Back 2 Earth

Back 2 Earth
Map
Restaurant information
EstablishedJune 30, 2023 (2023-06-30)
Owner(s)Dan Henderson
Street address3536 Northeast Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
CityPortland
CountyMultnomah
StateOregon
Postal/ZIP Code97212
CountryUnited States
Coordinates45°32′56″N 122°39′41″W / 45.5488°N 122.6614°W / 45.5488; -122.6614
Websiteback2earthpdx.com

Back 2 Earth is an LGBTQ-friendly bar in Portland, Oregon, in the United States. Owner Dan Henderson opened the bar in northeast Portland's King neighborhood in June 2023, in the space that previously housed Local Lounge. Back 2 Earth hosts a variety of activities and events such as dance parties, drag shows, karaoke, and open mics, and has a collection of board games and tabletop role-playing games.

Description

Back 2 Earth has been described as an LGBTQ+[1] and queer[2] bar near the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Fremont Street in northeast Portland's King neighborhood. The space-themed bar's logo and signage depicts a rainbow-hued astronaut.[3] Andrew Jankowski of Eater Portland has called Back 2 Earth a "cosmic, casual queer bar" with disc jockeys (DJs) with activities and events such as dance parties,[2] drag shows, game nights, karaoke, and open mics. The bar has a collection of board games and tabletop role-playing games. Jankowski also said the interior has "an eclectic mix of naturalism and sci-fi opulence".[4]

The bar has carpet from the Portland International Airport, wood shelves with backlighting, queer paintings[2] and tchotchkes such as a cherry-shaped disco ball, light-emitting diode (LED) planetary globes, and a projector playing videos of cephalopods, Oregon landscapes, and space. A hanging wall garden with approximately 200 plants has custom lights, irrigation, and a drainage system.[4] An Earring Magic Ken doll is by the register, and there are two antique lamps hanging from the ceiling. Back 2 Earth has a video game arcade machine and a couch in a nook.[4]

The food menu includes burgers and sandwiches, a Sukiyaki Steak Plate with rice and vegetables, and a cheese dip with za'atar ricotta and feta served with ciabatta drizzled with butter and honey,[4] fried gyoza, chicken fingers, and tater tots with ranch dressing.[3] Sandwich ingredients include spicy chicken, pulled pork, portobello mushrooms, and garlic aioli.[4] The brunch menu includes corn flake-crusted chicken and waffles as well as fruit.[5] Back 2 Earth has also offered grilled cheese and tomato soup with garlic confit.[5]

Drinks include: an espresso martini called the Meteorite with cold brew coffee, vanilla-flavored Absolut Vodka, and simple syrup; a habanero-infused margarita with slices of jalapeño; a watermelon mojito; a version of a paper plane called the Space Trip; and a variation on a Tom Collins with Drambuie.[3][4] The bar's namesake drink has chamoy vodka and watermelon liquor with a rim of Tajín seasoning.[6] Boneyard, Ecliptic, Gigantic, and PFriem are among beer options.[3]

History

Owner Dan Henderson—who also owns Eagle Portland—opened Back 2 Earth on June 30, 2023, in the space that housed a gay bar called Local Lounge until 2021.[3] Henderson was interested in purchasing the Local Lounge prior to its closure, but he was unable to find enough financial backing to save the business.[4]

The two antique lamps were donated by Thomas Lauderdale of Pink Martini and rewired, painted, and gilded by Henderson over six months. Prior to the bar's opening, Back 2 Earth was "sanctified" (or blessed) by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence's Portland house, called the Order of Benevolent Bliss, on June 28. According to Jankowski, Henderson hopes for Back 2 Earth to "settle as common ground for the entire LGBTQ community, based around his biggest interests: science, music, art, and culture".[4] Jay Maas became the kitchen manager in February 2024; they planned to launch an "American comfort"-focused food menu with an arugula and fennel salad with gluten-free croutons, as well as potato chips and caramelized French onion dip, poutine, and vegan corn dogs.[5]

According to Portland Monthly, Back 2 Earth has hosted the long-running dance party called Dyke Nite, organized by bartender and event producer Ann Pyne, as well as DJs from the "avant-garde trans and nonbinary" group of artists known as the Uwu Collective.[2] A 420-related event in 2024, called UwUtopia, was "about exploring what queer joy, and queer utopia might feel like through sounds, dancing, and friendships".[1]

Reception

In Eater Portland's 2022 overview of contributors' favorite new establishments, Andrew Jankowski wrote, "I've ... really enjoyed Back 2 Earth's impact on the LGBTQ+ bar scene, reactivating the old Local Lounge space. They're great for after-office happy hour or a late night party."[7] Writing for Portland Monthly in 2023, he said the bar was "quickly becoming a favorite" and the interior "make[s] you feel like you're in an alien jungle".[2]

References

  1. ^ a b "4/20 activities, events to join in Portland this weekend". KOIN.com. 2024-04-19. Archived from the original on 2024-04-23. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  2. ^ a b c d e "A Comprehensive Guide to Portland's Best LGBTQ+ Nightlife". Portland Monthly. Archived from the original on 2022-06-05. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  3. ^ a b c d e Pape, Sam. "Just in Time for Pride, Popular Portland Gay Bar Local Lounge Is Reborn as Back 2 Earth". Portland Mercury. Archived from the original on 2023-09-28. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Jankowski, Andrew (2023-07-17). "Back 2 Earth Brings LGBTQ Nightlife Back to Portland's King Neighborhood". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on 2023-09-26. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  5. ^ a b c Hilton, Thom (2024-07-18). "Meet the Cooks Redefining What It Means to Eat at Portland's Queer Bars". Eater Portland. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
  6. ^ Hilton, Thom (2017-04-21). "The Liveliest LGBTQ Bars and Clubs in Portland". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on 2020-11-12. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
  7. ^ "Portland Food Writers and Personalities' Favorite Newcomers in 2023". Eater Portland. 2023-12-18. Archived from the original on 2023-12-26. Retrieved 2024-05-17.