Portland is a very sex-positive town, and our strippers are fierce, independent women who are very proud of what they do. And they do it well! So do like the locals: If you’re sitting up at the rack next to the stage, bring some dollar bills and tip often and with gusto. Because you’d expect […]
Visitors’ Guide to Portland 2018
Posted inBars & Clubs
The Best in LGBTQ+ Nightlife, Bars, Parties, Comedy, and More
Nightlife is central to LGBTQ+ history and experiences. Whether you’re visiting or new to Portland, here’s an in-depth guide on where to plan your epic queer outing—from the theater to the club to the party to the morning after. Check out the Things to Do calendar at portlandmercury.com for upcoming dates and times. Bars, Strip […]
Posted inFood and Drink
Relax at Portland’s Best Coffee Joints
Stumptown Coffee Roasters Various locations, stumptowncoffee.com Stumptown is as basic to Portlanders as Starbucks is to America, but it’s still worth checking out if you’ve never been. Their coffee is great, which is why it’s now available nationwide and even in many foreign countries. Our personal favorite is their cold brew, which is available in cartons […]
Posted inThings to Do
Things To Do Summer 2018
MUSIC FESTIVALS Good in the Hood Multicultural Music, Arts, & Food Festival The annual Good in the Hood festival is one of the most diverse and fun music, arts, and food events in Portland—full stop! So support this critically important three-day event that offers tons of hip-hop, gospel, and funk as well as delicious food, […]
Posted inFood and Drink
How to Get Around Portland
(Without Dealing with Parking)
Do yourself a favor and get around Portland car-free. Driving here can be annoying, and parking can be super expensive. On the other hand, our public transportation system is perfectly adequate and relatively convenient. We’ve got taxis and ride-hailing apps, and much of Portland is bikeable—so you can, and should, get around without your car. […]
Posted inBars & Clubs
Love Karaoke? Check Out Portland’s Top Singing Spots!
The Alibi Billed as “Portland’s original Tiki bar,” the Alibi is like the adult version of the Rainforest Café, with lush tropical flora, fountains, and potent cocktails with names like “Miami Vice” and “Shark Attack.” The back of the bar is where the magic happens, but beware—this is one of the busiest karaoke joints I’ve […]
Posted inFood and Drink
Portland’s Best Bars (Beer, Wine, and Cocktails)
Welcome, traveler. Let’s toast your arrival with an alcoholic drink, which Portlanders love even more than coffee or weed. In the spirit of assimilation, here’s a visitor’s guide to drinking in Portland: BEER Horse Brass Pub 4534 SE Belmont Portland beer culture would be nothing without Don Younger, a beer drinker’s beer drinker and adviser […]
Posted inVisitors’ Guide
How to Hike In and Around Portland
One of the things that’s gotten increasingly difficult to enjoy as Portland’s population swells and great swaths of Oregon catch on fire: HIKING. Luckily, there are still plenty of ways to hit the trail in and around Portland. It’s good to keep a few tricks in mind to help avoid the crowds (go early in […]
Posted inTheater & Performance
Where To See Theater, Stand-Up, or Improv in Portland
If you want traditional productions with beautiful sets and Equity casts: Portland Center Stage or Artists Repertory Theatre If I were going to take a grandparent to see theater in Portland, I’d take them to either Artists Repertory Theatre or Portland Center Stage. Both places put on well-produced plays that make for a nice, if […]
Posted inMovies & TV
How to Watch a Movie in Portland
Welcome, cinema lover. While most cities are strangled by soulless multiplexes, Portland has a wealth of fantastic independent theaters. As chains like Regal dole out stale concessions, endless pre-show ads, and lousy picture and sound while jackasses light up the theater with their phones, Portland’s other, better theaters reflect and contribute to the city’s character […]
Posted inVisitors’ Guide
First-Time Pot Buyer’s Guide
Don’t Be Intimidated: Buying Pot Is Safe, Easy, and Totally Legal
Hey there, intrepid traveler! Welcome to one of the best places to smoke pot in the world. Not only is our weed amazing, it’s also legal—and there’s no shortage of beautiful mountains, amazing food, interesting art, and quality music to combine your pot with. So let me help you find the right pot for your […]
Posted inFood and Drink
The Best Places to Check Out Portland’s Music Scene
No matter where you’re from, you’re probably aware of live music’s restorative powers. Rather than extol the virtues of this exercise, let us guide you through Portland’s best places to take your ears on a date. ALADDIN THEATER 3017 SE Milwaukie Located in the Brooklyn neighborhood, the Aladdin Theater first opened as a vaudeville house […]