July 13, 2007 -- By Cindy Anderson

Finally! Warm - sometimes too hot - and sunny weather is officially upon us. It's the best time of the whole year to enjoy a good happy hour, so knock off work early and start celebrating summer! While happy hour patrons are often relegated to drinking inside only at the bar, these wonderful establishments let you take advantage of their discounted menu and sit outside to most thoroughly enjoy their exceptional environs.

Mint/820
Happy Hour: Mon - Sat 4:00pm - 6:30pm
Food specials: $2.50 - $6
Drink specials: $2.50 drafts, $3 well, $5 house cocktails
Connected to the gorgeous and hip Mint Restaurant, the trendy, upscale ultra-lounge 820's quiet and private back deck is an all-time favorite. Be sure to try at least one of owner Lucy Brennan's infamous cocktail creations like the avocado daiquiri of the pineapple drop. The happy hour food is all about the delicious and giant servings of sweet potato fries, and other favorites include the Cuban lamb burger, calamari, soup and spicy Caesar salad.

Bernie's Southern Bistro
Happy Hour: Tues - Sat 4:00pm - 6:00pm and 10:00pm - Close
Food specials: $3
Drink Specials: None
The back patio here simply oozes Southern charm and hospitality. Sitting amidst lanterns, overflowing planters and flowering trees, you'll quickly slow down your frenzied city pace and may even start speaking with a drawl yerself. This gem is somewhat hidden away near the east end of Alberta Street, but don't miss their high-end Southern food deals: like Po'Boy sandwiches, fried green tomatoes, hush puppies, red beans and rice, cornmeal fried okra and bananas foster bread pudding.


Mississippi Station
Happy Hour: Daily 4:00pm - 6:00pm and 10:00pm - Close
Food specials: $4 - $6
Drink specials: $3 pints, $5 wine, $1 off well
You'll immediately be delighted by Mississippi Station's huge meandering patio illuminated with twinkling Italian lights. Surrounded by wooden fencing, it's an absolutely perfect beer garden with some of Portland's best outdoor dining under the stars - separate seating areas include a small Airstream trailer and old theater seats under a delicate canopy. Half-off appetizers including onion rings, ciabatta bread, quesadillas and sweet potato fries.

New Old Lompoc
Happy Hour: Mon - Fri 4:00pm - 7:00pm; Sat and Sun all day
Food specials: $2 off appetizers
Drink specials: $3 pints, $1 off well and call
Sunday all-day special: $2 Bloody Marys
Monday all-day special: $2 drafts
The New Old Lompoc is a very casual alternative to the "trendy-third" scene with well-worn picnic tables and a borderline dive bar appeal. Their back patio is a top favorite for most Portland beer geeks, dog lovers and bikers. Their new discount menu includes buffalo wings, crab and roasted garlic dip, chicken tenders, hummus, calamari and nachos.

Night Light Lounge
Happy Hour: Daily 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Food specials: $2 - $5
Drink specials: $1.50 PBR, $3 micros, $4 Guiness 20oz, $1 off wine and well
A sweet little neighborhood patio deck makes for a quiet and private happy hour retreat, while sidewalk seating out front provides plenty of interesting people-watching. I especially love this place for successfully serving healthy, tasty and cheap food - fresh, organic salads, homemade soup, an outstanding cheese plate - and huge portions of nachos for only $2.

On Deck Sports Bar and Grill
Happy Hour: Mon - Fri 3:30pm - 6:30pm and 10:00pm - Close
Food specials: $1.99 - $4.50
Drink specials: Rotating nightly specials
This sports bar/party jewel located in the Pearl gets high marks for its lofty city-style rooftop views. Basic bar standards like hummus, spinach dip, BBQ pork sliders and brats are taken up a notch in both quality and quantity.

Salty's on the Columbia
Happy Hour: Mon - Sat 3:00pm - 6:00pm and Sun 7:00pm - Close
Food specials: $1.50 - $5
Drink specials: $3.75 micros, $4 well, $4.25 margaritas and Bloody Marys and $5 wine

With its three-story deck perched high atop the Columbia River bank, Salty's is the perfect place to settle in early to watch a summer sunset. Sit back and feel the warm breeze blowing through your hair while you drink in the majestic view (cold drink in hand, of course). Their brand new happy hour menu blasts everyone else out of the water with a huge line-up of classic choices like blackened salmon Caesar salad, cheeseburger with fries, coconut prawns, fish and chips and clam chowder.

Siam Society
Happy Hour: Mon - Sat 4:00pm - 6:00pm; Mon - Thurs 9:00pm - Close; Fri and Sat 10:00pm - Close
Food specials: $1.75 - $7.50
Drink specials: $2.50 drafts, $3.50 well, $4 house wine
Siam Society is a top happy hour in so many, many ways (read all about them) - and now they are even serving it up outside, tucked into their industrial-artsy patio hideaway. Thai food abounds in Portland, but this is some of the best - and at such great prices! Cabbage wraps, grilled prawns, satay, spring rolls, ginger and tom yum soups, pad thai...it goes on and on.

Tin Shed Garden Cafe
Happy Hour: Wed - Sat 3:00pm - 6:00pm
Food specials: $2 - $4
Drink specials: $1.75 domestics, $2.75 micros, $3 well, $5 specialty drinks
Kind of homey, kind of hip and healthy, this cafe features casual seating gathered around the outdoor fireplace. There are two different "rooms" outside - the first with giant wooden-beams and tin roof overhead, and the other an open-air garden area. Fresh food includes Southwest-style pasta, fish tacos, "jammin'" quesadillas, salad and burgers.

*Prices are subject to change