home> insight > drink

DRINK

Right about 5:00….

Merenda Restaurant and Wine Bar is definitely happening in the early evening. With over 60 wines by the glass and the largest assortment of liquor in Oregon, you are sure to find something that suites your palate. The bartenders make a mean Martini. The atmosphere is lively, in a turn of the century brick building in the heart of downtown Bend, on Wall Street. Check out Merenda at merendarestaurant.com, take a pleasant virtual tour. The food is good, too! Go for happy hour, good deals on food and drink.

Bendistillery is reviving the traditional, handcrafted character of small-batch American distilled spirits. Using only the freshest natural ingredients, they carefully distill their gins and vodkas in small batches - never using extracts, perfumes or other artificial flavors. Their spirits are true ultra-premium, handcrafted alternatives to the mass-produced commercial brands.

Bendistillery is owned by local Jim Bendis and is fondly referred to as “The Martini Bar" by those of us who frequently imbibe in Martinis. Check it out on Martini Couture nights when local boutiques show off their fashions on some of the hottest girls in the high desert. Get there early, this is a popular event. Check out the new location in the Mill District. Quite a swanky place!!

Let's have one more...

The Astro Lounge is located at 147 NW Minnesota Avenue in Downtown Bend. It is next door to one of our favorite dinner spots, “Marz, a Planetary Bistro”. They originally had the same owners. With over 25 specialty Martinis to choose from, you may have to have more than one. Be careful, though, if you try the “Astrodisiac”, it is gigantic and is meant to share! Sit upstairs on one of the comfy sofas and enjoy!

JC's Bar and Grill definitely deserves a visit while you are doing “the Wall Street Shuffle”. Just around the corner from Wall Street on Franklin, most nights you will find friendly barkeeps slinging drinks and great pub food. The salads are awesome and the chicken strips and burgers are the best anywhere. Locals have their own inscribed beer mugs and the feel is always good natured. Check it out on Thursday nights. The best local music, if you are lucky enough to be there when KC Flynn plays. He is a great acoustic guitarist that we are proud to call our own. Recently (Spring 2007) JC’s expanded with lots more room and fun and games including a great Shuffle Board and pool tables.

McMenamin's stretches the downtown core to the South; McMenamins's is in the old St. Francis Catholic School. The “campus” is huge with several watering holes spread over several blocks. They brew their own beer. Have a cigar in the bar in the rear. Soak in the outdoor Turkish bath or see a movie complete with brews and pub fare. Moving right along….

I should have gone home...

The D & D Bar and Grill, the “down and dirty” is the place for you if you love the classic smoky dive bar. Its Bend’s oldest and most notorious bar and diner. Big portions and strong drinks complete with video poker. One of the best things about “The D” is that when you had a few too many the night before, they open at 6:00 AM. So, go back, have an Egg's Benedict and a Jack and Coke! You get the idea….

The Wall Street Grill, on the Drake Park side of Wall Street should not be missed for late night spirits. Generally crowded with the younger set, it rocks until the 2:00 AM cut off time. They have a nice deck for watching the other late night partiers stroll by.

BREWPUBS

Deschutes Brewery - Bends oldest brewery, restaurant is located at 1044 NW Bond Street, in downtown Bend. Local’s night on Monday, cheaper beer and eats. Sample favorites like Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Black Butte Porter and Obsidian Stout. Their seasonal ale, Jubelale is a real hit in the fall!

Bend Brewing Company – Located on Brooks Street, right on the river. Have a High Desert Hefeweizen on the deck.

Cascade Lakes Brewery – At the roundabout at Colorado and Century Drive. A great place to stop after a day on the mountain. Have a Monkey Face Porter, named after the world renowned 350 foot rock climbing pillar at Smith Rock State Park.

Wildfire Brewing Company – Bend’s newest brewery. Owned by Jeremy and Chris Cox, of JC’s Bar and Grill fame. Check out their brews at JC’s, Code 24, a pale ale or Wildfire Logger.

Silver Moon Brewing - Check out their Hound’s Tooth Amber, Bridge Creek Pilsner or Snake Bite Porter at more than 40 locations around Central Oregon.

COFFEE SHOPS

Looking for something different in your next coffee? Try Backporch Coffee Roasters. They feature classic drinks made with all the best ingredients. Tired of your regular vanilla latte? Swap the vanilla for lavender, and you will be fabulously surprised at this new and tasty drink! Backporch is on Newport Avenue.

Dutch Bros. Coffee is a classic Bend favorite. This drive-thru coffee stand is so popular in Bend that three different locations have sprung up over the years. They have all your classic coffee drinks with some surprises mixed in as well. Try the Kahlua Kicker for a deliciously different drink, or if you really need that kick of caffeine, try the Double Torture! You can find 3 locations, N. and S. 3rd Street and on 27th just off of Greenwood.

At Bellatazza, roughly translated from Italian to mean “beautiful cup,” you can get more than just a cup of coffee. This local hit sells sandwiches, soups, pastries and other delicious items. Their focus is on fresh, fast, and reasonably priced. Try the raspberry Italian soda, my personal favorite. Great location downtown on Wall at the Breezeway.

Thump moved into the Bend coffee scene last year and has given some of the older coffee shops a run for their money. They came over from Portland and serve the famous “Stumptown” roasted beans. From their website – “This is a place where new friendships are made and old ones are strengthened. Where big ideas are conceived. Where business deals are sealed with a handshake over a cup. Where coffee is on par with fine wine. Where every detail seems to have been thought out in anticipation of your arrival. This is your hangout. Feel the beat of the bean.” Thump is located on Minnesota, next to the old Firehall.