Believe it or not, loyal readers, we almost didn’t have anyone to write this part of the guide! You’d think it’d be easy to find someone to peruse the wares at our friendly neighborhood sex shops, but you’d be wrong. So I volunteered and went on a last-minute, whirlwind tour of our fun zones. Here’s what I found.
Best for women:
She Bop
909 N Beech St.
It comes as no surprise that She Bop tops the list for women. Would you expect any less from a shop named after a song about female masturbation? She Bop has a wide selection of female-friendly toys and media, and it presents them in an open environment. Also, unlike many places, it has products for any budget.
The menfolk needn’t feel left out, though; there are options for gentlemen as well. And couples can browse their shelves and find massage oils, books, toys, lubes, et cetera that will please both members.
The real reason this shop wins, however, is its positive atmosphere. The staff is courteous, knowledgeable and respectful. It’s a sex-positive, queer-positive, body-positive place, and its staff welcomes all patrons with a smile.
Best for both:
Fantasy for Adults Only
1703 W Burnside St.
Fantasy, a long-standing adult shop located on Burnside, has a little something for everyone. When I went there, a pair of men debated which lube would best suit their needs; a respectable fellow examined the bondage and discipline/domination and submission/sadism and masochism gear; a young woman was clearly enamored with the lingerie selection; and a nervous-looking girl furtively perused the vibrators. The staff was able to provide useful information for all parties, and I saw nothing but happy faces on their way out.
There is a large selection of toys and clothing available, as well as plenty of videos. There are also plenty of gag gifts—penis pop, anyone?—and games to keep the bedroom interesting. The staff generally ensures that what you buy is what you want, explaining the pros and cons of everything without up-selling too much.
Overall, it’s a big place with an equally big selection. You’re bound to find most of the stuff on your list at Fantasy.
Best for the money:
Taboo Video
237 SE Martin Luther King Blvd.
After 20 years of serving Portland, Taboo has learned its customer base well. It’s well-stocked with toys for men and women alike, and most of its merchandise fits a college student’s budget. It carries a plethora of dildos, dongs, cock rings, vibrators, lubes, gags—I could go on, but I think you get the idea.
It primarily stocks visual aids, with a large video selection ready for most shoppers. Despite the name, I almost expected otherwise. The videos are pretty standard for the genre, but they’re well-priced. There are always deals on select videos, and they’re organized such that topic and price are clear.
The best part about Taboo, though, is its regular sale events and the coupons it offers. I was made aware that there are printable coupons available online for special deals on Taboo’s products. I checked the website and, sure enough, I found a 20-percent-off coupon (only through Jan. 31, though—sorry!). Between this and the shop’s already reasonable prices, Taboo gives you the best bang for your buck in Portland.
Best for men:
Fat Cobra Video
5940 N Interstate Ave.
I knew this would be the top shop for men the moment I walked in and felt out of place. I consider myself sex-positive, but there’s something awkward about knowing that mere meters away people are using the arcade (which, for those unfamiliar with the term, refers to the area where customers can masturbate or entertain themselves in private rooms with friends, partners or strangers). If that’s your thing, more power to you! But if it’s not, it can be a little uncomfortable.
(For the record, Taboo also has an arcade, but it’s easier to miss.)
The store area itself is pretty standard. It stocks the usual toys and novelties, as well as plenty of videos. Porn out the wazoo. But there’s not exactly a lot of female-friendly stuff (though I managed to find a good half-shelf or so), and the atmosphere can be a little stifling. The staff, perhaps sensing my discomfort, didn’t approach, which was a relief.
Despite what you might expect, it’s a clean shop with clear (and sometimes hilarious) labeling and a wide variety of toys and media, most of which would appeal more to a male audience. It’s not a large shop, but it covers the bases.
Points for Effort:
Spartacus Leathers
300 SW 12th Ave.
The majority of what Spartacus sells is lingerie, leather and sexy clothes, which most would agree are interesting and of good quality. As you might have guessed from the name, it incorporates plenty of leather, and it’s a fetish-friendly shop.
However, it’s not what I’d consider a welcoming atmosphere. I felt like I was being watched no matter what I did, and yet somehow the clerk managed to not be anywhere in sight when I had a question about the vibrators.
The shop is separated into two areas, which may have had something to do with it. The clothing and the novelties are in different rooms, with a big difference in atmosphere between them. The clothing section is darker and more alluring, whereas the toys are in a section that feels like an operating room.
The clothes are priced comparably to other shops in the area, but they’re higher quality and there’s a good variety. The toys are largely overpriced, however, and the selection is lacking. This shop is good for clothing, but for everything else I’d recommend finding another shop altogether.