Beer O’Clock taproom in downtown Portland has reopened with a huge patio
It’s no secret that downtown Portland has had a rough go of it since the pandemic and protests began, but things are starting to get back to normal and Beer O’Clock is back. The downtown PDX taproom had a reputation for it’s expansive 31 draft taplist that put beer geek connoisseur selections at the forefront and it’s penchant for old school hip hop blasted from cassette tapes in the audible background. Unfortunately for Beer O’ Clock the space was a thin hall with primarily bar seating and only a few large booths inside, as such the taproom has been closed since the beginning of the pandemic and we weren’t expecting it to ever open back up. Luckily we were wrong.
Beer O’ Clock had become a popular spot for residents and workers in the downtown area when they first opened as Beer Belly in December 2016. With recent closures in the area like downtown’s most prominent beer bar Bailey’s Taproom has made the reopening of Beer O’ Clock all the more welcome. Not the least of because it makes up the drinks portion of a mini food hall of sorts from the local Lardo sandwich shop empire. Rick Gencarelli founded Lardo as well as Beer O’ Clock, and they share the building with his other project of fast casual pasta joints called Grassa, each has their own separate suite but with a connected hallway to bring food or drinks from any of the three places to the other. Which makes for some fun drinking options especially on their new shared patio which may be the largest parklet in town.
From the corner of SW 12th street where Lardo holds down the building on up Washington St. to 13th is a giant covered and lighted street parklet where you can now enjoy beers, and food from Beer O’ Clock, Lardo or Grassa. Also next door is a Fills Donuts if you want to get decadent. Order at the counter from Lardo and they will call your name from a loudspeaker when your sandwich is ready or bring it out to you.
Beer O’ Clock has updated their 31 draft lines with fresh beer, including everything from lagers to freshie IPA’s and some aged big barrel-aged beers as well. An equally as well curated packaged beer selection has new beers from Wayfinder, Pizza Port, Boss Rambler, Oakshire, Baerlic and more. The indoors are the same with poster art and a tiled back bar and digital pour taplists, unfortunately the space remains outdoors only for now. Another thing Beer O’ Clock has brought back; Happy Hour runs from 3-5pm daily with $4 pints! The taproom is open again 7 days a week from 3-10pm every day at 1205 SW Washington St, Portland, OR 97205.