This story has been updated to reflect a recent change in happy hour times at Bentley's Grill.
With slogans like"$1 off co*cktails from 4-6!" or "our patio is OPEN for happy hour!," longstanding barssuch as Magoo's, Kelli'sand Half Penny all offer discounted well drinks and beer, perhaps a cheap bar snack or two, but a handful of spots go above and beyond. The deals are fine, the workday is done, and thank God Uber and Lyft can take you home. Here are our favorites:
Venti’s Cafe
Happy hour: 4 to 6 p.m. daily (both locations) and 9 p.m. to close (South Salem's taphouse)
The deal: Pop by this Salem mainstay for discounted food specials, $2-offpints, $1-off tulip glassand even a special co*cktail.
The vibe: You know, it’s Venti’s. Who in Salem hasn’t been to a Venti’s? You’ll see some young families, maybe a few musicians between day jobs, maybe a few beer bros comparing notes on Portland IPAs.
Good for: An introduction to beer — lots of good local brews on tap without a crazy price tag
What to order: Food special (like bacon pb&j) and one of the restaurant’s several awesome rotating beers
If you go:2840 Commercial St. SE, 503-391-5100(taphouse),325 Court St. NE,503-399-8733 (basem*nt bar)
More:Best Salem restaurants for vegetarians and vegans
Amadeus
Happy hour: 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. to close Wednesdays-Saturdays, all night Tuesdays
The deal: Choose from a truly huge food menu, including small orders of menu favorites such as painted hills brisket for $8and shrimp and bacon risotto for $9.Pair that with the restaurant’s dramatically discounted drinks, like a $6 scratch margaritaor a champagne co*cktail for $5.
The vibe: Sleek and often quiet, for those craving an inexpensive dinner and drink to enjoy in peace
Good for: Picking up divorcees, hiding from 20somethings
What to order: Harissa chicken skewers ($6)and scratch margarita ($6) orpainted hills brisket ($8)and house wine ($5)
If you go:135 Liberty St. NE,503-362-8830
More:Dining Review: Amadeus relies on good food, not gimmicks
Andaluz
Happy hour:4:30 to 6 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays
The deal: Chef David Rosales’ upscale small plates, from the smoky chorizo and Parmesan croquettes to his obsessively crafted salsas, are available for $5 or $6, with co*cktails and beer clocking in between $4 and $5.
The vibe: Polished but still colorful, Andaluz is small and intimate enough for a date night and bright and perky enough for after-work drinks and snacks.
Good for: Dates, after-work drinks, impressing the boss
What to order: Chorizo-Parmesan croquettes ($5) and sherry lemonade ($5) or bacon-wrapped dates ($6) and sangria ($5)
If you go:130 High St. SE,503-585-1773
More:Andaluz-based pop-up Kid Aztec: New burritos downtown from a familiar kitchen
More:Dining Review: Andaluz walks line between fun and fancy
Taproot
Happy hour: 2 to 4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays
The deal:This Salem venue and restaurant recently decided to chop tapasprices in half.That means $2.50 chips and salsa, $4.50 samosas and $3 Brussels.For the quality of food alone, Taproot's happy hour is probably the best bang for your buck in town.
The vibe: A hippie's dream, Taproot's artsy aesthetic makes it a favorite for Salem's creative crowd.
Good for: Big group hangouts, meetupsand, paradoxically, casual laptop scrolling
What to order: Local pint and Samosas ($4.50)
More:Review: Taproot nicely mixes healthy fare, bar food
ACME Cafe
Happy hour:3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and the last hour of the night Tuesdays-Fridays,2 to 6 p.m."Hump Day Special" Thursdays
The deal:Small bites from $3 to $5.50,beer and wine for $4and a featured co*cktail for $6,plus a Thursday "Hump Day Special": pint of beer and chef's choice of appetizer for $5.
The vibe:ACME's fun Americana decor is thanks to restaurant designer extraordinaire Cecilia Ritter James,which makes it a fun, family-friendly spot for folks of all ages. Summer happy hours are best spent on the patio, however, with a tall drink under a red umbrella.
Good for:An after-camp treat (the kids can have ice cream while you have an IPA)
What to order:Roasted tomato basil ceviche ($5.50)and glass of white wine ($4) orbuttermilk chicken strips ($5.50)and beer ($4)
If you go:110 Hansen Ave. S,503-798-4736
More:Eat or drink outside in Salem at these restaurants
Ritter's Housemade Foods
Happy hour: 3 to 5:30 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays
The deal: Happy hour is the ultimate time to go to Ritter's, because the menu's usual double-digit prices dramatically slide into the single-digit category. Get an individual cheese pizza for $5or a Caesar for $4.Better yet, pair one of the restaurant's craft co*cktails (like the Bangkok, with house-infused Thai chili vodka, ginger and lemon)with a scoop of ice cream for less than $10.Good news, beer and wine fans: Happy hour includes $1 off all beer on tap and$5 glasses of house wine.
The vibe: The restaurant's high ceilings, white-tile walls and black booths give it an upscale vibe, which allows Ritters to walk the line between casual after-work spot and date night treat.
Good for: Out-of-town guests, a fun first date and drinking a fancy co*cktail to make Wednesday bearable
What to order:Brussels Sprouts ($5) and Bangkok ($7)orice cream ($2.75)and Manhattan ($7)
If you go:102 Liberty St. NE, suite 100,503-339-7928
More:Dining Review: Ritter's brings warmth to downtown
Bentley's Grill
Happy hour: 3to 6 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 4 to 9 p.m. Sundays
The deal: Bentley's has daily happy hour specials, including ladies night (Wednesday) and Tini Tuesdays.
The vibe: Overlooking downtown in Salem's Grand Hotel, Bentley's does exude hotel bar vibes, with waitstaff in suit and tie,velvet touches and dimmed lighting. Still, Bentley's crowd is a nice mix of ages, as well as a balance of visitors and locals.
Good for: A gussy-yourself-up evening out, especially if you want to impress the wino in your life. Bentley's celebrated wine list is definitely worth a perusal.
What to order: Crab cakes ($6) and glass of white (varies)
If you go:291 Liberty St. SE,503-779-1660
More:Bentley's Grill in Salem receives 2016 award from Wine Spectator
Orupa
Happy hour: 4 to 6 p.m. daily
The deal: $6 for various small plates, including mac n’ cheese fritters in a smoky cheese sauce, pico-topped tacos and calamari with a chipotle dip.
The vibe:The indoor dining room is hipwith high ceilings, vintage ads on the walls and Phoenix on the stereo. But the place to be is the rooftop deck, which opens at 5 p.m.
Good for: Taking out the boss,business happy hour, soaking up the sun with a glass of rose in-hand
What to order:Mac n' cheese fritters ($6) and Lucid Dream co*cktail ($9,riesling, apricot liqueur, vermouth and absinthe— trust us)
If you go:500 Liberty St. SE, No. 150,503-588-3639
More:Taco Tuesdays in Salem: Our favorite deals
Kraftworks Taphouse
Happy hour: 5 to 7 p.m. daily
The deal: Kraftworks offers a variety of discounted items, including cheesy fries, wings, pulled pork sliders and the restaurant's mind-boggling nachos.
The vibe: With one of the later happy hours in town, Kraftworks attracts an eclectic group in its dimly-lit dining room, with walls lined with local art and a back lounge area complete with pinball.
Good for: Casual meet-ups with friends andthose nights when you just need to down a pile of nachos
What to order: Wings ($7) andbeer or nachos ($10)and a tequila shot
If you go: 241 Liberty St. NE,503-339-7757,or message the bar on Facebook
More:Dining Review: Both food, drinks impress at Kraftworks
Wild Pear Restaurant & Catering
Happy hour:3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays
The deal: Discounted dishes like Vietnamese salmon cakes, lobster meltand Tuscan panzanella pair with $5 house wine or $4 draft beer and cider.
The vibe:Exceptional serviceand a diverse menu have made Wild Pear a Salem mainstay for years. Happy hour isn't exactly party central at Wild Pear: Think teatime with more booze.
Good for: Taking Mom out without breaking the bank
What to order: Vietnamese salmon cakes ($8.50)and house white ($5) or acup of soup du jour ($3.75) and hard cider ($4)
If you go:372 State St.,503-378-7515
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Email Brooke Jackson-Glidden brookejg@statesmanjournal.com or call503-428-3528. Follow her on Twitter@jacksonglidden, or like her Facebook pagewww.facebook.com/BrookeJackson-Glidden.
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