Let’s just say it … Portland is an incredible place to drink. And you can savor no end of delicious comestibles as you imbibe. No matter what sort of setting you require--a rambunctious night out with friends, a romantic date night or even a meeting--you can impress your company as you press them with liquor. Here are a variety of Portland’s Where To Eat Guide picks to get you started:
Enjoy a magnificent view of the Willamette River as you try Aquariva’s hand-crafted cocktails created with spirits from local distilleries, as well as signature spirits infused in-house. Happy hour is 3-6:30 pm daily. Some fantastic bar menu picks include Chili Grilled Prawns, Baked Mac and the daily Cheese Board.
Drink This: House Recipe Hot Buttered Rum with grated nutmeg. If you are feeling chilled, this drink will make you instantly cozy!
Where else can you wow your date with fancy casual Cajun food like Gator Bites and Frog Legs, communal tables and those darling tin foil sculptures they send your leftovers home in? Waiting for a spot? Check out the hand-pressed cocktails at La Merde Lounge, Montage’s bar next door. Happy hour is 4-6 pm daily. Want to have some fun? Ask about Shanrock’s Triviology on Thursday nights.
Drink This: Ross Island Iced Tea. No tequila, sub grain alcohol--be careful!
Located in the historic Sentinel Hotel, Jake’s Grill boasts the finest meat and seafood, with one of the best happy hour menus in town. Also, Jake’s was awarded Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence in 2014. Happy hour (in the bar only) is Monday – Friday 3-6 pm and 9 pm-close, Saturday 1-4 pm and 9 pm-close, and Sunday 3 pm-close. Enjoy small plates from
$2.95 - $5.95, plus $1.00 oysters or shrimp. Some favorites are the Parmesan Polenta Fries, Jake’s Cheeseburger, Braised Pork Ribs and the Northwest Prawn and Salmon Croquette.
Drink This: Single Malt Whiskey
Photo: Huber's Facebook
Huber’s was established in 1879 and is home to the famous flambéed Spanish Coffee (If you want to know about other places in Portland where you can enjoy food or drinks that are set on fire, see below!) This is also where you can have a fantastic Roast Turkey or Baked Sugar-Glazed Ham Dinner any time of year. Happy hour, which includes appetizers starting at $1.95, is 4-6:30 pm and 9:30 pm-close daily, excluding holidays.
Drink This: Spanish Coffee
Swine Moonshine and Whiskey Bar
Happy Hour is 3-6:30 pm daily. Enjoy farm-to-table small plates like Bacon Cheesecake, Salt and Pepper Calamari and Shrimp Louie. Swine Bar is one part of Swank and Swine, centrally located in the Paramount Hotel near Portland’s Centers For The Arts, the Fox Tower Regal Cinema and downtown shopping.
Drink This: Warm Breeze--smoked fig infused bourbon, lemon, fresh mint, cardamom bitters, Harlequin and soda.
RingSide Fish House’s gorgeous bar is a fantastic place to visit with friends. Savor fresh seafood, peruse their adventurous cocktail menu or choose your wine selection from over 600 labels! Want happy hour? Monday through Saturday food and beverage specials are offered from 3-6:30 pm, beverage specials continue until 7 pm, then food and beverages are available again from 9 pm-close. Plus RingSide Fish House has happy hour all day on Sundays! Enjoy menu items like Salt Cod & Crispy Polenta Cake or Steamed Mussels and Peel & Eat Shrimp with cocktail sauce.
Drink This: Rip City--whiskey, brandy, pomegranate, lime, apple and absinthe. Go Blazers!
Photo: Natalie Migliarini
Taste the best Cod, Prawns, Oysters, Calamari or Clam Strips (or all five in the Captain’s Platter) in this warm, welcoming family-owned business. Don’t be fooled, though--the cocktails are impressive, including one of the best Bloody Marys in town! Happy Hour is 4-6 pm
Monday – Friday.
Drink This: Bloody Mary
