12 Essential Oregon Coast Bars
Image: Courtesy ANURAKE SINGTO-ON
The Oregon Coast is dotted with flashy microbreweries that are crucial to the local economy, well-appointed hotel bars that make the most of their views, and classy patios where you can sip from a carefully curated regional wine list. And we love all those places, we do. But when we want to know what’s really going on in this beach community we've landed ourselves in for the weekend, we grab a bar stool at a neighborhood tavern and eavesdrop for some local intel.
The Rainier Brewmaster watches over drinkers from behind the bar at the Triangle Pub in Astoria.
Image: Margaret Seiler
Triangle Tavern, Astoria
This town might be dominated by new and newish microbreweries, but sometimes you just want to drink a cold yellow beer in a century-old bar and lock eyes with a Rainier Brewmaster statue. At the Triangle, you can.
Iredale Inn, Warrenton
Life rings and marine lanterns decorate this bar named after the shipwreck. (Find the rusting skeleton of the Peter Iredale, which ran aground in 1906, jutting out of the sand at nearby Fort Stevens State Park.)
Bridge Tender, Seaside
This picturesque shack on Seaside's main drag leans over the Necanicum River—don’t fall in!
Beach Club, Seaside
At this spot tucked just off Broadway by the carousel, you may or may not run into the people you just saw get kicked out of the Bridge Tender.
The Ghost Hole, Garibaldi
Huge selection of cans and bottles in the refrigerator case inside, huge party that always seems in full swing in the yard outside.
The Upstairs, Netarts
Fried food and friendly folk at this laid-back spot just down the road from the busier, slightly schmancier Schooner.
This seaman watches over the Snug Harbor in Newport.
Image: Margaret Seiler
Snug Harbor, Lincoln City
Look for the carved wooden seaman above the sign. (Thankfully, he survived a pickup truck’s crash into the building in December 2021.) Inside, light from multiple fireplaces bounces off the gleaming wood bar and row of colorful glass floats near the ceiling. A back patio and rooftop deck offer breathing room.
There is no doubting the nautical theme at the Sea Hag in Depot Bay.
Image: Margaret Seiler
Gracie’s Sea Hag, Depoe Bay
Sit under a mermaid portrait, try the famous buttery clam chowder, listen to a musician sitting at a piano but strumming a guitar, and catch the regular percussion show when the bartender plays the liquor bottles.
Bay Haven Inn, Newport
A quittin’-time bar for the local fishery, with excellent live music that always seems to match the weather.
The growler-lined ceiling at the Beachcomber Pub in Florence
Image: Margaret Seiler
Beachcomber Pub, Florence
With all the growlers and tap handles hanging from its ceiling, the Beachcomber may not be where you want to be when the Big One hits. But, really, it might just be one more bonding experience with the new best friend you just made one bar stool over.
Mr. Ed’s Underground Pub
Image: Margaret Seiler
Mr. Ed’s Espresso & Juice Bar & Underground Pub, Port Orford
All things to all people, Mr. Ed's has a drive-thru window to sling breakfast treats in the morning and pizza to high school kids in the afternoon, and a performance space in the cavernous (aboveground) bar for comedy shows and concerts by night.
101 Bar & Grill, Brookings
Be nice to the person who rings up your fishing license in the morning and the server who brings you your lunch in the afternoon, because you might want to propose a karaoke duet when you run into them at this universal late-night gathering spot. Bring a designated driver—in addition to the dangers of DUII, you don't want to take a wrong turn leaving this roadhouse and accidentally land in (shudder) California.
