Wayfinder Beer and Modern Times Belmont Fermentorium are two of the most anticipated taprooms to reopen in Portland since the county began allowing customers indoors again at 25% capacity on February 12. Both Wayfinder and Modern Times had remained closed since mid-November even after Oregon began allowing bars and restaurants to serve customers outdoors. Two other holdouts; Ruse Brewing and Belmont Station Biercafe, reopened in the last week.

Wayfinder Beer will open their elevated deck patio and offer street seating to enjoy their lagers and Cold IPA’s from the tap rather than cans starting Friday April 2nd. The brewpub will be offering a limited food menu much like they did last summer when they were still serving outdoors. Since Wayfinder last poured a pint for the public on 11/12/2020, the pub has had a chance to improve the new pandemic service model.

Customers will be able to view the menu and order from their phones via a QR code at the tables, but for those less inclined to use technology they can still request a paper menu and order at the bar (no table service.) Wayfinder is pleased to be returning to a full bar menu with not only draft beer but their cocktail program in full swing.

One thing that won’t be returning just yet is indoor seating, instead Wayfinder will have tent covers over both the patio and street seating with full heating options to keep customers dry and warm.

“We are only offering outdoor seating until the entire staff is vaccinated and feel comfortable being inside with the public,” says Wayfinder Beer’s Orion Landau.

The pub will remain kid and dog friendly with limited days and hours of operation Friday - Sunday from Noon - 10pm at 304 SE 2nd Ave, Portland, OR 97214.

Modern Times Belmont Fermentorium in southeast Portland quietly reopened for on-site consumption on February 26th, but has kept the news off of social media to make sure the first week went smoothly. In Nov. 2019 Modern Times relocated their PDX taproom in the former Commons Brewery space to an adjacent building on the opposite corner. That taproom allows for a wide floor plan and large roll-up windows for airflow, as well as the full vegan food menu they have become known for. One caveat of the reopening is there is no outdoor seating, the Belmont Fermentorium has an uncovered rooftop bar that will reopen under better weather conditions.

“We would love to host folks outside, but spring in Portland is a meteorological rollercoaster, and we don't have suitable shelter on the rooftop patio,” says Modern Times communication director Dan Reed.

As with all responsible reopenings there are strictly enforced rules at the Belmont Fermentorium. As standard procedure all guests are required to wear masks at all times except when seated and the pub is accepting card payments only; no cash. The current restrictions also put severe limitations on seating capacity, for that reason the taproom is only allowing a maximum party size of 4 people which means it could fill up fast. All seating will remain on a first-come, first-served basis. Drinking and eating on-premise will be available limited days and hours, Friday - Sunday from 12-8pm only.

However, if you are hesitant about coming indoors or just would like to pickup some cans, bottles, merch or food, the MT PDX store will still be still offering pickup and delivery from the retail side from 12-8pm from Wednesday - Sunday at 600 SE Belmont Street
Portland, Oregon 97214 (503) 420-0799.