In the 1980s, Portland’s gay nightlife centered on the bars on Southwest Stark Street downtown. But across the river on Southeast Stark, there was also this longtime restaurant, which was a quieter place for the city’s gays and lesbians to gather. The restaurant supported many local causes, including the nearby Our House of Portland AIDS care facility. In this 2009 photo, members of Rose City Gay Freedom Band perform at the restaurant to raise funds for their trip to Washington, D.C., to perform at President Obama’s inauguration. Starky’s closed in 2015 and the building was torn down. https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2017/01/another_round_of_memories_84_m.html

Having sent the announcement by Facebook, Starky's Restaurant and Bar is now closed. Starky's opened in 1987, and having hosted such events as the Red Dress Party, it was a fixture in the Portland gay community.

Starky's Restaurant Closes on SE Stark After 28 Years - Eater Portland The most recent owners, Joe and Greg, took over in 2004. In their announcement, they do not cite a reason for closing, but according to the Mercury, which broke the news, Starky's will shutter to make way for a 46-unit apartment building.

That's right: make way = demolish. Here's the final word from Starky's:

CLOSED FOREVER, NEVER FORGOTTEN, THANK YOU ALL, WE LOVED YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

citations & references:

·       Cited in City Week newspaper Feb 14, 1986 page 5 [some have spelled it Starkey’s also added the 3] “Complete Lunch & Dinner Menu, Full Bar.”

·       Cited in the book A Curious and Peculiar People page 272, “Opened in 1987…this is incorrect.”

·       cited in The Just Out Pocket Book June 1988 Page 44m

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