OT RIP Embers

[SlyPokerDog]

PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) -

After 48 years in Portland, Embers dance club and bar is closing its doors.

Embers opened in 1969 – one of just a handful of gay bars in the Portland area at the time. It quickly became a symbol of the local LGBTQ community, but it wasn’t long before the word got out about Embers’ epic dance parties and drag shows.

Embers has since turned into a major staple of Portland’s entertainment scene for gay and straight people alike. According to the bar’s Facebook page, owner Steve Suss recently suffered a severe stroke and he is unable to keep Embers open.

Iconic drag performers Poison Waters and Darcelle are close with Suss. Darcelle opened his club just two years before Embers. They say Portland is losing an important piece of history.

“You know, people talk about a safe space,” Poison Waters remembered. “It was a safe space, not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, sexually. People could go there and just be free and be who they are in that location.”

“The people we know that have started there, will never get it out of their hearts,“ said Darcelle.

Embers’ final event was set to take place at 9:30 p.m. Thursday, called "The Last Dance."

http://www.kptv.com/story/36967880/iconic-gay-night-club-embers-closing-its-doors-in-portland

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Embers was cool. Sad to see it go.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

After over 40 years as a bastion of gay culture at the edge of Old Town, dance club Embers announced last night it will close.

The announcement came on the club's Facebook page. It's an unusually sudden end for such a storied venue in Portland, but it comes after the owner suffered what the club called a "massive stroke," leaving them unable to continue their business.

The reaction was immediate and heartbroken on the club's Facebook page, with many patrons sharing their fond memories of Embers over the decades.

"I hadn't been in there for fifteen years," wrote one patron. "The goldfish along the bar fish tank. Big Jim sitting at the end of the bar…who would come in from Molalla. The nightly lip synch show. The disco next door. Goth night Wednesdays. The nice piano. And a door patrol man named Howard Stern. Yep, that was his real name."

"This is absolutely devastating to hear!" wrote another. "Steve and the Embers was always a support to me. Many of my first shows were there, proudly will always say I had been an Embers girl and hostess… so many great memories there. What a sad moment. My love to the Embers Family.Good evening everyone."



There will be two more nights of Embers for those who want to pay their respects to a Portland institution. The doors will close for the last time at 2:30 am Thursday night.

Here's the farewell message in full:

I know this message comes in very short short notice.
Unfortunately The Embers Avenue will be closing as of 2:30am on Friday morning. The main owner of our beloved club has had a massive stroke and we can no longer operate as a business

We will be doing the Wednesday night show as normal and Thursday night , Onyx Lynn will be hosting the final Show of the bar. We would love to see a HUGE ASS turnout and see EVERYONE we love come out! Lets make this a night to remember!

http://www.wweek.com/bars/news-bars...wn-gay-club-embers-will-close-thursday-night/

 

[ripcityboy]

Ash Street Closing. Hawthorne too. The Rheinlander gone. And now Embers, growing old sucks.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Ash Street Closing. Hawthorne too. The Rheinlander gone. And now Embers, growing old sucks.

Satyricon.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

UpFrontFX

 

[HailBlazers]

After over 40 years as a bastion of gay culture at the edge of Old Town, dance club Embers announced last night it will close.

The announcement came on the club's Facebook page. It's an unusually sudden end for such a storied venue in Portland, but it comes after the owner suffered what the club called a "massive stroke," leaving them unable to continue their business.

The reaction was immediate and heartbroken on the club's Facebook page, with many patrons sharing their fond memories of Embers over the decades.

"I hadn't been in there for fifteen years," wrote one patron. "The goldfish along the bar fish tank. Big Jim sitting at the end of the bar…who would come in from Molalla. The nightly lip synch show. The disco next door. Goth night Wednesdays. The nice piano. And a door patrol man named Howard Stern. Yep, that was his real name."

"This is absolutely devastating to hear!" wrote another. "Steve and the Embers was always a support to me. Many of my first shows were there, proudly will always say I had been an Embers girl and hostess… so many great memories there. What a sad moment. My love to the Embers Family.Good evening everyone."



There will be two more nights of Embers for those who want to pay their respects to a Portland institution. The doors will close for the last time at 2:30 am Thursday night.

Here's the farewell message in full:

I know this message comes in very short short notice.
Unfortunately The Embers Avenue will be closing as of 2:30am on Friday morning. The main owner of our beloved club has had a massive stroke and we can no longer operate as a business

We will be doing the Wednesday night show as normal and Thursday night , Onyx Lynn will be hosting the final Show of the bar. We would love to see a HUGE ASS turnout and see EVERYONE we love come out! Lets make this a night to remember!

http://www.wweek.com/bars/news-bars...wn-gay-club-embers-will-close-thursday-night/

Is that you quoted in the article?

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Is that you quoted in the article?

I'm too doggy to have ever been an Embers Girl.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

 

[SlyPokerDog]

 

[Natebishop3]

I'm guessing the property was too valuable?

 

[Mediocre Man]

No one else can take over?

 

[dviss1]

Ash Street Closing. Hawthorne too. The Rheinlander gone. And now Embers, growing old sucks.

Done a few shows at the Ash and the Hawthorne. Glad the Paris is still there.

 

[MarAzul]

Curious line in one article, just sort of stuck in there?

"Big Jim sitting at the end of the bar…who would come in from Molalla."

 

[chris_in_pdx]

I'm guessing the property was too valuable?

The owner had a stroke. Apparently the kids had no interest in running it.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

That was the line for the 3rd bathroom stall in the men's room.

 

[Natebishop3]

The owner had a stroke. Apparently the kids had no interest in running it.

That's too bad, but it's understandable. I had no interest in getting into my dad's business either.

 

[The Professional Fan]

Done a few shows at the Ash and the Hawthorne. Glad the Paris is still there.

Went to a show at the Ash just last Saturday. I think it's one of, if not the last. Sad. Old Portland is dead. Been dead.

 

[The Professional Fan]

Anyone remember the Metro? I believe it used to sit where the Columbia store on broadway is now. It was a sunken food court where people would smoke and read Willamette Week lol. I was too young to go to bars back then so the Metro was my joint. That and Quest. And Upfront FX. Being under 21 in Portland SUCKED.

I've tried to find pictures of the Metro online and I can't find any.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Cruise Broadway, then hit up UpFrontFX or the Quest was the jam back in the day.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Ash Street Closing. Hawthorne too. The Rheinlander gone. And now Embers, growing old sucks.

When did the Hawthorne Close down?


You know I've long thought all they need is a stage curtain and they could compete with most downtown clubs including the Roseland for bringing in more national acts.


My band is playing the Ash St. Saturday night for anyone who wants to come down. Will be a good show with some other good bands.

 

[riverman]

They closed Chez Ray's, Café Paradiso and Jo Feds in Eugene over the years....the WOW hall still survives though....still ain't what it used to be anymore