Portland City Grill
111 SW 5th Ave. #3000
Feeling swanky? Portland City Grill is not only a place to impress your date, but it has a great happy hour menu that is sure to keep your money in your pocket. Situated on the 30th floor of the US Bank Tower on Fifth and Burnside, Portland City Grill (or PCG, as some if us like to call it) has a happy hour ranging from $2–$4 for its exquisite sushi/sashimi sets, a variety of appetizers and drink selection. They serve a good brew, for those who prefer a cold beer with dinner, or a delightful mixed cocktail. PCG’s atmosphere is classy and swanky, and a good choice if you’re looking to have a calm night out on the town.
Jake’s Grill
611 SW 10th Ave.
Jake’s Grill is business in the front, with some party in the back. Their happy hour brings in quite the crowd of nine-to-fivers that pack the bar at the beginning of the night, looking to end their workday with a cold beverage. Jake’s creates a vintage bar atmosphere with its low-lighting and friendly bartenders, and the menu is definitely worth waiting around for a decent seat. Their half-pound cheeseburger seems to be quite the favorite on the menu—for $2.95, it comes with the works and is usually difficult to finish if you’re pairing it with a cold Hefeweizen. Jake’s offers a great selection of appetizers that range from a $3.95 plate of house sushi to $4.95 St. Louis-style baby back ribs, and a killer cheese quesadilla. Plus, $4 drinks!
Oba!
555 NW 12th Ave.
To add a little Latin spice to your evening, be sure to check out Oba! This little restaurant/bar comes alive in the nighttime with its wonderful Latin music, warm lighting and strong $5 margaritas. Oba! caters to a young and classy crowd, and even though its happy hour starts a little later than normal (9:30 p.m. on weeknights and 10 p.m. on the weekends) it is usually a jam-packed social scene. Its cuisine is Latin-based, with a spicy $6 burger that comes with the works and a side. For $5, you can snag a margarita, which comes in flavors such as prickly pear, mango and Oregon marionberry.
Saucebox
214 SW Broadway
Sexy happy hour? Noted for its distinct look, atmosphere and Asian cuisine, Saucebox is certainly a place to check out. The vibe is unforgettable, with a hint of swank and a dash of cool—its happy hour ranges from the $1–$5 mark, with food that tends to tingle taste buds. They have a wonderful pan-Asian food selection and an awesome cocktail of the day, which is the bartender’s special and tends to be a delicious blend of alcohol and flavor. Saucebox is perfect for a group of people that have some time to spend eating, drinking and listening to their deejayed mixes.
Bridgeport Brewpub
1313 NW Marshall St.
A local favorite and classic Portland bar, the Bridgeport Brewpub is the archetypal brewery for which Portland is famous. The atmosphere is laid-back, smooth and a bit edgy as the bartenders spew their facts and figures about their in-house brewed beer. Bridgeport’s happy hour consists of many foods that pair nicely with beer. The favorite is the pulled pork sandwich, a huge portion of BBQ pulled pork piled onto a house bun. They offer drink specials and deals on pints of house beer. Brewpub is a great place to hang out or grab a quick bite to eat in the evening.