Across the Northwest, the sun is out and bar patrons want a warm spot to relax with friends in the fresh air and enjoy our gorgeous sunny months. Want a glass of bubbles? Summery cocktail? Cold, crisp beer? We’ve got options for you. Settle into the outdoor drinking season.
Seattle, Washington
The maritime views of Lake Union from Renee Erickson’s Westward are hard to beat. Come early to this popular spot (by boat or car) to secure a deck chair by the fire pit and enjoy a glass of sparkling wine from Mexico or a cocktail from the summer menu that is thematically organized around popular songs (clearly composed by a Gen Xer).
Just next door, slip down a pathway next to racks of boat storage to discover the gorgeous views at Bowriders Grill. This colorful patio is a perfect spot to have a casual bite made with fresh seasonal ingredients and a local beer or wine on tap — if you want a bottle, the full wine list is impressive. Picking up your takeout by boat? No problem! They will bring your order out to you.
Keeping in less than a 1 block radius of Westward and Bowriders Grill, pop on over to the newly opened Gasworks Brewing for a beer on their patio with expansive views of Lake Union. Check out their rotating gluten free sour beers, a refreshing summer sipper and nice alternative. This idyllic setting and innovative brews make this a perfect stop for some lakeside fun.
Looking for small bites and cocktails with local artisanal spirits? Head to Mischief on Canal, the craft cocktail bar at Fremont Mischief Distillery, to enjoy a Mischief Rye Tai and a bowl of spiced nuts on the picturesque upper patio overlooking the Fremont Canal.
For drinks with a kitschy, nostalgic twist, find yourself a seat at Carnelian Bay, the covered outdoor patio at Dreamland in Fremont (we like the outdoors, but we must protect our skin, honey). At Dreamland, cocktails aren’t just for the evening. They offer two seatings every Sunday for their drag brunch on the patio with performances by the talented Dream Girls.
Portland, Oregon
On Friday nights, enjoy a wine flight on the patio of Portland’s Stem Wine Bar while listening to live music from local singer-songwriters. Have a special occasion coming up? Book a session to learn how to saber your own Champagne!
Watch the sunset from the rooftop deck of Noble Rot, a longtime PDX favorite — and James Beard nominee for outstanding wine program. The modern aesthetic pairs perfectly with an elegant evening dining out. By the way, the herbs in their imaginative cocktails are grown in their rooftop garden.
A quaintrelle is “a woman who emphasizes a life of passion, expressed through personal style, leisurely pastimes, charm and cultivation of life’s pleasures” according to the same-named restaurant in Portland. The elevated, seasonally sourced meals and inspired cocktails at Quaintrelle are perfect for a long overdue catch-up with your bestie at an outdoor two-top.
To enjoy the sunset, you could hike the Lolo Pass near Mount Hood or you could take in the view from the seasonal rooftop bar at Lolo Pass, the hotel/hostel in Portland’s Eastside (it’s a much easier climb). The carefully curated wine list is focused on interesting and affordable options from Willamette Valley.
Boise, Idaho
At Fork, 75% of the beer, wine and spirits are from Northwest producers, including a strong selection of Idaho wine and beer. The outdoor patio, strung with warm lights on Boise’s bustling pedestrian-only 8th Avenue, makes it an excellent option for post-work happy hours and for travelers to the City of Trees.
For local, seasonal selections with an Italian twist, reserve a table on the spacious, flower-lined patio at Apericena. Relax with small plates and an aperitivo, or tuck into a hearty ragu and glass of rustic red. Here, meals are meant to be shared and lingered over. Umbrellas and a water feature keep the patio cool and shady on hot summer nights.
