In the city where weird is a way of life, these spine-tingling bars aren’t just a trend, they’re a lifestyle.
ill-use into one of Portland ’s offbeat repugnance bars where the air is thick with anticipation — maybe even a hint of mischief . standard candle flicker , casting eery shadow on the walls . Oddly unsettling decor greets you : a puckish blend of creepy animatronics , spiderwebs , and vintage taxidermy . Yet , it ’s not Halloween . It ’s just another night in a metropolis where the unusual is embraced and the unofficial motto , “ Keep Portland Weird , ” reign supreme .
In Portland , horror - theme measure are more than a spot to grab a drink , they ’re a celebration of the offbeat and queer . Beyond the seasonal attraction , these stripe are all at once voguish , unconventional , nostalgic , and oddly therapeutic . They offer a far-out escape from the mundane , if only for a few hours . Whether you ’re drawn in by the eerie esthetics or the collective bosom of all thing bizarre , these bars extend a refreshing asylum from world . In a metropolis known for its way-out charm , it ’s pretty much par for the trend to have these year - round repugnance haven .
AtCreepy ’s , which afford in 2017 , smuggled velvet antic painting follow your every move as you sip cocktails and random flatus - up toy spring to life unexpectedly , like that unsettling retro rapscallion with cymbal — you know the one — just to keep you on edge . Over atRaven ’s Manor , cobweb - covered chandeliers and skeleton - lined halls create a vampire - crypt - chic vibe . Then there’sCoffin Club , where casket double as décor ( course ) at the goth night club that pulsates with post - punk and darkwave music .
Courtesy of Raven’s Manor
Creepy ’s co - owner AJ Fosik has a theory : “ There ’s a sure willingness of people in Portland to go along with an outlandish idea . It ’s like drinking within of a obsessed firm . Portland [ is ] just willing to make that leap . ”
Rebecca Vega , co - possessor of Raven ’s Manor , which opened in May 2021 , too found Portland to be a select location . Vega consider several urban center before settle on Portland for a haunted house - themed barroom . “ hoi polloi that live in Portland , a lot of them have spooky house already , so we figured we would have a local base . We [ also ] want to give [ visitant ] another thing to tote up to the tilt of weird things to do while in town . ”
After the pandemic and the protests and ferment in the metropolis in mid-2020 , the town was gravely quick for a pause . “ Places that lease you kind of escape reality [ were ] what people were await for after the pandemic , ” says Vega . “ the great unwashed were frantic to leave their normal life and do something different….and just get to play make believe . ”
Courtesy Raven’s Manor
With their haunt decor , sinister cocktails , and macabre vibes , bars like Raven ’s Manor and Creepy ’s let you ill-use into and find relief in a mankind where the scare are intentional , and oddly purgative .
“ Dark , macabre stuff is having a here and now powerful now , ” says Fosik , who ’s quick to luff out that this theme is n’t done to death just yet . “ There ’s a big contingent in Portland that really celebrates that [ culture ] , ” which is another reason he thinks these horror bars have been crushing it in Portland : next - point skittish drinks .
Creepy ’s mixes signature cocktails with public figure like Ghost Machine , Coffin Cutter Marg , and Dark Arts . At Raven ’s Manor , cocktail glow , house of cards , waver , and even smoke . Some are delivered in skull spectacles or topped with an orb . Forget glad time of day ; they ’ve get a “ haunting hour . ” For the mad scientist in you , the Dr. Raven ’s Elixir Experience is a 90 - min adventure that kvetch off with a mini escape room challenge . Crack the computer code to unlock your first drink , then mix your own creepy-crawly cocktails ( or mocktails ) .
Courtesy Creepy’s
So , what keeps Portlanders and visitant coming back for more ? It may be the combo of spooky ambiance , imaginative drinks , and a crowd that ’s here for it . It ’s also the food , which is not your mediocre pub grub . Raven ’s Manor offer seasonal dish , like butternut bisque and a drop harvest time salad , while Creepy ’s has tapped Bingo Burger for epicure burgers and hot andiron . course , there are vegan and gluten - loose options , because Portland .
As the city continues to spring up and evolve , its dearest amour with all things horror does n’t seem to be going anywhere . Whether you ’re a goth at heart , or you ’re just count for a unambiguously fun dark out on the town , double-dyed with coffins and cobwebs , these eerie cake let you live out your spookiest fantasies – nearly any day of the yr .
Courtesy Creepy’s
