What Are They Saying About Us? LA Gay Culture Reviews Gay Portland, Part Two
[This is Part Two, Posted on June 23, 2010] [See Part One of this series.]
Oh so gay Portland.
In the second of three articles profiling Portland, one of the greatest cities of the Pacific Northwest, today LA gay culture takes a closer look into the belly of the Portland gay scene, and wow what a find it is.
From a small but boisterous nightlife to a restaurant / café culture that is heavily gay influenced, to a history steeped in lesbian culture, gays have a secure, comfortable and accepted place just about anywhere in the greenest city in America.
Surprisingly large and pervasive throughout the city, especially the Northwest, Southwest and Southeast districts, Portland’s gay scene is pronounced and well integrated into this rugged, outdoor loving, fir tree lined city.
Having no official “gay district” makes Portland unique to its American counterparts. The bars, restaurants are spread out, but mostly concentrated into the downtown neighborhoods, west of the Willamette. With SW Stark St. & SW 10th Ave. being the major artery of Portland gay culture, an eclectic mix of bar, restaurant and café spots the city block. Included near the intersection is the bar-restaurant trio and gay magnet Red Cap, Boxxes and the Fish Grotto, as well as delicious and slightly pricey Clyde Common restaurant (amazing halibut) and Stumptown coffee (dang that’s a good cup o’ joe) across the street, adjoined by the very gay friendly Ace Hotel, Portland.
Unfortunately Portland’s Ace Hotel is a bit of a let down. It’s famous, cozy but small lobby aside, the hotel does cater to a progressive and very gay/ gay friendly clientele. But the hotel offers very few amenities (room service only from 5pm – midnight), and the rooms are quite simple and without frill, unlike the hip hotel chain’s cooler more friendly cousin in Southern California, Ace Hotel Palm Springs.All that withstanding, the place still could have made up for its lack in amenity had it not been for the most disappointing aspect of the Ace: the staff’s attitude. With a few exceptions, the Ace Hotel Portland staff was a bit “too cool for school”, unfriendly and unhelpful.
Come on guys, this is Portland, what’s with the ‘tude?
There are legions of other hotels in either direction however (Portland’s Westin is one suitable option), so perchance during your next Portland stop-off, the Ace may be better as a destination to see, opposed to a destination to stay.
Before leaving the SW Stark and 10th ’hood, definitely consider seeing a show at Portland’s famed Living Room Theatre cineplex where you can drink beer (say what?!) and enjoy gourmet dining while watching the latest in recently released independent, art house films. And of course the world famous Powell’s bookstore, the largest of its kind in the world (no seriously, you get literally lost in there), is around the corner. Stop by to peruse their insanely extensive selection of books, new, used and rare, and check out their huge inventory of gay literature, then head over to their in-store café and guzzle even more coffee while pining over your new literary findings.
But oh no, gay Portland ain’t done with you yet.
Aside from their openly gay and occasionally scandalous Mayor, Sam Adams, there is much more to see and do, gay style, in Portland.
A new, distinctly Portland kind of trashy, Silverado, down on SW 3rd Ave., will leave you smiling form ear to ear in awe and slight hedonistic confusion. Also on 3rd Ave. but north of Burnside St., is yet another gay Portland legend, slightly more reminiscent of something West Hollywood, CC Slaughter’s Nightclub and Lounge. With the lounge on NW 3rd and the club around the corner at NW Davis St., CC’s is the place to groove, drink cheap booze and listen to your favorite dance beats.
It’s also certainly worth mentioning that the drink prices in Portland, at least to Angelino, Manhattanite or San Franciscan standards, are dirt, dirt cheap. We’re talking top shelf alcohol and mixed drinks for $7 or less! Patron margarita = $7!! What!? I’m moving now! If you’re not an alcoholic yet, Portland may just give you that hard second shot you’ve been waiting for.
And certainly worth the extra mention is very gay friendly, amazing and unmatched Mother’s Bistro on SW Stark and 2nd Ave. The restaurant, lead by gay Portland celebrity Lisa Schroeder, is full of locals and located just off the waterfront, so it’s the perfect stop off after a great ride along McCall waterfront park. The food is unmatched, unbelievably delicious, yet inexpensive. From the bread, to the soup, to the everything,( try their famous crunchy french toast dipped in cornflakes) watch out friends, you’ll be begging for more.
Gay enough for you? Portland is waving their unique flag of rainbow colors, beckoning you and your gay counterparts to stop off for a visit, hopefully a long one, and enjoy some coffee, drinks, food and good good times.
Get it while the goings good, before the locals figure out what they got up there!
[See Part One of this series.]
Tags: Ace Hotel, CC Slaughters, Clyde Commons, Living Room Theater, Mother's Bistro, Sam Adams, Silverado, Stumptown
