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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (April 3, 1998)
aprii 3. 1998 » J u s t o u t y g fo r M r. Continued from page 17 But how many people know the Odyssey closed? How many people knew it was there in the first place? If more people knew, it probably wouldn’t have gone out of business. How many people know that Darcelle XV has male strippers every Friday and Saturday night? They’re not advertised, Darcelle says, because they’re all the advertisement they need. Stark Street strollers Did anyone hear the rumor that Tim’s Hideaway Pub went straight? And what about the Maul? Not long ago it appeared that Portland finally had a grrl rock venue, but now the phone number is discon nected and there aren’t any events in the Just Out calendar. Come to think of it, I haven’t heard a peep about Rexall Rose Cafe and Theater. They used to have bands, locally made short films...now what? There was another place too that I remem ber. I stepped in from the rain while at Saturday Market and didn’t even notice at first that it was a gay bar. It looked more like a cheap seafood joint, with plastic crabs attached to dusty nets and seagulls perched on driftwood. Slowly it dawned on me that there were no women in that place, and then 1 saw a picture of a half naked sailor and a splash of rainbow. I went there a few more times until one day it wasn’t there any more. And I don’t even remember it’s name. But one mustn’t get misty-eyed over every failed business venture no more than one should sit at home alone because it’s too hard to decide where to go. All it takes is a little research and a sense of adven ture to find a good time (bathroom graffiti notwithstanding). Seeking out new experiences is good for the soul, and it’s good for the community too. It is incum bent upon every member of the sexual minority community to use his or her dol lars to ensure the stability of friendly establish ments. In the process, the savvy consumer can have a hand in shaping the social scene. In the same way that heterosexuals are occa sionally accused of taking over a bar, or owners rofl (assuming it's former customers come back). Best and worst New, exciting, renovated; not open yet. Special nights: The grand opening should be fun. Boxxes/Brig (1035 $W Stark St.) Panorama (341 SW 10th AvO Ambiance: Th« "temples" b a dark, self-can- tuined, maze läse universe. Clientele: Heavily mixed. Bestand ward: like Disneyland, you tan change themes if you get bored, the largestarea, Panorama, has been largely abandoned to breeders. Os geo graphic compass points, think of the entrance to Panorama as straight east, while the enhance to Boxxes is queer west Special nights: Tuesday nights in Poland belong to Misha Rockafefier’s Make-a-Date at Boxxes. If you’re single, it's not to be missed. Chocolate City (2845 SE Stark St., Saturdays.) Ambience: BBIed as an event for women with Hava, with R&b, hip hop and other danceable music by KBOO-FM'sDJ Amanda. Clientele: Mostly over 25, all flavors wekome, about 75 percent women. Best and worst JustaboutBre only purveyor of this kind of music; doesn't begin tifl later and starts off slow. Special nights: Saturdays atKokopeli's b where i's at. Darcelle X V (208 NW Third Ave) C.C. Slaughter’s (1000 SE 12th St) Ambience: Uirfual (the restaurant is slated to open this month, with #«e barfoBowing in May— until then, a sneak peek may be had on the Internet atwww.eaglepdx.com). Clientele: A Üle bB country, a little bitrock-and- Ambience: Classy cabaret— gito glamour and comedy. Not a hangocd.the shows take center stage. Clientele: Mixed— everyone who's anyone. Strippers attract a lot of hetero females. Best and worst Top quakty female illusionists, Brno service is free with dinnerfer sfr or more; great are accused of defecting in their favor, queers could descend en masse and seize some choice real estate too. (How about annexing Ringler’s Annex? From what I hear, a beachhead has already been established.) Even easier than taking over someplace new is changing the character of what’s already there. The business world is often portrayed as cold and hostile, but bar owners are a lot closer to their patrons than, say, the CEO of Wells Fargo, so they’re much more likely to go with tor an occasion, but not an everyday kind of place. Special nights: Every Wednesday b smoke-free. Dirty Duck Tavern (439 NW Third Ave.) Ambience: Snug and cozy, a good place to hfcer- nate; not a sfand-and-stune scene. Clientele: Home of the Oregon Bears. Best and worst Bears are a lot nicer in person than they look m National Geographic with a large fish in their mouth, Bren again, bears are terrforial. Special nights: Sunday afternoon beer buds with the Bears. Embers Avenue (110 NW Broackvay.) Ambience: Drag on one side, dance club on Bie ether Clientele: A couple ofiables might be taken over by a straight possee, but they generally behave ftremselves. Best and worst On a weekend, despfe any prior slumps, the joint is jumping; when ft's parBculariy crowded, rehieving a coat or umbrella from the coat- check at closing Bme can seem to fake ages. Special nights: Break outthe chaps for Embers' Country Nights on Tuesdays and Sundays. the flow. For example, if a special event attracts a lot of interest, it could become a regular gig. If no one shows up for Tuesday night clog dancing, it won’t last long. And don’t underestimate the market force of gentle but persistent requests and/or complaints. I could go on and on, railing against cover charges, but I wouldn’t want to bore anyone. Continued on page 21 Eagle P D X (1380 W Burnside St.) Ambience: Dark and moody, eclectic mix of music Brat isn't l&ely to play anywhere else. Clientele: Not as much iedher as one might expect, quite diverse realy. (There's even a preppy contingent, but who knows what piercings and har nesses may be hidden beneath those neafty pressed button-down shirts?) Best and worst: less fashion conscious and mel- lowerftran the rest of SouBrwesf Stark Street, usual ly no cover; pom movies on five screens can be over whelming and, Brough surely frowned upon by the establishment n<4 impossible to witness live sex acts. Special nights: Red Hankie Social on first and Ihird Friday of the monfti, dyke night on Bre first Tuesday. Egyptian Club (3701 SE Division St.) Ambience: Pool tables and juke box up front, dancing in there«: Clientele: Mosfty women, but respectful gents are wekome. Best and worst Free parking and lots of it; some patrons seem to forgettiiat pool is just a game. Special nights: Nude revue on Tuesdays, mne- bafl tournament on Wednesdays. Extasis (2845 SE Stork St, upstairs.) Ambience: The forbidden dance (salsa) and the forgotten decade (the 70s). Clientele: Mixed, with a sfrong Latino/a pres ence. Best and worst The plastic tobleclcdhs and streamers can help you relive Bie prom you never wentto; limited drink selection is a downer Special nights: Disco Sundays, salsa on Friday and Saturday. Fox and Hounds (217 NW Second AveJ Ambience: Chummy, everybody knows your name. Clientele: Loyal, mostly 30s and up; varied lunch crowd. Best and worst More on the menu Bion tried cholesterol bafts, choosing a song for karaoke in the heat of the moment can come back to haunt you. Special nights: Karaoke on Fridays and Saturdays, first Sunday bingo to raise money for Esther’s Panfry. 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