Search 
Dance Clubs
Whether it's with soul nights, '80s parties or dubstep bashes, Portland's dance clubs will get you moving.
John Patrick Pullen
Portland may be best known for its indie music, but with a wide variety of dance clubs, the city has a rhythm that’ll get just about anyone moving.
Dance Clubs by Neighborhood
Old Town Chinatown
Portland’s densest concentration of dance clubs is in the Old Town Chinatown nightlife district. Bars like Stag PDX and the Southern-themed Dixie Tavern are at the epicenter. Gay nightclub CC Slaughters boasts a live DJ seven nights a week; Wednesdays are all-request dance nights.
Downtown Portland
With a big neon sign that says “Dance,” Lola’s Room is hard to miss, located below the Crystal Ballroom. Regular ’80s and ’90s nights ensure that you’ll be glad you popped into this intimate space in Downtown Portland.
Central Eastside
Running everything from DJ sets to local performers, Holocene has mixed music with visuals for a decade-plus, turning an old auto-parts warehouse into a 5,000-square-foot temple to art and audio. Nearby, 45 East also rocks a converted industrial space, with an upstairs lounge and downstairs dance floor hosting frequent EDM shows.
The Goodfoot Lounge is where locals go for laid-back nights of festival-style stomping on the hardwood dance floor. Great for small music and big laughs, the two-level dance hall plays everything from funk to dubstep, so long as it gets the crowd moving.
Know Before You Go
The Doug Fir Lounge is in the process of moving to 301 SE Morrison St. They are currently planning to reopen — with a full schedule of shows — in summer 2025.
The big basement dance floor at the log-cabin-themed Doug Fir Lounge gets plenty of traffic on its electro-pop and hip-hop nights, though most of the time, the club stays true to the city’s indie-rock ways with live performances.
Northeast Portland
Aztec Willies in Northeast Portland’s Lloyd neighborhood is a go-to for salsa and Latin grooves, with different offerings nearly every night. Church, an ironic Roman Catholic-themed bar, brings live music and DJ sets in a cozy space on Sandy Boulevard.
Portland Bars
Thirsty? Find the perfect spot to take a break and grab a beverage.
Celebrating the Dive Bars of Portland
Local dive bars are a part of the culture in Portland. We take you inside some of the city’s best-loved, dimly lit dives — from Reel M Inn and its famous fried chicken to century-old legends like Kelly’s Olympian.
Portland Karaoke Bars and Nights
Choose from private suites, pop-up events, tiki drinks and Chinese food as you select your ideal Portland karaoke venue from among the city’s top spots.
Happy Hours in Portland
If you sense it’s five o’clock somewhere, Portland has you covered — whether you’re craving cocktails, beer, wine, pub food or pizza, read on to find the best happy hour to satisfy your appetite.
Dance Clubs by Style
Bushwackers
It doesn’t get more honky-tonk than Bushwackers, the premier spot for bass-thumping, foot-stomping country dance. Show off your two-step, boogie with the line dancers or waltz around the perimeter of the Texas-sized dance floor at this venue in Tualatin, 20 minutes south of downtown Portland. Belt buckles and cowboy boots aren’t required, but you might want to make room in your luggage, just in case.
The Coffin Club
A horror-themed bar complete with a child-sized coffin as decoration? Yep, Portland has that. Get your goth on at The Coffin Club (previously known as Lovecraft Bar) with a steady stream of industrial and darkwave.
Lola’s Room
Located on the second floor of the iconic McMenamins Crystal Ballroom, Lola’s Room plays host to Portland’s favorite dance party, ‘80s Video Dance Attack. Every Friday night, break out your scrunchies and lace up your high-top Chucks to relive MTV’s heyday and bop your head to your favorite throwbacks. Classic music videos are projected across giant screens, so it’s a lot like when you used to dance along with Paula Abdul’s “Cold Hearted” in your living room (but with less carpet burn). Prefer songs and styles from the following decade? Dance to hits by Nirvana and Snoop Dog at “Comes As You Are: 90s Dance Flashback” on Saturday nights.
Tango Berretin
Portland has one of the largest Argentine tango communities in North America, with studios offering lessons, practicas and milongas (social dances) almost every night of the week. At the heart of the scene is the Tango Berretin in Foster-Powell. Owned by world-renowned tango instructor Alex Krebs, this intimate dance hall injects the old-world charm of dimly lit Spanish salons and a tango’s overt sensuality. The popular Saturday night milonga is prefaced with a beginner lesson and frequently hosts live music.
Find more milongas the second Friday of the month at Norse Hall, or every February, participate in Portland ValenTango with more than 50 classes, ranging from beginner to advanced and nearly 20 milongas featuring music from top tango DJs and live bands.
On Tuesday nights, Tango Barretin takes things down a notch by offering soulful, sultry blues music. Stop by before the dance for a free introductory lesson hosted by the Portland Blues and Jazz Dance Society. There’s no partner required, which is perfect if you’re flying solo. If not, enjoy cuddling up to your sweetie in a close embrace and swaying the night away.
Trio Lounge
Trio Lounge is a neon beacon that beckons night owls hungry for a slice of Miami’s nightclub vibe. It looks a bit out of place in Portland, but for fans of salsa, it feels like home. With three different dance floors and DJs spinning everything from traditional mambo to Latin EDM, the Trio Club’s Salsa Sunday is sure to keep you shimmying into the wee hours of Monday morning. (The party goes ‘til 4 a.m.!)
Nightlife Events
Enjoy a night out in Portland with these upcoming events.
Karaoke From Hell
The Northwest's original live karaoke band, Karaoke From Hell, has been rocking Portland for over 25 years and counting. The catalog boasts nearly 700 songs for you to sing, covering every genre from show tunes to skate punk. Catch it every Monday at Dante's and every Thursday at The Spare Room.
Portland World Naked Bike Ride
Every summer, thousands of cyclists cruise commando through Portland streets as part of the World Naked Bike Ride.
Trivia Night at The Hostel Cafe
Join every Wednesday night for free trivia night. Whether you're flying solo or bringing a team, everyone's welcome — show up, no sign-up required. The Hostel Cafe is all about bringing locals and travelers together over great food and local brews. It's one of the most popular events, with chances to win appetizers and gift...
Punjabi Bollywood and Bhangra Dance Party
DJ Prashant will be spinning the best of Punjabi Pop, hip-hop, Bhangra, and Punjabi-inspired Bollywood music all night long. Jai Ho! Dance Party presents: Punjabi and Bollywood Party Vaisakhi Celebration with DJ Prashant DJ Prashant will be spinning the best of Punjabi Pop, hip-hop, Bhangra, and Punjabi-inspired Bollywood music all night long. Prashant is the...
Secret Society x Def Not A Cult
Join the next edition of Secret Society, co-hosted by *Def Not A Cult, a dance party with Mr Jennings, Pacific Patterns, Loopacabra, and Mienne. Secret Society is a party series curated by Loopacabra, an American house music producer and Beatport charting artist. Def Not a Cult is a new party series by the renowned DJ and...
BodyMagick Burlesque Spring Showcase
The BodyMagick Spring Showcase is a sassy celebration of self-love and creativity with performances by our Teasettes, Burlesque 201+ grads and High Priestesses. They're even sneaking in a rockin' debut. Help create a world where all bodies and identities are honored for their unique expression, and where we all reside in their power, pleasure and joy...
Best of 90s & 2000s Dance Flashback
To celebrate 13 years of Dance Flashback parties, the Crystal Ballroom is throwing an anniversary “Best Of 90s and 2000s Bash.” A whole night full of nothing but bangers and crowd favorites. Wear your favorite 90s outfits, 2000s gear, glow-in-the-dark accessories, or just put on your best dance shoes and help us celebrate 13 years.
Sleaze Pleaze Video Dance Party
Indie classic and current music videos dance party every Saturday at Swan Dive. Swan Dive is a vintage craft cocktail bar with nightly events and dance parties downstairs and a speakeasy-style live music venue upstairs. Located in a historic building overlooking the Morrison Bridge, offering a unique blend of vintage charm and New Age entertainment....
Decadent 80s Dance Party
Host to world-renowned performers, the Crystal Ballroom is an awe-inspiring venue with its vaulted ceilings, grand chandeliers, giant wallscapes and famous "floating" dance floor.
More Nightlife
Portland comes to life after-house with special events and activities.
Live Music Venues in Portland
From gritty rock to velvety jazz, Portland’s live music scene offers tunes for all types.
Portland Karaoke Bars and Nights
Choose from private suites, pop-up events, tiki drinks and Chinese food as you select your ideal Portland karaoke venue from among the city’s top spots.
Comedy in Portland
There’s always something funny happening in Portland. From stand-up comedy to improv or even comedy classes Portland has any kind of comedy you may be looking for. Portland boasts many stages to bring you fresh, up-and-coming, and touring comedians.
Was this page helpful?