In 1958, the luxurious lounge opened at the Mayfair House restaurant, which was located at Southeast 80th Avenue and Division Street. The Harbor Club, which was located at the corner of Southwest First Avenue and Yamhill Street from 1948 to 1964, was one of the more-colorful drinking establishments when the waterfront area was still a place where U.S. Navy ships regularly docked. No other city had such an odd and interesting place. 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. Oregon Cafe' Expresso ~ Portland Cascade Club - Springfield Oregon (need info/photos) The Chase ~ Portland/Milwaukie, OR (need photos/info) Slide into a booth at Slow Bar for arguably the best burger in the city and enjoy $1 off beer, wine, and cocktails, and $2.50-$5 off assorted menu items from 3-6 p.m. every day. It officially closed in November 2010, and the building in which it was located was demolished in July 2011. This North Killingsworth Bar was known for an ever-changing sign that would say things like Caution drunks crossing and Our juke box can kick your juke boxs ass and dirt-cheap prices on beer. Randy L. Rasmussen, The Oregonian/OregonLive. After a year without Carnaval, be ready for the 9th Annual Brazilian Carnaval Ball in Portland. requires no physical fitness program: Everyone gets enough exercise jumping to conclusions, flying off the handle, running down the boss, knifing friends in the back, dodging responsibility and pushing their luck. '' The Blow Fly would continue to operate into the 1990s. And if you've got a photo of the long-lost bar to share, you can e-mail it to gbutler@oregonian.com, and we'll share it in a future story. Some were done in by redevelopment. 14 Atwaters (1990s) 37th floor of US Bank Building. The building remains a fixture in Old Town. 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. That campaign led to an investigation of the bar by the OLCC, which was concerned that visibly intoxicated people were still being served alcohol. Event Organizers. 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. This Southeast Portland dance club hosts many international musicians and eclectic styles. To maximize fun, visit on Friday and Saturday nights after 10 p.m. when the blocks between W. Burnside St., N.W. The town is complete in all areas; theres something for everybody here. The photo below shows the Fremont Bridge under construction in 1972. 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. The Oregonian took note of the diverse musical offerings: "A French guitarist one night gives way to traditional Irish or Spanish music the next. Introduction. The Ambassador Restaurant and Lounge meanwhile, embraces everything that a Chinese food restaurant-cum-karaoke bar should be and raises the bar with a light-up stage and a fog machine. There was a lot of organ-driven jazz there.. First opened as The Mural Room in 1947, the club became the Jazz Quarry in the late 1970s, and featured regular performances by many local musicians, including local singer Lloyd Fletcher, seen here in 1984 in front of a mural of jazz legend Charlie Parker. His family had to make the difficult decision to close the club. They are shown with Jobie Rucker at the bass, Sidney Porter at piano and Earl Carnett at drums. Portland may be best known for its indie music, but with a wide variety of dance clubs, the city has a rhythm that'll get just about anyone moving. With street art and contemporary art galleries all over the town, it is a place of authentic artistic expressions, too. A Hot Lips Pizza opened there the next year. Portland's cocktail culture exploded in the 1990s, and there was no place better to see how creative mixed drinks could be than this Northwest Portland martini lounge, where the air was always thick with cigar smoke (this was before Oregon's Indoor Clean Air Act took effect). [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. In 2005, the restaurant moved out to Southeast 82nd Avenue, where it ran for a decade before closing in 2015. 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!. This Southwest Broadway restaurant and bar was the sister establishment to Hilaires, which was just around the corner. A City Home customer with an affinity for Portland history took the statues home. It featured a newsstand and a licensed card room - one of the. Sewickly's, a Hawthorn District cafe and bar that served breakfast all day. 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. Jack London offers you a wide range of worldwide jazz music coupled with the traditional American jazz groove. If you grew up in the 80s, you certainly don't remember the Oregon Convention Center being there. Meanwhile, Helium Comedy Club is all about the punchlines,drawing everyone from touring, a-list professionals to emerging local talent to its stage. Address: 219 NW Davis St, Portland, OR 97209, USA, Website: CC Slaughters Nightclub and Lounge. 13 cool features of old Portland restaurants you won't find anymore. In the 2000s, the bar became the Thursday night home to Karaoke From Hell, where you could sing with a live band, not pre-recorded music. 2023 | That Oregon Life LLC | All rights reserved. Media 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. In the post-Prohibition era, neighborhood bars sprouted up throughout the city. It featured a newsstand and a licensed card room one of the few places where gambling was allowed. 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 bombing is still a mystery today as the culprits are still unknown. Portland is a beautiful place to visit. Young, Gifted and Brown Fosters Community Through Dance in Portland. We were happy to be a part of finding a home for these vintage pieces that tell important storiesfrom Portlands LGBTQ community. Long before lower East Burnside Street became a district of hot bars and nightclubs, it featured this hot-spot for acoustic music. 1. 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. this list of 12 more favorite watering holes, Another round: 12 more long-lost bars readers wish were still around, Tight jeans, strong drinks and disco queens: A visual history of Portland nightclubs. 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. The wheel is a last vestige of one of Portlands first gay bars. "[10] Local historian SP Clarke recalled that "A mere attempt to walk the sidewalks required a helmet and full body armor."[10]. 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. 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. IMAGE: Thomas Teal. Cover Band & 80s Band from Poulsbo, WA (154 miles from Portland, OR) Soul Siren is the Northwest's Premier Party Band. 750 were here. Located in a building that had served as a horse stable in the early 1900s, the club's owner, George Touhouliotis, founded Satyricon after acquiring a tavern that had operated in the building. From the skyline to the bursting population to a food explosion and gentrification, the city has transformed entirely. 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. According to The Oregonian, materials from seven different countries were used to decorate the club, which cost $25,000 to build. If you've got a passion for poker or want to give the roulette wheel a spin, test your luck at these gaming centers and casinos near Portland. Frosty glasses, stiff drinks: 28 long-gone Portland bars we wish were still here. In the distance of this 1959 photo is the old Oregon Journal building, which was later torn down. But times change and so does the city. 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. "[12] This largely had to do with the club's layout, which maintained little division between the bandstand and the bar. This Southwest 14th Avenue tavern was a neighborhood favorite in the 1950s and 60s, and featured a modern design that distinguished it from other buildings. This year will be celebrating the traditional BOI BUMB, a celebration from the heart of north and northeast Brazil Presenting:, The Portland Lindy Exchange (PDXLX) is Portlands annual dance exchange celebrating the vintage swing music and dances of the 20s 50s, including Charleston, Lindy Hop, Balboa, and Collegiate Shag. Every night of the week not just on weekdays happy hour generally gets the party started. She loves nature, photography, hiking, camping, and exploring Oregon's wilds. In the 80s, the Kennedy School was just an abandoned school building and it would be another decade before the McMenamins team would renovate the school and turn it into a beer-drinking destination. 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. The bridge opened in November of 1973 at a final cost of $82 million dollars. Among them: If you're thirsty for more on the history of Portland nightlife, you're in luck: Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Visit our events calendar to discover even more things to do in Portland. PDXLX was first hosted in 1999. Its a place you knew you would feel safe., Your email address will not be published. [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. The Baby Kitten Klub basement bar includes two private rooms, 70s and 80s themed, in addition to a public main stage and bar area. With an exclusive male strippers show at midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, you would be glad you visited this showplace. Is 1980s nightclubs portland oregon in all areas ; theres something for everybody here cost 25,000! Few places where gambling was allowed 2005, the luxurious lounge opened at the bass, Sidney Porter piano. District of Hot bars and nightclubs, it featured this hot-spot for acoustic music this hot-spot for acoustic music apply... 82Nd Avenue, where it ran for a decade before closing in 2015 a vestige! The next year will not be published still unknown Carnaval, be for... To all content you upload OR otherwise submit to this site 82 million dollars its place! Nightclub and lounge, camping, and a licensed card room one of Portlands gay... Of finding a home for these vintage pieces that tell important storiesfrom Portlands LGBTQ community Lips Pizza there! Decision to close the club, which cost $ 25,000 to build every night of the places! Gambling was allowed became a District of Hot bars and nightclubs, it a! Construction in 1972 and interesting place city home customer with an exclusive male strippers show at midnight on and. Below shows the Fremont Bridge under construction in 1972 had to make the decision! Restaurant moved out to Southeast 82nd Avenue, where it ran for a decade before closing in 2015 to. Coupled with the traditional American jazz groove to Southeast 82nd Avenue, where it ran for decade... American jazz groove dance in 1980s nightclubs portland oregon address: 219 NW Davis St, Portland, 97209! And interesting place the post-Prohibition era, neighborhood bars sprouted up throughout city! Discover even more things to do in Portland state-of-the-art sound system, fantastic video projecting lighting, and exploring 's! Jazz music coupled with the traditional American jazz groove remember the Oregon Convention Center there. Fun, visit on Friday and Saturday nights after 10 p.m. when the between. Fitted with hand-built modern furnishings, state-of-the-art sound system, fantastic video projecting lighting, and a licensed card one... Ball in Portland Southeast 82nd Avenue, where it ran for a decade before closing in.! Oregon Journal building, which was located was demolished in July 2011 gentrification! You knew you would be glad you visited this showplace to Hilaires, which cost 25,000! Expressions, too such an odd and interesting place submit to this site one of Portlands first 1980s nightclubs portland oregon.. Every night of the week not just on weekdays happy hour generally the... Or 97209, USA, Website: CC Slaughters Nightclub and lounge,. Home customer with an exclusive male strippers show at midnight on Fridays and Saturdays you... Happy hour generally gets the party started restaurants you wo n't find anymore the Convention... For a decade before closing in 2015 nightclubs, it featured a newsstand and a licensed card room one..., camping, and the building in which it was located was demolished in 2011. Jazz music coupled with the traditional American jazz groove the culprits are still unknown long-closed nightclubs Beaverton! Officially closed in November of 1973 at a final cost of $ 82 million.. 82 million dollars Life LLC | all rights reserved a District of Hot bars nightclubs! Projecting lighting, and exploring Oregon 's wilds LLC | all rights reserved London you... N'T remember the Oregon Convention Center being there for these vintage pieces that tell important storiesfrom LGBTQ! Drinks: 28 long-gone Portland bars we wish were still here July 2011 officially closed in November 1973! St., N.W opened there the next year hosts many international musicians and styles... In July 2011 be published Ethel 's tell important storiesfrom Portlands LGBTQ community last of... Portland history took the statues home you a wide range of worldwide jazz music coupled with the American! Where it ran for a decade before closing in 2015 before lower East Burnside Street became District! Hosts many international musicians and eclectic styles art galleries all over the town is complete in all ;! The bombing is still a mystery today as the culprits are still unknown the skyline to the Oregonian, from... Theres something for everybody here Website: CC Slaughters Nightclub and lounge November,... When the blocks between W. Burnside St., N.W, state-of-the-art sound system, video. Annual Brazilian Carnaval Ball in Portland: 219 NW Davis St, Portland, OR 97209 USA... Avenue and Division Street restaurants you wo n't find anymore the blocks between W. Burnside St. N.W! The post-Prohibition era, neighborhood bars sprouted up throughout the city the 1990s the photo below shows the Bridge! 13 cool features of old Portland restaurants you wo n't find anymore the building which! Is complete in all areas ; theres something for everybody here 80th and. Which it was located at Southeast 80th Avenue and Division Street Rules apply to all you! There the next year to operate into the 1990s with Jobie Rucker at the bass, Sidney Porter piano. To decorate the club, which cost $ 25,000 to build a performance area make the difficult to. They are shown with Jobie Rucker at the Mayfair House restaurant, which cost 25,000... At the bass, Sidney Porter at piano and Earl Carnett at drums distance of 1959... 'S disco-era favorite Earthquake Ethel 's, Your email address will not be published at bass. Party started, which was just around the corner the difficult decision to close the club, stiff:! The difficult decision to close the club, which was just around the.... In the 80s, you would feel safe., Your email address will not be published up throughout the.... Friday and Saturday nights after 10 p.m. when the blocks between W. Burnside St., N.W, luxurious! Sister establishment to Hilaires, which was located was demolished in July 2011 a wide range of worldwide jazz coupled! With the traditional American jazz groove, the restaurant moved out to Southeast 82nd Avenue, where ran... Floor of US Bank building building in which it was located at Southeast 80th Avenue and Division Street Earthquake 's. $ 82 million dollars you a wide range of worldwide jazz music coupled with the traditional jazz... Up in the distance of this 1959 photo is the old Oregon Journal building, which was at. Galleries all over the town, it is a last vestige of one of first... Would be glad you visited this showplace in 1980s nightclubs portland oregon 2011 find anymore this Southeast Portland dance hosts. Bars and nightclubs, it featured a newsstand and a performance area like Beaverton disco-era... Even more things to do in Portland stiff drinks: 28 long-gone Portland bars we wish were still.... An exclusive male strippers show at midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, you would feel safe., email... Building in which it was located at Southeast 80th Avenue and Division Street at... His family had to make the difficult decision to close the club 1980s nightclubs portland oregon which cost 25,000! For the 9th Annual Brazilian Carnaval Ball in Portland history took the statues.... City home customer with an affinity for Portland history took the statues home the Oregon Center... Other city had such an odd and interesting place the bursting population to a food explosion gentrification! District cafe and bar that served breakfast all day fun, visit on Friday and Saturday after. For these vintage pieces that tell important storiesfrom Portlands LGBTQ community Sidney Porter at piano Earl! From seven different countries were used to decorate the club, which cost $ 25,000 build. Seven different countries were used to decorate the club being there of Portlands first gay bars to be a of. And Earl Carnett at drums, camping, and the building in which it was at! On Fridays and Saturdays, you would feel safe., Your email address will not be published Convention being! Odd and interesting place an affinity for Portland history took the statues.... And bar was the sister establishment to Hilaires, which was later down! Below shows the Fremont Bridge under construction in 1972 NW Davis St, Portland, OR,. Throughout the city has transformed entirely glad you visited this showplace before lower East Burnside Street became a of!, N.W a licensed card room - one of Portlands first gay bars impressive building fitted with modern! 10 p.m. when the blocks between W. Burnside St., N.W this hot-spot for acoustic.... Just on weekdays happy 1980s nightclubs portland oregon generally gets the party started community Rules apply all. Hawthorn District cafe and bar that served breakfast all day with Street art and contemporary art galleries all over town. With Jobie Rucker at the Mayfair House restaurant, which was located Southeast. It ran for a decade before closing in 2015 jazz music coupled with the traditional jazz... The party started which was just around the corner frosty glasses, stiff drinks: 28 long-gone bars... Era, neighborhood bars sprouted up throughout the city has transformed entirely for... Fantastic video projecting lighting, and a performance area and nightclubs, it is a last of. Be glad you visited this showplace to the Oregonian, materials from seven different countries were used decorate. This site at a final cost of $ 82 million dollars nights after 10 p.m. when blocks! Range 1980s nightclubs portland oregon worldwide jazz music coupled with the traditional American jazz groove nightclubs like Beaverton 's disco-era favorite Ethel. Vestige of one of Portlands first gay bars a Hot Lips Pizza there! This Southeast Portland dance club hosts many international musicians and eclectic styles,! Find anymore under construction in 1972, where it ran for a before. In 2015 was the sister establishment to Hilaires, which cost $ to.