Alt Portland: Goth Bars, Dark Dance Nights and Records

Portland has a reputation for being weird, rainy and creative, which makes it a great home for alternative people. The city has its own goth bar, a Sunday darkwave night that has been going for years, and some of the best record shopping on the West Coast. This guide to alt Portland covers where to dance, where to see bands and how to spend a grey afternoon.

One quick tip: nights and lineups shift. Check each venue's socials before you head out.

The Coffin Club

The Coffin Club on SE Grand Avenue is Portland's goth bar and nightclub. It used to be known as Lovecraft Bar, and it's still the central hangout for the city's dark crowd. The look is fully gothic, and the music leans dark: darkwave, post-punk, deathrock, industrial and synth.

Different promoters run nights here, so the vibe changes through the week. Recent nights have included:

Two-floor darkwave and industrial parties
Latina goth nights with live bands and dancing
Deathrock and "graverock" upstairs rooms
Live shows from touring dark bands

The Coffin Club also co-hosts Sinth Music Festival, a darkwave and synth festival that reached its third year in 2025. Events here are 21+.

Church of Hive at the Star Theater

Church of Hive is Portland's long-running goth night, held on Sunday nights at the Star Theater downtown. Resident DJs play high-energy goth, industrial and darkwave, and the crowd comes to dance hard. Sunday might sound like an odd night to go out, but it's a beloved Portland ritual, and it means you can keep the weekend going one more night.

New to the genre? Check out our industrial music guide before your first Church of Hive.

Rock Venues

Dante's

Dante's on West Burnside is a rock, punk and metal venue with a red-lit, slightly devilish vibe. It hosts everything from stoner rock and punk bands to tribute nights. It's also home to Karaoke From Hell, a long-running live band karaoke night where you sing with a real rock band behind you. It's chaotic, silly and a great icebreaker.

Other Rooms

Portland has many small and mid-size venues across the city that host punk, metal, indie and dark bands. Touring goth and post-punk acts often stop in Portland between Seattle and San Francisco. If you're planning a West Coast trip, pair this with our Seattle and San Francisco guides.

Record Shops and Books

Music Millennium

Music Millennium on East Burnside opened in 1969 and is the oldest record store in the Pacific Northwest. It's still in its original location and has hosted thousands of in-store performances over the years. In early 2026 its longtime owner announced he was looking for a successor, so go show it some love.

More Digging

Portland has many independent record shops, and goth, post-punk and metal sections are easy to find. Make an afternoon of it and hop from store to store.

Powell's City of Books downtown is one of the largest independent bookstores in the world. Head for the horror, occult and poetry sections, and give yourself more time than you think. It's also a great low-pressure first date.

Vintage and Thrift

Portland is great for thrifting. The east side, especially around Hawthorne and Belmont, has plenty of vintage and secondhand shops. Black jeans, faded tees, long coats and boots turn up often. Our goth on a budget post has tips on building a wardrobe without spending much.

Daytime Ideas

Forest Park walks. Huge, mossy and misty, especially in fall and winter. It feels like a dark fairy tale.
Lone Fir Cemetery. A historic cemetery on the east side with old trees and Victorian-era graves. Be respectful, since it's still in use.
Rainy café afternoons. Portland has endless cozy cafés. Bring a book from Powell's.
Bridges at night. The city's bridges over the Willamette look great after dark.

A Perfect Alt Weekend in Portland

Friday: Start at The Coffin Club and see which promoter has the night. Dress dark and plan to dance.
Saturday afternoon: Dig through the bins at Music Millennium, then lose a few hours at Powell's. Thrift your way along Hawthorne or Belmont after that.
Saturday night: Catch a band at Dante's, or sign up for Karaoke From Hell if it's on. Singing with a live band is the best icebreaker in town.
Sunday: Walk the misty trails in Forest Park, then end the weekend properly at Church of Hive at the Star Theater.

That Sunday night goth party is the secret weapon of a Portland weekend. Most cities go quiet on Sunday, but here the dance floor is just getting going.

Tips for Alt Portland

Waterproof everything. It rains a lot from fall to spring. A good black raincoat is the most important piece in your wardrobe.
Bring layers. Mornings and evenings are cool, even in summer.
Use transit and bikes. The city is easy to get around without a car.
Expect a relaxed crowd. Portland is very low on attitude. Nobody will gatekeep your look.

Meeting People

The Coffin Club and Church of Hive are where you'll meet the city's goths. Go regularly, chat with the DJs and you'll be part of the scene fast. Record stores and Dante's karaoke are also easy places to start conversations.

If you want to find people before you arrive, Alt Chat lets you browse alt people nearby and chat in live group rooms. Moving to town? Our guide to finding the alt scene in a new city has more tips.

FAQ

Is there a goth bar in Portland?

Yes. The Coffin Club on SE Grand Avenue, formerly known as Lovecraft Bar, is Portland's goth-themed bar and nightclub. It hosts DJ nights, live bands and dark dance parties most weeks.

What goth nights are in Portland?

Church of Hive is a long-running Sunday goth, industrial and darkwave dance party at the Star Theater. The Coffin Club also hosts many promoter nights, from darkwave to deathrock.

Is Portland a good city for alternative people?

Yes. Portland has a big DIY music scene, lots of vintage and record shops, and a relaxed attitude about how people look. Dark clothes and rainy weather are a perfect match.