Portland, Oregon, is more than its bustling downtown with Voodoo Doughnut lines, historic nightlife, and Saturday Market crowds. Venture beyond the city center, and you’ll uncover neighborhoods brimming with queer-friendly charm, eclectic vibes, and inclusive spaces that make Portland a true gem for the LGBTQ+ traveler. Here’s a taste of what I discovered on a recent trip, from a gay-owned taphouse to a wellness oasis that’s redefining luxury.
Mosaic Taphouse: Where Beer and Community Collide
Tucked in the quirky St. Johns neighborhood, Mosaic Taphouse is a must-visit, run by the adorably dynamic gay couple Jarek and Laurence Oliver. Their passion for craft beer and community shines through in every pour. With 24 taps flowing and a Vietnamese-inspired fusion menu, this spot is a feast for the senses. I couldn’t resist the Pork Belly Skewers, Fried Tofu Bites, and also the Fried Taro Rice Cakes—crispy, eggy delights topped with pickled papaya salad and house soy sauce. I devoured half on the spot and savored the rest cold for breakfast (pro tip: it’s just as divine).
The vibe here is warm, the staff is welcoming, and the Olivers’ commitment to inclusivity makes it a standout. Follow them on Instagram (@MosaicTaphouse) or, better yet, drop in for a pint and some queer camaraderie. It’s not just a bar—it’s my new Pacific Northwest obsession.
Weird-Bar Crawl: Portland’s Quirkiest Night Out
To uncover more of Portland’s offbeat soul, I joined the Weird-Bar Crawl, a three-hour walking tour led by Dresden, a self-proclaimed “Portland’s Most Enthusiastic Wingman.” This fanatical local (find him at @ThrowSnakes) is a burst of contagious energy, guiding you through hidden bars, food trucks, and quirky haunts from 7 to 10 p.m. Dresden’s love for Portland’s inclusive, “keep it weird” ethos is infectious, and his tour is a love letter to the city’s rebellious spirit.
I left with new friends—including a newly single woman from Pennsylvania I’m still texting—and memories I won’t spill here (you’ll have to experience it yourself). For a daytime alternative, check out Dresden’s “Explore Local Oddities” tour (3–6 p.m.), which dives into Portland’s Star Wars-esque defiance of conformity. Book it on Airbnb Experiences and prepare to fall in love with Portland’s weird heart.
Related Post: Nature, Nightlife, and Northwest Charm— This City and Its Queer Scene is Calling
CASCADA: A Queer-Inclusive Wellness Haven
In the vibrant Alberta Arts District, CASCADA is Portland, Oregon’s first urban wellness sanctuary, blending sustainable luxury with underground hot springs and a spa that opened to rave reviews in March 2025.
We were in a 2-story suite with spiral staircase, kitchenette, washer and dryer, and loft bedroom.
CASCADA’s thermal springs feature silent and social spaces:
- The Sanctuary is their underground silent space with 3 distinct thermal circuits including 3 vitality pools (mineral, ambient, hot), cold plunge, sauna, ice fountain and steam room.
- The Conservatory is their 82-degree year-round social space featuring day beds, a large warm vitality pool and a selection of rare plants from around the world.
This boutique hotel and spa is a game-changer, offering tranquil accommodations, a hydrothermal circuit with vitality pools, saunas, and gender-neutral locker rooms, and nourishing cuisine at Terra Mae.
Terra Mae’s Portuguese-Japanese fusion menu is a culinary journey, pairing rustic charm with sleek sophistication—think dishes that spark reflection and connection.
At Terra Mae, we bring people together through the art of food and cocktails, blending the rich cultures of Portugal and Japan. Our inspiration lies in the rustic charm of the Portuguese countryside meeting the sleek sophistication of modern Japan, creating a unique culinary experience. The atmosphere encourages guests to reflect on their own personal journey, fostering a deeper connection to the earth, food, and one another.
What sets CASCADA apart is its heartfelt commitment to inclusivity. In response to my inquiry about their values, they shared a detailed commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, from equitable benefits for same-sex partners to LGBTQ+-specific training for staff. They’ve built a space where everyone—queer, trans, non-binary, or otherwise—feels celebrated, with policies and facilities that affirm all identities. Their community-centered approach, especially in the historically Black Alberta neighborhood, adds depth to their mission. I teared up reading their response, and after visiting, I get why local queer and straight couples alike are raving about CASCADA’s springs and spa memberships. Book a stay or a spa day at CASCADA and experience wellness that’s as kind to the earth as it is to your soul.
Food Trucks and Beyond
One surprise from this trip? Portland’s food trucks are everywhere, not just downtown. From St. Johns to Alberta, every neighborhood boasts carts dishing up global flavors, adding to the city’s eclectic charm. Whether you’re chasing queer-owned gems like Mosaic Taphouse, diving into Dresden’s weird world, or unwinding at CASCADA, Portland’s neighborhoods offer a vibrant tapestry of experiences that celebrate diversity and community.
So, don’t focus only on the downtown tourist traps next time you’re in Portland, Oregon. Explore the city’s hidden corners, support its queer-friendly businesses, and discover why this Pacific Northwest rebel base is a haven for our community.
Here’s some other places to check out while exploring the neighborhoods of Portland.
- Tin Shed Garden Cafe: (4 min walk from CASCADA) LGBTQ+ owned, the Tin Shed Garden Cafe is a family-friendly, dog-friendly restaurant located in Alberta neighborhood in Portland, Oregon, serving brunch daily.
- The Sports Bra: Female athletes are getting the long overdue support of The Sports Bra, the first sports bar that will only play women’s sports. Located in Northeast Portland, Jenny Nguyen, a longtime chef and former basketball player opened “the Bra” during 2022’s NCAA tournament after being inspired during 2018’s tournament, where she and some friends were holed up in the corner of a sports bar with the volume off watching the women play. The Bra’s mission is to provide a space that supports, empowers, and promotes girls and women in sports and in the community. And they just so happen to make great food and delicious drinks to go with it.
- Eem is a restaurant mash-up in the best way and a Portland staple: a Thai BBQ cocktail lounge. Combining the heady flavors of Thai curry and the burned ends of Texas brisket (and their drippings) brought about one of the city’s most popular dishes – the white curry with brisket burnt ends. Along with their spicy papaya salad and unbelievable sweet and sour fried chicken, you have a variety of dishes to choose from to go along with their drink program serving everything from boozy slushy drinks to perfectly crafted non-alcoholic offerings.
- Alberta Street Coffee (inside CASCADA’s hotel lobby) – serving coffee supplied by Deadstock Coffee and high quality, ethically sourced teas from True Tea Portland.
- Chubby Bunny is located within the Alberta cARTS serving breakfast sandwiches all day. All of their sandwiches are 100% secretly vegan. Customers rave that these breakfast sandwiches are so good that you don’t realize they are vegan. @chubbybunnypdx
Editor’s Note: I’ve not booked at and have turned away hotel stays in the past and more recently for hotels that are outwardly not supportive of our community, do not support DEI, or are more supportive of ultra conservative values. I wanted to include the email response from CASCADA about their practices and beliefs:
While we don’t yet have a formal DEI or LGBTQ+ statement on our website, inclusivity is deeply woven into the fabric of CASCADA — from our hiring practices to the spaces we’ve designed and the community we’ve built.
Here are a few highlights that reflect our values and efforts:
- Community-Centered Approach: CASCADA was built with deep respect for our surrounding neighborhood, one of Portland’s historically Black communities. We’ve made intentional efforts to engage with and support this local context throughout our development and operations.
- Inclusive Team & Membership: We prioritize diversity across our staff, Ambassadors, and Member groups, creating a team that reflects a wide range of racial, gender, and LGBTQ+ identities. We’re proud to have fostered a culture where everyone feels seen, respected, and celebrated.
- Equitable Benefits: We offer full equivalency in medical and wellness benefits for same- and different-sex spouses and domestic partners.
- Gender-Affirming Spaces: Our facilities include gender-neutral locker rooms and policies that affirm and support transgender and non-binary guests and team members.
- Training & Education: We have over 40 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility (DEIA) training modules available internally, including LGBTQ+ specific content. A full rollout is currently in development.
- Employee Support: Our Employee Assistance Program provides access to LGBTQ+ support groups and resources.
- Inclusive Data Practices: We’ve implemented data collection practices that help us better understand and support the diverse identities within our team and guest community.