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Sissy Bar (Portland, Oregon)

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Coordinates: 45°31′02″N 122°39′04″W / 45.5171°N 122.6511°W / 45.5171; -122.6511
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Not to be confused with Sissy bar or Sissy Bar.
Sissy Bar
Black-and-white graphic logo with the text 'Sissy Bar', 'Portland, OR', and 'Est. 2021'
Photograph of the exterior of a building
The bar's exterior, 2022
Map
Restaurant information
EstablishedJune 2022 (2022-06)
ClosedOctober 26, 2024 (2024-10-26)
Owner(s)
  • Truman Cox
  • Derek Palmer
Food typeColombian
Street address1416 Southeast Morrison Street
CityPortland
CountyMultnomah
StateOregon
Postal/ZIP Code97214
CountryUnited States
Coordinates45°31′02″N 122°39′04″W / 45.5171°N 122.6511°W / 45.5171; -122.6511
Websitesissybarportland.com

Sissy Bar was a gay bar in Portland, Oregon, United States. Truman Cox and Derek Palmer opened the video lounge in southeast Portland's Buckman neighborhood in 2022, near another LGBTQ establishment Crush Bar. Sissy Bar hosted drag shows, dance parties, and other themed events, and played video montages from films and music videos by popular recording artists. The bar served Colombian cuisine such as ajiaco, arepas, and empanadas. It closed permanently in October 2024.

Description

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Sissy Bar was a gay bar on Morrison Street in southeast Portland's Buckman neighborhood, near the LGBTQ establishment Crush Bar. Sissy Bar's name was a reclamation of the slur "sissy". The bar hosted themed events,[1] drag shows, and dance parties.[2] According to Eater Portland's Brooke Jackson-Glidden, the interior paid homage to Barracuda Lounge, which she described as "a classic New York drag bar with low lounge lighting and a lengthy bar". Sissy Bar had a similar backbar and long banquette,[1] as well as illuminated cubes described by Willamette Week's Andrew Jankowski as "the color of panels on the electronic memory game Simon."[3]

Walls displayed photographs of "gay divas" such as Paris Hilton, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, and Dolly Parton.[3][4] Televisions played video montages from films[1] and music videos by artists such as Azealia Banks, City Girls, Grimes, and Megan Thee Stallion. According to Jankowski, "The volume of the music videos is loud enough so that you can enjoy the songs, but not so noisy that conversations need to be yelled."[3] He described the clientele as "groups of friends of all orientations and a range of legal drinking ages", some of whom "appeared to have just left the office, while others were dressed to impress—ready for wherever the night took them".[3]

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Sissy Bar used recipes from the Colombian family of the husband to one of the bar's owners.[1][5] In addition to cocktails, the bar served Colombian cuisine such as ajiaco,[3] arepas (chicken and hogao),[6] croquetas de pescado (Colombian fish croquettes), empanadas, frijoles antioqueños,[2] and sudado de pollo (a spiced chicken stew).[1][7] The nachos had Juanita's chips with cheese, jalapeño, sour cream, and tomato, and the avocado salad had guacamole with cucumber, lime, and scallion.[6]

Among the "fruit-forward, pop culture-packed" cocktails were: the Baby Got Back; the In the Heat of the Night;[2] the She's All That, which had tequila, elderflower, and berry syrup;[4] the Sissy Galore, which had grapefruit and lemon juice with orange bitters and Aviation American Gin; the Sissy Mule; the Sissy MANhattan; and the Will Smith Punch, which referred to the Chris Rock–Will Smith slapping incident (2022).[3]

History

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In December 2021, Jackson-Glidden described plans for Truman Cox, who previously worked at the Benson Hotel, and Derek Palmer, who previously worked at restaurants Brasserie Montmartre and Raven & Rose,[5] to open Sissy Bar in February 2022. Both owners experienced bullying in their youth and said the bar's name was to reclaim the pejorative slur "sissy".[1][8] The bar opened in mid June,[9] shortly after Portland's annual pride parade and festival.[3] Palmer was described as the bar's "owner-operator".[5]

Among events the bar has hosted are Ingenue, a lesbian dance party by DJ Lavender Menace's, and Shape of Drag, described as a "high concept" show by Silhouette.[2] In June 2023, the bar hosted Lacefront, a three-day drag show and charity event showcasing local drag performers, including Imperial Sovereign Rose Court titleholders.[10] Sissy Bar also hosted a show with drag performer Flawless Shade.[11]

In October 2024, owners announced plans to close permanently following a Halloween party on October 26,[12] citing "the devastating economic and social disruption caused by the pandemic". A statement read in part:

The path to entrepreneurship is often unprecedented and very unpredictable; while we've had many gains in the past 3 years, we've also faced tough challenges that led us to where we are now. It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of Sissy Bar Portland. Over the past 3 years, we have been privileged to serve and be a part of this incredible community. Your support, love, and loyalty have meant the world to us... We hope to see the community continue to thrive and support other LGBTQ+ businesses and initiatives. We all know that small business[es] are a vital component to the community and economy. So, let's all band together and keep supporting in any way we can!"[13]

Reception

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Photograph of the interior of a bar with illuminated cubes in the background
Photograph of the interior of a bar, with chairs and tables
The bar's interior in 2022

Andrew Jankowski of Willamette Week compared the bar to Crush Bar, writing: "Although run by different teams, Sissy Bar and Crush seem like sister bars, serving comparable menus and clients. Both dish out Instagrammable entrees and fruity cocktails, and play queer-friendly music from across the ages, but Sissy Bar's crowd seems to trend younger than Crush's."[3] He said Sissy Bar's drinks "pair well with picturesque, savory Colombian dishes", which he said were "comfortably filling, but would benefit from a dash of additional seasoning".[3] Separately, the newspaper recommended the Will Smith Punch.[14] In 2023, Thom Hilton said the nachos were the best snack for a group in Willamette Week's "Pride Fuel Guide".[6] Sissy Bar received the Bar / Business of the Year Award from the Imperial Sovereign Rose Court of Oregon in 2023.[15]

Writing for Eater Portland in 2024, Hilton noted that Sissy Bar built a lunchtime customer base, including some locals of Colombian ancestry, and said some residents in the area went for the Colombian cuisine.[5] Rebecca Roland of Eater Portland called the bar's closure "a blow to Portland's queer community" and wrote: "While Sissy Bar was a community stalwart for its lively parties and inclusive community, it was also beloved for the Colombian food... While gay bars aren't often renowned for their food, Palmer took pride in preparing meals and building up an audience of regulars who came specifically to eat with the community."[16]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Jackson-Glidden, Brooke (2021-12-14). "A New LGBTQ Bar Is Coming to Southeast Portland". Eater Portland. Vox Media. Archived from the original on 2021-12-14. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
  2. ^ a b c d Jankowski, Andrew (2023-10-12). "A Comprehensive Guide to Portland's Best LGBTQ+ Nightlife". Portland Monthly. ISSN 1546-2765. Archived from the original on 2022-06-05. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Jankowski, Andrew (2022-11-09). "Video Lounge Sissy Bar and Crush Bar's Rebranded Coffee Shop, Opal's, Round Out a New Trinity of Southeast Morrison Queer Bars". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on 2023-09-30. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
  4. ^ a b Reed, Conner (2017-04-21). "Portland's Most Fabulous LGBTQ Bars That Are Ready for Pride". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on 2020-11-12. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
  5. ^ a b c d Hilton, Thom (2024-07-18). "Meet the Cooks Redefining What It Means to Eat at Portland's Queer Bars". Eater Portland. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
  6. ^ a b c Hilton, Thom (2023-07-05). "Pride Fuel Guide: You'll Be Rewarded by Embracing the Kitchens at Portland's Queer Bars". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on 2023-09-24. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
  7. ^ Hilton, Thom (2017-04-21). "The Liveliest LGBTQ Bars and Clubs in Portland". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on 2020-11-12. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
  8. ^ "National: Vermont judges, trans bishop, Jared Polis, gay mayor". Windy City Times. 2022-01-02. ISSN 1049-698X. OCLC 20341561. Archived from the original on 2023-05-30. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
  9. ^ "A Guide to Portland's Latest Restaurant Openings". Eater Portland. 2021-01-27. Archived from the original on 2022-03-05. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  10. ^ Jankowski, Andrew (2023-07-05). "Ultimate Pride Guide 2023". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on 2023-09-24. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
  11. ^ Gebel, Meira (June 15, 2023). ""Pride is a protest" for Portland drag queen Flawless Shade". Axios Portland. Cox Enterprises. Archived from the original on April 22, 2024. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  12. ^ Wong, Janey (2024-10-10). "The Portland Restaurant Closings to Know, October 2024". Eater Portland. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  13. ^ "Sissy Bar, East Portland LGBTQ+ Video Lounge, Announces Closure". Willamette Week. 2024-10-14. Retrieved 2024-10-15.
  14. ^ Willamette Week:
  15. ^ "The Imperial Rose Crown Bar/Business of the Year Award". Imperial Sovereign Rose Court of Oregon. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  16. ^ Roland, Rebecca (2024-10-29). "Portland Loses Another Beloved LGBTQ Bar". Eater Portland. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
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