Bars, Restaurants, & Taverns
THE CASTAWAY’S
Per the above ad in the Portland Forum, November 4, 1973, Steve Suss stepped in and took over the business, keeping the name. However, he ran into problems with the City of Portland as they made it impossible for him to get a license. The Castaways was two blocks from The Park Pavilion. The city claimed that it didn’t want one man to control the gay bar scene.
Per a paper called Chronology of Portland’s Gay Bars – author unknown, “ 1972-1974; owned by Steve Suss.”
In Phil Sanford’s book, Rose City Vice, Portland in the 70s he writes, “Jerry remembers walking into the Castaways a bar downtown at 901 SW Salmon… …around 1971…The Castaways was one of those old-time bars that was below street level, so you had to step down about three steps to enter…”
1974, November 16-18th, Walter W Cole/Darcelle Empress XV was hosting her step down and the crowning of Empress XVI who would be Doni Lame’. A sheet was developed entitled WELCOME TO “CITY OF ROSES” with various details. Three mentions for Castaways “Saturday, November 17th. CASTAWAYS: Portland’s newest, from 11:00 am till 2:00 am Champagne corks will pop in for the official opening brunch and Christening of our weekend. Complete for $3.00. Your hosts Steve, Jon, and Company.” The other was CASTAWAYS 11:00 am – 2:30 AM Corner 9th & Salmon 248-0075 AND “Sunday, November 18th CORONATION ’74 ‘Meet the newly crowned ROSE EMPRESS XVI tonight at the CASTAWAYS after the CORONATION till 2:30 am.”
The Castaway Lounge
901 SW Salmon
224-3366
Years: Years: 1969/70 – 1975 – mixed not only gay (some have the date in 1972 others in 1974.)
Northwest Gay Review, page 12 February 1974 issue under Socially Speaking - Portland: “The Anna Marie Hotel in downtown Portland was mercilessly attached by a wreckers ball during a two week period in January. One of the casualties of the destruction was the Riptide, Lounge and restaurant. Although closed for almost a year, the Riptide used to be Portland’s most popular dance bar. Steve Suss, former manager of the Riptide and now owner of three Portland area bars, mournfully announced that a memorial service for the Riptide will be held at the Castaways sometime during February.”
Down the column states, “The Portland Forum will be hosting their annual Mid-Winter Ball on February 3. As usual there will be the show of shows as the Forum literally drags Portland’s finest entertainment out of their closets and onto the stage at the Castaways. Doors open at 5:30 pm and the charge is $4.”
In the Northwest Gay Review, page 14 May 1974 issue in the Society News, “Don’t forget Steve Suss’ big three (as if anyone possibly could). The Focal Point features penny beer every Tuesday night from 9 pm to midnight. Ted Dore continues to provide music and a good time every night at the Ember’s piano bar. Don’t forget besides dinners, Embers also features lunches from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. And last, but certainly not least, is the Castaway’s D.J. bar. They’ve got our favorite records – so be sure and request them.”
1975 - it is unclear if Steve Suss owned the business as this time, but there were major problems cited in the newspaper. See Bloew Left Feb 19, 1975, The Oregon Journal; again Feb 19, 1975, Oregon Journal [Below middle] and then on July 16, 1975 Oregon Journal [Below Right].
Ad in Portland Passport 1973
Before “Castaways” It was Dolphin cited in an ad in Portland Guide Oct 16-31 1967.
In The Oregon Journal, dated February 27, 1970 an article appeared which shows The Dolphin becomes “Castaways”.
Then ads and mentions begin to appear in local papers. Below Left, March 6, 1970 ad in The Oregon Journal. Below Middle is from The Oregon Journal June 5, 1970, under “Night Clubs”. Below Right iN the restaurant section of the Oregon Journal September 16, 1970.
The “Castaways” hits the infamous Doug Baker column in the September 14, 1971, Oregon Journal.
Then a different kind of press hits the business. Below Left, in the November 21, 1972, Oregon Journal was an article “Bottomless Law Trips 4”. Below October 23, 1973 Oregon Journal – Two Clubs Reissued Licenses and Club Permits Restored – both in same newspaper.
citations & references:
Listed in Damron Address Book/Address Guide 1975 under Bars/Clubs with * - Very Popular, D – Dancing, with note: (liquor) (Disco)
Not listed in Damron Address Book/Address Guide 1976 or thereafter
Per the GLAPN - A Walking Tour of Downtown Portland: A Century of Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Historic Sites June 1999: Steve Suss opened this disco in 1972 but later gave it up because the City of Portland made it impossible for him to get a license. The city claimed that they didn’t want one man to control the gay bar scene. [Per above Steve’s involvement in the bar began in 1973]