The Oregonian
The ultimate guide to downtown Portland's 25 best happy hours
Come 3 o'clock, all we can think about is where to go for happy hour. Ahead, find the ultimate guide to downtown Portland's 25 best happy hours, with restaurants and bars from the Willamette River to I-405 serving inexpensive food and drinks at no more than $8 each. It's time to start your weekend early.
-- Samantha Bakall and Michael Russell
Stephanie Yao Long
The ultimate guide to downtown Portland's 25 best happy hours
Bamboo Sushi
Portland’s sustainable sushi chain has a righteous afternoon happy hour, when overflowing pours of house sake, real-crab California rolls and wine are all just $5. On hot days, arrive early for a seat near the wide-open windows at the breezy West End location.
The deal: $4-$9 for food, $4-7 drinks; 3-6 p.m., Monday to Friday; 404 S.W. 12th Ave.; 503-444-7455; bamboosushi.com
Jamie Francis/The Oregonian
The ultimate guide to downtown Portland's 25 best happy hours
Bluehour
You’ll find an expansive food menu filled out with chicken liver mousse, a bleu cheese burger, cavatappi with herb pesto and more at this Pearl District spot. Simple cocktails like Moscow Mules and margaritas are $6, and bottles of wine are a cool $20.
The deal: $2-$8 food, $4-$6 drinks, 4 - 6:30 p.m., Monday - Friday, 5 - 6:30 p.m. Saturday; 250 N.W. 13th Ave.; 503-226-3394; bluehouronline.com
Stephanie Yao Long
The ultimate guide to downtown Portland's 25 best happy hours
Brix Tavern
Snack on simple salads and American comfort plates like smoked bacon mac & cheese and salt & pepper calamari at this always-packed Northwest Portland restaurant. Stay for a game with a beer or hit the dartboard with a $5 cocktail in your other hand.
The deal: $2.95-$8.95 food, $5 house cocktails and well drinks, $1 off drafts and wines by the glass; 3 - 6:30 p.m., daily; 1338 N.W. Hoyt St.; 503-943-5995; brixtavern.com
Michael Russell | The Oregonian/OregonLive
The ultimate guide to downtown Portland's 25 best happy hours
Cassidy’s
For the low admission price of one drink, post up at this classic downtown happy hour spot steps away from the Crystal Ballroom. Hearty plates like burgers, mac n’ cheese, breakfast for dinner and more range from $5-$8.
The deal: $5-$8 food; 4 - 6 p.m., 10 p.m. - 2 a.m., daily; 1331 S.W. Washington; 503-223-0054; cassidysrestaurant.com
Stephanie Yao Long
The ultimate guide to downtown Portland's 25 best happy hours
Clyde Common
It’s not at every bar in Portland where you can sip a cocktail from the best bartender in America for just $6. Home of the barrel-aged negroni and European-inspired plates, Clyde Common is one of our favorite downtown after-work haunts.
The deal: $3-$9 food, $4-$6 drinks, 3 - 6 p.m., daily; 1014 S.W. Stark St.; 503-228-3333; clydecommon.com
Michael Russell, The Oregonian
The ultimate guide to downtown Portland's 25 best happy hours
Dan & Louis Oyster Bar
One of Portland's oldest restaurants, the freighter-sized Dan & Louis features a range of Northwest oysters, all shucked to order. Come between 4 and 6 p.m. or all day Monday and Tuesday, when oysters by the half dozen are just $2.
The deal: $3.50-$10 food, $2 oysters by the half dozen; 208 S.W. Ankeny St.; 503-227-5906; danandlouis.com
Stephanie Yao Long | The Oregonian/OregonLive
The ultimate guide to downtown Portland's 25 best happy hours
Fat Head’s Brewery
Sip house-brewed beers, like Call Me Big Hoppa, a Mosaic-hopped IPA, or Grapefruit Goggle Fogger Hefeweizen, a citrus-finished Hef, from the Pearl District location of this Pittsburgh-by-way-of-Cleveland brewpub. Munchies, including onion rings and frickles, deep-fried pickles, range from $5-$8.
The deal: $5-$8 food, $1 off house draft, 3 - 6 p.m., Sunday - Thursday; 131 N.W. 13th Ave.; 503-820-7721; fatheadsportland.com
Stephanie Yao Long
The ultimate guide to downtown Portland's 25 best happy hours
Huber’s
Though you’re going to have to pay full-price for your drinks here, that tableside Spanish Coffee is worth the price of admission alone. There’s no denying the classic charm of Portland’s oldest and most turkey-centric restaurants, especially at happy hour, when turkey sammies are only $4.50.
The deal: $2.50 - $8.50 food, 4 - 6:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m. - close, daily; 411 S.W. 3rd Ave.; 503-228-5686; hubers.com
Stephanie Yao Long | The Oregonian/OregonLive
The ultimate guide to downtown Portland's 25 best happy hours
Imperial
A hotel restaurant with a clubby vibe, Vitaly Paley’s Imperial is known for its wood-fired menu and killer cocktails. Come happy hour, those cocktails are a mere $5 and one of the best fried chickens in the city swoops in for $8.
The deal: $3-$28 food, $5-$8 drinks, 2 - 6 p.m., Monday - Friday, 3 - 6 p.m., weekends; 10 - 11 p.m., Sunday - Thursday, 11 p.m. - midnight, Friday and Saturday; 410 S.W. Broadway; 503-228-7222; imperialpdx.com
Stephanie Yao Long
The ultimate guide to downtown Portland's 25 best happy hours
Irving Street Kitchen
With its short and sweet menu of Southern-inspired snacks and $6 wine and cocktails, it’s easy to forget about this Pearl District gem. But there’s no better way to start the weekend early than with Irving Street Kitchen’s chicken-fried oysters and a bourbon-berry cocktail.
The deal: $5-$7 food, $3-$6 drinks, 4:30 - 6 p.m., 9:30 p.m. - close, daily; 701 N.W. 13th Ave.; 503-343-9440; irvingstreetkitchen.com
Benjamin Brink/The Oregonian
The ultimate guide to downtown Portland's 25 best happy hours
Jake’s Famous Crawfish
The people watching from the patio is unparalleled at this old school Portland restaurant. Settle in for the show with an inexpensive glass of wine and peel and eat shrimp.
The deal: $2.95-$6.95 food, $5.75-$9 drinks; 3 - 6 p.m., daily; 9 p.m. - close, Sunday - Thursday; 10 p.m. to close, Friday and Saturday; 401 S.W. 12th Ave.; 503-226-1419; mccormickandschmicks.com
Come visit us in beautiful Portland, but stay because you can't get enough of the food! #YUM Thanks for the Instagram pic - @alanesbreadcrumbs
Posted by Jake's Grill on Thursday, August 20, 2015
The ultimate guide to downtown Portland's 25 best happy hours
Jake’s Grill
The sister to Jake’s Famous Crawfish just a few blocks away, you’ll find less seafood, more grill items on this happy hour menu. Head to the bar for $4 well drinks, a handful of $3 oyster shooters and a $7 plate of spicy ginger wings.
The deal: $3-$9 food, $4-$6 drinks, 3 - 6 p.m., 9 p.m. - close, Monday - Friday, 1 - 4 p.m., 9 p.m. - close, Saturday, 3 p.m. - close Sunday; 611 S.W. 10th Ave.; 503-220-1850; mccormickandschmicks.com
Courtesy of Carly Diaz/Little Bird Bistro
The ultimate guide to downtown Portland's 25 best happy hours
Little Bird
With a kitchen run by a two-time James Beard award-winning chef, high tin ceilings and bistro vibe, Little Bird is one of the best, and most romantic, places to tuck in for half-price oysters, an incredible burger deal and great cocktails and wine.
The deal: $1.75-$20 food, $3 off cocktails, $1 off drafts, $5-$6 wine, 2:30 - 5 p.m. (6 p.m. in the bar), Monday - Friday; 10 p.m. - midnight, daily; 219 S.W. 6th Ave.; 503-688-5952; littlebirdbistro.com
Looking for a location for a party or business event? You should probably check out our newly remodeled card room! ...
Posted by Lotus Cardroom and Cafe on Thursday, January 29, 2015
The ultimate guide to downtown Portland's 25 best happy hours
The Lotus
Update: The Lotus has closed.
After 92 years, this den of debauchery is folding up its card tables and selling off its historic cherry wood bar, making way for a 20-story boutique hotel. You have two weeks left to visit the preferred happy hour of Portland’s politicians, bureaucrats and entry-level lawyers.
The deal: $4-$6 food, $3.75-$4.50 beer, $4 wells, $4 wine; 932 S.W. Third Ave.; 503-227-6185; lotuscardroomandcafe.com
So we took some photos of our food last night for the website...
Posted by Luc Lac Vietnamese Kitchen on Friday, November 11, 2011
The ultimate guide to downtown Portland's 25 best happy hours
Luc Lac
This popular downtown pho spot known for staying open late packs in the crowds for happy hour with an expansive menu of inexpensive bites, like skewers and spring rolls, and discounted beer, wine and cocktails.
The deal: $2-$3 food, $4-$6 drinks, 4-7 p.m., daily; 835 S.W. 2nd Ave.; 503-222-0047; luclackitchen.com
Stephanie Yao Long
The ultimate guide to downtown Portland's 25 best happy hours
Mediterranean Exploration Company
Find creamy hummus, tender legs of octopus, herb-spiked kofta kebabs and more at John Gorham’s Pearl District Mediterranean restaurant. Cocktails get a dose of the region, too, including Greek liqueurs and Levantine spirits.
The deal: $3-$13 food, $3-$7 drinks, 4 - 5:30 p.m., daily; 333 N.W. 13th Ave.; 503-222-0906; mediterraneanexplorationcompany.com
Jamie Francis | jfrancis@oregonian.com
The ultimate guide to downtown Portland's 25 best happy hours
Oven & Shaker
Nostrana’s Pearl District cousin fires up inexpensive wood-fired pizzas, chef Cathy Whims’ beloved radicchio salad and zippy cocktails from bartender whiz Ryan Magarian. Just around the corner, find pork-centric bites and sherry cocktails at Hamlet, the newest restaurant in the family.
The deal: $2-$10 food, $3-$7 drinks, 2:30 - 5:30 p.m., Monday - Friday; 10 p.m. - close every night; 1134 N.W. Everett St.; 503-241-1600; ovenandshaker.com
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
The ultimate guide to downtown Portland's 25 best happy hours
Pine Street Market
The two John Gorham-backed restaurants at this upscale food court are downtown Portland’s best-kept happy hour secret. Far from the lunchtime crowds, Shalom Y’all serves $5 hummus plates and $6 vodka and orange blossom water slushies, while a quarter roast chicken and a small beer will set you back $6, total, at Pollo Bravo.
The deal: $2-7 food, $1-$6 cocktails, $1 beer, $7 wine; 2-5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.-close, daily; 126 SW 2nd Ave.; shalomyallpdx.com and pollobravopdx.com
The Oregonian/OregonLive
The ultimate guide to downtown Portland's 25 best happy hours
Portland City Grill
Sure, the bar is usually jammed, and the Caesar salads and cheeseburgers are nothing to Tweet about. But that's not why you're here. You’re here for the wraparound views of Mount Hood, the Willamette River and the saps inching home along I-5.
The deal: $4-$7 food, $5.50 draft beer, $7 house wine, $7-$9 cocktails; 111 S.W. Fifth Ave.; 503-450-0030; portlandcitygrill.com
Mike Richman | The Oregonian/OregonLive
The ultimate guide to downtown Portland's 25 best happy hours
The Rialto Poolroom
For those who don’t take themselves too seriously, swing by The Rialto for a $5 cocktail and a basket of fries. Here, underneath TV screens airing games, you can grab a game of pool or head next door to bet on the ponies.
The deal: $2-$5 food, $3.25 - $5 drinks; 4 - 7 p.m., Monday - Friday; 529 S.W. 4th Ave.; 503-228-7605; rialtopoolroom.com
The Oregonian/OregonLive
The ultimate guide to downtown Portland's 25 best happy hours
Saucebox
Snack on Asian fusion bites and inexpensive drinks at this popular happy hour spot. There’s pad thai, noodle curry and more, along with $5 cocktails, wine and sake five nights a week.
The deal: $2-$6 food, $3-$5 drinks, $1 off drafts, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m., Tuesday - Friday, 5 - 6:30 p.m., Saturday; 214 S.W. Broadway; 503-241-3393; saucebox.com
Samantha Bakall | The Oregonian/OregonLive
The ultimate guide to downtown Portland's 25 best happy hours
SouthPark Seafood
Check out the glitzy new facelift of one of downtown’s most popular happy hours, where you can slurp three oysters on the half-shell, get your veggies in and enjoy a glass of sparkling for $5 each.
The deal: $5-$10 food; $5 drinks; 3 - 6 p.m., 10 p.m. - midnight, daily; 901 S.W. Salmon St.; 503-326-1300; southparkseafood.com
The Oregonian/OregonLive
The ultimate guide to downtown Portland's 25 best happy hours
Tasty n Alder
In the morning, it's a spinoff to one of Portland's top brunches, at night, it's John Gorham’s take on the steakhouse. And at happy hour, it's the only place in town to get a mug of beer for $3 and a 21-day dry-aged steak for $15.
The deal: $1-$15 food, $3 beer, $7 wine, $7-$9 cocktails; 580 S.W. 12th Ave.; 503-621-9251; tastynalder.com
The Oregonian/OregonLive
The ultimate guide to downtown Portland's 25 best happy hours
Teardrop Lounge
Craft cocktails from some of the city’s most renowned bartenders for $7? Make it a double.
The deal: $5 food, $7 cocktails; 4-7 p.m., Monday - Friday; 1015 N.W. Everett St.; 503-445-8109; teardroplounge.com
Michael Russell | The Oregonian/OregonLive
The ultimate guide to downtown Portland's 25 best happy hours
Virginia Cafe
For more than 100 years, the Virginia Cafe has been a downtown Portland staple. Today, the wood-laden bar is better known for its cheap pints and decent bar food. Come happy hour, snack on all the fried foods you could ever want with a minimum $2.50 drink purchase.
The deal: $2.25-$7 food; $1 off draft and wine, daily cocktail specials; 4 -7 p.m., daily; 820 S.W. 10th Ave.; 503-227-0033; virginiacafepdx.com
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