A River Runs Through It

Some of the coolest places to go for the hottest nights in Portland are along the edges of our majestic rivers. Enjoy sweeping river views, drink in the sunset, save money, and sip a bit of fine wine or throw in a margarita or two too. These popular riverside restaurants can be enjoyed at a discount when you hit Happy Hour, and are located along (or near) nice walking paths for an enjoyable evening stroll afterwards, so get out and take advantage!

Located near the Riverplace Marina:

Cypress
Happy Hour: Daily 3–6pm Daily
Food specials: $2 - $4
Drinks: $3 beer and well drinks, $4 red and white wine, $3 martinis and specialty cocktails galore
Atmosphere: Casual Mediterranean

Not quite a river view per se, but a location worth seeking out right near Riverplace with outdoor seating available at Happy Hour with extra happy service to boot. Most delicious and plentiful menu items include meza plates of hummus, baba ganoush, tabouli, tzatziki, and falafal; salads, soup, yummy gyros and chicken dishes (pita, rice bowl and coco curry).


Marina Fish House (formerly Newport Bay)
Happy Hour: Daily 3 - 6pm and 9 - close
Food specials: $2.95 - $4.95
Drinks: No drink discounts
Atmosphere: Casual seaside nautical

Follow the signs over, down, and out as this one is located right out on the river amidst the yachts, docks and ducks in the marina. Head upstairs to the top outside deck for a view from above and partake in Happy Hour items like seafood cakes, fish & chips, salad, clam chowder, quesadilla, and onion rings.


McCormick & Schmick’s Pilsner Room
Happy Hour: Daily 3–6pm; 9-close Sun-Thurs; 10-close Fri-Sat
Food specials: $1.95-$4.95
Drinks: No drink discounts
Atmosphere: Harborside upscale classic

Situated for a perfect view of the Willamette River, sit back in the Pilsner Room’s Country Club-ish bar area serving 25+ taps of NW microbrews. At Happy Hour you can enjoy an array of super cheap nibbles including ribs, ahi tuna, tempura rolls, salad, hummus, and of course, their famously phenomenal deal of a cheeseburger with fries for only $1.95. But to get these bargains, keep in mind you’ll have to eat inside.



Thirst Wine Bar & Bistro
Happy Hour: Tues - Fri 3:00pm - 6:00pm
Food specials: $2- $6
Drinks: $5 select wines, $2 tastings, $2.50 beer
Atmosphere: Upscale, riverside, mellow wine bar
Note: Thirst Wine Bar's 2009 HHGB Coupon offers a FREE DESSERT!
Thirst’s outdoor sidewalk bistro is perfectly positioned to maximize river and harbor views with plenty of relaxing and sunny outdoor seating. They’ve recently introduced a new Happy Hour menu, kicking things up a notch to include perfect wine go-withs like artisanal cheese with bread, meat and cheese plates, olives, crab dip, and gnocchi. You can also sample $2 wine tastings at the bar at Happy Hour.



Three Degrees
Happy Hour: Mon - Sat 3:00pm - 6:00pm
Food specials: $3
Drinks: $3 draft beers, select wines, well & specialty cocktails
Atmosphere: Upscale, riverside, Northwest-style interior
Note: Three Degree's 2009 HHGB Coupon offers 15% off you dinner tab!
Three is the magic number here: 3 o'clock start time, $3 food specials, and $3 drink deals, too. They’ve improved their Happy Hour recently to highlight selections from their appetizer menu which includes mixed greens salad, cheese and charcuterie plates, flatbreads, fries, hummus and cheese burgers. This spot is romantic, upscale perfection, complete with stunning river views and a cozy fireplace. In the summer on Friday nights, you can catch occasional free live jazz shows on the outdoor side deck.



Located up North on the Columbia River:

Salty's
Happy Hour: Mon - Fri 3:00pm - 6:00pm & Sun 4:30pm - Close
Food specials: $1.50 - $6
Drinks: $3.75 micros, $4 well, $4.25 margaritas and Bloody Marys, $5 wine
Atmosphere: Upscale Nautical spot right on the river
Note: Salty's 2009 HHGB Coupon offers a FREE ENTREE!
Sunday night is particularly perfect night to enjoy Salty’s all-night Happy Hour on their big outdoor deck. Or keep it cool inside and watch the sunset over the Columbia through floor-to-ceiling windows. On Fridays, stick around a bit later for the Mel Brown Jazz Trio. Order the blackened salmon Caesar salad, coconut prawns, or fish & chips. They are also rumored to have one of the best cheeseburgers and best clam chowder in town.


Who Song & Larry’s
Happy Hour: Mon - Fri 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Food specials: $2.50 - $5 (half-off appetizers); Taco Tuesdays 99 cents until 10:00pm
Drinks: $3.50 beer and wine, $4.50 margaritas, $3 wells
Atmosphere: Mexican Fiesta

For a change of pace and Spanish flair, head across the river to the ‘Couve. If Who Song’s bustling bar area, stucco walls, and doorway arches scream mexican a bit too loudly for your tastes, head out to their outdoor, umbrella-ed deck for a more mellow scene with peaceful views of the Columbia River. There’s a huge array of food to enjoy at half-price including flautas, taquitos, wings, quesadillas, nachos, soups and tacos.