Summer Picks
Our Favorite Patios for Drinking & Soaking Up Sun
From luxe cocktail hideaways to dive bar patios, there’s an outdoor drinking spot for everyone.
The rooftop patio at Palomar
Image: Courtesy Palomar
Summer is almost here, and this year more than ever, we're excited to ditch our sweatpants, emerge from our cocoons, and revel with friends and family outdoors. Here are our picks for patios where you can make up for some much-needed socializing and sun.
North Portland
Burgers, beers, and cocktails ranging from mai tais to old fashioneds are the name of the game here. Take a seat on the patio, which offers at least partial sun at most of the tables during the day, and at night, enjoy the glow of the fire pit (though gathering around the fire is discouraged at the moment, to maintain distancing). 3943 N Mississippi Ave
On a hot day, Ecliptic’s light, fruity beers like their peach sour, tangerine sour, guava blonde ale, and pineapple upside-down cake barley ale are sure to refresh. Pair it with a burger for instant summer vibes. 825 N Cook St
George’s Corner Tavern
Come to this old-school, chilled-out bar for beers, mixed drinks, fried chicken with potato wedges, and burgers if you want to feel more like you’re at a friend’s backyard get-together rather than a froufrou lounge. Both covered and uncovered seating is available. 5501 N Interstate Ave
Occidental Brewing & Urban German Wursthaus
Weissbier on the patio at the Urban German, in Cathedral Park Place
Image: Margaret Seiler
Hit up one or both of these neighboring spots, both partially shaded, for a proper German bierfest. (Full disclosure: Occidental is co-owned by the husband of our Managing Editor.) Occidental's offers mainstays including Kölsch and Pilsner, plus seasonal beers like Maibock, and a collaboration NW Pilsner series that features varied hop profiles in each batch. Occidental’s seating area is for ages 21 and up, and outside food is welcome—including takeout from Urban German Wursthaus just across the parking lot. Or settle in at the all-ages Wursthaus itself for sausages, schnitzels, spätzle, and fondue-sided pretzels. If you’re lucky, you might even show up on raclette night. They’ve got their own selection of beers, including Occidental and other local brews, plus some German and Austrian choices. The cherry on top: views of the St. Johns Bridge and Forest Park. 6635 N Baltimore Ave
You’ll usually have to wait for a patio table on weekends, but it’s well worth standing in line for pours of Oktoberfest, Kölsch, Weissbier, and Dunkels ranging from a third of a liter to a whole liter. Order pretzels, bier cheese soup, or currywurst, or bring food from one of the excellent on-site carts; we particularly like anything at Desi PDX, the oyster mushroom tacos at Little Conejo, cheeseburgers from Burger Stevens, and brisket from Matt’s BBQ. Some tables are covered, while others offer at least partial sun. 4237 N Mississippi Ave
With a location off Mississippi and one in St. Johns, this brewery makes an excellent spot for whiling away an afternoon with a beer (The Good Place–themed Bad Janet kettle sour, perhaps?) and a burger. 832 N Beech St & 8409 N Lombard St
Grab a picnic table at this charming bar-meets-gastropub, with fun drinks like the Sayonara Cowboy—a blue-tinted mezcal drink—or the occasional alcoholic slushie. Nibble on hand-cut fries, vegan chicken ’n’ waffles, or a beefy burger. 4835 N Albina Ave
Northeast Portland
There’s no shortage of food or beer options at this pod that’s centered on a Baerlic Brewing outpost. Choose from one of tons of beers on tap, and grab Korean/Hawaiian food from Namu or arepas from La Arepa (or one of the eight other carts on site). 6035 NE Halsey St
This former gas station is a neighborhood go-to for sunny day drinking, with two levels of patios, picnic tables, and a fire pit. Sip on one of their many signature cocktails (including a zero-proof paloma) or a beer, or stop by for daily brunch, a burger, or a sandwich. 1101 NE Alberta St
Piña coladas—lightly creamy, tangy, and not too sweet—are the specialty at this summery patio, perfected by founder Alfredo Climaco who died in January from coronavirus complications. The vibrant, welcoming atmosphere he created endures at this bar-meets-restaurant. Other standouts: grilled shrimp tacos with zippy mango salsa on hand-pressed blue corn tortillas, plus grilled octopus with shrimp and chorizo and a creative weekend brunch menu. 2337 NE Glisan St
Southeast Portland
Bring food from one (or more!) of the neighboring carts to go with your beer or wine at Barrio.
Image: Katherine Chew Hamilton
This wine and beer bar, serving everything from sangria to cider to micheladas to Latinx-made Oregon wines, plays host to the occasional live music performance and food pop-up. But there’s no shortage of food options at the Portland Mercado, including mole specialist cart Tierra del Sol and Yucatecan cart Principe Maya, which was one of our favorite new carts when it opened in March. 7238 SE Foster Rd
This Milwaukie bar pays homage to music at every corner, with a neon “Wish You Were Here” sign posted above the bar (made from the surface of a repurposed bowling lane). Post yourself up on the brand-new wooden deck with a classic cocktail or a seasonal libation like the Linda Rose-Stadt (rose-saffron vodka with rose water, lemon, and sparkling rosé) or the Comfortably Numb (which includes strawberry, gin, and Sichuan peppercorn). 11380 SE 21st Ave, Milwaukie
Sip on a First Time Caller cocktail on Double Dragon's patio
Image: Katherine Chew Hamilton
Pork belly banh mi, Sriracha-aioli double smashburgers, coconut ramen, and festive cocktails make this spacious, umbrella-shaded patio feel like a little oasis in Ladd’s Addition. Try the First Time Caller cocktail, which mixes mezcal, Aperol, lime, passion fruit, aloe, bitters, and a float of blackstrap molasses. 1235 SE Division St
On days when the weather looks like it could turn rainy at any moment, OK Omens’ covered, heated cabanas come to the rescue, offering shelter and a luxurious sense of privacy. Grab a burger or some Sichuan peppercorn–infused fried chicken bites to go with your wine by the bottle or glass, chosen from a carefully curated list that’s described with quirky tasting notes; a chenin blanc “tastes like Slip n Sliding naked through a wet cave.” 1758 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Perch yourself on Palomar's patio with a frozen daiquiri.
Image: Courtesy Palomar
Head to one of the few rooftop bars in the city to catch some rays while sipping on a frozen daiquiri (in one of several rotating tropical flavors), a mojito, a piña colada, or a pineapple-infused gin and tonic, punctuated by shots of strawberry tequila. Nibble on a Cuban sandwich, grilled chicken, or pork spare ribs. 959 SE Division St
Enjoy a stunning panorama of the city while sipping on cocktails and chowing down on a burger or brat. If you’ve got canine friends in tow, you can also park yourself at the lovely combo that is Martha’s and Show Bar downstairs, offering drinks and burgers on picnic tables adjacent to a massive dog park. 1300 SE Stark St
The hidden patio behind Sebastiano's
Image: Courtesy Sebastiano's
Sicilian summer has arrived in Montavilla with the opening of this brand-new food cart located just behind the deli—the latter was a 2020 PoMo Best Restaurants Pick. Sebastiano's serves an outstanding afternoon aperitivo in its sunny, umbrella-shaded parking lot with self-described “speakeasy vibes” from Friday through Sunday. Sip a refreshing spritz, chow down on excellent arancini stuffed with mortadella and ham or seasonal grilled veggies, and don’t miss the little balls of fried ricotta dough called sfinci, excellent dipped into blood orange curd. 411 SE 81st Ave
This little cocktail oasis tucked just off Division serves both contemporary and old-school cocktails, like the Chauncey (gin, rye, cognac, sweet vermouth, and orange bitters), created at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in 1935, plus a thoughtful selection of beer and wine. Pair them with classy snacks like tinned sardines, chicken liver mousse, or the Sundays-only oysters. Or enjoy your drink with a meal from Ruthie’s, the wood-fired cart parked on the patio that’s known for dishes like Grandma’s rolls and roast game hen. 3634 SE Division St
Northwest Portland
This bar's spacious patio covered with a translucent roof to let all of the sunlight in and keep the rain out. But the drink menu sets this place apart, too, with a sizeable selection of whiskeys and Belgian beers. 517 NW 21st Ave
Perch yourself on the deck of this old house-turned-bar, which offers an excellent daily happy hour (plus all-day happy hour pricing on Monday) with a selection of $6 cocktails—or your choice of $5 bourbon served neat, on the rocks, or in a sour. 2075 NW Glisan St
Twenty First Ave Kitchen & Bar
This bar’s got some serious backyard vibes going on, with picnic tables, umbrellas, a grassy lawn, and even a koi pond. Some tables are covered, while others let you work on your tan. 721 NW 21st Ave
Here’s another rooftop bar to make you feel like you’re on top of the world on a sunny day. Choose from seasonal cocktails like a lavender margarita, or stick to a classic negroni or gimlet. Cuban food comes courtesy of Havana Café, offering Cuban sandwiches and plates like ropa vieja and vegan picadillo. 910 NW 14th Ave
Southwest Portland
This is a go-to for sunny weekend brunches—share a fish board or get an order of Danish pancakes, and sip on aquavit (including plenty of PacNW-made options), mimosas, or a lingonberry soda. 8800 SW Oleson Rd
This quirky former Freemason lodge in Multnomah Village is now home to a family-friendly brewpub with a picnic table-filled outdoor patio. No-frills pizza makes a natural companion to their handcrafted beer. 7675 SW Capitol Hwy
