Camp Bar is preparing to open at 1125 SW Harvey Milk Street in downtown Portland, taking over the former Scandals space and bringing new life to one of the city’s most recognizable LGBTQIA+ nightlife locations. According to public liquor license records from the City of Portland, the new concept is planned for the same space where Scandals operated before closing its downtown location in 2025.
The project is partly owned by Logan Whalen, owner of Best Coast Barber & Co, located across the street. Whalen said to the Willamette Week that the name comes from the phrase “camp” that is often used to express a playful exaggeration or theatricality vibe in the LGBTQIA+ community.
This new location arrives at a time when several longtime gay bars in Portland have gone through major changes, closures, or relocations. And this address has a strong history in Portland’s LGBTQIA+ community. Scandals closed after 46 years of business and became one of the city’s best-known gathering places in the downtown space.
Camp is planning entertainment such as live music, recorded music, DJ music, and karaoke. While an exact opening date has not been confirmed, KOIN reported that Camp is getting new life in time for Pride season, making it one of the more closely watched downtown openings for Portland’s LGBTQIA+ community.
