Even if you have two left feet, dancing is a great way to express yourself and have fun at the same time. Many venues around Portland are not only dance clubs but are also nightclubs and even restaurants where you can shake your stuff. Here are some of the best places to dance in or near Portland, Oregon (in no particular order)...
1. McMenamins Crystal Ballroom (Lola’s Room) – an intimate venue for dancing on the 2nd floor of the historic Crystal Ballroom building
Downtown Portland’s Lola’s Room is located on the second floor of the historic Crystal Ballroom Building.
Look at their event calendar to see upcoming DJ appearances, special live performances, and decade-themed dance parties with popular ones featuring 90s and 2000s music. For events, if you purchase tickets online, you can save money for doing the advanced booking. Tickets usually cost a little more at the door.
Charlotte Day Wilson, Maisie Peters, Lisa Heller, and other notable live performers have visited Lola’s Room.
Address: 1332 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97205
2. Holocene – a two-level nightclub housed in a former auto warehouse featuring DJs and techno music
Holocene is within the Buckman District and features live bands, unique DJs, and techno music in the background at this two-level nightclub stationed in an old warehouse.
Besides live entertainment, there are also themed dance parties based on decades of music. For example, in late March 2022, there will be a Y2K dance party featuring hits from the early 2000s for attendees to dance to for only a $10 entry per person.
Address: 1001 SE Morrison St, Portland, OR 97214
3. The Barrel Room – a hip and popular bar with a large outdoor dance space
The Barrel Room’s Old Town District location is animated with an outdoor dancing space with live piano duels and a full schedule of different live performances from local talent. The live band that frequents Barrel Room regularly according to their Instagram page is Hit Machine.
Known as Portland’s longest-running dueling piano showbar, the establishment is temporarily closed as they transition into a new management team and a larger location during this year.
Address: 105 NW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97209
4. Bushwhackers – a country music-focused bar with a dance floor and regular dance lessons
Bushwackers does the modern dance club business differently by offering country music for its dancers. If you need a lesson or two in dancing, they offer dance classes regularly on Thursdays through Saturdays. Check out their dance lessons calendar to be notified of the upcoming country, cha cha cha, and other types of classes they have available.
Indulge in pub grub such as the Cowboy Grub Combo, Bushwacker Burger, Buzzard Wings, and 12 drink selections on tap.
Address: 8200 SW Tonka St, Tualatin, OR 97062
Distance from Portland — 20 minutes
5. Aztec Willie’s Taqueria – a casual Mexican eatery where you can go salsa dancing
Aztec Willie’s Taqueria is a Mexican restaurant and a salsa dancing venue located in the Irvington District. Latin dancing takes place on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Their signature Aztec Margarita is on the rocks and features guava, blood orange, tamarindo, mango, and passion fruit with your choice of strawberry or peach.
Choose from signature cocktails, beer, or wine from the bar menu as well. Burritos, tacos, combination plates, and even kids’ meals make up the dinner menu.
Address: 1501 NE Broadway, Portland, OR 97232
6. The Goodfoot Pub & Lounge – a pub where you can dance in the basement
The Kerns District’s Goodfoot Pub & Lounge features live performances, DJs, a full bar with drinks on tap, and delicious bar eats.
Goodfoot Pub is one of the best places to dance in Portland because they have other fun amenities such as a pool table and pinball, which makes the night much more fun with great games to play when taking a break from dancing throughout the night.
In their upstairs pub, you can enjoy live streaming of sports games during the seasons such as the Blazers game in March.
Address: 2845 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97214
7. Shake Bar – a lively neon-hued nightclub with a variety of DJs and dancing
Old Town District’s Shake Bar offers a neon-colored nightclub with rocking DJs, dancing, and a full bar to enjoy a drink as you dance.
Claiming to be the “hottest club in Chinatown”, you can go to their weekend dance parties that feature the current Top 40 songs and other Hip-Hop hits.
If you have a birthday or other occasion coming up, call Shake Bar to reserve a VIP Table to get premium service and the night of your life to make that upcoming event extra special.
Address: 28 NW 4th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
8. Nico’s Cantina – a fun, friendly and welcoming place to dance salsa, Cumbia, Bachata and Banda to live music for all ages
If you’re looking for something a little more low-key and less high-octane but with plenty of charm then head to Nico’s Cantina. They offer a friendly and “smiley” atmosphere for all ages to have fun, meet people and dance to live music.
By day Nico’s Catina is a popular Tex-Mex spot serving up tasty tortillas and tacos, by night (every Saturday) the place turns into something quite different. Head there for Latin grooves in the form of Salsa, Cumbia, Bachata and Banda with either a DJ or a live band. During the summer months, they’ll aim to keep the dancing going until 1 or 2am.
Address:4318 NE Cully Blvd, Portland, OR 97218,
9. Trio Nightclub – a stylish late-night karaoke lounge with DJs and dancing
Trio Nightclub is known as “Portland’s top luxury nightlife destination” at their Kerns District location, according to their Instagram profile. If you want to request a VIP table for your Trio Nightclub experience, call them or DM their Instagram profile for more information.
Not only will you be able to dance the night away, but you can access private rooms for karaoke and enjoy mouthwatering Chinese food. If you need space for a large event, there is space for catered events for you and your attendees to enjoy a great night’s meal while dancing to your favorite music at the nightclub.
Address:909 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214
10. CC Slaughters Nightclub and Lounge – an energetic gay club with a large dance floor
CC Slaughters Nightclub and Lounge is a gay-friendly bar in the Old Town District and is one of the best places to dance in Portland because they accept people of all sexual orientations frequenting their establishment.
Disco balls make the dance floor that much more exciting along with their lounge that serves martinis and delicious food for dinner.
In operation for 40 years, CC Slaughters Nightclub is a fun place for the LGBTQ community to let loose and have fun with live DJ appearances Thursdays through Saturdays every evening at 7 pm.
Every Thursday is a special event at 9 pm that celebrates the trans community with guest talents and notable DJs along with drink specials that start at 8 pm.
Address: 219 NW Davis St, Portland, OR 97209
11. 45 East – an industrial nightclub with an underground feel with DJs spinning EDM
45 East is a nightclub in the Buckman District of Portland.
When you walk into 45 East, you get a sort of underground nightclub feel, especially as the DJs spin EDM (electronic dance music).
Enjoy a dance and dining experience on a covered balcony. Notable live performers such as Wenzday, Slushii, Bijou and Blossom, Buku, One More Time, and others visit 45 East to perform their musical numbers, unlike anything you have ever heard.
Address: 315 SE 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97214
12. Dig A Pony – a hipster-friendly bar in a restored pharmacy with eclectic DJs and dancing
Dig A Pony’s Buckman District location is restored from what used to be a pharmacy and now serves elevated cocktails with DJ features and an animated dance floor.
Burger Stevens is the main person behind the burgers featured at Dig A Pony with American burgers and even upscale veggie burgers. If you are vegetarian or gluten-free, check out their delicious dishes such as fried cauliflower with lime and chili. They also participate in Portland Wing Week every June with $5 wing specials.
Address: 736 SE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97214
13. Barbarella Portland – for a good night of dancing with friends!
Barbarella Portland’s Old Town District location is a local nightclub that offers a video-dance dive experience for its patrons.
It’s one of the best places offering different dancing and music events in Portland. Wednesdays are Goth Industrial nights while Thursdays are Grits & Gravy Night which features soul, funk, and rock and roll. Friday offers New Noise, which is an Indie and Electro Theme. Saturdays are when the 1980s to 2000s music is featured.
Address: 125 NW 5th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
14. Spark Lounge – Portland’s cool new nightclub where you can dance with Live DJ’s
Spark Lounge located in the Old Town District is one of Portland’s biggest and newest nightclubs on the scene.
One cool perk about this nightclub is that if you want bottle service at your table, you can DM them on the website for service rather than hailing over a waiter, waitress, or bartender like in a normal restaurant or bar.
Parties are based on the season of the zodiac such as the recent Capricorn Bash. Party to 90s and 2000s music on select nights. Hear awesome beats from local talent, DJ Deli.
Address: 35 NW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97209
15. Kasa Nightclub – a great place to dance and meet people
Downtown Portland’s Kasa Nightclub has expanded its hours to also be open on Fridays and Saturdays for general business and more availability for special events.
This nightclub hosts birthday parties, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and other special events for adults of all ages.
If you are looking to have more questions answered about the Kasa Nightclub before you go, you get a faster response if you contact them via Instagram.
To see a layout of all the tables, including the VIP ones, go to their website. DM their Instagram page to get hooked up with a VIP for the most premium service as you dance the night away at Kasa Nightclub.
Address: 424 SW 4th Ave, Portland, OR 97204
16. Sanctuary Club – an interactive club that is open to a cheerful crowd of people
The Sanctuary Club’s Pearl District location offers up singing, dancing, and a great time in general.
There are many special events such as Naked Karaoke (no one is naked for this event; you just give singing your raw spirit), Game Bang: Blanket Forts, Trans/Verse, and Game Bang (Janky Jenga, group Pictionary, etcetera).
They serve up vegetarian and vegan small bites such as chips and salsa, veggie wings, and veggie burgers.
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/
