20 Things To Do In Portland At Night

Oregon’s largest city is a progressive and eco-friendly city full of green spaces, trendy vintage shops and cafes. Nicknamed the “City of Roses”, Portland has stunning rose gardens, among other botanical jewels and plenty of outdoor activities in and around the city.

Portland isn’t only vibrant during the daytime. You can do fun activities in the city after the sun sets. From dining aboard a river cruise to dancing the tango to touring foodie destinations, there’s no shortage of things to do in Portland at night.

Portland At Night

20 Things To Do In Portland At Night

1- Watch The Sunset As You Fly Above Mount Hood

The towering Mount Hood is 50 miles (80.5 km) from Portland and is expected to erupt again one day.

The stratovolcano last majorly erupted in the 1790s, before Lewis and Clark ventured into the area.

One of the best ways to view Mount Hood is by plane, especially in the evening.

The mountain is 11,249 ft (3,429 m) tall, and due to its high elevation, its beautiful peaks have some level of snow all year round.

If you fly above the volcano at sunset or at dusk, you can take in the view when it’s most colourful.

Find out more about a private air tour here.

2- Go On A River Dinner Cruise

Another way to enjoy an Oregon sunset is by going on a dinner cruise on the Willamette River.

The river is unique as it only runs in the state of Oregon and is one of the few U.S rivers that runs south to north.

The gorgeous river winds calmly through downtown Portland, making it an easily accessible natural experience.

You’ll enjoy a delicious meal on a river dinner cruise while listening to live piano music and narrating notable visible sights.

Once the sun sets, you can step onto the deck to view the glittering cityscape of Portland at night.

Check out the details about a river dinner cruise here. 

3- Taste Portland’s Sweet Treats

Portland is a fantastic city for anyone with a sweet tooth.

There are plenty of options from food carts with sweet treats to doughnuts to endless other tasty desserts.

The ice cream in Portland is delicious, so do some taste testing.

The best way to try different ice cream shops and creameries is by doing an ice cream tour of the city.

That way, you can test various flavours, from traditional to outlandish ones, while seeing the sights of Portland.

Skip the lines, sample ice cream and get some exercise walking for about two miles in the city as you chat with friendly guides. Find out more here.

4- Go On A Haunted Walking Tour

Going on a haunted walking tour is a must if you want to learn about Portland’s paranormal activity.

According to legend, the city has several well-known spooky sites, including the Roseland Theatre, previously a nightclub but now home to an angry murdered spirit.

There are plenty of other sites to learn about Portland’s haunting past, from the Lan Su Chinese Garden to the Shanghai Tunnels to eerie alleys.

A guide will take you to numerous sites full of paranormal history, and, of course, the tour takes place at night, when you can hear spooky stories in the dark.

Guides usually bring a lantern and knowledge about Portland’s haunted locations.

Learn more about going on a ghost tour in Portland here.

5- Visit Local Craft Breweries

If ghosts aren’t your thing, there are numerous other night tours in Portland, including tours of the city’s best breweries.

Portland has approximately 70 breweries and is one of the best craft beer hubs in the U.S.

A brewery tour is a fun way to experience as much of Portland’s beer scene as possible.

On this brewery tour, you’ll visit multiple breweries, try 16 types of beer, and have a knowledgeable tour guide who can answer your beer-related questions. Plus, you’ll have safe transportation to and from each brewery. 

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6- Go To A Food Cart Pod

Portland’s famous food cart pods serve up an impressive selection of cuisines, and there is something for everyone at one of the many pods around the city.

The food trucks serve everything from American, Mexican, Vietnamese, and Egyptian, along with ample options for vegetarians, vegans and those with dietary restrictions.

No matter what you choose, the pods have plenty of outdoor seating and tables to enjoy your meal.

The downtown food cart pods include the Portland State University, Pioneer Courthouse Square, Third Avenue and Fifth Avenue Pods, and The Cart Blocks. And there are plenty of other pods around Portland.

7- Visit The Iconic Powell’s City Of Books

The Pearl District at the edge of downtown Portland is where you will find Powell’s City of Books.

The iconic destination takes up an entire city block.

With 1.6 acres (0.65 ha) of retail space, it has previously been named “one of the coolest bookstores in the world” and claims to be the biggest.

It has nine rooms, which are colour-coded and collectively contain more than 3,900 sections.

Powell’s City of Books sells new, used, paperback, and handbook books of all genres, so it’s easy to search for the perfect book.

It’s open 365 days a year and is open until 9 pm.

Powell’s City of Books is at 1005 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209.

8- Go Vinyl Shopping At Music Millennium

Shop for vinyl records, used C.D.s and other musical treasures at one of Portland’s record stores, many of which are locally owned.

Remember, there’s no sales tax in Oregon!

Music Millennium is the city’s oldest music store and one of the only record stores open late at night.

In addition to the rare music collection, the store also regularly features live shows of touring bands.

Music Millennium is open until 10 pm at 3158 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214.

9- Stop By The Portland Night Market

The Portland Night Market is a quarterly two-day event, occurring four times a year for a total of eight days.

The market is free to enter and open to all ages and offers a blend of culture, food, drinks, music and retail.

Unique artwork and locally made trinkets are just some of the things you can find at the Portland Night Market.

The event takes place only at night in the Industrial District.

Merchants set up in an old warehouse that’s more than 100 years old, with lights and a plethora of food trucks just outside.

The Portland Night Market is at 100 SE Alder St, Portland, OR 97214.

10- Eat A Treat At The Voodoo Doughnut Shop

Voodoo Doughnuts, originating from Portland, is a popular doughnut chain in the U.S.

It’s known for its doughnuts decorated like voodoo dolls and its funky yet delicious flavours.

Current confections include the Voodoo Bubble, the Viscous Hibiscus, the Ring of Fire and their classic maple bacon bar.

While there are two Voodoo Doughnut shops in Portland, the Old Town location is open daily until 3 am.

It’s a fantastic place to stop by after a night of karaoke, dancing, book shopping or bar hopping in downtown Portland.

The Old Town Location is at 22 S.W. 3rd Avenue, Portland, OR 97204. The Portland Underground Doughnut Tour will take you to Voodoo as well as other hidden gems.

11- Sing Your Heart Out At A Karaoke Bar

Looking for something fun to do with a group of friends? Karaoke is perfect for groups, and there are plenty of places to sing your heart out in Portland.

There are several karaoke bars in town, with different vibes and singing environments.

If you want to perform for a crowd, head to The Ambassador Restaurant and Lounge, a karaoke bar combined with a Chinese restaurant, or The Alibi Tiki Lounge, which serves tropical drinks and meals.

If you don’t enjoy singing in front of strangers, though, don’t worry, book a private suite at Voicebox or a private room at the Baby Kitten Klub.

The Ambassador is at 4744 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97213. The Alibi Tiki Lounge is at 4024 N Interstate Ave, Portland, OR 97227. Voicebox has locations at 2112 NW Hoyt St, Portland, OR 97210 and 734 SE 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97214. Baby Kitten Klub is at 2433 SE Powell Blvd, Portland, OR 97202.

12- Catch A Live Music Show At Doug Fir Lounge

The Doug Fir Lounge is a rustic yet trendy place to grab a drink or a filling meal.

The modern decor in the wooden cabin creates an ambience for the lounge, and although the menu isn’t extensive, the lounge serves a variety of cuisines, nice wine and cocktails.

What makes Doug Fir Lounge truly special is the live music you can listen to while sipping a drink or munching on a tasty meal.

There are shows nearly every day featuring both bands and solo artists. Book your tickets online in advance.

Doug Fir Lounge is at 830 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214.

13- Dance The Tango

Not all U.S cities offer opportunities for visitors to dance the tango. But visitors can enjoy milongas and tango lessons every night of the week in Portland.

Milongas, weekly social tango dances, occur seven days a week and include quick lessons at the beginning so you can brush up on your skills beforehand.

Depending on the day of the week, most milongas are held at Norse Hall, Viscount Studio, Polish Hall and Tango Berretin.

Portland hosts the annual Portland ValenTango every February.

The event is the largest tango festival in North America and features milongas for every level, classes and dance parties.

Whether you prefer to stick to smaller milongas or attend ValenTango, there’s certainly a place for you to practice your moves any night of the week.

14- Visit Portland’s Entertainment District

Go to Portland’s Entertainment District if you’re indecisive about what to do on your night out on the town.

The Entertainment district has all kinds of activities for nocturnal visitors, from music to dancing to drinking.

Head to a restaurant, a rock-and-roll tavern or an energetic dance club like Dixie Tavern, Kasbah Moroccan Cafe and CC Slaughters.

It’s best to visit Portland’s Entertainment District on Friday or Saturday night after 10 pm, when several blocks are closed off to cars.

Portland’s Entertainment District is in the Old Town Chinatown neighbourhood.

15- Play Pinball At QuarterWorld Arcade

The biggest arcade bar in the entire city, QuarterWorld, is the perfect place for a night of fun, games and (optional) booze.

Previously an old theatre, the retro arcade has two separate sides, one for kids and one for adults.

QuarterWorld features 64 arcade games as well as over 40 hand-picked pinball machines.

The bar offers an assortment of drinks, from draft beers to cocktails to non-alcoholic beverages.

There’s also a food menu to satisfy your cravings as you play.

QuarterWorld Arcade is at 4811 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97215.

16- See (Or Become) A Comedian

Portland is known to be a friendly city full of wackiness, so it’s no surprise that it’s full of comedy clubs.

Several up-and-coming comedians perform at open mic nights and comedy events.

Types of comedy include standup, improv, and sketch comedy.

While there is no shortage of comedy clubs in Portland, I highly recommend Funhouse Lounge.

Its lively clown-themed decor, unique comedy shows, and fringe theatre events make it a great nighttime destination.

If you want to give open mic comedy a shot, head to Helium Comedy Club.

Helium Comedy Club is at 1510 SE 9th Ave, Portland, OR 97214. Funhouse Lounge is at 2432 SE 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97214.

17- Go To A Dance Club

The dance club scene in Portland is off the charts. There are clubs for all types of music, from 80s to dubstep to country, and everything in between.

Trio Club, for example, is similar to what you’d find in Miami. The party rages ib with shimmering neon lights, multiple dance floors and Latin EDM until 4 am at Trio Club.

Portland also has plenty of LGBTQ-owned and queer-friendly clubs. CC Slaughters is just one popular dance club in the area, and it features drag shows on Friday and Saturday nights.

CC Slaughters is at 219 NW Davis St, Portland, OR 97209. Trio Club is at 909 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214.

18- Watch A Roller Derby At Rose City Rollers

Rose City Rollers creates an inclusive and empowering community for girls, women, and gender-expansive individuals through roller derby.

But, you don’t have to be a member to participate in the sport’s excitement.

Rose City Rollers hosts events where the public can watch roller derby bouts. Just remember to get tickets in advance.

Rose City Rollers is at 7805 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland, OR 97202. There are many other roller derby matches held in different locations.

19- Get A Drink At A Speakeasy-Style Bar

Today, Portland is known for its booze and breweries scattered throughout the streets.

During the Prohibition period, speakeasies were necessary to hide the sale of alcohol.

You can get a taste of what a Portland speakeasy was like at one of the city’s speakeasy-style bars.

These bars serve cocktails from the Prohibition era, so you can take a step back in time.

At Bible Club, for example, enjoy a cocktail in a crystal goblet filled with premium liquor and old-fashioned syrups.

Bible Club is at 6716 SE 16th Ave, Portland, OR 97202.

20- Watch A Movie At Hollywood Theatre

Like Portland’s speakeasy-style bars, the historic Hollywood Theatre offers a glimpse into the past.

The theatre was built in 1926, but the layout was extended and modified in 1975 to include two smaller theatres in addition to the main auditorium.

This layout is still in place today.

The Hollywood Theatre presents films from a diverse range of genres, so there’s sure to be something for you to enjoy.

There are movie quiz events, film festivals, and classic movie marathons,

The theatre also provides financial support to local filmmakers, emphasising Portland’s strong emphasis on community.

Hollywood Theatre is at 4122 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97212.

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