Across Central Oregon, a day’s adventure doesn’t truly end until you sit down to celebrate with friends — ideally on a sun-kissed patio and with cold beverages in hand. If you’re looking for happy-hour spots and vibrant bars to toast to your day, here’s a roundup of fun stops for creative cocktails, craft beers, savory snacks, great food and a cool atmosphere.
Enjoy Rooftop Views and Regional Wines in Redmond
Whether you’re returning from a hike to Steelhead Falls or a day of climbing at nearby Smith Rock State Park, you’ll find plenty of fun Redmond bars eager to pour you a cold beverage.
In downtown, the SCP Redmond Hotel hosts two bars, each with their own vibe. The hip, nautical-themed Wayfarer Club offers a daily happy hour that includes specials on handcrafted cocktails, glasses of local wine and craft beer — while, just upstairs, The Rooftop serves a mix of small plates and cocktails adorned with ingredients sourced from an on-site garden in a bright, airy space.
Just one block away, the chic Brickhouse pours a curated selection of wines from across the West Coast and around the world. Eqwine Wine Bar features happy-hour deals on its lineup of regional wines, and Carnaval Mexican Grill pairs its wide-ranging Mexican dishes with some of the city’s best margaritas.
Soak Up Fun Atmospheres and Mountain Vistas in Sisters
The Old West-inspired community of Sisters provides plenty of satisfying meals and crisp libations after a day of adventuring along the McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass Scenic Byway or shredding the Peterson Ridge mountain biking trails right in town.
Around town, Sisters Depot hosts a full bar alongside a food menu that includes Mediterranean dishes and Pacific Northwest flavors, with a happy-hour menu offered Thursday through Sunday. A few blocks away, The Barn in Sisters hosts an indoor-outdoor food-cart pod and taphouse with a full bar, and the family-owned Ski Inn Taphouse and Hotel features an expansive food menu that includes ingredients sourced from regional farms.
Just outside Sisters, the Lodge Restaurant, housed in the all-new lodge building at Black Butte Ranch, showcases views of five Cascade Range peaks, as well as an upscale dinner menu that combines Pacific Northwest flavors with an elegant wine list and seasonally inspired cocktails.
Sip Creative Cocktails Across Sunriver
If you’re hitting the slopes at Mt. Bachelor, visiting the Newberry National Volcanic Monument or floating the Deschutes River, chances are good you’ll pass by — or are staying in — the community of Sunriver.
If so, take full advantage of the cozy pubs, eateries and bars at Sunriver Resort — up to nine of which are open at any given time, depending on the season. The second-floor Owl’s Nest bar, open year-round, has been a resort mainstay since 1969 and is known today for views of Mt. Bachelor, a full slate of craft cocktails with custom infusions and a food menu chockablock with upscale pub-fare favorites.
Away from Sunriver Resort, Village Bar & Grill mixes a variety of cocktails, typically with spirits from regional craft distilleries, and pours an ever-changing selection of local beers. A daily happy hour comprises drink specials and pub classics.
Savor Happy Hours Around Bend
Bend, the biggest city in Central Oregon, puts the “happy” in “happy hour” with plenty of watering holes to close out a day spent floating the Deschutes River or sightseeing along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway.
On the city’s west side, the tropical-themed Flamingo Room offers a daily happy hour, an exhaustive selection of spirits, and a food menu that includes empanadas, several dips and other light bites. Nearby, Flights Wine Bar features a daily happy hour — and an all-day happy hour on Wednesday — providing the perfect opportunity to sample curated lineups of wines from around the world. In the Old Mill District, Lady Bird Cultural Society serves Prohibition-style drinks and a globe-trotting menu of upscale fare in an opulent space — with happy-hour specials available.
The McMenamins Old St. Francis School includes five restaurants and pubs at the southern edge of downtown, each serving the regional chain’s beer, spirits, ciders and more. Happy hour at each Old St. Francis School pub is available Sunday through Thursday. A few blocks away, Roam sits on the ground floor of the Oxford Hotel Bend, serving award-winning cocktails alongside seasonal dishes. Daily happy-hour specials at Roam include drink and food specials.
Just south of downtown, enjoy a casual, family-friendly pub atmosphere at The Row at Tetherow Resort. You’ll find 12 beers on tap and a food menu that draws inspiration from American and Scottish cuisines. The Row’s après-ski menu, available daily while Mt. Bachelor is open in winter, includes drink specials and thoughtful takes on pub-fare favorites. And if you’re still hungry, here are some more ideas for great spots to hit next.
