Portland, Oregon, often celebrated for its thriving indie music scene, boasts an equally energetic and diverse dance club culture. Whether you’re into electronic beats, Latin rhythms, or classic hits, the city’s array of Portland Dance Clubs promises a night out for every taste and rhythm. This guide dives into the best spots across different neighborhoods and dance styles, ensuring you find the perfect place to move your feet in Portland.
Dance Clubs by Neighborhood
Old Town Chinatown: The Heart of Portland’s Dance Scene
For the highest concentration of Portland dance clubs, look no further than Old Town Chinatown. This bustling nightlife district is home to a variety of venues, from lively bars to dedicated dance clubs. Stag PDX and Dixie Tavern, with its Southern charm, are central hubs for nightlife enthusiasts. For the LGBTQ+ community and allies, CC Slaughters offers a vibrant gay nightclub experience with a live DJ spinning tunes seven nights a week, including popular all-request dance nights on Wednesdays.
Downtown Portland: Dance the Night Away in the City Center
Downtown Portland also offers exciting options for Portland dance clubs. Lola’s Room, located beneath the iconic Crystal Ballroom and marked by a prominent neon “Dance” sign, is an unmissable spot. This intimate venue is known for its regular ’80s and ’90s nights, guaranteeing a nostalgic and fun-filled experience. It’s a perfect choice for those looking to dance to classic throwback hits in the heart of Downtown Portland.
Central Eastside: Industrial Spaces Turned Dance Havens
The Central Eastside neighborhood provides a unique backdrop for Portland dance clubs, often utilizing converted industrial spaces. Holocene, celebrating over a decade, merges music and visuals in a spacious 5,000-square-foot former auto-parts warehouse, hosting DJ sets and live performances. Nearby, 45 East, another converted industrial space, features an upstairs lounge and a downstairs dance floor that frequently hosts high-energy EDM shows.
For a more laid-back, local vibe, The Goodfoot Lounge is a favorite. This two-level dance hall is known for its welcoming atmosphere and diverse music selection, ranging from funk to dubstep, all designed to get the crowd moving on its hardwood dance floor. It’s a perfect spot for a casual night out with friends and fellow music lovers in the Central Eastside.
Northeast Portland: Latin Rhythms and Eclectic Beats
Venturing into Northeast Portland, specifically the Lloyd neighborhood and Sandy Boulevard, reveals more diverse Portland dance club experiences. Aztec Willies in the Lloyd neighborhood is the go-to destination for salsa and Latin dance enthusiasts, offering various Latin music nights throughout the week. Church, a uniquely themed bar with an ironic Roman Catholic concept on Sandy Boulevard, provides a cozy setting for live music and DJ sets, blending different vibes for a distinctive night out.
Dance Clubs by Style
Bushwackers: Country Dance Extravaganza
For country music and dance lovers, Bushwackers is the premier Portland dance club destination. Located in Tualatin, just a 20-minute drive south of downtown Portland, this venue is dedicated to bass-thumping, foot-stomping country dance. Whether you’re skilled in the two-step, enjoy line dancing, or prefer a waltz around the expansive dance floor, Bushwackers offers a lively honky-tonk atmosphere. Cowboy boots and belt buckles are welcome, enhancing the authentic country experience.
The Coffin Club: Embrace the Goth Scene
For a darker, more alternative dance experience within Portland dance clubs, The Coffin Club (formerly Lovecraft Bar) provides a unique horror-themed setting. This goth bar, complete with macabre décor, including a child-sized coffin, plays a steady stream of industrial and darkwave music. It’s the perfect place to embrace your goth side and dance the night away to alternative beats in Portland.
Lola’s Room: Throwback Dance Parties
Beyond its regular offerings, Lola’s Room at the Crystal Ballroom shines with its themed dance parties, making it a standout among Portland dance clubs. Every Friday night, “’80s Video Dance Attack” transports you back to the era of MTV with classic music videos projected on large screens, allowing you to relive the iconic sounds of the 80s. Saturday nights feature “Comes As You Are: 90s Dance Flashback,” celebrating the hits of the 90s from Nirvana to Snoop Dogg. Lola’s Room offers consistent themed nights for those seeking a specific throwback dance experience in Portland.
Tango Berretin: Argentinian Tango Immersion
Portland boasts a significant Argentine tango community, and Tango Berretin in Foster-Powell is at the heart of this scene. This intimate Portland dance club, owned by renowned tango instructor Alex Krebs, evokes the charm of old-world Spanish salons. Tango Berretin offers lessons, practicas, and milongas (social dances) throughout the week. The Saturday night milonga, preceded by a beginner lesson and often featuring live music, is particularly popular. On Tuesdays, the venue shifts gears to soulful blues music, with a free introductory lesson hosted by the Portland Blues and Jazz Dance Society, welcoming both solo dancers and couples.
Trio Lounge: Latin Nightclub Vibes
For a taste of Miami’s vibrant nightclub atmosphere in Portland, Trio Lounge is the place to be. This neon-lit venue offers a dedicated space for salsa and Latin music lovers. With three dance floors and DJs spinning everything from traditional mambo to Latin EDM, Trio Lounge’s Salsa Sunday extends into the early hours of Monday morning, offering a high-energy Latin dance experience unlike any other in Portland dance clubs.
Explore Portland’s Dance Scene
From neighborhood hubs to style-specific venues, Portland dance clubs offer a rich and varied nightlife for locals and visitors alike. Whether you’re looking to explore the energetic clubs of Old Town Chinatown, enjoy a themed dance night downtown, or immerse yourself in tango or salsa, Portland’s dance scene has something to offer every dancer. Dive into the rhythm of the city and discover your favorite Portland dance club tonight.
[
