CC Slaughters

Description

The CC Slaughters in Portland, Oregon, located on Northwest Davis Street in the Old Town Chinatown neighborhood, was established in 1981. It is popular among young people and plays "disco sounds" most nights, with one night each week reserved for country music. The Portland Mercury described the club as having a "shiny and modern inside with no cover charge, a big dance floor and crazy laser/light show". Adjacent to the dance floor is a lounge called Rainbow Room.

The bar hosts "Ladie's Night" on Tuesdays and drag shows in Sundays, plus many events throughout the year. Theme events have included "Beach Party Weekend", "Filthy Friday Party", and a Halloween party called "Guys in Disguise". The bar hosts an annual block party during the summer and a "Platinum Ball" on New Years Eve. In 2011, CC Slaughters served as a gathering point for a demonstration called "We Are Not Afraid", which was organized by the Oregon State Gay Pride Organization and attracted an estimated 400 people. The business has participated in Portland's pride parade, organized by Pride Northwest.

"Bachelorette Attire Policy"

In August 2012, the club clarified its policy on bachelorette parties. After West Hollywood bar The Abbey announced its ban on bachelorette parties in the name of marriage equality, CC Slaughters confirmed that bachelorette groups would be admitted, but affiliated attire such as penis hats or other costume jewelry, tiaras, veils or other accessories referencing bachelorettes, brides or weddings, were not allowed. Its marketing director said of the "non-discriminatory" business and policy:

[The] majority of [CC Slaughters] patrons are prohibited under Oregon Law from entering into a marriage with the one they love. To put it plainly, they're gay. So, when parties of bachelorettes walk through the doors of a gay nightclub, branded from head-to-toe in prenuptial garb and there to celebrate their upcoming marriage, many of our patrons were taking offense to it. This was creating an issue that CC Slaughters and many within the LGBTQ community felt very strongly about. The 'Bachelorette Attire Policy' was created to address this issue."

In 2013, the policy was criticized by a lesbian couple who were denied entry to the bar when they arrived in their wedding dresses (they were married earlier that day). The couple called their experience "discrimination against lesbians". The bar's owners issued an apology, but the couple demanded "some kind of explanation or a change in policy".

Puerto Vallarta

CC Slaughters is also located in Puerto Vallarta.

Reception

In 2013, Out included the Portland location in its list of the "200 of the Greatest Gay Bars in the World".