New bar in Portland brings community together through music, owned by Black entrepreneurs.

The Downbeat is not your average bar in Portland. While most bars focus solely on serving drinks, this Black-owned establishment has a bigger purpose - to bring the community together through music. As you descend down the stairs, you are welcomed into a vibrant and lively atmosphere.

The aroma of Caribbean and Southern-inspired cuisine fills the air as local artists take to the stage, creating a new hub for the culture. According to OPB, music is at the heart of this pub. Even the menu pays tribute to the art form, with appetizers and small plates named "openers" and entrees and desserts called "headliners" and "closers." The walls are adorned with framed photos of R&B, Jazz, and Soul legends, including icons like Sade and Billie Holiday.

And let's not forget about the drinks - you can sip on a "Stunting Like My Caddy" cocktail, a clever nod to the 2006 hip-hop hit by Birdman and Lil Wayne. The Downbeat has become a rare gem for Portland's small but mighty Black community. For many, it is a place where they feel seen and represented, something that is often lacking in a city that has a history of marginalizing its Black residents.

Jamon Jordan, a patron of the bar, expressed his excitement about the establishment, stating, "I didn't think Portland had something for Black people, and so to see this be done by Black people, I think, is so cool and dope." Owners Cyrus Coleman and Adewale Agboola had been dreaming of opening a space like The Downbeat for years, and their hard work finally paid off when they secured a spot in Old Town-Chinatown. Their goal is to use music as a bridge to connect Portland's Black community and create a sense of togetherness. "The first step is just having a space, right?

So that's been the biggest hurdle for us," Coleman shared. "Now, we've got an amazing community. We're just music lovers, in general, trying to create something unique across generations and genres." Since its opening in February, The Downbeat has been a thriving hub for Black Portlanders.

It's a place where they can gather, connect, and feel empowered. According to Oregon ArtsWatch, the Albina neighborhood, where the bar is located, used to be a hub for Black musicians in the mid-20th century. However, gentrification and displacement caused this community to decline.

The Downbeat hopes to reclaim this lost legacy and celebrate the city's Black artists. But The Downbeat is not just about music. Upstairs, the Contrast Gallery showcases the work of local artists, and there are plans to add a photography studio and more programming to bring the community even closer.

Agboola describes the entire building as a "gym for the creative mind." "I've always loved people and loved my community, so The Downbeat is a reflection of that: that togetherness," he shared. The impact of The Downbeat goes beyond just providing a space for Black artists and residents. It's a symbol of hope and a step towards a more inclusive and diverse Portland.

As Coleman puts it, "It's a beautiful way to realize we're a part of something bigger than ourselves... To have this space where we can be seen and felt and heard and safe, to be able to be a part of making the change that you want to see, as opposed to waiting around and hoping somebody else will make it, just felt like a no-brainer." The Downbeat is not just a bar; it's a movement.