Portland, Oregon, often celebrated for its indie music scene, pulses with an equally vibrant dance club culture that promises to move everyone. Whether you’re into EDM, Latin rhythms, or throwback classics, the city’s diverse nightlife offers a beat for every taste. Let’s dive into the best dance clubs Portland, OR has to offer, neighborhood by neighborhood and style by style, ensuring you find the perfect spot to dance the night away.
Exploring Dance Clubs by Neighborhood
Old Town Chinatown: The Epicenter of Portland Nightlife
For those seeking a high concentration of dance clubs, Old Town Chinatown is the place to be. This historic district comes alive at night, brimming with energy and a variety of venues. Stag PDX and Dixie Tavern, with its Southern charm, are popular starting points for a night out. For the LGBTQ+ community and allies, CC Slaughters is a must-visit gay nightclub, renowned for its lively atmosphere and a DJ spinning tunes seven nights a week. Don’t miss their Wednesday all-request dance nights for a truly personalized experience.
Downtown Portland: Dance the Night Away in the City Center
Downtown Portland offers a mix of sophisticated and energetic dance venues. Lola’s Room, located beneath the iconic Crystal Ballroom and marked by a prominent neon “Dance” sign, is an intimate space that’s hard to miss. Known for its regular ’80s and ’90s nights, Lola’s Room is perfect for reliving the golden era of pop music. This central location makes it a convenient and exciting option for anyone looking for dance clubs in downtown Portland.
Central Eastside: Industrial Chic Meets Dance Beats
The Central Eastside is where you’ll find dance clubs housed in converted industrial spaces, offering a unique and edgy vibe. Holocene, celebrating over a decade of blending music and visuals in a former auto-parts warehouse, provides a 5,000-square-foot haven for art and audio enthusiasts. Nearby, 45 East continues the trend of repurposed industrial spaces, featuring an upstairs lounge and a downstairs dance floor that frequently hosts high-energy EDM shows.
For a more laid-back, local experience, The Goodfoot Lounge is a favorite. This two-level dance hall is known for its welcoming atmosphere and a diverse music selection ranging from funk to dubstep – anything that gets the crowd moving on its hardwood dance floor. It’s the perfect spot to experience Portland’s authentic dance scene.
Northeast Portland: Salsa and Eclectic Grooves
Venture into Northeast Portland, and you’ll discover unique dance experiences. Aztec Willies in the Lloyd neighborhood is the go-to destination for salsa and Latin dance enthusiasts, offering different Latin rhythms almost every night. Church, an ironically named Roman Catholic-themed bar on Sandy Boulevard, provides a cozier setting with live music and DJ sets, blending a unique ambiance with diverse musical offerings.
Dance Clubs by Style: Find Your Perfect Beat
Portland’s dance scene isn’t just defined by location; it’s also incredibly diverse in musical styles and themes. Here’s a guide to dance clubs categorized by the type of experience they offer.
Country & Honky-Tonk: Bushwackers
For a taste of country dance culture, Bushwackers is unparalleled. Located just 20 minutes south of downtown Portland in Tualatin, this venue is the premier spot for country dance, complete with a Texas-sized dance floor. Whether you’re skilled in the two-step, love line dancing, or prefer a classic waltz, Bushwackers offers a lively, bass-thumping, foot-stomping good time. Cowboy boots and belt buckles are welcome, setting the stage for an authentic country dance experience.
Goth & Industrial: The Coffin Club
Embrace the darker side of dance at The Coffin Club, a horror-themed bar that caters to the goth and industrial music scene. Formerly known as Lovecraft Bar, The Coffin Club offers a unique atmosphere with a steady stream of industrial, darkwave, and goth tunes, perfect for those who prefer their dance floors on the shadowy side.
80s & 90s Throwbacks: Lola’s Room
Lola’s Room truly shines with its themed dance nights. The most famous is ’80s Video Dance Attack every Friday night. Relive MTV’s golden age, dance to classic music videos projected on giant screens, and enjoy the nostalgia of the 80s. On Saturdays, “Comes As You Are: 90s Dance Flashback” takes over, bringing the best of 90s hits from Nirvana to Snoop Dogg, ensuring a weekend full of throwback fun.
Tango: Tango Berretin
Portland boasts one of the largest Argentine tango communities in North America, and Tango Berretin is at its heart. Located in Foster-Powell and owned by world-renowned tango instructor Alex Krebs, this intimate dance hall exudes old-world charm, reminiscent of dimly lit 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 a highlight for tango enthusiasts.
Salsa & Latin Rhythms: Trio Lounge
For a taste of Miami nightclub vibes in Portland, Trio Lounge is the place to go. This neon-lit venue offers a vibrant salsa scene with three different dance floors and DJs spinning everything from traditional mambo to Latin EDM. Salsa Sunday at Trio Club is legendary, keeping dancers moving until the early hours of Monday morning – the party doesn’t stop until 4 a.m.! It’s a must-visit for anyone seeking hot Latin dance clubs in Portland, OR.
Plan Your Dance Night in Portland
From high-energy EDM venues to intimate tango halls and everything in between, the dance clubs in Portland, OR, offer a rhythm for every soul. Whether you’re a local looking for a new favorite spot or a visitor wanting to experience Portland’s nightlife, the city’s dance scene is ready to impress. Put on your dancing shoes and explore the diverse and dynamic dance clubs Portland has to offer for an unforgettable night out.
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