The Eagle might be a bit off the beaten path, but it’s well worth the ride to North Portland for this always fun and fascinating leather bar. Its weekly theme nights aren’t always for the shy or timid, but the bar staff is friendly, the DJs are good, and the under-dressed patrons are more than happy to make newbies feel at home. The Eagle also teams with neighbor restaurant Casa Zoraya to serve Peruvian dishes like chicken empanadas and sirloin potato croquettes between beers and Red Bulls.

No, downtown’s defunct all-ages queer dance club does not live on in this Northeast Sandy strip mall. Rather, Escape Bar and Grill caters to the open-minded adult crowd with an almost-small-town charm that separates it from rowdier Portland LGBTQ bars. Weekly events like drag shows and music bingo keep the space lively and fun, but it’s also important that it’s a queer space where friends can play chess while eating a baked potato.

This North Williams distillery-pub is one of Portland’s few queer spaces that welcomes minors, and its bi-level dining room and massive rooftop offer plenty of spots to enjoy a meal with friends. Folks of all ages can enjoy fresh beignets and smoked salmon latkes at brunch or poutine with lemongrass brisket at dinner, while adults sip on house-made mint vodka or pink hibiscus gin. Events include tours, drive-thru drag shows, and Drag Queen Bingo hosted by Peachy Springs.

This narrow, elegant space on the North Park Blocks has been around for years, but the bar has recently acquired a new slew of regulars who pop in for drag shows and live music. The drinks are solid — house-made bitters and infusions support a robust cocktail list — and the service is warm, with lounge-y vibes and guaranteed familiarity.

This nicely appointed gentlemen’s club features a relaxed-yet-clubby interior with leather furnishings, cheeky art, and exposed male dancers. DJs help keep the main bar spinning, and Stag offers a variety of theme nights for crowds or private bookings for those seeking something a little more exclusive.

This popular club appeals to a slightly younger crowd of queers and allies, who come to dance, take Jell-O shots, and eat snacks like corn dogs and jalapeño poppers. After a long hiatus that seemed like it may be permanent, CC Slaughters is back open with extensive Pride programming, including nightly drag shows from June 12 to June 19.

This nightclub and legendary strip club is divided into two decidedly different spaces. The downstairs room is Portland’s most underground setting... literally. The basement is where the bar gets its reputation: Hunky male dancers entertain visitors in private booths nightly. The upstairs room is a much more casual hang, featuring karaoke, a video bar, pool tables, and a kitchen serving up carne asada fries and fish and chips.

The newest addition to Portland’s legendary gayborhood in Old Town, Rebel Rebel is a Hawaiian-inspired alleyway that, during its quieter hours, evokes a breezy tropical patio at night — all decked out with leafy plants, wood paneling, and money cats. But when the party starts and the disco ball spins, it suddenly transforms into one of Portland’s most exciting neon-bathed dance floors. Events include drag shows, dance parties, and club kid fashion shows.

This always-evolving entertainment hub is one of the few remaining gay bars in what used to be the epicenter of Portland’s gay-friendly nightlife scene. Scandals features art shows, DJs, jazz nights, really cheap drinks, and an outdoor patio. And even despite the events of the last two years, the bar’s “Brunching with the Boys” lives on every Saturday and Sunday, from noon to 3 p.m., with every dish $5 or under.

Pre-pandemic, this inner Southeast boîte spot drew in a huge, diverse crowd during Crush’s outrageously cheap happy hours ($5 martinis!) or to raise money for socially relevant causes, such as Basic Rights Oregon. These days, things look different at Crush, but the bar still offers indoor and outdoor seating, with things like curry-and-paneer-topped fries and the house Orange Crush, an orange-infused vodka with blood orange syrup and soda.