Former names Flossie's Type Gay bar, strip club | Location Portland, Oregon, U.S. Phone +1 503-224-4493 | |
 | ||
Address 318 SW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97204, USA Hours Open today · 9AM–2:30AMTuesday9AM–2:30AMWednesday9AM–2:30AMThursday9AM–2:30AMFriday9AM–2:30AMSaturday9AM–2:30AMSunday9AM–2:30AMMonday9AM–2:30AMSuggest an edit Similar Scandals, The Embers Avenue, Crush Bar, CC Slaughters Nightclub, Darcelle XV | ||
Silverado, formerly known as Flossie's, is a gay bar and strip club in Portland, Oregon, United States.
Contents
Description and history
Silverado, Portland's only gay strip club, after the closure of Three Sisters Tavern in 2004 and prior to Stag PDX's opening in 2015, has existed for nearly 30 years. Formerly called Flossie's, it was originally located below a gay bathhouse in what is now the Crystal Hotel. This was in the area of downtown Portland known as Burnside Triangle, or "Gay Triangle", for its many gay and gay-friendly businesses. The club relocated to its current location at 318 Southwest 3rd Avenue, near the Old Town Chinatown neighborhood, in January 2008. Its larger space offers a lounge, outdoor terrace and VIP section.
Policies
In 2012, Silverado attracted attention for enforcing unequal cover charges every Friday and Saturday, charging male patrons $3 and female patrons $5. A spokesman for the company compared the difference in price to similar "ladies' night" events in which men pay more to enter a club than women. Furthermore, he said in an interview published by The Portland Mercury, "Every other day of the week, the entry price is the same for everyone. We require a nominal fee because we don't want people just coming in to oogle and leave. We need to make a profit!"
The bar does not allow bachelorette parties due to complaints from male patrons who "don't like groups of screaming and giggling women", even posting signage which specifically reads, "No Bachelorette Parties". The entrance to Silverado also has a sign that reads, "If you're here, you're queer", informing heterosexual men that they "aren't welcome". The same spokesman said of the policy, "This isn't a discrimination issue, it's different. We're just trying to create a comfortable environment for our customers."
Reception
Thomas Lauderdale, known for his work with the Portland-based band Pink Martini, has shared his affinity for the club and keeps a collection of photographs of guests who accompanied him to the venue, including Gus Van Sant and Rufus Wainwright.