Dogwood is a must visit when in Bend. Missing their old location downtown but they sure brought the…read morevibes bigger and better to the shed. Taking over a whole corner block, the shed offers indoor/outdoor seating with an antique flare, rustic yet funky. Huge wrap around bar and little random nook seating. They host multiple food trucks and live music on the weekends. You won't be disappointed especially with a one of their incredible craft cocktail in hand.

I went to the food carts next to Dogwood for lunch. The Wich Doctor food cart has become one of my…read morefavorites in the area. I thought that my wife and friends of ours would get some dinner and have some drinks at the Dogwood at the Pine Shed. You can bring your food from the carts inside Dogwood and enjoy the seating and have a cocktail , wine , beer or kombucha. One of our friends had a beer on tap. Their beer menu is limited . My wife and I are dark beer drinkers . They did not have any on the menu so we did not have a drink. There is plenty of seating and it's a great place to stay out of the sun on a hot day.

First day of my work trip arriving in town. The hotel highly recommended visiting here. Sunday 7pm…read moreis quiet but I'm not upset. Bartender was friendly and knew his mixology well! I didn't order food but I'm sure it's delish! My drink was yummy and the decor is rustic and modern. I liked that the place felt clean too.

I've loved Velvet for years, at least the idea and aesthetic of it. Really well curated interior…read morewith a great ambiance. The owner is the only person I've felt good vibes from. The rest of the team, especially recently, have unfortunately always had frankly unwelcoming, bored, avoidant, unenthusiastic, dead expression attitudes no matter the time or stress level. I've even been in when zero customers were in the entire building and based on the sole interactions with the bar, or lack thereof, the magic gets leached away from the place. Without the bartenders, it's just an empty building after all. A welcoming attitude or some conversation is the warm hearth that brings cold travelers back over and over again; people remember how they feel. Then again, even when the place is packed with people, I don't feel any warmth or connection from anyone here. Maybe it's a sign of the times, maybe it's Bend in general. I'll keep trying and coming back nonetheless.

San Simon is a fun little hidden gem! Tucked away down an alley, it almost feels like you're…read morediscovering a secret speakeasy. The atmosphere is rustic, cozy, and a little exclusive, which made it a really unique spot to grab a drink! We stopped in right after checking into our hotel, and it was the perfect first stop to kick off our weekend. There isn't a ton of seating, but you can choose between the cozy indoor space or the patio in the alley. Since there were only two of us, we were seated right away. If you're looking for a relaxed place to enjoy a quick glass of wine or a cocktail before exploring the rest of the town, I'd definitely recommend stopping by here. It's a charming spot with great vibes!

Follow the alley. Trust me…read more You know those places you stumble into and immediately think, "Yep...this is my kind of spot"? That was San Simón for me. At first, walking down the alley in downtown Bend, I honestly was not sure what we were about to find. Then we started seeing little fire pit pods, heated huts, glowing candles, and people tucked away having cocktails. It instantly felt cool without trying too hard. Walking into San Simón felt like stepping into some funky speakeasy hidden in plain sight. Dark lighting, moody atmosphere, David Bowie playing in the background, wild artwork on the walls that makes you stop and stare for a second. Just a great vibe all around. The kind of place where you sit down and immediately relax into the evening. The cocktails were excellent. Not overdone, not syrupy, just really balanced and well made. One of our favorites was the "Some Positive Feedback," which came with this sugar rim that looked awesome and added just enough sweetness without overpowering the drink. Bright citrus flavor, refreshing, smooth, and dangerously easy to drink. Then we asked the bartender if they could just make us something off the cuff. We said vodka, lemon and lime forward, not too sweet, maybe a little spice. They absolutely nailed it. Crisp, refreshing, layered citrus flavor with just enough heat on the back end to keep it interesting. Honestly one of those cocktails where everybody at the table takes a sip and immediately goes, "Oh wow." As a bourbon guy, I was also pleasantly surprised with the whiskey selection. The bartender recommended Stafford's Reserve, an Oregon bourbon, and I am glad I listened. Smooth, approachable, a little sweet up front with some spice on the finish. Easy sipping bourbon that fit the whole vibe of the place perfectly. What really made the night though was the staff. Everybody was friendly in that genuine way where you feel welcomed instead of "served." By the end of the night it honestly felt like we had been there before, even though it was our first visit. The outdoor setup deserves some love too. Bend cooled down at night, but the fire pits and heaters kept everything comfortable. We could have easily stayed another couple hours just hanging out. Pricing felt fair for the quality of drinks and atmosphere. This is not a dive bar pretending to be fancy. It is a genuinely cool cocktail spot that knows exactly what it is. If you are in Bend and enjoy craft cocktails, bourbon, cool music, quirky atmosphere, and places with personality, go find San Simón. Half the fun is finding it tucked down the alley in the first place.

Wow-what an excellent experience! From our server Jesse who took great care of us to the unique…read moreflavors..chef's kiss-muuuwah! Seared Foie Gras - Sparrow brioche, berry spread, toasted pistachio, 15yr balsamic... was on a fluffy brioche with a berry jam that made for an unexpected mix of sweet and salty. The ahi tuna tostada had a creamy sauce the made me wanna change my order and fill up on these..soo guuuud. Seared Albacore Crudo - Yuzu calamansi ponzu, shiso, scallions, crispy garlic, togarashi, pumpkin seed oil. It was a fresh and citrusy flavor with a spicy aftertaste. Such an explosion of flavors. Seared Diver Scallops - Snap peas, summer squash, black pearl mushrooms, red coconut curry, sunflower sprouts. The scallops were large and juicy with a curry sauce that was similar to Thai curry. Ambience is eclectic with a vibrant hip vibe. A definite treat night!

From the decor and atmosphere to the unique cocktails and attentive service, Dear Irene is one of…read moreBend's best restaurants. They offer a fixed menu with great starters, salads, and entrees. We ordered the scallops which were full of buttery deliciousness, the chicken which was cooked to perfection with crunchy breading on the outside, and a creamy polenta dish. You can't go wrong but be sure to order one of the salads. Our favorite was the baratta and citrus salad with olives and pine nuts. It has all the textures and sweet-salty goodness you could want. As for cocktails, our favorite was the pear and side piece drinks. The presentation is beautiful and they really are one of a kind. We'll be back!

Blacksmith is definitely one of the busiest restaurants in Bend, so I highly recommend making a…read morereservation! We didn't have one and ended up waiting a little over an hour for a table. Thankfully, they let you add your name to the waitlist so you can explore downtown Bend while you wait, which worked out perfectly since it's surrounded by cute shops and walkable streets. We came here to celebrate our two year anniversary, and it was the perfect date night spot. The atmosphere was warm, dark, and romantic with a rustic Western inspired feel that felt not overdone but fit Bend perfectly! For dinner, we ordered the scallops with the squid ink pasta. The scallops were perfectly tender, and while the pasta was a little on the greasy side, it was still packed with flavor. We also had a salad and the beef carpaccio to share. The carpaccio was delicious, though I think it would have been even better with a different type of crackers since the ones served were a bit too hard. Overall, the food, atmosphere and close location made for a great evening. If you're planning to dine here, definitely make a reservation ahead of time!

I'm a "meat & potatoes" guy. I can cook too! Except for my…read moreBirthday. I heard good things about "The Blacksmith" and made a reservation. I show up, had a great table, great drinks, food and dessert too. I had the "PAC. Northwest Ribeye, horseradish mashed potatoes, with the house sauce (mushroom). The steak was AMAZING! (You can have the sauce on the side, but why?) The thick (14oz.) steak laid half over the mashers, and sauce all over which is how I liked it. The mashed potatoes had the perfect blend of horseradish (not overpowering) that went well with my medium-rare steak. It was delicious and, boy I was full! Parking was like (well, you know Bend!) reasonable (no reflection on the restaurant) get there early and stake your claim! The service was amazing, the food was awesome (my steak was flavorful, juicy, and cooked to perfection!). Price $$$ It is what you'd expect for such a fine dining experience! My drink was (I can't remember the name) but was a crushed berry, whiskey, mint leaf, on ice, but very tasty! I want more! Kudos and compliments to everyone there for making my birthday dining experience so wonderful! My desert, a slice of chocolate fudge cake with vanilla ice cream!

Such a delight to stop by @thedezbend for the first time and enjoy their Spicy Piñarita & Drønme…read moreCalm. @djpkjam's chill, live beats were a splendid addition and the staff were all lovely and attentive. The addition of a vibing, fully N/A cocktail lounge to Bend is a tremendous development for anyone looking to partake in a cool, zero-proof outing. I encourage folks to support this venture! I shall return! (My photos don't do the bevvies justice, sorry!) #bend #bendoregon #nonalcoholic #bar #cocktail #cocktaillounge

This place is permanently closed apparently since last October..... ended up at San Simon for…read moreexcellent mocktails

Love the oat milk lattes here. Hot chocolate is really good and creamy too. Lots of items available…read morethat aren't listed on the website (like mimosas). Reasonably priced with convenient hours. Staff is really friendly but the place can get a really busy in the morning. I waited 20 minutes one day.

From the owner: Fuel up for adventure with a coffee, or wind down after a bike ride with a beer! Free WiFi, craft…read morebeer, Thump Coffee, pastries and sandwiches!

We were staying the night at McMenamins in Bend while traveling from California to Washington, and…read moreone of the highlights of our stay was hunting down the speakeasy bar, The Broom Closet. Half the fun is searching the property for it--and don't worry, I won't spoil where we found it! Once inside, it truly felt like a hidden gem. The space is cozy and intimate, with comfortable places to sit and a full bar that feels tucked away from the rest of the property. It was especially festive during the holidays, with Christmas drink specials adding to the charm. I ordered the NA Merry Cherry, which was gingery, slightly spicy, and super refreshing--a great non-alcoholic option. My wife had The Countess and said it was absolutely delicious. Between the atmosphere, the drinks, and the fun of discovering it, The Broom Closet was a total win. If you're ever staying at McMenamins Bend, make sure you take the time to search for The Broom Closet--it's well worth the adventure!

Such a cool little addition to the Old Saint Francis hotel. We were staying at the hotel and…read moreencouraged to explore and go find the Broom Closet. Once we did find it, we enjoyed a cocktail and sitting in a quiet nook. It's definitely not a large space or a loud space, but something more to be savored and enjoyed. The bartender was extremely kind and engaging. Even if you aren't staying at the hotel, I would highly recommend coming to check this place out.