Stag PDX
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Nightclub, Strip club |
| Founded | May 1, 2015 |
| Founder | Jerrick Hope-Lang |
| Headquarters | Portland, Oregon , United States |
Area served | Portland, Oregon |
| Products | Nightclub services, strip club entertainment, drag shows, drag brunches |
Stag PDX, commonly referred to as Stag, is a gay-owned nightclub and strip club situated in Portland, Oregon's Pearl District. Since its opening in May 2015, it has held the distinction of being the second all-nude gay strip club on the West Coast.
Description
Positioned at 317 Broadway within northwest Portland’s Pearl District, Stag is often characterized as leaning more toward a gentlemen’s club atmosphere than a typical nightclub. Its vibe has been likened to a blend of a Northwest lounge, a library, and an executive locker room. The interior design by Christopher David incorporates brown leather seating, Victorian-style wallpaper, Edison bulbs suspended from nautical ropes, dark aqua walls decorated with snowshoes, oars, and framed kitsch items, along with a taxidermied white buck mounted behind the bar. Original proprietor Jerrick Hope-Lang aimed to evoke a masculine Pacific Northwest aesthetic—merging elements of a gentleman’s club and hunting lodge with dancers clad in minimal attire.
As the second all-nude gay strip club on the West Coast following downtown Portland’s Silverado, Stag distinguishes itself by welcoming heterosexual guests and bachelorette parties without any distracting props. The venue also features drag shows, including weekly drag-hosted brunch events named "Testify".
History
The club was launched on May 1, 2015, by Jerrick Hope-Lang and his partner in a building dating back to 1912. Hope-Lang explained that the concept originated from his desire to establish a gentleman’s club he personally wanted to visit, inspired by discussions with performers from another local venue. In 2017, drag queen Kim Chi hosted the club’s second annual three-day beach party as part of its pride festivities.
By 2019, under new leadership, Andrew Jankowski of the Portland Mercury observed a movement toward greater inclusivity. The club began featuring drag MCs who hosted themed music nights spanning trap, Latin, and pop genres alongside weekly amateur showcases and drag brunches. Additionally, twice each month the stage is dedicated exclusively to trans dancers representing diverse identities.
In March 2023, Ali Quraishi, serving as dance manager at Stag, was arrested on several charges including sexual assault involving six women during his tenure. He was convicted on 23 counts and received a prison sentence totaling 145 years in February 2025.
Reception
Lizzy Acker from Willamette Week commended Stag for its cocktails and inviting atmosphere, noting that despite primarily catering to men, the environment felt welcoming. She described her visit as surprisingly enjoyable and suggested the bar could become one of Portland’s favorites.
In 2015, Eddie Parsons writing for The Huffington Post remarked that Stag drew an international and diverse clientele with an upbeat ambiance, offering distinctive performances instead of conventional entertainment. A bartender from Stag was also recognized as runner-up in the "Best Bartender" category in Willamette Week’s 2020 Readers' Poll.