Cheers! 6 Kid-Friendly Happy Hours

Happy hours are thought to be NKA (“no kids allowed”). But bars, cafes and restaurants around Portland have caught on that sometimes, parents love them — and they want to bring their munchkins along. Doors are opening for kiddos so they can play while you get your social on. Check out one of these spots that offer sweet deals on food and cocktails, and welcome little ones with open arms.

Photos courtesy of Poa Cafe

Poa Cafe
Poa bills itself a place where “parents can still feel like adults while providing entertainment for the kids,” and we’re all for that! There’s a creative play space and a generous happy hour seven days a week from 3-6 p.m. $4 house wines, $3-5 appetizer plates and $5 special cocktails will make any hectic afternoon seem a little more civilized. Poa offers nutritious and balanced meals for all, like a kids’ menu selection of pizza with whole wheat flour, fruit and yogurt. Smoothies come in kid- or grownup-size portions.

4025 N. Williams St.
Portland, Or
Online at poacafe.com

Photo credit: Matthew and Tracie on Flickr via Creative Commons

Bunk Bar
Feel a need to get in touch with your hip side? It’s still down there, despite the kids. Bunk Bar offers $1 well drinks and most draft pints every day of the week from 3-6 p.m. More importantly, they have really great sandwiches and tater tots. Grab a booth if you can, and peek out the window to the newly-happening Central Eastside. Specials vary, but the kids will be happy to chow down on the tots and grilled cheese while you dive into your pork belly Cubano.

1028 SE Water Ave.
Portland, Or
Online at bunksandwiches.com

Photo credit: Ross G. via Yelp

Oaks Bottom Public House
Part of the Lompoc group of brewpubs, this location is set in walkable and kid-friendly Sellwood. In this close-knit neighborhood, you’ll be treated like a local. Drink up the pub ambiance with specials and a happy hour menu of reasonably-priced snacks available from 3-6 p.m. Refuel with “totchos” (tater tot nachos), wings and French fries after a walk along the Springwater Trail or an afternoon of skating at Oaks Park.

1621 Bybee Blvd.
Portland, Or
Online at lompocbrewing.com

Photo credit: Valerie W. via Yelp

Spirit of 77
Spirit of 77 is a large, cavernous space with plenty of chatter, so you don’t have to worry about your kids forgetting to use their inside voices. There are also pop-a-shot games they can play for free, so no begging for quarters. Think of an arcade for grownups, complete with a bright light-up sign over the bar. Happy hour offers $1 off pints, and $5 margaritas on weekdays from 4-6 p.m. Word to the wise: Check the schedule ahead of time to see what’s playing on the big screen to avoid the crush of the big game, and older kids will do better with the stool seating.

500 NE MLK Blvd.
Portland, Or
Online at spiritof77bar.com

Photo credit: Redwood via Facebook

Redwood
On a popular stretch of Stark Street, this new Montvilla restaurant and bar is open to minors until 9 p.m.,a and not too well-known yet to be filled to the brim. The happy hour specials run from 5-6 p.m., and offers $1 off drafts and glasses of wine, but even if you miss that hour, the food is worth the trip after an afternoon spent scaling and playing on Mt. Tabor. Your $7 burger will seem like a steal when you realize it’s one of the better burgers in town and that it also comes with a hefty portion of fries. Try it before the secret gets out.

7915 SE Stark St.
Portland, Or
Online at redwoodpdx.com

Photo credit:Ate-Oh-Ate via Facebook

Ate-Oh-Ate
This Hawaiian spot from the people who brought you Laurelhurst Market and Simpatica offers food, drinks and treats for all members of the family. And like any good Hawaiian joint, you’ll leave feeling more relaxed than when you came in due to the laid back atmosphere. Sure, it’s Burnside, not Maui, but it’ll do. You might even be able to push the kids out of their comfort zone just a bit when you share your sliders — chicken, Spam, fried kimchi and more, are 3-for-$5 at happy hour. Shaved ice is available with or without rum. Just don’t get them mixed up!

2454 E. Burnside St.
Portland, Or
Online at: ate-oh-ate.com

Did we miss your favorite happy hour spot?  Let us know in the Comments section below!

–Kelley Gardiner