For our glass-half-full kinda people, happy hours in Portland are where it’s at. Whether you’re looking to try out a new spot on the cheap or get together to decompress after work, these discounts on beer, wine, cocktails, and snacks will turn that frown upside down.
What’s better, what’s in the glass or the sunshine?
Photo by Tommy Hahs + @beeroclockpdx
Beer lovers
Backwoods Brewing Company | Sunday-Thursday, 2:30-5:30 p.m. | Chip off a dollar from any beer (our favorite’s the flagship Logyard IPA), and soak up the suds with $7 chicken tenders and tots or $6 teriyaki ginger edamame.
Beer O’Clock | Daily, 3-5 p.m. | No need to ask Damian Lillard — you’ll always know what time it is at this taproom when the $5 happy hour pints are flowing.
Keeping spirits up
Loyal Legion | Sunday-Friday, 3-5 p.m. |You’ll find at least 50 Oregon beers on tap at any given time, which you can take $1 off during happy hour.
Tropicale | Wednesday.-Sunday, 3-6 p.m. | Leave your worries on a white sand beach; this Caribbean + Latin American bar offers bottled beer and a shot of Altos (“La Ruleta”) for $10, as well as hibiscus margaritas and Oaxacan old fashioneds.
Pope House Bourbon Lounge | Daily, 4-7 p.m. | Cocktails are a steal at $8, but the Mix & Mash is where it’s at: for $7, you can choose from a selection of whiskeys served in a sour, neat, on the rocks, or with soda.
Kachka | Daily, 4-6 p.m. | Into vodka? This Eastern European restaurant offers $7 Moscow mules and house-infused vodkas, like one made with spicy horseradish and sweet local honey.
Hungry for meal deals
Lazy Susan | Saturday + Sunday, 2-5 p.m. | Foodies will appreciate the $11 smoked whitefish spread with fried saltines or the $10 burger + draft beer combo.
Bhuna | Daily, 4-6 p.m. | This Indian soul food restaurant has happy hour specials to comfort the soul, with $6 pav sliders and $1 off snacks + skewers (we love the Kashmiri mushroom naan and lotus root fries).
Carina Lounge | Wednesday-Sunday, 4:30-5:30 p.m. | All small plates — like the roasted prawns in piri piri sauce, goat cheese ravioli, and garlic + rosemary flatbread — are $3 off, and our stomachs are growling just thinking about the options.
The Observatory | Daily, 3-5 p.m. | Fill up on small plates like blackened fish or BBQ pulled pork tacos for $6, ginger sake mussels for $8, and grilled chicken wings glazed in a sesame sweet chili sauce for $5 — with a $5 daily special cocktail.
Lil’ Shalom | Daily, 2:30-4:30 p.m. | Don’t mind us as we devour a pita sandwich and wash it down with a mug of beer, all for $15. Keepin’ it snacky? Try the $5 hawaij-tossed fries with tahina and $10 Turkish Delight Slushy.
Late-night gems
Cubo | Monday-Thursday, 3-6 p.m. + 9-10 p.m. | Paint some color into your weeknight at this vibrant Cuban spot offering $7 rum cocktails, like lime daiquiris, mojitos + guava coladas.
East Glisan Pizza Lounge | Monday, open-close, Thursday-Saturday, 9-11 p.m. | Celebrate the end of the week with $1 off draft beer, house wine + well drinks, and $3 slices of cheese pizza, $4 cinnamon-sugar or breadstick bites, and $8 lasagna pinwheels.
Matador | Daily, 4-6 p.m. + 10 p.m.-1 a.m. | The five street tacos for $10 (choose from chorizo, shredded chicken, carnitas, or ground beef) are big enough to share.
The Box Social | Daily, 4-6 p.m. | Relax after a busy day at this candlelit bar offering $1 off well spirits, wine + draft beer.
Biggest bargains
Aalto Lounge | Daily, 5-7 p.m. | Those in the know head to this neighborhood haunt for $3 Jell-O shots, bottles of wine for $15, and $4 comfort snacks.
Arbor Hall | Daily, 4-6 p.m. | It’s not hard to find thoughtfully crafted cocktails in Portland for double-digits; the real challenge is finding them at this bar’s prices. You have six house recipes to choose from — each for $9.
Campana | Daily, 5-6 p.m. + all night at the bar | If you order food (select pasta dishes are $10 cheaper than the regular menu), you’ll unlock discounted drink options like $7 canned beer + $10 Italian-inspired cocktails.
Powering past the hour
Space Room Lounge | Daily, open-5 p.m. | Take an interstellar voyage with $6 snacks and draft beer + $1 off well drinks at this space-themed restaurant complete with an arcade and patio.
The Rambler | Monday, all day + Tuesday-Friday, 4-6 p.m. | This converted bungalow with dog-friendly patios offers $1 off signature cocktails, well spirits, and beer + wine on tap.
Life of Pie Pizza | Daily, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | $6 beer + wine, along with $8 margherita pizzas just might be the midday pick-me-up you were looking for.
Gold Dust Meridian | Daily, 2-8 p.m. + Sunday, 2 p.m.-2:30 a.m. | Draft and well drinks are 50 cents off, but the food is the star of the happy hour show: $6 deviled eggs, $7 golden beet salad or vegan mac, and $8 wings.
Mocktail musts
Looking for a zero-proof beverage to enjoy with your crew? Here are some of our favorites around town.
The Bye and Bye | Times vary | Forgoing booze doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor at this vegan restaurant that’s open until at least midnight every night, with zero-proof spins on palomas, CBD sodas, ciders + more. We love the Rose Palmer.
Eem | Times vary | Bring your out-of-town guests here to impress them with tropical-themed “clear-headed” drinks, like coconut cream pineapple soda + cucumber yuzu ginger lime soda.
The Sudra | 12-9 p.m. | Try a truly unique non-alcoholic drink — like the I Wish with mango, fresh herbs, lime, agave, and bubles — at this plant-based Indian restaurant.
Host at home
Shop our favorite happy hour essentials to host friends for a drink at your place:
- The Elevated Craft Cocktail Shaker promises no more leaks and has a built-in measuring system.
- This set of six colored wine glasses reminds us of Estelle stemware — only more affordable.
- Pair your colorful wine glasses with a colorful decanter that’s an Anthropologie best-seller.
- Keep wine and champagne cold in a marble wine chiller.
- An electric wine opener makes opening bottles smooth and stress-free.
- Don’t forget the best drinkware made by small, local businesses — we’re big fans of the Pirani Life tumbler, an eco-friendly version of a Solo Cup, and these Kanga Coolers koozies that keep drinks cold.
