Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (May 2, 2003)
2 . 2003 hy so many queer nights all of a sudden? Sure, the alternative crowd wants an alternative to gay bars, hut lay some blame on the economy, too, because slower business is what’s really behind the straight- shooters’ rash of queer nights. “A lor of the straight bars are really hurting in this economy, and they are looking for new ideas,” says Chad, head bartender at Silverado. “They can go where they w ant.. .hut we’re queer seven days a week.” OK ...queer? Yes. Cutting edge? Well, here are a few of the new wave-riders that might get you a little wet. Blackbird, 37 2 8 N.E. Sandy Blvd., 9 :3 0 p.m. to 2 a.m. second and fourth Tuesdays. Blackbird is the odd angular building on the comer of Sandy and Halsey. It’s a gritty, hipster live-music lounge and dance floor, and both are crowded. Drinks are pretty cheap, with a decent selection of microbrews for three bucks. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed, and queer night is a fun mix— mostly young lesbians with a lot of cute boi dykes and trannies. There’s a good amount of gay guys there, too, who are also pret ty young, along with alternative types you don’t normally see on Stark Street. DJs spin a variety of music including ’80s and some hip-hop. East, 3 2 2 N.W. Everett St., 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sundays. East has been doing queer night for three of the nine months it’s been open. This simple, small place has no dance floor, just a bar and lounge. Sleek contours, mirrored walls and mod furniture contribute to an atmosphere that’s chic It’s queer, it’s here, go to it Queer nights bring homo happenings to hetero hot spots b y M ic h a e l B u r d ic k but comfortable. The night slows down a bit in here; it isn’t too crowded, and you don’t have to yell to be heard. The crowd is a mixed bag, pos sibly slightly older than other queer nights in town, with a few Stark Street regulars. Asian food is available all night if you’re hungry. Fun fact: East is co-owned by Mike Quinn, who used to co-own La Luna, which played host to Port land’s first queer nights in the early ’90s. Level, 13 N.W. Sixth Ave., 8 p.m. Sundays. Housed in the old Star Theater, Level offers plenty of room to party, and they defi nitely know how. It’s like going to Neighbors in Seattle or some other big-city club. The Dexter whoops it up for a night at Skervy— Queer to the Bone! dazzling light show never really gets old. Go-go dancers contribute to the high-energy, festive atmosphere. A floor show, with fire eaters and other curiosities, ensures you won’t get bored. Level’s relatively new “Not A noth er Queer Night” has gotten off to an impres sive start. The crowd is a good mix, but mostly young and mostly male with many of the same faces you see on Stark Street. DJs play house and trance. Drinks are pricey. ing with high ceilings and stained-glass win dows. Many of the same people who go to Blackbird’s queer night also go to Skervy— young, mostly lesbians with a few fags. The atmosphere is low-key and not too crowded. A lot of people are dressed with unusual creativi ty— lace, sequins and other frills are well repre sented. There are always a few people dancing, but most just hang out with friends or play pool. Drinks are moderately priced. JTH Skervy— Queer to the Bone! at the Cobalt Lounge, 3 2 N.W. Third Ave., 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursdays. The Cobalt Lounge is in a neat, old build M ichael B urdick fell m love with the sound o f his ow n voice at an early age, beginning a passionate affair that has so fa r withstood the test o f time. H e is a free-lan ce writer living in Portland. B A C K Y A R D S P A S • THE P L E A S U R E IS ALL Y O U R S Portland Public Schools need a positive c h a n g e in l e a d e r s h i p a n d d i r e c t i o n . T h e r e is an o p p o r t u n i t y to make this change happen with the May 20th election of four new School Board members. OREGON HOTSPRING SPAS SAVE ENERGY & MONEY. SO NOW YOU CAN AFFORD TO PAY THAT FENG SHUI GUY. SALEM (503)363-4000 CLACKAMAS (503)650-8242 BEND (541)388-0905 BEAVERTON (503)643-5002 VANCOUVER (360)892-5905 Oregon HotSpring Spas W W W .O R H O T S P R IN G S P A S .C O M The members of Portland Association of T e a c h e r s s t r o n g l y r e c o m m e n d the following candidates: John Ball Richard Garrett Fanion Molloy David Wynde 503 - 232-3600 • • • • • • • • Collision Repair Problems Solved Wheel Alignment Tires Oil Changes Service Work Slate Farm Service First Provider Specializing in Foreign & European Cars Mini-Vans & Sport Utility Vehicles 2454 E. BURNSIDE • PORTLAND, OR 97214 www.fergusonauto.com Family Owned & Operated Since 1952 ¡1
