Brass Tacks Sandwiches ran a daily happy hour from 2 pm until close, with a twist that was pure Portland: whenever it rained outside, happy hour prices kicked in all day long. Snow and fog didn't count — but hail and freezing rain certainly did.
The Deals
House Beverages
Every day from 2 pm to close, all house beverages were a dollar off. This included Mate Party housemade soda, housemade Cold Brew, and any beer or other beverages on tap.
Bottled and canned drinks were not included.
Extended Rainy Day Pricing
When it was raining outside, happy hour prices extended beyond the usual 2 pm window. If the weather widget said rain, the deal was on — and if it stopped while you were in line, the discount still stood.
Hail and freezing rain counted. Snow and fog did not.
What Counted
- Mate Party — housemade soda
- Cold Brew — housemade, always fresh
- Tap Beers — local brews on draft
- Other Tap Beverages — anything flowing from a tap
What Didn't
- Bottled or canned drinks
- Orders placed through third-party delivery services
At Brass Tacks Sandwiches, happy hour is less a rigid window and more a state of mind shaped by the Portland sky. Every day from early afternoon until closing time, house beverages are offered at a reduced price, making the transition from lunch to late afternoon feel like a small celebration. But the real magic happens when the clouds open up. On rainy days, those same happy hour prices extend all day long, rewarding anyone who braved the weather with a warm welcome and a cold drink. It is the kind of policy that only makes sense in a city where umbrellas are optional and good humor is essential.
The drink menu during happy hour centers on what the shop makes in-house. The housemade sodas, cold brew, and rotating taps all qualify for the daily discount, while bottled and canned options do not. This approach keeps the focus on the craft beverages that the team has developed over the years, encouraging regulars and newcomers alike to try something they might not otherwise order. Whether one is pairing a bright, fizzy soda with a hearty sandwich or winding down with a cold beer after work, the happy hour selection invites exploration without demanding a decision.
The rainy day policy has become something of a local institution, a small gesture that acknowledges the reality of living in the Pacific Northwest. When hail or freezing rain arrives, the shop responds by making the afternoon feel a little more special. Snow and fog do not count, but any proper precipitation that sends people scurrying indoors triggers the all-day deal. It is a reminder that the weather, however gloomy, can be met with warmth and good food. Regulars have learned to watch the forecast with renewed interest, knowing that a gray sky might mean an even better reason to stop by.
Beyond the discounts, happy hour at Brass Tacks is about community and the simple comfort of gathering around good food. The shop has always been a place where people can set down their worries for a while, share a meal, and maybe laugh at the rain streaking down the windows. The woman-operated kitchen keeps turning out scratch-made sandwiches and sides, and the beverage program reflects the same care and creativity. In a city that loves its food carts and craft culture, this little North Portland shop offers a happy hour that feels less like a promotion and more like an invitation to stay a while.
"While it's raining: see that widget above? If it says it's raining, we go with that. If it suddenly stops raining while you are in line, the deal still stands!"
A Fond Farewell
Brass Tacks Sandwiches closed its doors on October 9, 2021, after over a decade serving the Boise Neighborhood. These specials were a beloved part of the shop's character — a little bit quirky, a little bit generous, and very, very Portland. Ami and the crew thank everyone who stopped by for a rainy-day cold brew or a post-work pickle over the years.