Portland Oregon Guide by Hason

Raw
and elegant, white-trash and sophisticated, Portland is the artsy sustainable
nirvana you never knew existed. Originally the spot lumberjacks would come to
party in, now it’s like some little European city-state, with lots of gardens
and parks, bio-regional fast food outlets that carry rice milk. Everyone’s
making rad art, often in multiple disciplines.  And they’re MAKING the art, not
just talking about it. Though the cops are harsh on street art, stencils,
culture-jamming billboards and tons of stickers are all around.  But there’s no
jobs and it rains all the time, so don’t move here.  Just come visit and spend
all your money.

Stumptown Coffee
SW 3rd +
Ash
SE 34th + Belmont
SE 45th + Division
Best coffee shops in
town.  And people REALLY care about coffee here, because of the constant rain.


Just Be Toys/Compound Gallery  
107 NW 5th

Downstairs it’s full of up-to-the-minute Japanese toys, video rentals,
candy and magazines.  Upstairs at Compound the art gallery hosts national up and
comers, with a select array of books, prints, and arty items.

/>Reading Frenzy
921 SW Oak
Amazing zine shop on
downtowns’ “indie alley”, all the other spots on this block are worth a visit
too.

Fabric Depot
SE122nd + Stark
Two
fucking acres of fabrics, notions, + craft supplies, every time I go it’s either
30 or 40 % off everything. Dangerous territory.  Luckily it’s on the outskirts
of town.

I’ve Been Framed
SE 50th + Foster
/>The only cheap art supply store I’ve ever seen, with lots of random closeout
materials.  No good for expensive fancy brushes, perfect for treasure troves of
paper.

Seaplane
SE 34th + Belmont
This
clothing store nutures the burgeoning local fashion explosion, and gives help +
props to local artists and musicians. Chock full of reworked vintage materials
and stellar originals.  There are lots of stores like this (and Seaplane has 40
local designers, it’s almost scary how creative and crafty people are in this
town) but this one is the original, and continues to set the bar.

/>Holocene
SE 10th + Morrison
Big, elegant club
dedicated to electronic and experimental music.  Sweet dance parties on the
weekends. Lots of special events and film showings happen here, too. Low cover
except for big national acts (even then it’s still only $10) and it’s a good
spot for late-night debauchery.

Dunes
1909 NE
MLK Blvd
The black hole to Holocene’s full moon, this club is tiny and way
undercover.  The old owner once yelled at me, “we’re for lovers, not for haters!
If you won’t dance, then you can just get out!”  Mike Ladd likened it to the
/>cantina in Star Wars.  No sign outside, no cover, free bands and Djs every
night.

Strip Clubs of Portland
(all over)
/>Honestly, here are about 150 of them, so everyone has a particular favorite.
Somehow the strip clubs are more wholesome and nonchalant here, though they do
get totally naked. Sassy’s across from Holocene on Morrison is pretty good.
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Independent Record Stores of Portland
(all
over)
You can get any record you want in Portland.  This town is full of
music geeks, and bands, and kids who love the vinyl. Find an Ozone or a Jackpot
and get the map they carry of the 20 or so killer indie shops in town.  Drive or
bike around. Go nuts.

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