Hobo’s was one of those quietly iconic Portland gay bars that didn’t need a dance floor to make magic. Tucked into Old Town Chinatown, it blended piano bar, cocktail lounge, and cozy neighborhood haunt into one warmly lit room where conversations lingered, martinis were poured strong, and show tunes could suddenly take over the night.
Known for its brick walls, intimate booths, and live piano, Hobo’s attracted a grown-up crowd who came for dinner, stayed for drinks, and ended up staying for the music. It was refined without being stuffy, social without being loud—the kind of place where a “quick drink” easily turned into hours.
A very Portland footnote: the building connected to the historic Shanghai tunnels, giving the bar a slightly spooky, slightly underground mystique that only added to its charm.
Hobo’s closed in 2020 during the COVID era, ending a run of over two decades as one of the city’s most beloved low-key queer gathering spots.
