on the VQ site. This incredible show bar offers you an exciting National Touring Talent competition ever weekend. [7] He named the club Satyricon after the 1969 Federico Fellini film of the same name. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Located in the ever bubbling downtown Portland, the Jack London Revue is a haven for pure jazz. The crowd at what was then called The Chase Lounge was a mix of business travelers staying at the adjacent hotel, and suburban folks looking for a night on the town without having to venture downtown. Nightlife in Portland doesnt mean just hitting the club. Thanks to a large African-American working community fostered by the Kaiser Shipyards, the Central Eastsideand North Williams Avenue in particularhosted a cluster of live jazz venues, juke joints and record stores. Address: 2845 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97214, USA, A post shared by Holocene (@holoceneportland). [2] In 2017, Courtney Taylor-Taylor, frontman of the Dandy Warhols, reported that he had found the marquee, which he had installed at The Old Portland, a wine bar he opened in 2016. Address: 219 NW Davis St, Portland, OR 97209, USA, Website: CC Slaughters Nightclub and Lounge. Darcelle XV Address: 208 NW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97209, USA Website: Darcelle XV Opening hours: Fri - Sat: 6pm - 2am; Tue: 6pm - 6:30pm; Wed - Thu: 6pm - 11pm (closed on Sun & Mon) 2. You have to be above the age of 21 to be allowed access into this club. And pop and folk-rock acts aren't excluded. The first all-used record store in the city, sadly fell on hard times when music took a digital turn. 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 It also has a robust food menu, nightly drink specials and occasional art openings. Sanctuary Club hosts a wide variety of several sex-themed parties with even private rooms provided. The city combines its unique Northwest flavor and the creative spirit of Portland to give you a wide variety of activities to enjoy. Northwest Portland's trendy Slabtown neighborhood boasts walkable streets, plentiful shopping, coffee, restaurants and art galleries -everything you need can be found in this lively, friendly neighborhood. James Hemphill has been performing drag for 35 years. Every day from 3 to 6 p.m., find $9 prime rib French dips . Whether you're looking for a cocktail bar, a brewpub or a dive, enjoy your favorite summer beverage at one of Portland's rooftop bars or outdoor patios. "[4][5] It is also the place where musicians Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love are said to have first met. "[7], In 1990, a benefit LP record was put out for the club called "Satyricon the Album". With an exclusive male strippers show at midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, you would be glad you visited this showplace. In each newsletter we'll share upcoming events, new things to do, hot dining spots and great travel ideas. An accident during eye surgery in the 1930s left him blind. This large center located in the Lloyd District was completed in 1989 and opened the following year. Tight jeans, strong drinks and disco queens: A visual history of Portland nightclubs. Meanwhile, Helium Comedy Club is all about the punchlines,drawing everyone from touring, a-list professionals to emerging local talent to its stage. 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. Others faded as their neighborhoods changed. It included tracks from local punk acts such as Poison Idea, Dharma Bums and Napalm Beach. The Oregonian took note of the diverse musical offerings: "A French guitarist one night gives way to traditional Irish or Spanish music the next. In the 1990s and 2000s, one of Portlands most-popular karaoke venues was the Galaxy Restaurant, a one-time Dennys restaurant that opened in 1963, which architecture fans lauded for its mid-century design. It featured a newsstand and a licensed card room one of the few places where gambling was allowed. This workingmans bar located downtown at Southwest Second Avenue and Alder Street opened in the 1890s and continued until the 1980s. They are shown with Jobie Rucker at the bass, Sidney Porter at piano and Earl Carnett at drums. This large center located in the Lloyd District was completed in 1989 and opened the following year. Portland, a town of friendly people and progressive ideologies is famous for its relaxing vibe and of course, beer. The City of Roses boasts one of the best tango communities outside of Buenos Aires, with dances and lessons available almost every night. Back in the 80s and the early 90s, if you wanted to visit OMSI, the river was not the place to go. When itcomes to professional music, Portland has all sorts of options. That campaign led to an investigation of the bar by the OLCC, which was concerned that visibly intoxicated people were still being served alcohol. The songbook is packed with selections not available anywhere else, including some wild mashups.If you ever wished you could front a real, live rock band then Karaoke From Hell is for you. She loves nature, photography, hiking, camping, and exploring Oregon's wilds. 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. 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. . A bar had been operating in the location since the 1950s, and Benjamin bought and rechristened it in 1972. From the skyline to the bursting population to a food explosion and gentrification, the city has transformed entirely. 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. "[6] Prior to its establishment as a bar and restaurant, the building had served as a horse stable in the early 20th century before being converted into a tavern. 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. Hearty, home-style dishes like chicken-fried steak smothered in gravy, meatloaf and deep-fried fish and chips await at this diner, which stays open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In the 1960s, the bar became a part of the citys underground gay night scene, and in the late 70s and early 80s, it was recognized as the bar/business of the year several times by the Imperial Rose Court for its showroom where drag shows were staged. But the iconic sign -- tourists stop to giggle and take pictures of it still hangs over the original building. Saturdays are when the 1980s to 2000s music is featured. 1999 Portland Gay History Walking Tour. The wheel is a last vestige of one of Portlands first gay bars. And by the late '90s, the turn of the millennium, my energy wasn't there. In 1964 a replica of the Liberty Bell was installed in the City Halls rotunda and rung for the first time. 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. This Southern-inspired bar in the St. Johns neighborhood serves up decadent snacks and unique (often bourbon-based) cocktails. The club offers a relaxed and fun environment for people that believe in alternate lifestyles, LGBTQ+ communities, and sexually empowered and curious individuals to party, meet up, and even hook up. This North Portland bar had a remarkable 53-year run before closing abruptly in 2007. Portlander's went to the disco, and adult bookstores and strip clubs sprouted up across the city, prompting the Oregonian to call Portland 'The pornography capital of the West Coast.' The 1970's were also a time of physical change, as Portland began to turn into the city we know today. The wood carvings gracing the bar were made by Portland's Ed Quigley. [4], Dave Grohl played his first show with his post-Nirvana outfit Foo Fighters (after Cobain's death) at Satyricon. In his weekend best pulled together from Material Objects, 25-year-old Sid Tripp locks the door of his Exchange Street apartment at the Old Port Arms and heads down to see what the rest of Portland has been doing since Friday. Tiger Bar closed in 2014, and is now Stag, a gay nightclub featuring male strippers. Located underground, party and have fun in a spacious dance floor with music playing from every angle. Heres a long-running watering hole with an unlikely origin story. Touhouliotis reshaped the tavern into a nightclub, and named it after the 1969 Federico Fellini film of the same name. Beloved by local night owls and pancake enthusiasts, Portlands Original Hotcake House stays open 24/7, dishing up delicious diner grub and breakfast classics. Y.G.B. Portland's five-day comedy festival showcases nearly 50 female comedians each October. Shake Bar - a vibrant neon-colored bar with a hip-hop focus Shake Bar is one of the best nightclubs in Portland to get down to a night of hip-hop. This Southeast Portland dance club hosts many international musicians and eclectic styles. You will certainly remember one of our most colorful mayors, Bud Clark, who was in office from 1985 through 1992. [11] Local punk bands the Wipers and Poison Idea became notable regular acts at the club,[6][4] as well as various underground musicians. Related: Frosty glasses, stiff drinks: 28 long-lost Portland bars we wish were still around. 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. Cover Band & 80s Band from Poulsbo, WA (154 miles from Portland, OR) Soul Siren is the Northwest's Premier Party Band. The building is scheduled to be demolished soon, and replaced with an office park. The Sky Trio was the house band that backed touring artists, and featured pianist Eddie Wied, who said he learned to play piano at the University of Williams Avenue., Owned by the same brothers who started the Cathedral Park Jazz Festival in 1981 as a tribute to their late father, the Hobbit began as a little cafe in the Woodstock neighborhood, and later moved to a larger location on Holgate, Darroch says. The Go Go Cages were a super fun addition to Ember's dance floor. In 1953, the Gold Camp Room opened in downtown, and was designed to look like an old-time saloon. It closed in 1952 after lease difficulties and battles with City Hall over its liquor license. All rights reserved (About Us).