Classy place but also laid back and relaxed. Wasn't overly loud so we could carry on a conversation…read morewithout a problem (which isn't the case at another bar around the corner). Good drinks and appetizers. Nice staff.

Backwards hat bartender was drunk AF...acted like a clown and we left...do better. I was expecting…read moreat least a semi classy environment but no...skip this spot

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.

I've been doing the Bend Ale Trail slowly over the last few years and remembered visiting Worthy's…read moredowntown pub for a couple beers and pizza previously. I was unprepared then for their gigantic and amazing main brewery. The industrial building is mostly hidden my verdant gardens and local art outside. It's so happy and welcoming. Inside you can immediately see the tanks at the back, with a large bar to the left. Merchandise shop is at the front, with tables all around. The bartender was so friendly and welcoming. I talked to some brewers after their shift and they were just as friendly, albeit tired and ready to relax. Their beers are excellent, and I only wished I could've physically enjoyed more! I highly recommend a visit!

Good environment, fun place to go with family or a group…read more The sandwich I got was loaded with chicken and vegetables-- very saucy! The pretzel appetizer had a hot beer cheese sauce that was rich in flavor. They have good bar food, but would go for the beer.

I've traveled this country from Alaska to Key West and I can now say with absolute confidence that…read morethe Founding Fathers were unknowingly fighting for the right to drink a beer at the River Pig Saloon. This place feels simultaneously old and new. It's both nostalgic and comfortable-- the staff are friendly and professional. The drinks are cold and delicious. The food is made with love and it shows up on the plate and with every bite. God bless Oregon. God bless the River Pig. Stoked to have heard about this place on the 6 Ranch Podcast.

Food was great! Service was awesome! The vibe and ambiance was awesome! Definitely would come back…read more Played great music and had all of my favorite alcohol and beer! Tacos were fantastic! They were playing all the jams as well!

I have been wanting to try out the The Ale Apothecary for I don't know how long. It's safe to say…read moreit's been a long time. So on our last trip to Bend we finally made it here to the their taproom and it didn't disappoint at all. It was a great stop! We got a taster set of a variety of different beers that they had on tap and they were all quite good. Many of them have a wild ale aspect to them which I can appreciate at you don't come across this beer too much on a routine basis. The taproom is cool and I love all of their art specifically where fermentation liquids spilled onto a sheet or a cloth making various designs and hues during the brewing making process of their beers. Other excellent beers that we have had from this brewery are the Samalie which is a Wild Ale. This one I rated very highly on Untappd because it was so amazing! Things to look for in the flavor profile are sourness, tartness, fruitiness, a natural sweetness and a dry finish. Really an excellent beer! Moving on from that we had the great Ping Pong Table Beer. This was another beer I rated quite highly and enjoyed immensely. This beer is light bodies, smooth and effervescent with the flavor of elderflower at work. Another excellent beer! Definitely great beer experiences with this brewery and definitely recommend it to the more adventurous beer drinking folks. There are plenty of breweries to try out in Bend and if you are looking for something on the more unusual side The Ale Apothecary is a great place for such a thing!

If you're a beer fan, specifically into funky experimentation, this is your place in Bend! We've…read moregotten a few of their bottles at our local beer store over the years, and while these aren't my go-to styles, it was a fun experience trying the brewery in person. Ale Apothecary is a wild fermentation brewery and blendery located in a commercial plaza in Bend. They don't have food, but there's plenty of other great options nearby including Bo's Falafel and Good Life Brewing around the corner. If you're on the Bend Ale Trail, this is a must-visit stop as well. We visited on a weekday afternoon after opening, so it wasn't busy at all. The friendly beer server was welcoming and shared about the brewery, explaining about the bottle selections, how they make everything, and what was available on tap or in bottles to try that day. The décor is super eclectic with fun things to look at and enjoy while sipping. They also have picnic tables and outdoor seating if you'd prefer. Bottles are also available to go. For its uniqueness, prices are super reasonable for complex beers. This isn't a brewery for everyone however, even their customer demanded line of "regular beers" each has a signature of funk from their house yeast strains. As a beer lover that enjoys everything, it was fun to taste each thing; friends enjoyed this place very much as well. If you're an adventurous beer fan, this is worth your time!

So, I haven't found broasted chicken in years, finally found this place that has it. OMG can't say…read moreenough food things about this place. The chicken and potatoes were out of this world. Chicken chicken was golden crisp and juicy. Russet potatoe slices were soooo light and fluffy. Nothing was salty either. I would like to see Yukon potatoes and sweet potatoes tried too. 5 stars well earned. BRAVO!!!

This place I called the Oregon Ducks bar for obvious reasons. Came for some quick drinks after some…read morefamily bowling and this is my kind of dive bar. I never got any food but the service was great.

The guy at the bar was super nice and made a really good drink! Cocktails were consistent and…read more delicious! We didn't plan on getting food initally but got hungry and decided to do the happy-hour two for one deal and the food was actually so good! The baked brie and mango chutney was a must try! They had a loop video of Lake Tahoe playing on the tv and it aided to the outdoorsy-Bend vibes while we sat on the couches and chatted. The couches were very nice, clean, and looked like they were well maintained so I didn't feel scared to sit on them lol. Overall, loved our experience here!

The vibe inside this place is definitely super fun. We got there right when they opened on a Sunday…read moreand it was pretty quiet. We enjoyed our cocktails and the couches to sit on. The Honey Old Fashion was the best drink we got!

We had been given a recommendation to try the Bloody Mary here, by a friend from Portland, and also…read moreby someone on our flight to Bend. We did, and it was great! We had two. The drinks were delicious, and bartenders were fun and friendly. We felt very welcome. Bend has such a great vibe. Can't wait to come back.

Divey-est dive bar in downtown Bend? I dunno, but it's gotta be pretty close. Have only wandered in…read morehere a couple times, and every time has been a treat. Cheap, strong drinks from a full bar slung by hardened pros, a sorta scruffy clientele, video poker, dim lighting and absolutely atrocious bathrooms make this place a standout on the dive bar barometer (dudes: you got a trough to piss in and a condom machine to check out afterward. FYI). The food is average-to-okay, burgers and sandos and fried stuff, in good portions. BUT: the booths are comfy, and the service (yes there is table service) is far above what you'd expect in this class, plus the vibe is super warm and welcoming. So, 4 stars - graded on a scale.