Red Cap Garage

Red Cap Garage, established in 1987, occupied a building which once housed a taxicab company.{{cite news|last=Redden|first=Jim|title=Retail alley opens in city's West End|url=http://portlandtribune.com/pt/9-news/159155-retail-alley-opens-in-citys-west-end|access-date=May 14, 2016|work=Portland Tribune|date=August 15, 2013|publisher=Pamplin Media Group|location=Portland, Oregon|oclc=46708462|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615135307/https://portlandtribune.com/pt/9-news/159155-retail-alley-opens-in-citys-west-end|archive-date=June 15, 2018|url-status=dead}} The bar faced Stark Street and was connected to two others called Boxxes and the Brig,{{cite journal|last=Breen|first=Matthew|title=Gayest Cities in America, 2012|journal=The Advocate|date=January 9, 2012|url=http://www.advocate.com/travel/2012/01/09/gayest-cities-america-2012|access-date=May 14, 2016|publisher=Here Media|issn=0001-8996|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524110249/http://www.advocate.com/travel/2012/01/09/gayest-cities-america-2012|archive-date=May 24, 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Oppegaard|first=Brett|title=How We Play: Nightclubs galore; The chances are good you can find a spot that caters to your musical tastes in the Vancouver-Portland area|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-23231071.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911123318/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-23231071.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 11, 2016|access-date=May 14, 2016|work=The Columbian|publisher=Columbian Publishing Co.|date=February 23, 2003|location=Vancouver, Washington}}{{cite book|title=Let's Go Pacific Northwest Adventure|date=December 13, 2004|publisher=Macmillan|page=94|isbn=9780312335649|edition=1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1Kf5LftSLNEC&pg=PA94|access-date=May 14, 2016}} and the restaurant Fish Grotto.{{Cite news|url=http://www.portlandmercury.com/locations/38362/red-cap-garage|title=Red Cap Garage|access-date=May 30, 2016|work=The Portland Mercury|publisher=Index Publishing|location=Portland, Oregon|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805044218/http://www.portlandmercury.com/locations/38362/red-cap-garage|archive-date=August 5, 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Beck|first=Byron|title=Closing Report: Fez Ballroom & Sand Bar Have Shuttered|url=http://www.golocalpdx.com/food/closing-report-fez-ballroom-sand-bar-have-served-their-last-drinks|website=GoLocalPDX|access-date=May 30, 2016|date=September 7, 2014|authorlink=Byron Beck (blogger)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630081739/http://www.golocalpdx.com/food/closing-report-fez-ballroom-sand-bar-have-served-their-last-drinks|archive-date=June 30, 2016|url-status=live}} In 2008, Out Traveler{{'s}} Jason Rowan described the three establishments as: "interconnected bars offer[ing] one-stop shopping: twink go-go boys in Boxxes, dirty smokers in Red Cap, and late-night clubbing at the Brig. Good-natured, sauced-up fun reigns in this trampy labyrinth, especially during Tuesday night drink specials."{{cite journal|last=Rowan|first=Jason|title=When in Portland|journal=Out Traveler|date=June 8, 2008|url=http://www.outtraveler.com/portland/2008/6/07/exclusive-when-inportland|access-date=May 14, 2016|publisher=Here Media|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624034349/http://www.outtraveler.com/portland/2008/6/07/exclusive-when-inportland|archive-date=June 24, 2016|url-status=live}}

Red Cap held events like "Bearracuda", "Peep Show", "Portland Drag Race", "Portland Idol","Portland Idol":

• {{cite web|last=Beck|first=Byron|title=The Real Contest: Portland Idol at Red Cap Garage|url=http://www.byronbeck.com/home/1136-the-real-contest-portland-idol-at-red-cap-garage.html|website=ByronBeck.com|access-date=May 14, 2016|date=May 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530172919/http://www.byronbeck.com/home/1136-the-real-contest-portland-idol-at-red-cap-garage.html|archive-date=May 30, 2016|url-status=live}}
• {{Cite web|url=http://www.byronbeck.com/home/525-wrap-up-portland-idol-finale-tonight-at-red-cap.html|title=Wrap It Up: Portland Idol Finale Tonight at Red Cap|date=July 29, 2010|first=Byron|last=Beck|access-date=May 14, 2016|website=ByronBeck.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530172605/http://www.byronbeck.com/home/525-wrap-up-portland-idol-finale-tonight-at-red-cap.html|archive-date=May 30, 2016|url-status=live}} and "Queerlandia", and hosted disc jockeysDisc jockeys:
• {{Cite news|url=http://www.portlandmercury.com/news/get-your-gay-on/Content?oid=27060|title=Get Your Gay On!|date=June 13, 2002|access-date=May 30, 2016|work=The Portland Mercury|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805024442/http://www.portlandmercury.com/news/get-your-gay-on/Content?oid=27060|archive-date=August 5, 2016|url-status=live}}
• {{Cite news|url=http://www.portlandmercury.com/music/live-music-listings/Content?oid=29746|title=Live Music Listings|date=September 4, 2003|access-date=May 14, 2016|work=The Portland Mercury|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610090157/http://www.portlandmercury.com/music/live-music-listings/Content?oid=29746|archive-date=June 10, 2016|url-status=live}}
• {{cite news|title=Live Music/DJ Listings|url=http://www.portlandmercury.com/music/live-musicdj-listings/Content?oid=35342|access-date=May 14, 2016|work=The Portland Mercury|date=November 10, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610083004/http://www.portlandmercury.com/music/live-musicdj-listings/Content?oid=35342|archive-date=June 10, 2016|url-status=live}}
• {{Cite news|url=http://www.portlandmercury.com/music/live-musicdj-listings/Content?oid=35409|title=Live Music/DJ Listings|date=November 17, 2005|access-date=May 14, 2016|work=The Portland Mercury|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610093113/http://www.portlandmercury.com/music/live-musicdj-listings/Content?oid=35409|archive-date=June 10, 2016|url-status=live}} as well as the drag queens Joey Arias, Lady Bunny, and Sherry Vine.{{cite journal|last=Borgen|first=Daniel|title=Update: Red Cap Garage and Aura Sold, Red Cap Releases Statement|journal=PQ Monthly|date=July 30, 2012|url=http://www.pqmonthly.com/breaking-red-cap-garage-sold-closing-august-18th/5576|access-date=May 14, 2016|location=Portland, Oregon|publisher=Brilliant Media|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045750/http://www.pqmonthly.com/breaking-red-cap-garage-sold-closing-august-18th/5576|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=usurped}} It also hosted RuPaul's Drag Race participants and viewing parties of the reality competition television series.{{cite web|last=Schneider|first=Ruth|title=Start Your Engines! Join RuPaul's Drag Race Viewing Parties from Coast to Coast|url=http://www.newnownext.com/start-your-engines-join-rupauls-drag-race-viewing-parties-from-coast-to-coast/02/2010/|access-date=May 14, 2016|date=February 10, 2010|website=NewNowNext.com|publisher=Logo TV (Viacom International)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630202846/http://www.newnownext.com/start-your-engines-join-rupauls-drag-race-viewing-parties-from-coast-to-coast/02/2010/|archive-date=June 30, 2016|url-status=live}}

In June 2010, the bar's events manager started a project allowing bias crime victims to report incidents to a trained "ally" at Red Cap, following an attack on six gay men who were assaulted after leaving the establishment.{{cite news|last=Giddings|first=Caitlyn|title=Stark Reality: Gay bars try to make patrons feel safe after attack.|url=http://www.wweek.com/portland/article-12087-stark_reality.html|access-date=May 14, 2016|work=Willamette Week|publisher=City of Roses Newspapers|date=June 8, 2010|location=Portland, Oregon|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304075902/http://www.wweek.com/portland/article-12087-stark_reality.html|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=live}}File:Union Way, PDX, 2016.jpg

In 2012, rumors began circulating about Red Cap's possible sale and closure. The bar's plans were confirmed on Facebook in a statement which read, in part: {{Blockquote|Well, the rumors are true. After 25 fantastic years with the best customers and staff Red Cap Garage will be closing on August 18th. So, get ready – there will be a massive blow-out party on the 18th! We are working on the details right now and will be posting the event shortly. We hope that all our friends will be able to make it down in the next few weeks to say goodbye to us!{{cite news|last=Skinner|first=Marjorie|title=Red Cap Garage Is Closing|url=http://www.portlandmercury.com/BlogtownPDX/archives/2012/08/03/red-cap-garage-is-closing|access-date=May 14, 2016|work=The Portland Mercury|date=August 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415065207/http://www.portlandmercury.com/BlogtownPDX/archives/2012/08/03/red-cap-garage-is-closing|archive-date=April 15, 2016|url-status=live}}}}

The nightclub closed on August 18, 2012, after operating for 25 years.{{cite journal|last=Ferber|first=Lawrence|title=Business Profile: Jeff Miller|journal=Passport|url=http://gay.passportmagazine.com/business-profile-jeff-miller/|access-date=May 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604074116/http://gay.passportmagazine.com/business-profile-jeff-miller/|archive-date=June 4, 2016|url-status=live}} The buildings that housed Red Cap and Aura, a nightclub facing Burnside Street, were gutted to create the retail alley Union Way.{{cite news|last=Jackson|first=Reed|title=West End nightspots to be converted into retail space|url=http://djcoregon.com/news/2012/08/22/west-end-night-spots-to-be-converted-to-retail-space/|access-date=May 14, 2016|work=Daily Journal of Commerce|publisher=The Dolan Company|date=August 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531004428/http://djcoregon.com/news/2012/08/22/west-end-night-spots-to-be-converted-to-retail-space/|archive-date=May 31, 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Russell|first=Michael|title=Boxer Ramen a step forward for Portland ramen (review)|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/dining/index.ssf/2014/01/boxer_ramen_a_step_forward_for_1.html|access-date=May 14, 2016|work=The Oregonian|publisher=Advance Publications|date=January 1, 2014|location=Portland, Oregon|issn=8750-1317|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429143548/http://www.oregonlive.com/dining/index.ssf/2014/01/boxer_ramen_a_step_forward_for_1.html|archive-date=April 29, 2016|url-status=live}}

In 2011, Willamette Week{{'s}} Ruth Brown said, "Red Cap Garage still parties like it's 1987. The crowd is generally younger and less hairy than at nearby Scandals, but the huge, heaving sunken dance floor welcomes all comers—from queens to hags—while the entertainment ranges from bingo nights to all-male revues to simply sitting on the heated front patio watching unsuspecting tourists and yuppies wander in off the street—then quickly run out again."{{cite news|last=Brown|first=Ruth|title=Drink 2011: Red Cap Garage|url=http://www.wweek.com/portland/article-16823-drink-2011-red-cap-garage.html|access-date=May 14, 2016|work=Willamette Week|date=January 25, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701213937/http://www.wweek.com/portland/article-16823-drink-2011-red-cap-garage.html|archive-date=July 1, 2016|url-status=live}} In 2012, Red Cap and Aura were co-nominated for the Q Means Business Award at the Q Center's Winter Gala Awards.{{cite web|last=Lynn|first=Logan|title=1/13/2012 : The Nominations for the 2012 Winter Gala Awards are in! Look Who's Nominated This Year!|url=http://www.pdxqcenter.org/the-nominations-for-the-2012-winter-gala-awards-are-in-look-whos-nominated-this-year/|publisher=Q Center|access-date=May 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011081432/http://www.pdxqcenter.org/the-nominations-for-the-2012-winter-gala-awards-are-in-look-whos-nominated-this-year/|archive-date=October 11, 2016|url-status=live|authorlink=Logan Lynn}}

In an article confirming the bar's closure, Marjorie Skinner of The Portland Mercury wrote: "While Red Cap was mainly a queer bar, I know I'm not the only ally who will miss it—the people there were always welcoming, the food was totally decent, and the drinks were (sometimes dangerously) cheap (where oh where will I escape to now when Clyde Common is too packed/expensive/stop 'n' chatty??)." PQ Monthly{{'s}} Daniel Borgen called Red Cap a "Stark Street staple for much of our modern gay history". Furthermore, he said of the bar and its closure:

{{Blockquote|In its heyday, it–in its many incarnations–was the place to be any given night, and plenty of people have made valiant attempts at creating a new round of glory days ... Whatever one might think about the venue or Stark Street in general, Red Cap has hosted many a memorable event and evening, and count this writer among those who'll always remember it quite fondly. I'm more than a little sad to see it go.}}

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Category:1987 establishments in Oregon

Category:2012 disestablishments in Oregon

Category:Companies disestablished in 2012

Category:Defunct LGBTQ drinking establishments in Portland, Oregon

Category:Defunct LGBTQ nightclubs in Portland, Oregon

Category:Entertainment companies established in 1987

Category:Gay culture in Oregon

Category:Southwest Portland, Oregon