Red Cap Garage

Oh Red Cap, how I love thee. No, seriously, if it was legal to marry my bar I would walk down your drunken aisle.
I’m straight, but all are accepted at Red Cap (unless you’re a feminine wash product, then stay away). I started going there just to visit a friend, but had such a great time I couldn’t stay away.
The boys are sweethearts, the drinks are amazing, the prices are good. You’ve got Boxxes next door for extra fun, Fish Grotto to get tasty dinner, and a lovely outdoor patio to enjoy the upcoming summer. What more could you ask for? Oh yeah, yummy bar food, great music, and incredibly nice staff!
Events occur on various nights, Portland Idol (like American Idol) on Thursday, a show of some sort Friday (haven’t been there for it yet), and it seems like some great party on Saturdays. Last week was Tag-​a-​Fag (highlighter & black light party) and this week is Mendy’s Big Gay Prom, if that gives you any idea of how much fun is had on Saturdays. Tuesday night also has an amazing after-​10 drink deal, but I’m not giving away all the secrets, you’ll have to go find out about it for yourself.
Overall, it’s hard NOT to have a great time here. The boys are the best around, and Davy make a mean Gummy Bear! Actually any drink he makes is delicious, so be careful not to overdo it. This quickly became a favorite place for me to be… It was love at first sight, always and forever.

Seems this place has taken a turn. It’s not the place it used to be a couple of years ago and will probably never be.
This used to be one of my favorite places to go. I recently went there and couldn’t believe the environment. The club wasn’t halfway full and the DJing seemed like it was from someones home iPod. There aren’t too many gay bars here in the area and this one seems to be a dying breed. Luckily they have gotten rid of their cover charge, but the place has become very hit or miss. I guess it really depends on what night you are going out. I guess it would make a nice pre-​funk place before you head out somewhere else.

A long time favorite of mine for their extra long, extra delicious, and generous happy hour. I’ve been making an appearance here since 1997 or ’98, but who’s counting? I miss the days when Stark was still known as «Vaseline alley». *Sigh*
So what keeps bringing me back? Let me count the ways.
1) Happy hour daily until 9, all day Sunday. Great food. It’s the same kitchen as The Fish Grotto and Aura. My personal favorites are the fondue and fish taco’s. Both are excellent values.
2) The well drinks are only $ 2.50, and poured strong. They have a nice specialty drink menu for $ 4.00.
3) The staff has always been very nice. Adam, David, Komy are fabulous, and always remember my drink.
4) The afternoon and evening are usually quiet, so it’s a great space to catch up with friends. There is music, but you can still hear one another.
5) No fighting for a table during happy hour.
6) It’s directly on the Street Car line, and in a great part of downtown to start your evening, then meander from there.
The one thing I will caution you about. The bathrooms. They are marked with a W or M via a light that shines on the floor. No one really cares which one you go into, so take your pick. However, they are painted black. Everything is black. There is hardly any light. The doors to the stalls are heavy. They sound like a trap door slamming. Since it’s so dark, it is hard to find the latch to get back out. If I’m not heard from for a spell, and this is my last check-​in, take a look in the restroom. I’ll most likely be stuck in there.
Those are the things that float my boat about this place.
Other people come here to dance, cruise, play bingo or trivia, karaōke, and watch drag shows later in the evening, especially weekends. It gets crowded. There are plenty of 20 somethings. They also have a couple of video crack machines.
This bar is friendly to all orientations, so keep that in mind. Now go!

Cheap-​ass well drinks and Cheaper friendship. We can always use more friendly queer bars around, especially on the classic Stark block downtown. Cool atmosphere with a (and I don’t use this often) hip décor. We were there pretty early in the night so it wasn’t exactly hopping but the few tables of patrons and the bartender were keeping the party going and the music was pretty sweet so we grabbed a table. I really dig the geometry of the room and they even have the cool outfront porchy entrance thing. This place will rock in the summer.
$ 6 martini! whoot!
On an side note, the women I’ve brought here (maybe that’s starting to be my thing.?) have been treated better than some other local gay bars (Casey’s that is). Good people and universally welcoming. I can dig it.