A Queer Travel Guide for Northeast Portland’s Historically Black Neighborhoods: Alberta Arts District, Mississippi Ave & Williams Ave

Well, we headed back to Portland for another brief edition of Be Gay Do Crime — just hoping for some R&R and a Butch Dyke Strip Night. So, I kept pretty close to the AirBnB in the Alberta Arts District. This was the epicenter for my adventures.

And, great news! Northeast Portland is full of LGBTQ-owned (🌈) and Black-owned/Brown-centering (🌍) local businesses, organizations, and third spaces within a 10-15min drive of each other — most with easy street parking or public transit.

But first… some history!

Historical hubs for Portland’s Black community, the Alberta Arts District, Mississippi Ave, and nearby Williams Ave became cultural anchors in the 1940s and 50s after discriminatory redlining and displacement from a large flood centralized Black communities in Northeast Portland.

While the Alberta neighborhood evolved into a renowned arts destination characterized by murals and galleries, rapid gentrification of Northeast Portland in recent decades has dramatically shifted its demographics — though its heritage is still honored today through community landmarks and local performance spaces.

The Alberta Arts District+

There’s a convenient 2.25-mile stretch of Alberta Street (with the Alberta Arts District in the center) that includes some great local arts organizations and independently-owned shops. A flat, walkable area, perfect for a weekend afternoon brunch and stroll, or an chill evening out. Check out some neighborhood staples below, listed from west to east.

Alberta Abbey 🌍

Non-profit live event venue supporting the N/NE Portland arts community. Amplifying opportunities for Black and underrepresented communities in the area.

Alberta Street Pub 🌍

Black-owned pub with classic fare and libations. Covered and heated patio! And some live music events.

Tin Shed Garden Cafe 🌈

Well-loved queer-owned brunch spot with heated outdoor seating and a dog-friendly menu (highlighted in my last blog post about Portland). Dogs are even allowed indoors! Though the sidewalk patio is much lower stim.

Green Bean Books 🌈

Queer-owned bookstore in a little house on the corner of 16th and Alberta. Cute little back patio with some chairs, perfect for socializing or a quiet read.

Collage 🌈

Curated craft supply store on Alberta Street, queer-owned and family-operated. Nice variety of items for all your crafting desires… stickers, notebooks, felt balls, wood things to paint, jewelry-making supplies and kits, keychain stuffies, greeting cards, and more.

Their 22nd anniversary sale is happening on 4/29, if you’re in town!

Alberta Street Black Heritage Markers 🌍

Seven tall sidewalk markers anchored along Alberta Street that honor the stories and document the history of the Black Community in the area.

Alberta Street Gallery 🌈

Queer-owned art gallery, featuring 30+ local professional artists and monthly rotating shows.

ECOVIBE 🌍

Black-owned home goods and gift shop, full of plants and cute local wares.

DB Dessert Company 🌍

Black-owned bakery with a delicious assortment of cupcakes and vegan cinnamon rolls.

Kaya Lounge 🌍

Black-owned cocktail bar with an upscale vibe and craft cocktails.

Common Ground Wellness Cooperative

I first stumbled on this wellness co-op when searching for Affinity Nights, and was pleased to learn that Common Ground offers separate soak and sauna Affinity Hours for women, fat bodies, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC.

Queer Plants Cafe 🌈

Vegan/vegetarian options, queer plants, coffee… all the boxes have been checked! Closed on Tuesdays.

Mississippi Ave & Williams Ave

Okay, we love a good little wander down Mississippi Ave. Right off I-5, so it’s an easy stop on any Portland trip. There’s a couples miles of restaurants, shops, and third spaces scattered along Mississippi Ave, but the last mile or so near Downtown has a great little patch of LGBTQ+-friendly spots — all walking-distance of each other.

Q Center 🌈

2SLGBTQIA+ community center providing resources, a coffee shop and a gallery, Free Pantry, and a safe space for queer people. On-site parking lot for accessibility. 

A sampling of April events: Brown Sugar Comedy Jam, Sereni-Tea Tea Meditation, BIPOC Support Space, “Being Sober is a Drag” show.

Ori Gallery 🌈🌍

An independent art gallery off Mississippi Ave, focused on uplifting queer and trans artists of color, rotating exhibits.

Miss Delta Restaurant & Bar 🌍

Southern-style BBQ, Cajun, and Creole cuisine. Black-owned.

Stem Wine Bar 🌈

Cute cafe and wine bar, queer-owned. Limited food menu, some live music and other events. In-house tarot card readings.

She Bop

A lovely woman-owned sex toy boutique with two locations in the Portland area, an online store, and some events/workshops. I was really pleased with their selection of genderless sex toys “for any body” and kinky accessories.

Mamma Khouri’s 🌎

Middle Eastern restaurant on Williams Ave serving classics like falafel, baba ghanoush, and shawarma — plus wine, beer, and cocktails.

Grant Park & NE Broadway

Visiting Portland closer to the Hollywood neighborhood or Grant Park? Here are couple goodies for you:

The Sports Bra 🌈

Women’s sports bar, queer haven, lesbian-owned.

Center for Couples & Sex Therapy 🌈

Queer-owned clinic including relationship counselors and sex therapists. They offer in-person services at their Portland clinic and also serve clients in WA & OR virtually.

Daffodill Studios 🌈

Queer-owned art studio with classes and workshops, including a wide variety of specialties, from ceramics to rug making and more.

Elsewhere in NE Portland-ish

There’s so many more third spaces and organizations outside of NE Portland. Working on expanding these lists into additional neighborhoods. Check back soon!

Charlie’s Sound Healing 🌈🌎

Queer, BIPOC- and disabled-owned Sound Healing practice, facilitating sound baths and other events around North Portland (some free, some sliding scale options).

Escape Bar & Grill 🌈

Highlighting this understated lesbian-owned LGBTQ+ bar and restaurant in the Sumner neighborhood. Friendly staff, regular events, loyal community of patrons always willing to have a chat on the covered patio. Makes you want to move to Portland.

Red Sauce Pizza 🌈

Queer-owned pizza parlor serving up classic pies and vegan options. Dog-friendly back patio! Rumors of soft-serve ice cream, to be confirmed on my next trip.

Center for Native Arts & Cultures (NACF) 🌎

Non-profit organization dedicated to transforming community through Native Arts. Hosts special events like the Portland Indigenous Marketplace. Building visits by appointment only. Technically in SE Portland, but had to be mentioned.

I know there’s more to add here, but let’s get this shared and we’ll keep adding to it. Message me if I missed any local hot spots! Til next time, Portland. #SupportLocal

XO