There’s a ton of nature to explore and farm-to-table food to savor in Portland, Oregon, but this is not that post. This one’s all about the spots to find local brew, get a deal on a drink, or to imbibe with a view. And in a few cases, maybe two of the three at once!
If you’re looking for all the other stuff to do in Portland, check out those tips and notes HERE. But for the beers, happy hours and rooftops, keep reading.
Brewed in Portland
Portland is well-known for its micro- and craft breweries and is regularly near the top of the list of cities with the most breweries per capita. Regardless of what neighborhood you’re in, it’s easy in Portland to find a local brewery. And many of them (such as Grand Fir Brewing, home of Top Chef alum Doug Adams) also have really good food, too. Eater Portland offers up their 18 best (about half of which are on my list) and Travel Portland has mapped more than 80 of them, but a few of my favorites include:
- Deschutes Brewing, 10 Barrel Brewing, and Backwoods Brewing are all located within a few blocks of each other in the Pearl District. None of them originated in Portland proper, so if you’re venturing out of town, you can check out their original locations in Bend (Deschutes and 10 Barrel) or Carson, Washington (Backwoods). Deschutes has historically had some of my favorite beers, but all three have a good variety of styles and decent food for the beer to wash down. And 10 Barrel has a rooftop patio that’s hopping in summer months.
- Wayfinder Beer in close-in SE Portland has one of my favorite patios in summer, but also has a variety of great beers, often German-themed, plus good food (including a great schnitzel) whether you’re inside or out.
- Breakside Brewery has a Pilsner that’s consistently one of my favorites, but a lot of other great beers including an ever-changing mix of seasonal ones. Their Slabtown/NW Portland has a great (giant) pretzel and other good food. And their NE Portland location hosts an annual block party that’s also good fun. If you make it to the Oregon coast, there’s a third location now in Astoria.
- Occidental Brewing in my neighborhood of St. Johns is very limited in the food department, but if you venture here for a beer and need some grub, be sure to wander across the parking lot to Urban German for delicious schnitzel, wurst, and more. The two businesses have also historically collaborated on a fun Oktoberfest celebration in the courtyard of their building.
- Steeplejack Beer has solid beer and food, but the real draw is the interior of the converted church (hence the name Steeplejack). I suggest going early because the acoustics are probably more appropriate to hymns than several dozen folks a few beers in, but it’s a worthy stop if you’re in or passing through the neighborhood.
- Zoiglhaus Brewing Company is a little further afield on SE 92nd Avenue, but also produces solid beers. They used to have a German-themed menu, but in recent years have utilized their space to host a mini global food hall with everything from A (as in Arepa, recommended by a Venezuelan friend) to Z (as in the Zephyr Cocktail Lounge). There’s also Hawaiian, Indian, Mexican, Turkish, and more.
- Migration Brewing has several locations around Portland serving solid brews. Their Glisan brewpub has a large patio out front that’s fantastic for summer days … but even better on summer days is their Pop Up location on the 9th floor of the Canvas building, just steps from Timbers and Thorns games at Providence Park. Check the link above for when they’re open since it’s seasonal.
Happiest Hours
Often, happy hours in Portland mean discounted appetizers, not drink specials, so the really great ones are a little fewer and further between than I’d hope. Still, there are a few solid spots to take advantage of late-afternoon specials (or specials compared to regular prices). Eater has a pretty good guide, but here are some of my top spots:
- Portland City Grill might not be the cheapest happy hour, but the couple extra bucks per drink or appetizer are worth it for the panoramic views on the 30th floor of Big Pink. Happy hour starts when City Grill open at 4pm Monday and Tuesday, 3pm other weekdays, and goes until 6pm, at which time they often have live music in the lounge area. I learned on Valentine’s Day that City Grill doesn’t do happy hour on special event evenings, so call ahead to double-check if that’s your situation.
- Metropolitan Tavern, on the top floor of the Eastlund Hotel is another spot with nice views (though from the 6th floor, not the 30th…) and a decent happy hour. It’s adjacent to the Oregon Convention Center and easy walking distance to Moda Center and Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum, so it’s a good option for conventioneers and before sporting events or concerts.
- Aalto Lounge is one of the best deal happy hours in town and one of my personal favorites: five bucks for a cocktail and $7 for a delicious tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich (there are other specials too). And their happy hour from 5-7pm is actually at a time when folks working day jobs can partake. If you’re going in cooler seasons, wear an extra layer, though. I swear the place is perpetually cold.
- Tiny Bubble Room (also on Eater’s list) is off the beaten path, but has a pretty decent happy hour, if you can get there between 3-5pm. In the summer, their outdoor patio with picnic tables (most inside repurposed cargo containers) makes a nice mix of fresh air and individual spaces.
- Kachka (also on Eater’s list) serves up delicious—but expensive—Russian and Eastern European food, but if you’re looking to sample it on a tighter budget, their 4-6pm happy hour is a great way to do it.
If you’re still looking for more ideas, check out Travel Portland’s guide to dive bars (I’ve been to most of these and can vouch for the list) or Eater’s list of the best cocktail bars (I’ve been to about half of their list and would agree that they’ve assembled a good collection of spots as well).
Rooftop Views
Portland has plenty of stunning vistas, whether it’s of the river and bridges, the mountains (Mt. Hood is most prominent, but Mt. St. Helens and several others are also visible on clear days), or the city itself. But there are a few rooftop spots in Portland where the combination of food (or drinks) and views pairs beautifully, such as (in no particular order):
- Departure, atop the Nines Hotel, serves up excellent food in a sort-of Jetsons-like environment. That is, until you step out onto the south-facing rooftop patio, where the Jetsons vibe is replaced with city and river views. It’s open seasonally, so check ahead of time if it’s the patio you’re after.
- Portland City Grill is mentioned above for its happy hour, but worth adding again here. Technically, it’s not the rooftop—City Grill is on floor 30 of 42—but it soars above most all of Portland, so the views are better than most rooftops. The dining room is pricey, but happy hours are pretty reasonable.
- Metropolitan Tavern is also mentioned above for its happy hour, but also worth reiterating here. The views over the convention center looking towards the river and West Hills are lovely, especially at sunset, and especially in the summer when the patio is a delightful place to enjoy their happy hour that runs until 6pm.
- XPort is the restaurant and bar on the highest floor of Hilton’s 16-story downtown Porter Hotel. Save your coin for this one—a Budweiser will set you back $7 and everything else is even more expensive. But the covered outdoor patio is heated in cooler weather and has views year-round.
- Tope, atop the Hoxton Hotel on West Burnside, is a bit of a diamond in the rough (that is: a diamond in a neighborhood that’s trying to improve). But once you’re through the hotel’s front doors, it’s lovely and the food and beverage, from what I sampled, is as good as the views.
- Revolution Hall on Portand’s east side is among my ideal small venues to catch shows and concerts. Conveniently, the on-site amenities include a rooftop bar that’s open even if you’re not there for a show. It’s not the cheapest spot (for a better value, go across the street to Grand Fir, mentioned above with the breweries), but in warmer months, it’s a great place to enjoy a beverage while watching the sun set over the West Hills.
- Honorable mentions go to 10 Barrel and Migration Brewing (noted above with breweries), wine-focused Noble Rot (I haven’t been in some time, but they’re still pouring) and the rooftop of the Kex Hotel (I haven’t yet been, but it’s on my short list).
Upper Left Traveler 