Article in NW Fountain, October 1980, page 11 EASTSIDE BAR CLOSED

One of Portland’s first gay bars on the east side of the river, Aaron’s, closed last month. For a while, it opened (in April 79), it was one of Portland’s busiest bars, certainly the busiest Southeast which was the city’s first eastside gay bar.

Several other bars on the east side went gay during that summer: the Sunnyside (35th and Belmont),  Close Encounters (9th and Morrison), JR’s Saloon (45th/Hawthorne), and The Other Side of Midnight (Hawthorne and Grand Avenue). Several of them closed after finding that a gay bar needs a gay consciousness to make it successful - straights who see busy gay bars making  money are too often tempted to jump to money are too often tempted to jump into the  pile and try for the “faggot money.” The Fountain takes exception to this type of scene and the paper won’t support a straight-owned gay establishment until it has a proven record of working for and with the gay population- gay employees, sponsoring gay charity events, an active supporter of the gay community, 100 percent gay management. [article continues] The Sunnyside Tavern and Close Encounters closed soon after they opened; Varsity is now opened; “sometimes,” and the daytime business, though the owners sat it is still gay, 3 appears to be more retired/neighborhood type. And now Aaron’s joins the list of closed Eastside bars. For a good time on the Eastside, join some of the winners. JR’s is one of Portland’s friendliest and busiest – and it’s a successful, - pleasant mixture of men and women. The newly-opened Black Hawk, at 14th and Broadway, near the Irvington Theatre and Lloyd Center, is a winner. Also, Other Side of – Midnight (open after 6p.m, weekdays, earlier weekends) is the city’s busiest women’s on weekends) is the city’s busiest women’s bar. All of these are popular with gays; they’re gay-owned and gay-managed, and they support our community with frequent charity events.  [part of the article is listed here]

·       Possibly 1980/81 Listed on Darcelle’s “PATRONS – Round Trip to Lake Tahoe – Courtesy of ‘HELLO RENO” Miss Terri, Darcelle XV, and Directors Furniture]

Per Fountain/June 1981 bar listings, “There’s a new look at the Black Hawk, and it’s continuing to change. Check out the Chinese/fire engine red bathrooms the hanging gardens of Babylon green plants. Bring your dad for fun at the combination zodiac party/Fathers’ Day.  Mothers’ Day here was crazy, with more! Then a few best-dressed(?) mothers on hand. Kent holds down the fort during the day and it’s usually fun. A top NE Portland newest electronic games, Free parking lot day and night next door. Close to Lloyd Center, just half a block from the meet a lot of new faces here that never show up downtown. Give yourself a treat.”