Back history. An article appeared in The Oregon Journal June 30, 1971, Old Virginia Café SOLD

Not much is known about the Honeycomb Restaurant but it seems to have been in business from 1971 - 1977. Then the RHONDEE Restaurant & Lounge 1014 SW Stark Street opened in 1977-1981 per an advertisement in Northwest Gay Review June 1977 page 12 and the July/August 1977 issue page 30 [See Below] and which was a gay bar.

Also on page 10, Northwest Gay Review states, “(Mr. Hunky)…competition for this strickly social title began June 1…on June 4, they met again for dinner at the Rhondee…”

When Rhondee closed, C C Slaughter’s took over the space, owned by John Adams. He wanted it to be a “Texas” inspired interior Per book by David Grant Kohl, A Curious and Peculiar People page 173 and on page 199, “On SW Stark, John Adams opened a western-themed bar where the Rhondee operated, and where the Virginia Café had first opened. Named after a non-infamous Texas cowboy, Christopher Columbus Slaughter, it quickly became known as C C Slaughter’s. Men sported colored bandanas hanging from their rear jeans pockets, using the ‘hankie code’ to display their sexual interest and intents, both active and passive.”

C.C. Slaughters: Orignal location: 1014 SW Stark Street between 10th and 11th. Years: 1981-2005

Per Wikipedia: opened in 1981. It was located in The Clyde Hotel. The Clyde was a Station for the Oregon Electric Streetcar, which operated for about 15 or 20 years, beginning in 1912. Every room had a phone, but not every room had a bath. The Ace Hotel opened at this location on Oct 1, 2006.

It should be noted that The Music Hall was around the corner of the Clyde Hotel.  Clyde Hotel is where Slaughters was and across the street was another bar at the Fish Grotto – Boxxes, Brig, Panorama, Red Star Garage.

Small street entrance where you were greeted by a fish tank. To the right was a long narrow bar area and around the corner was the dance floor. It advertised “Country Western Boo Scootin’ Friday, Saturday, Sunday” [LA Femme Magnifique program Sept 6, 1992]

Ad in Gay Pride Program 1993

Because of the building sale, CC Slaughters moved into the old “Odysessy” space which is next door to Darcelle XV Showplace at NW 3rd/Davis d.

Per website http://www.drakkar91.com/clubs/portland.html During my 2004 summer of exploration, my travels took me to Portland Oregon, for the first time in my life.

Club / Bar: CC Slaughters, 200 NW 3rd Avenue ("Old Town" Portland)

This club claims to be the best and gayest of them all.  My Friday night visit confirmed it does appear to be one of the most popular.  An ample dance floor was busy, and the DJ featured popular dance music, and a good light show.  My biggest turn-off was several video screens featuring hardcore porn, so much for bringing friends who may or may not be gay.  This may be intentionally for that very reason.  Like Boxxes/Red Cap, a hallway leads to a quiet bar and restaurant.  I didn't venture in, but it looked very classy.  Drink prices were most reasonable.  The club was featuring AMBER a week after my visit for their annual block party.  Definitely worth a visit.

 One of Old Town Portland's long-running stalwarts in the arena of gay nightlife, this is actually two bars in one—the main nightclub, CC Slaughters has loud music and a fun, mixed crowd of revelers—some of the city's best DJs spin tunes here. Adjacent, the glam Rainbow Room martini lounge is perfect for sipping a sophisticated cocktail and carrying on a conversation. The crowd tends toward young, flirty males. MOVED TO  219 NW Davis St. in 2005.  Biggest and best queer dance floor, cozy rainbow room lounge.

Sunday October 11th, 2020, CC Slaughters Portland will be closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.towleroad.com/2020/10/cc-slaughters/ It didn’t last, Slaughters reopened 2021.

December 18, 2020 The bar led the rebirth of queer life during the HIV epidemic but was shuttered by COVID, ending an era in Stumptown.https://www.them.us/story/cc-slaughters-portland-gay-bar-closure-queer-spaces-covid-19

Per https://queerintheworld.com/gay-portland-oregon-travel-guide/  CC Slaughters PDX – One of Portland Oregon’s hottest LGBT nightclubs with a huge dance-floor, live DJ’s every night, a weekly drag show, daily drag bartenders, happy hour specials, and one of the cities most famous drag-queen hosts: Bolivia Carmichaels! Slaughters PDX opens every day of the year at 3 pm with a busy happy hour trade but things really kick off with their weekly themed parties and live DJ sets every night from 9 pm. Stop by for PrePump Fridays at 9 pm – a kick-ass drag show to kick-off your weekend, or head here every Sunday from 8 pm for Superstar Diva’s Megashow of Drag.

Ad Below Left - unknown source. Photo Below Right is the 3rd/Davis location.

citations & references:

·         Cited in handout Majestic Hotel and Club Baths of Portland presents PORTLAND 1983 phone number 248-9135 address 1014 SW Stark with connotations C & R – cocktails and restaurant

·         Cited in City Week newspaper Feb 14, 1986, page 5 “Full Bar. Food. Primarily Men.”

·         As cited in Portland’s 2005 Columbia FunMap, Page 20, “Bars/Dance Clubs/Lounges/Piano.” Location was 219 NW Davis.

• The Ace Hotel is one of the most visible redevelopment projects on Stark Street.

• Located on Stark between Tenth and Eleventh Avenues, the Hotel covers most of the blocks. It opened in 2005 in the old Clyde Hotel building, one of the buildings in the area listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A Stumptown coffee opened in the building and an adjacent dry cleaner was redeveloped as an event space. Per Portland Archives and Records. Public Policy and Sexual Geography in Portland, Oregon, 1970-2010 Elizabeth Morehead Portland State University

• 2005 RuPaul performed at C C Slaughters down at the Davis Location

• C.C. Slaughters records, circa 1981–2008, Mss 2988-6 (GLAPN)

  Collection includes the records and correspondence of C.C. Slaughters, a gay bar in Portland, Oregon, that opened in 1981. Materials include floor plans, correspondence with the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, menus, financial records, and materials relating to events either held at or supported by the bar.

  Collection Guide http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv64157