We’ve all heard about drinking’s demise of late. It’s true, there are more sober curious folks out there, and others who are simply cutting back on their alcohol consumption for myriad reasons. Still, there are plenty of people who are sticking with the time-honored tradition of our forebears — we’ve been downing fermented beverages for […]
Toast!
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
Shop, Sip and Snack
Austin Mercantile offers drinks, small plates, live music and home goods in Southwest Bend
Flatbread, a glass of wine and the harmony of laughter, conversation and live music: If this sounds like your ideal happy hour, you’ll find it all and more at Austin Mercantile. This coffee, wine and beer bar flies slyly under the radar because of its off-the-beaten-path location in the Brookswood Meadow Plaza on the edge […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
Sober Curious? Bend’s Got Your Back
Bend boasts a growing selection of nonalcoholic social spaces
“Dry January,” a term used to indicate a break from drinking, may be transcending past a popular month-long challenge. In recent years, studies have shown that younger people are drinking less and becoming more “sober curious,” a movement prompting people to be more mindful of their alcohol consumption. According to a Gallup poll from August […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
Feeling Snacky for Some Seafood?
The Hook & Plow’s locally sourced, seasonal happy hour’s got you covered
Dissect the name of The Hook & Plow and it’s clear that this restaurant specializes in dishes that fall into two categories: surf and turf. A bright, airy space full of blonde wood located in The Hixon off Century Drive, the Hooked on Happy Hour menu dives into the former, offering an array of seafood […]
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Pouring Light
Low-proof cocktails for a mindful sip
Now that Dry January is behind us, you might be taking a moment to rethink your drinking habits. Maybe you’ve fallen for the art of mindful sipping, or maybe you just want to sample a few cocktails without going overboard. Whatever your reason, low-proof cocktails are a solid choice for keeping things balanced without giving […]
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Family-Friendly Happy Hours
While Bend has plenty of food truck parks and pubs open to families, these places stand out with dedicated play areas for little and big kids
Lifty’s on Chandler Avenue, just off Mt. Washington Drive and across from Skyline Park, is an ideal spot to hang out with kids while still feeling like an in-the-know adult. Opened in March 2022 by local Chris Justema, the restaurant includes a large beach volleyball court tucked away on the side of the patio, which […]
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Raise a Glass to Cozy Bars in Bend and Redmond
Candlelit corners, crackling fireplaces and happy hour deals you can toast to
During the brisk, cold evenings in the high desert, nothing sounds better than cozying up in the corner of a candlelit bar or a warm taphouse with a crackling fireplace. Whether you’re looking to sip wine with a good book, enjoy a romantic date night or find a post-adventure pint, Central Oregon offers a variety […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
Toast!
A guide to adult drinking in Central Oregon
We’ll get you inspired to try some new things – breakfast cocktails, anyone? We’ll also introduce you to local mixologists who share their thoughts on what makes a cocktail great. For those who entertain at home, read our story on some new and classic cocktail (and mocktail) books. We toast you, readers – now go out […]
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You Can’t Drink Cocktails All Day if You Don’t Start at Breakfast
Can we stop calling it brunch if we haven’t had breakfast already?
I get that brunch is a portmanteau of breakfast and lunch, but breakfast is a compound word, meaning any meal in which you break your (typically overnight) fast. So, feel free to stop pretending you need to wait til 10 am to order a bloody Mary or mimosa and do what the crowds at any of […]
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Four Local Gin-Based Cocktails
You’ll likely find a gin-based drink on any local cocktail menu. Here are four that are worth a try.
Gin is one of those spirits people either love or hate. Made from berry-like botanical juniper, gin has a very distinct flavor and aroma and can be slightly intimidating for people unfamiliar with its many delicious pairings. Lucky for me, I thoroughly enjoy drinks mixed with this liquor and have noticed a growing presence of […]
