Portland has a lot of sex clubs. There are swingers clubs, there are bathhouses, there are dungeons, and none of them, as they regularly function, are conducive to a COVID-safe environment. While many of them serve alcohol, few have patios, and the redolent wafts of weed and soap that used to emanate from the enclosed patio of Hawks bathhouse on MLK are no more. According to The Velvet Rope’s website, sex clubs did not qualify for grants related to federal COVID-19 relief. So how are the sex clubs? Are they shut down for good?
Whether you’ve been attending sex clubs for years and want to know if your favorite has closed, or if you’re looking for a COVID-safe, sexy event to attend with your boo—or boos—for Valentines day, virtual or in-person, here’s an update on Portland’s many sex clubs.
Swingers Clubs
Open / Hosting events
Located downtown near the Portland State campus, Sanctuary is a sex-positive club that welcomes LGBTQ+, poly, swing, kink, POC and all gender identities and relationship configurations. They host many sexy events, and they’re one of the few clubs making it work this COVID season.
Make sure to check out their detailed COVID-19 restrictions if you’re interested in attending their “game-bang” night on Feb. 18. Restrictions include: Masks required in all common areas, temperature checks prior to entry and no roaming or cruising through the club.
Temporarily closed / no events
Also located downtown near campus, Club Privata, Portland’s high-end swingers club, is temporarily closed.
Temporarily closed / no events
Portland’s oldest swingers club, located in southeast Portland, is temporarily closed. Towards the beginning of the pandemic they held virtual sex events, and those might return if the club is unable to open in the spring. Until the club reopens, you can read about patrons’ prior sexy experiences at the club on their website.
Bathhouses
Temporarily closed / no events
Hawks, a popular Portland bathhouse known for its weed-friendly patio and gender inclusive “bi-nights,” has shut down its original location due to the pandemic.
According to their website, “Our landlord did not give us any rent concessions through the pandemic and the amount of rent due through July was just too much. This, combined with the pandemic closure, pointed to permanently shutting down the SE Grand location.”
However, the club isn’t gone for good—it’s moving to a new location near Mall 205 in southeast. The club plans to open their new, updated facilities next spring.
Temporarily closed / no events
Portland’s oldest and largest bathhouse, Steam, located in northeast Portland, is temporarily closed.
Dungeons
Temporarily closed / open for private events
Portland’s premier sex-positive dungeon is temporarily closed and—according to their GoFundMe page—struggling. However, if you’re looking for some dungeon fun this Valentine’s Day, you can still rent the dungeon. Additionally, the club holds various virtual events.
Misc.
Oregon Theater
Permanently closed
The Oregon Theater, Portland’s last adult theater, is the only sex club to permanently close amid COVID-19, and it wasn’t because of the pandemic. According to Willamette Week, “The Oregon Theater, an adult entertainment venue along gentrified Southeast Division Street, could not be reached for comment. But documents filed with Multnomah County show the owner, Gayne Maizels, went into foreclosure Feb. 13.”
The new owner intends to renovate the theater, and hopes to show “more family-friendly films” in the near future.
