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The logo for Crush Bar is probably the clearest invitation for all to enter that exists in Portland—it consists of restroom-style graphics of two men holding hands, two women holding hands, and a man and a woman holding hands. And it isn't false advertising. Crush is a welcoming neighborhood gay bar for everyone, and if you can't find something you like, either sidled up to the bar chatting up the bartenders, in the back watching a burlesque show, playing video poker off to the side, or outside on the sidewalk smoking cigarettes and making new friends, well, that's on you. The drinks are surprisingly cheap, stiff and tasty. On a warm spring night, the Orange Crush ($6)—orange house-infused vodka, soda, blood orange syrup—goes down almost too easily, and the happy-hour Port Manhattan ($6.50) is mainly bourbon, but in a good way. Crush is not populated by cool girls and boys, staring at their phones trying to impress everyone with their boredom. If you want that, your options are endless. But if you're looking for a place to dance till you're naked or sing along with strangers, this is your spot.
Happy hour: 3-7 pm daily and 3 pm-midnight Mondays. $4 well drinks, $6.50 margaritas, $6 for six deviled eggs.
Entertainment: Multiple flavors of burlesque, clothing-optional dance parties, video poker and sing-alongs.
1400 SE Morrison St., 503-235-8150, crushbar.com. Noon-2 am Monday-Friday, 11 am-2 am Saturday, 11 am-midnight Sunday.
Willamette Week