Portland's Kink Scene: The Highlights And My Favorite Venues
Updated: Aug 16
If you are wanting to explore your sexual, kinky, maybe a little weird side, Portland is probably the best city to come to. The kink scene is so pervasive here that collars are given instead of necklaces and chastity devices instead of engagement rings. I highlighted Portland's kinky history in https://www.devavortx.com/post/portland-the-kinkiest-city-in-america-and-a-herstory-of-the-modern-dominatrix , which is just one of the things that feeds into it's rich kinky soil, now. "Keep Portland Weird" is more than just a mantra. There is no way to be weird here, as long as you understand boundaries, consent and the process of negotiation that is so foundational to any good safe place of exploration.
Since I moved to Portland in 2014, I've dipped my toes and grew strong kinky roots in the Portland kink scene. I didn't really do a deep dive into the scene until after the pandemic, and wow this city is just booming with venues that are carefully curated to let you blossom into the kinky sexual or asexual being you are. There is of course my dungeon. Someone referred to it, recently, as my safe space and that is exactly right. It is where I get to close the door and completely control the energy inside, which being autistic is a luxury I don't think I can live without. But I absolutely have my favorite venues to visit when I leave my lair. Also, these places don't really compete with eachother. Not really. They each cater to such different demographics of the kinky sexual community that they very often work together. If you're sitting in the hot tub at Hawks PDX https://hawkspdx.com , you're very likely to hear about an event going on at Sub Rosa https://subrosapdx.com/
Honestly, I see these venues as different rooms in my kinky house. So, let me give you a tour.
Sub Rosa
Femdom Society of badass Dominatrixes and their submissives of all genders
Sub Rosa is where I started as a baby dominatrix. Curated by the gorgeous goddesses, Mistress Viola https://www.mistressviola.com/ and Princessa Natasha Strange https://natashastrange.com/
Sub Rosa is not just a gorgeous space, with luxurious hard points, but a gorgeous community specifically for femdom culture. The first time I walked in, my inner dominatrix both relaxed and opened up. When I first started, I was a genderfucked dominatrix going by the name of Madame Vortex. The name Deva hadn't been revealed yet. I was not even on HRT yet, and with my look I sported a gorgeous luscious beard. I had just discovered my interest in being a dominatrix, so it would have been easy to knock me off of this path. No, it wouldn't, I was destined for this. But, both Princessa Natasha and Mistress Viola were seamless in their treatment and respect for me. They seemed to see the domme in me more than even I did, at the time.
SubRosa is set up to be both indulgent and luxurious and at the same time ready for femme dominance, pleasure and sadism. The patriarchy blushes and lowers its head as soon as it enters and will be treated with care, with prenegotiated boundaries respected, though may be used for target practice, fashion shows, or human furniture. A goddess needs a place to prop up her heels and a man's back is the most luxurious of all options.
The space prioritizes the education and empowerment of Portland's femdom community and hosts a monthly femdom social as well as classes and workshops for aspiring dominatrices. My very favorite event they host is FemDom Bootcamp https://subrosapdx.com/all-about-femdom-bootcamp/ where they demonstrate the essential process of negotiation and the importance of thoroughly discussing boundaries, limits, health issues, etc. and following is a very closely supervised hands on portion where a variety of activities can be experienced. For many, it may be their very first time holding a flogger, and a badass dominatrix is born.
Sanctuary
A dedicated Kink/BDSM space. They generally do have a dress code that is "No Effort No Entry". They have multiple, hard points, leather couches, and beds off to the side to enjoy some sexy play (condoms provided and clean up after yourself by changing the sheets after your play is over). They also have a more intimate room, that is great for one on one play. They do feature a bar as well as snackage if you get hungry and their bartenders and doorperson are badass so tip them well, please.
They feature parties, educational workshops and are just a great place to take a date if you're wanting to dive into a world where just about anything can happen. Consent and boundaries are important and are fiercely protected, so do behave yourself and do not interrupt scenes. You will very likely see a lovely being flogged, or treated like a darling pet. Be very respectful and make it your priority to just be an observer, unless you are engaged in your own scene. A nearby observer breaking in and disrupting a scene is one of my biggest no-nos, so don't do it.
Privata
There is also Privata. To be honest, I had not spent much time there until recently. I do have to say, compared to some of the other venues it is rather vanilla, but that may be what you are looking for. It tends to be very upscale. There is a dress code to get in. Don't go there looking grunge. Though, I do enjoy wearing my shortest skirt to walk around and show off my ass and legs.
They do have gendered pricing, with men paying higher prices than women. Though as a trans woman it is nice to be able to walk through the door, and be treated just as my identity demands, and there is no resistance to that. I do believe as a trans dominatrix, who enjoys luxury this may be a fun place for me to branch out a little.
They have three floors, with different levels of play allowed on each, as well as multiple bars. They have many intimate alcoves with comfy beds to play on, and if you need it they offer ambassadors who are more than happy to give you a tour and show you around. If you want to check them out for the first time, try out Newbies Night, when women get in for free and men get in at a discount compared with the other nights.
These are the ones I am most intimate with and you may find me gracing the halls and hardpoints of these lovely establishments, when I'm not enjoying my own private dungeon. There are still more that I either have limited engagement with or havent had the chance to fully explore at all.
There's:
The Velvet Rope Velvetropepdx.com
Studio 201
Fantasy (Adult Store) https://www.fantasyforadultsonly.com/
Mr Peeps (Adult Store) https://www.mrpeeps.com/
Taboo, especially 82nd Sinema on 82nd (Adult Store) https://taboovideo.com/
I swear this is just the tip. Portland is kinky at just about every level. Sitting in a coffeeshop here, it is not uncommon to hear someone talk about still being in a floaty subspace after their domme wrapped them up in food safe plastic wrap and let them lay in sensory deprived bliss for 30 minutes. So, if Portland has ever been on your list of cities to explore, make sure you dip into the kink scene here, because it's unrivaled. It's the best place to get comfortably uncomfortable, and then go get a croissant and watch a bird.
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