Buffalo Baths is a private queer-run backyard bathhouse oasis in North Portland, Oregon. Guests are invited to relax in our Pacific Northwest-inspired cedar bathhouse, restore in our private fern-hugged outdoor space, and, most importantly, soak their cares away in our two spacious and welcoming tubs.

Our baths are filled with Bull Run’s most choice water, heated, and amended with minerals and natural ingredients bespoke for each guest’s comfort and calm.

Why a bathhouse?

Relaxing hot water soaking culture was once a large part of life in the Pacific Northwest. Towns like Portland, Astoria, and Seattle were all well known for their bathhouses and spas. Warm soaking and socializing centers helped salve the northwest autumn damp and winter chill. Shared soaking experiences were also integral for respite and community in the lives of queer people for much of the 20th Century (just ask Bette and Barry).

Microphones and Midlers aside, new research out of our own University of Oregon suggests measurable benefits to hot-water soaking. A mindful warm-water dip might be positively health delighting. While the Pacific Northwest no longer boasts the number and variety of spa spots it once had, Buffalo Baths is pleased to be on the northwest bathing family tree amongst our ancestors (especially Portland’s beloved Blue Star Bathhouse, which closed its doors in 2025) and current steamy cousins. 

We also personally adore a long leisurely soak solo or in good company. A bath gives you pause to let go or work things out. A good soak is a delight in the very best of times – and, perhaps necessary for restoration and comfort in darker days. 

Who now?

Buffalo Baths is run in cahoots by real life co-conspirators, Jeff G. and Jesse B. Both are decadeslong Portlanders by happenstance and good fortune. Jesse works in philanthropy and volunteers with various good citizen endeavors. Jeff worked in the public schools for over twenty years, spending most of that time teaching special education. In their spare time, they keep bees, garden, cook, happy hour, YouTube, and wonder how they wound up so generally lucky. 

Buffalo what then?

Both Jeff and Jesse grew up at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains outside of Denver, Colorado. Besides the purple mountains, prairie dogs, rattlesnakes, and crawdads – not to mention Blockbuster Video, Spencer’s Gifts, and B. Dalton Books… – both grew up near a small American bison or buffalo ranch. Amongst rapidly encroaching suburban development, the buffalo were majestic reminders of western North America’s impressive natural history. One of Jeff’s earliest memories is being in his mom’s arm, placed on the split rail fence of the ranch, and watching his small hand disappear into the curled mane of a buffalo.

All to say, we’re buffalo enthusiasts. We’re grateful to the marvelous illustrator, Levi Hastings, for bringing our Buffalo Baths “merbuffalo” to life. For lots more on our merbuffalo’s land-dwelling cousins, don’t miss Ologies’ Bisonology episode.