Queer nightlife spots in Portland are expected to roar with music and life over the next two months, as the culturally-recognized June Pride Month bleeds into Rose City’s new mid-July celebrations. COVID-19 hasn’t put a stop to the celebrating for a couple of years now, but the local LGBTQ+ community has still faced many challenges since last summer. In the past year, Portlanders have mourned the loss of queer diner The Roxy and its matriarch Suzanne Hale, new spaces like Rebel Rebel, Pinq, Fuzzy Navels, Opal’s Night & Day Cafe, and the Queens Head struggled to find their footing and closed within their first year, and the collective sense of the loss of Darcelle XV, our city’s most significant queer figure, has still only begun to be felt.
Still, amongst local losses and attacks to queer spaces nationally, Portland rides on with new spaces like Sissy Bar and Doc Marie’s, and city-wide events like drag icon Poison Waters appearing as the Grand Marshall of the Starlight Parade this weekend.
Most of Portland’s most iconic LGBTQ bars are set to be filled for drag brunches, dancing, and joyous festivities this summer. We’ve listed the best LGBTQ-friendly bars and restaurants for colorful drinks and some unexpectedly good food. For more specific Pride events in Portland, check out this site.
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