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.

There appears to be a serious violence problem with some of the staff at the Astro Lounge. One or…read moretwo of the bouncers nearly killed two people last week by kicking already unconscious individuals lying on the ground hard in the head a few times. Instead of using their certified de-escalation skills to safely break up a fight, my friends and I had to rip these people away and call 911. It's really concerning.

food is bad. service is terrible. ambience leaves a lot to be desired. The place is pretty dirty…read moretoo.

The drinks are consistently great, always made with care. The atmosphere is a fun alternative vibe…read more When it gets busy, it gets busy--but that's why it's nice to visit on the slower days for even more attentive service, just like anywhere else. Thanks so much to the San Simon staff for all the wonderful experiences!

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.

Well, we did not know what to expect, and it was not what we expected. If you are looking for…read moreintimate dining, this is not the place. There's loud music, it's very dark, set up like a cafeteria with hard chairs and tables with no intimate space unless you reserve a tent. Our servers were awesome, the atmosphere was fun, the steaks were a little overpriced. They were probably 15 to 20% higher than most steakhouses that I eat at. If it was a higher end intimate location, I can see the extra price, but it misses the mark as far as fine dining. No complaints. I get why people like it and I'll know what to expect if I go back next time. Ok one complaint. The steak frite was salty as hell. Steak not fries... I'm sure it was just the seasoning but way way way too salty. Parking sucks!

I just found a Bend‑themed restaurant where the vibe is actually insane. Like... Eastern Oregon…read moreaesthetic, cozy‑rustic energy, and service so good. We kicked things off with the Hawkeye Burger it was juicy, stacked, flavor then added the beef fat fries. The crispy pork belly? Perfect crackle. The Caesar salad? Cold, crisp, and actually seasoned (rare). And the whole place is themed around Bend -- different rooms, different vibes, all super intentional and super cool. Happy Hour every day from 4-5. Live music Fridays at 8. Honestly... this spot is a whole experience.

Pretty good whiskey bar quite a big menu and something for everyone I wish they had a speakeasy in…read moreRedmond

Charming eclectic retro vibe. Fast service, great creative drinks. Don't shy away from the featured…read moreagave/tequila drink - it was wonderful. We didn't nt eat but food looked good. Great drop in cocktail spot.

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!

I randomly stepped inside this place noticing the pretty decor and classy interior. The service was…read moreexceptional from start to finish. I was served by a tall male bartender who was incredibly personable--we talked quite a bit, and honestly, I'd go back just for that experience alone. That said, the drinks he crafted and the food that came out of the kitchen gave me plenty more reasons to return. I ended up ordering an impressive amount of food, and by the time I hit my fifth large course, he joked that he'd have to pinch himself if I actually finished it. I couldn't help it--everything was that good. He also pointed me toward the owner, who clearly knows exactly what he's doing in the kitchen and carries himself with confidence and intention. Every aspect of this place felt immersive, like stepping into a classy, well-directed film. The atmosphere, the food, the service--it all came together seamlessly.

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.

Dive bar now masquerading as a kid-friendly arcade. And not a dive bar in the good sense. Dive bar…read moreas in turn around and go to D&D or Corey's.

I Love this venue! My favorite in town by far!…read more Always something cool happening! There's plenty of room, plenty of seating, big dance floor with cool lighting and a nice stage for viewing performances. There's a nice VIP area, Pro Audio sound system and super talented staff that all love their job! The ambience is the great, prices are very reasonable, and drink specials happen all the time. They have a food menu for after hours and a variety of non-alcoholic drink options for those who like to brave the social-wild without alcohol. And a great place to just hang out and play pool, sit and talk, or dance! There's room for all of it! Call ahead to reserve space for your next celebration! Weekends: Dance Music and live DJ performances Weekdays: Karaoke, Comedy, Cabaret, Open decks, and more! Follow @ The Capitol Bend on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated!