Caps & Corks

First, the tap-​list: okay. Relatively small (7 or 8), and at times, underwhelming. On my most recent visit, there was inexplicably 2 Sam Adams’ brews on-​tap (Boston Lager & Sam Summer). Eh. Skipping those, I grabbed Ballast Point Sculpin IPA (awesome), and Bourbon Barrel aged Blackcat Porter (very good).
Bottled selection is decent, albeit limited and overpriced.
Ambiance is fine. Intimate, yet plenty of seating (tables, small bar, and seating outside on street, too).
Pales in comparison to other town bottleshops/​taprooms (Belmont, Baileys, Beer Mongers), but only one of it’s kind in that part of town, and not that bad overall.

Popped into Caps & Corks for some choice beer and food before a show at the Crystal. It was Saturday at 6 and I expected the place to be busier than it was, but I was a-​ok with it being just us and a few other tables in the place. In case you’re wondering, there’s a decent amount of seating for every taste: bar, bar tables, booths in the back, outside seating *if* the sun happens to be out.
They have a great selection of beers spread out over several large refrigerators in the bar area so you can peruse at your leisure. I got a Leffe and a Chimay, and while I was super excited to imbibe my little gems, they were a little steep at over $ 7 a pop. No matter, it’s date night bitches. I got the smoked salmon salad, and it was very tasty. My hubby got the reuben which he liked, and we both dug the shoestring fries.
Service was kind of unenthusiastic, but to be honest it’s the kind of service I have come to expect at Portland bars. Nothing over the top rude and our server was efficient so I have no complaints. Will I come back? Sure, I like their beer and food and it’s a cool space that’s in the badlands (read: not overrun) section between Nob Hill and the Pearl.

Decent place to grab a beer. One of the better bottle based beer joints in the Pearl/​NW area. Generally not many options on tap, but some good stuff in the coolers. I felt like the fee to drink the bottle there was overly high, though.
Haven’t had the food, but the outdoor seating is great on a warm afternoon.

If you’re going for the food, awesome. The food was fantastic. We had a grilled chicken sandwich with pesto that was amazing and the smoked salmon BLT made us swoon. The salad was awesome, too, with a great light vinaigrette and shaved parmesan.
But the atmosphere… oh, the atmosphere. There were 4 people in the place when we got there — 2 working and 2 customers — and the music was blaring so loud that we couldn’t even have a conversation. Not only was the music loud, but it was filled with f-​bombs. I’m not against a well placed curse word, but I didn’t need to hear it every other word blaring from the speaker as I attempted to hear my server tell me what beers were on tap.
One server was great. He was attentive, answered our questions, and understood when we needed to move outside to get away from the noise and crowd (more on that later). The other was rude. totally distracted, and mopped the same spot on the floor for a solid 30 minutes.
BEWARE: this is the final stop of the Brewcycle. Just after our food was brought to us, the 15 people on the Brewcycle tour came in. They were clearly amped up (and somewhat tipsy) and they were LOUD. Given that we already couldn’t hear each other because of the music, you can imagine what this did to the noise level. I ended up having to step outside because I just couldn’t handle it anymore.
Thankfully, an outdoor table opened up and we were able to finish our meal in relative peace.
I highly recommend this place for the food and beer selection, but the atmosphere (and half the waitstaff) leave a lot to be desired.

I think that the bottles sold here are incredibly affordable however I do live in San Francisco were everything is more expensive than it should be and is taxed at 8.75%, another 4% if you’re subsidizing someone’s health insurance.
Quality customer service. Sunny outdoor seating. Bright inside seating.

Came here during the Brewcycle and I liked the bottle shop concept. True, its not the fanciest beer but its fun! Plus they had a pink cider which was pretty good. In the other corner they have wine and do wine specials so its nice there’s a little something for everyone.
I liked the size and feel of the space too. Very comfortable and relaxed for a group of friends.

Rotating Drafts.
Very reasonable priced and delicious happy hour items. Some are eclectic and some are nice pub grub.
Wine selection could be expanded.
They feature brewery nights every Wednesday.
Love the outdoor seating they added. Very cute table/​bench combo. Can’t wait to try in summer.
Their seating although artistic, is not very comfortable and leg room is minimal. Hard to negotiate the chair seating and table positioning.
Friendly owners and managers.
Way better than previous place, Emanon

Four stars for the service, but only two stars for the drinks. With that being said, I have a very good feeling that I’ll be updating this review after returning to Caps & Corks in the near future. For now, let me comment solely on the experience I had.
First off, the bartender was super fab! Helpful, attentive, and he made us laugh. Yay! I have no complaints there. We came in late on a weekend, but it wasn’t obnoxiously packed, which I appreciate. Great for hanging with friends and chatting if you want a low key setting. And it’s in a neighborhood with free street parking! When my teammate first suggested it, I thought it was closer to downtown and adamantly refused because I drive everywhere and wasn’t going to pay for it. Downtown parking sucks!
Now I do have to say that I am a bit disappointed with the drinks, but I equally have to admit that it was likely just the ones we selected. My teammate got a stout, her friend a glass of wine, and I ordered a hefe. I prefer Widmer, which they surprisingly didn’t have considering the ridiculous selection available. As an alternative the bartender suggested something that he thought was similar, but after tasting it, I’d have to sharply disagree. I don’t remember what it was called, but I do remember him mentioning something about banana. I should have known better. I hate most things banana flavored. Ugh!
All in all, I didn’t really like the beers. I will definitely go back for some redemption and yet another night of tipsy fun though, so anticipate an update soon!

A diamond in the rough for sure! From the outside, Caps & Corks is nondescript and given its location near the Pearl unappealing but the solid 4 star rating is well deserved because their service and menu is top notch.
Stepping down two steps from street level the sunken space was probably a coffee shop which dredges old memories of dank coffee shops reeking of patchouli when the coffee scene was just getting started. The lighting is a cross between a spiritual/​crystal gift shop and a craft gallery featuring cats and more cats. The tables are oddly arranged and the seats are uncomfortably high.
But please don’t let any of this phase you because the guys behind the bar are incredibly friendly and delightful and the menu is surprisingly delicious! Everything on there is something I would serve my houseguests if I had the energy and wherewithal to do so. The bacon-​wrapped asparagus with hollandaise was especially good when paired with baked brie, apples and dried cranberries.
Caps & Corks is a way to impress your dining partners as your personal gem.

A Haiku Review of Caps & Corks:
Are you a beer snob?
Then you should check this place out.
Northwest needed this.

People still refer to french fries as «freedom fries» !!! GTFO. Some of their menu descriptions are pretty cringe-​worthy. Not sure yet if I want to even go in this joint. On one of the descriptions for french fries it says «Fried potatoes. Like tots… but without the pompous attitude. «Woah dudes.
I guess they are trying to be funny, but it’s kind of lame.

I totally loved this place. Way more intimate and service-​oriented than any of the other brew spots we visited on the BrewCycle outing.
Not to mention, their menu is actually AMAZING. I will have to return for the bacon-​wrapped asparagus with bleu cheese dipping sauce. YUMMMMM. The pretzel looked delish.
I chose a belgian lambic with cherries, which was beyond amazing. Perhaps a bit girly, but definitely a «dessert» beer to finish off the tour.
The options are endless here.
I totally recommend stopping here if you’re on the BrewCycle (or not).

Very cool little place in NW Portland. Had I not been on the BrewCycle tour, probably would not have known it was there!
Staff: Both friendly and knowledgeable about their offerings.
Brews: Not a ton on tap (compared to some brew pubs) but a ton of great beer offerings in their coolers that you can purchase. I opted for the $ 5 sampler. 4 small samples of your choosing. I went for both the Pear and Currant Ciders in addition to the Barleywine and a Pale Ale. All very flavorful and delicious.
Atmosphere: Small interior but has outdoor seating as well.
Overall excellent place to just hang out!

Good food, friendly service and a nice assortment of alcohols that are both on tap and served in bottles. Bottled drinks range from beers to wines and even a couple of sake from Japan. I think I saw some whiskeys and liquor on their menu as well.
What makes this place really stand out in my mind is the relaxed casual atmosphere you tend to find on the east side, but is close to streetcar stops and a walkable distance to the Pearl to make it truly convenient.
Foods were very tasty for what I had originally expected — poutine fries, St Louis style ribs and the mac ‘n cheese were all good, albeit a little weak on the spiciness. The ribs in particular were incredibly juicy and very well done though the sauce was a little lacking.
The final thing I’ll say were the people working here. Just two guys struggling to keep up with the customers that were there enjoying their drinks and food but they managed to stay upbeat and friendly. On top of that, when they asked how the food was and I honestly told them («ribs were well cooked, but the sauce was a little weak for me»), they listened to me without getting defensive. Mark of good people when they’re willing to listen to their clientele, especially when they ask!
I’ll definitely be coming back to sample some more food and /​or just sit and enjoy the vibe whenever I happen to be in the neighborhood.

Stopped here on a BrewCycle tour… such a cool spot. Their beer options are varied and well curated.
Know before you go: The beer prices are super cheap, but you have to pay an uncapping fee. It’s still a good deal but that initially took my by surprise. I’d definitely recommend this place though.

Spent the fourth of July here with a couple of friends and had the best time! They were holding an event in the parking lot next door that raised money for veterans. Ten dollars got you beer, dogs and best of all, three shots at the staff in the dunk tank.
We met great people, enjoyed some delicious beer and cocktails and could not have spent the holiday in a better way.
Once again, Caps & Corks proves to be one of the best neighborhood bars.
So much fun and all for a great cause!

Caps & Corks is quickly becoming a must-​stop beer destination for me when I’m in the area. I find myself coming up with excuses to visit Western Bikeworks across the street (fabulous shop-​review to follow), just so I can pop in for a beer and a quick bite.
First off, I dig the small, cavernous space. They have a little bit of outdoor seating, the inside bar, tall tables and booths in the back. You will most likely find me scaling one of the giant stools to sit. Seriously, who can climb up on these things without looking like a small child?
I removed one star for the bottle shop portion of the operation. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great selection of mostly local bottles with a few other locales and some imports thrown in. My problem is the prices run a bit higher than the other shops in town.
What really brings me in is their tap list and their food, namely happy hour and the superb service. One of the employees chased a patron down the block on my first visit to bring them their forgotten umbrella! The tap list always has something droolworthy and all the food I’ve had to date I’ve enjoyed. Their gooey mac and cheese with beer mustard is one of the more interesting mac and cheeses I’ve had in some time. Equally excellent are the brats and the pita pizza with pesto and feta. I have yet to try brunch there, but seriously? A bottle shop that does brunch? It’s like they peered into my mind when they created this place.
Let’s get back to that happy hour shall we? You can rock some great deals like cheap eats, $ 3.50 pints, $ 4 well drinks with a minimum $ 3 minimum order. The food selection is large enough to please even your pickiest eater and I adore the spunky little food descriptions.
I have high hopes for this hangout. Maybe it will become my own version of Cheers. Maybe they will even put in a shorter stool just for me and when I come in they’ll all shout a welcome and sling me a pint and place more of that fab mac and cheese in front of me. Or they could just lower the bottle prices, I’d be good with that too.

There’s something special about the ritual of uncorking a bottle of wine or peeling the cap back off of a frosty brew. Done right, it appeals to all of the senses… touch, taste, smell, sight and sound. Just the notion of liberating a libation from its confines is a positive thought. The caps and corks are then so easily discarded in the rush to get to the deliciousness contained within.
I can’t be so quick to cast off Caps & Corks. This little bottle shop and bar has plenty of neighborhood appeal. Between the cozy, tight space, the coolers full of bottles, some taps and a decent booze selection it falls squarely in the «Yay! I’m a fan.» category. The low slung ceilings help draw, and squeeze, you in to a tall table made from some nice looking wood. The friendly service will keep you there.
I did sample some of the food here and it wasn’t half bad. The beef stew and wedge salad hit the spot in my hungry belly right when I needed it. Paired up with some Temperance whiskey on the rocks it was a fine meal.
This is not really my hood so I can’t say I’ll be making the trip across town just to hang here (since there are so many bottle shops and taphouses on the east side) but if I’m in this hood, C&C is definitely a place for me to be.

I had dinner here just a few days ago with the wife and two friends. I’d say they’re off to a good start, but there are some kinks in the system that are still being worked out (the place opened 4 weeks ago). If this were an established restaurant, I’d drop them down to three stars.
We really dug the atmosphere. The ceilings are low in a cozy way. The tables have a nice feel to them, and we liked the quiet booths in back (though our booth table was a bit wobbly). A row of coolers lines one wall with a decent selection of beers and wine, with another row of wine bottles in seperate corner. The bar is easy to sit at and there are two chalkboards with around 8 draft beers and wines of the day (four red /​four white). Flights of wine are available in addition to bottles or a single glass.
I’ll be honest here and say we came for the poutine, unfortunately it proved to be our least favorite item. Rather than cheese curds it came with shredded cheese, and the gravy was a bit bland. None of us plan to order it again. That said, the rest of the menu was surprisingly good for the price.
Green salad — generously proportioned and came with a pleasantly citrusy dressing if memory serves.
Cheese and meat boards are not to be passed over. Great selection of what appeared to be a rotating list of cheeses and charcuterie. What really blew our minds was the herbed goat cheese made by the staff, can’t wait to try it with their house-​smoked salmon next time we come in.
Pot Pie — The crust on their pot pies is seriously top notch, and the entire table was stealing bites from the person who ordered it. Could use a bit more gravy though she said.
Bread Pudding — This was a unanimous favorite. Fresh from the oven it warmed out bellies and souls. If you try one dessert, this should be it.
Beer cocktails — Try one, surprisingly good. My favorite was the champagne and stout.
Sean, one of the owners, was really friendly and took good care of us to the best of is ability. Given the crowds that showed up that night, he may want to hire some help as he was working both the bar and tables (read slow but friendly service). Overall I’m happy they opened in my ‘hood and plan to return.

Lots of potential for Caps & Corks to do well. The space is surprisingly bright and light inside even during a very rainy gray day. The interior is sparse but comfortable with nice seating and good lighting. Service is excellent, prompt welcoming and efficient. I only had an appetizer, the Trio Sausage, which was excellent. It is a generous selection of sausage with home made mustard and goat cheese with a baguette. They have a sound selection of beers and some very good whiskeys and scotches.
The can improve a few things in the front of the bar like cleaning up some tools and boxes that were next to a beer case. They have clearly gone to a great deal of effort to make the interior inviting so those little things are obvious when you walk in.
Very good value for your money is to be had here.