The famously cool eclectic city of Portland can offer some of the most fun, unique and sociable nights out in the US.
There are plenty of great spots to choose from dotted all over the city, from open-air pandemic friendly activities to intimate hip lounges with live music, here are best things to do at night or evening in Portland, Oregon…
1. Wander around Portland Night Market – one of the best places to visit at night that blends great food and an amazing atmosphere
Portland Night Market is a two-day event that takes place in Portland after every two to three months. The event showcases some of the city’s best vendors of foods, drinks, and other sales items. From vintage goodies to unique gifts to decor items, you’ll find everything here.
Portland Night Market is dedicated to the city’s industrial district and presents diverse businesses from all across Portland.
The event is all about eating, drinking, shopping, and exploring Portland’s art and culture through distinct sales items. The event takes place on selective Fridays and Saturdays between 4 and 11 p.m.
Address: 100 SE Alder St, Portland, OR 97214, United States
Phone: +1 503-974-6717
2. Dine while cruising along the Willamette River – the best way to sail off into the evening and have an amazing experience
The Willamette River is one of the most prominent landmarks of Portland. While you can explore the mesmerizing beauty of the river through boat tours, you must book a cruise to enjoy it to the fullest.
There are many cruise lines that offer lunch and dinner cruises along the Willamette River. Most ships that travel along the Willamette River also pass the Columbia River.
From downtown sightseeing to wining and dining, you can indulge in a wide range of activities while cruising along the Willamette River. The best part about these cruises is that you get to see the wonderful cityscape of Portland.
Address: 110 SE Caruthers St, Portland, OR 97214, United States
Phone: +1 503-224-3900
3. See a show at Doug Fir Lounge – a hip eclectic hangout with a cool crowd and rustic decor
Located in Jupiter Hotel in East Portland, Doug Fir Lounge is a live music venue that hosts classical music shows.
This is one of the finest music venues in Portland. At Doug Fir Lounge, you can revel in indie music while having dinner.
Doug Fir Lounge is based in a wooden cabin and has futuristic decor. The place has a balmy ambience and is perfect to visit on a cold winter evening, although some of the best music shows happen in the summer.
Address: 830 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214, United States
Phone: +1 503-231-9663
4. Watch a comedy show at Helium Comedy Club – a cool place that offers a night-time of fun and excitement
Located in Southeast Portland, Helium Comedy Club is an entertainment venue that hosts some of the best stand-up comedy shows in Portland. It also has a classy bar serving American pub fare and a great selection of craft cocktails.
Whether you’re a local or a visitor, you must watch a comedy show at Helium Comedy Club. It may be all you need to cheer yourself up after a tiring day. You can also enjoy famous TV comics at Helium Comedy Club.
The club is open throughout the week at different timings, mostly between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Address: 1510 SE 9th Ave, Portland, OR 97214, United States
Phone: +1 503-583-8464
5. Dance or listen to live music at McMenamins Crystal Ballroom – a beautiful place to start your evening with some amazing music
Located on Burnside Street in West Portland, McMenamins Crystal Ballroom is a historic building with a giant ballroom decorated with vaulted ceilings, exquisite chandeliers, and large wallscapes. However, all of this looks less sparkling against its famous ‘floating’ dance floor.
From Alec Benjamin to Anson Seabra, McMenamins Crystal Ballroom hosts a large variety of music concerts. It has a relaxed ambience and is one of the best places to enjoy live music in West Portland.
Address: 1332 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209, United States
Phone: +1 503-225-0047
6. Check out live music at Mississippi Studios – a late hours music venue, a perfect choice for an evening out
Located in the Boise neighborhood of Portland, Mississippi Studios is a live music venue with amazing acoustics and slight lines. It boasts Bar Bar, a famous food joint offering eclectic North American fare and a wide selection of craft cocktails.
It has an expansive patio with comfortable seating.
If you want to listen to live music while enjoying the city’s tastiest burger, Mississippi Studios is the perfect evening spot for you.
Address: 3939 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97227, United States
Phone: +1 503-288-3895
7. Catch a show at Hollywood Theatre – a great place for an evening of entertainment
Located on Sandy Boulevard in Northeast Portland, Hollywood Theatre is a movie theatre that shows local films, classic film series, and Hollywood theatre.
The theatre boasts a large patio and has a calm ambience. If you want to get the best of Portland’s nightlife, Hollywood Theatre may be an ideal place to spend your evening.
The Hollywood theatre also has a classy bar with a great selection of craft wines and beers and an eclectic pub fare. The bar has both self-service and table-service options.
The first show normally starts at 6:30pm every day.
Address: 4122 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97212, United States
Phone: +1 503-493-1128
8. OMSI After Dark – the perfect place to spend the evening, especially for science fans
Located in Southeast Portland, The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry offers a wide range of night activities, including OMSI After Dark.
OMSI After Dark is a night at the museum that allows you to party hard with great food, drinks, and music, all with a touch of science.
This particular entertainment at The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry only caters to individuals above 21 years of age. With no kids in sight, you can learn all about robots, fossils, and volcanos while enjoying a glass of craft cocktail.
The best time to attend the night is during Valentine’s week. If you have got a partner who’s a history buff or a science enthusiast, this may be the perfect date spot for you.
Address: 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214, United States
Phone: +1 503-797-4000
9. Go to Rose City Rollers – a great Portland evening fun and sociable activity
Located in Oaks Amusement Park In Southeast Portland, Rose City Rollers is a sports complex that hosts the city’s most grand sports events.
Whether or not you are a sports fan, you must attend an event at the complex to experience the grandeur of Portland’s sports.
The pavilion is always filled with people roaring and cheering for the Rose City Rollers, a Portland-based women’s flat-track roller derby team. The sports complex is open twenty-four-seven.
Address: 7805 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland, OR 97202, United States
Phone: +1 503-784-1444
10. Ground Kontrol – a funky arcade spot open until late at night that offers lots of fun
Located in Northwest Portland, Ground Kontrol is a two-story amusement arcade featuring over 100 coin-operated games and 40.5 pinball machines. The arcade also has a full-service bar that offers eclectic pub fare and a great selection of beers and wines.
From music and comedy shows to high-score competitions and game tournaments, you can engage in a wide range of amusements at Ground Kontrol.
It is a perfect place to spend an entire evening, eating, drinking, and playing classic video games. Ground Kontrol also has karaoke every night. The arcade is open between 12 p.m. and 12 a.m. on all days of the week.
Address: 115 NW 5th Ave, Portland, OR 97209, United States
Phone: +1 503-796-9364
11. Dance at Holocene – a perfect thing to do at night for under 21s
Located in the Buckman neighborhood of Southeast Portland, Holocene is a live music venue with a nightclub. The nightlife of Portland is best represented by this coruscating venue hosting local musicians, touring acts, and art shows.
At Holocene, they have a two-stage dancefloor setup. You can caper about the dazzling dance floor while enjoying flavorsome craft cocktails.
There is no other place in Portland where you can party as hard as at Holocene. It’s a perfect place for musical nights, friends get-togethers, and raves.
Holocene is open Sundays through Wednesdays from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. On Thursdays, they close an hour late. On Fridays and Saturdays, they stay open till 2:30 a.m., allowing people to have extra fun on the weekends.
Address: 1001 SE Morrison St, Portland, OR 97214, United States
Phone: +1 503-239-763
12. Sing in a karaoke room at Capitol Bar – a fun thing to do at night for adults
Located on Broadway in Northeast Portland, Capitol Bar is a vibrant, airy, and bright cocktail spot that offers a massive selection of craft beers, wines, and pub appetizers with vegan options.
The place also has a karaoke bar with an excellent selection of songs.
If you want to have a dynamic evening, you may want to carol some of your favorite songs in this karaoke room. They have happy hours between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and that’s when the club is most lively.
You can reach a wider audience during the happy hours, however they don’t have happy hours on weekends. The bar is open Tuesdays through Sundays till 11 p.m.
Address: 1440 NE Broadway, Portland, OR 97232, United States
Phone: +1 503-987-5524
13. See a show at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall – a chic concert venue where you can watch sensational artists at night
Located on Broadway in Southwest Portland, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall is a performing arts center that hosts prolific performances.
The hall has perfect acoustics, comfortable seats, and a beautiful rococo interior.
The hall is a 3-minute walk from the Portland Art Museum. After spending the afternoon exploring ancient Portlandian art at the museum, you can conclude your day with a live orchestra at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
Address: 1037 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205, United States
Phone: +1 503-248-4335
14. Experience happy hour on a rooftop – a place to visit at night for couples and friends
While you are in Portland, you must be able to enjoy the city’s colorful landscape from high above. Located on the top of Meier & Frank Building, Departure is a ritzy restaurant offering the best of Pan-Asian cuisine.
The restaurant allows you to utterly immerse in the cityscape from 15 floors above. You can see every corner of the city while dining at Departure.
They serve their special menu between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Address: 525 SW Morrison St 15th Floor 15th Floor, Portland, OR 97204, United States
Phone: +1 503-802-5370
15. Get lost in Powell’s City of Books – a free geek-friendly thing to do at night-evening
Located on Burnside Street in West Portland, Powell’s City of Books is the largest independent bookstore in the world. It’s one of the most frequented spots in the city, attracting both locals and tourists.
They have a massive selection of both new and used books. You might want to get lost in the shelves of this landmark shop while you are in Portland.
Though, you will not literally get lost as the books are arranged in distinct categories in color-coded rooms having over 3,500 different sections.
The shop also has a fine coffee shop and a super friendly staff. The shop is open Mondays through Sundays between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Address: 1005 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209, United States
Phone: +1 800-878-7323
16. Have a Drink at the Oldest Strip Club in Portland (Mary’s Club) – one of the most exotic performing clubs in Portland
Located in the Rose City neighborhood of Northeast Portland, Mary’s Club is an adult club that features some of the best exotic entertainment in the city. They only have female bartenders and over 35 dancers.
Mary’s Club is an artsy strip club with extremely friendly dancers who know how to make the customer happy. Regardless of your gender or age, you can have a wonderful time at Mary’s.
If you have not been to a strip club before, Mary’s may be a great place to have your first strip-club experience.
The club is open throughout the week from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m.
Address: 503 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209, United States
Phone: +1 503-227-3023
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Gary is an award winning full time professional photographer and videographer with too much wanderlust for his own good. Fuelled by strong coffee, you’ll often find him wandering well off hiking trails in search of interesting photographic subjects or scenery to video. Self taught and with the use of pioneering digital techniques, he quickly built up a strong client base and has worked with many prestigious organisations, including GQ, BBC, London Fashion Week, Grazia, Sky, Metro, Vogue Italia. He specialising in evocative images of people, places and cinematic videography and his goal is to make the viewer look twice and engage. As well as a penchant for good design, the ketogenic diet and Hungarian Vizslas, he also has a huge affection for Chicago, Bucharest, Scandinavia, Croatia and absolutely everywhere in Italy. Find him on Instagram @garynansome, Twitter @garynansome and his website https://garynunn.co.uk/