It Appears Closing Time is Near for Portland Old Port Nightclub Oasis

Stick around a handful of the bars in Portland's Old Port until the bitter end and there's a good chance you'll hear the song "Closing Time" from Semisonic playing as patrons head outside. As it turns out, that late-night anthem may not just be for guests who are heading home, but may be the final soundtrack for the longtime Wharf Street nightclub known as Oasis.

If you've visited Oasis recently, this news may come as an absolute shock. The nightclub has been packed on various nights throughout the winter. The club hasn't announced a permanent closure and appears to be willing to remain operational until a new tenant signs on the line.

According to a real estate listing posted on Loopnet, the 3,770 square foot building that Oasis calls home right now is listed as FOR LEASE. The listing isn't new, it's been active since last Fall. The price tag has remained high if you want to take over the space, with rental fees likely exceeding $15,000 per month. But with loosening pandemic restrictions and substantial Old Port space always at a premium, the days of Oasis are almost assuredly numbered.

If Oasis does close permanently, it will leave behind decades of memories for Old Port bar hoppers. At one point in time, Wharf Street was home to all of Portland's hottest clubs including 51 Wharf, The Iguana, and Industry. Oasis outlasted all of them with creative drink specials and some of Portland's best DJ's consistently performing upstairs. Oasis also hosted dozens of bands on their outdoor patio in the summer. If something other than a club takes over, the void of late-night dance clubs in Portland will grow substantially larger.