Eat or drink outside in Salem at these restaurants

Statesman Journal

French Press serves diners coffee and crepes outside at its Commercial Street location.

The forecast is (finally) starting to improve, which means nature is telling you to eat tacos outside with a margarita the size of your head.

Summer has not arrived unless you can eat a burger outside in the evening without a coat, and we are dangerously close to reaching outdoor-night-burger-weather. This means it's time to start planning your sunny-weather dining. (Am I the only one who schedules eating out seasonally?)

Check out these spots for al fresco brunch, lunch, happy hour and beyond.

The deck seating at the Salem Golf Club restaurant overlooks the green.

Rudy's Restaurant/FairWay at the Salem Golf Club

For now, you can still drink one of Robbie Kunke's signature Marionberry Mojitos with a view of the green at Rudy's upstairs deck, the Black Tee Lounge. When Rudy's moves sometime this summer, you'll then be able to get a post-match steak at the new restaurant, FairWay at the Salem Golf Club. Rudy's hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. FairWay hours to be determined. 2025 Golf Course Road S, 503-399-0449.

Rudy's serves classics in comfortable setting

Rudy's is leaving the Salem Golf Club

French Press

Enjoy that morning sunshine with a crepe and a cold brew at French Press, which has a plant-lined outdoor patio shaded with red umbrellas. If you close your eyes, you can pretend the Commercial Street traffic is the sound of waves. 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays. 2725 Commercial St. SE, 503-581-1716.

Guests eat outside in Thompson Brewery's large outdoor dining area, complete with a gazebo, two fireplaces and plenty of trees.

McMenamins Thompson Brewery & Public House

Thompson Public House's heavily forested backyard, complete with a gazebo, two fireplaces and covered and uncovered seating, is a serene spot for an after-work beer or plate of fries. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays and Mondays,11 a.m. to midnight Tuesdays-Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 3575 Liberty Road S, 503-363-7286.

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McMenamins Boon's Treasury

Another McMenamins property, Boon's Treasury has a large patio for more private drinking and dining. Visit Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays or Saturdays for live music. 11 a.m. to midnight Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays. 888 Liberty St. NE, 503-399-9062.

ACME Cafe

Brunch in the sun at ACME, which serves biscuits and gravy with a bloody mary to get the weekend started right. More of a happy hour fan? Grab a $5 plate of pastrami sliders and a specialty house cocktail from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays in the string-light-lit outdoor seating area. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sundays. 110 Hansen Ave. S, 503-798-4736.

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f/Stop Fitzgerald's

A Salem institution, f/Stop's fenced patio is a sensation, from challenging conversations around the long fireplace to games on the various picnic tables and occasional impromptu jams on the small stage area. Grab a beer inside, find your spot near the fire and grab a quesadilla from Bearcat 53, the food truck outside, if you're feeling peckish. 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. daily, 335 Grove St. NE.

Victory Club

Tucked away from the hustle of Liberty Street, Victory Club's alley beer garden, with its hanging lights and picnic tables, is the perfect place to eat tacos on a Tuesday with a tall Salem beer. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays. 155 Liberty St. NE,971-304-0004.

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The Space Concert Club

The Space's outdoor seating is some of the most extensive, with a large garden-style patio outside the venue and restaurant. Drink vegan cocktails or snack on queso at this secluded Edgewater club. 5 p.m. to midnight Tuesdays-Thursdays and Sundays, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.1128 Edgewater St. NW

The Space Concert Club now open

Gamberetti's

Perched along the Pringle Park Plaza courtyard with a view of the water, Gamberetti's is probably one of the more romantic outdoor seating options in the area. Sip a glass of chardonnay when the summers get warm — gelato always tastes better al fresco.11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays, 4 to 10 p.m. Saturdays, 3 to 9 p.m. Sundays. 325 High St. SE, 503-339-7446.

1859 Cider Co.

On hot days, 1859 owners Patricia and Dan Fox will open the large garage doors of the alley ciderhouse to make the entire space feel al fresco. Taste some new releases, sip a local soda or enjoy a Willamette Valley Cheese plate. 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 3 p.m. to midnight or close Fridays-Sundays. 249 Liberty St. NE, suite 140, 503-584-1306.

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Best Little Roadhouse

Best Little Roadhouse's covered patio has a view of its mini golf course, so you can take the kids to the green while you wait for your baby back ribs or bacon burger. Looking for something stronger? Try a spiked Best Little Sweet Tea or a margarita. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays. 1145 Commercial St. SE, 503-365-7225.

Gilgamesh Brewing

Gilgamesh's grounds at The Campus, split by Pringle Creek, offer a beautiful setting for easy drinking on the weekends. Pop by one of the brewery's several summer events, or schlep over for fish tacos and beer on a lazy Sunday afternoon.11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays. 2065 Madrona Ave. SE, 503-584-1789.

Flight Deck

Aviation nerds will love to dine on the Flight Deck terrace, where you can get a stiff drink and a good, cheap steak with a view of the planes. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. 2680 Aerial Way SE, 503-581-5721.

Orupa

Orupa's rooftop deck is a private paradise among the trees, with umbrellas and bamboo for a luxurious happy hour. Order a plate of tempura prawns or smoked salmon to split with a bottle of white wine. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays, 4 to 10 p.m. Saturdays, 4 to 9 p.m. Sundays. 500 Liberty St. SE, Suite 150, 503-588-3639.

Email Brooke Jackson-Glidden brookejg@statesmanjournal.com or call 503-428-3528. Follow her on Twitter @jacksonglidden, or like her Facebook page www.facebook.com/BrookeJackson-Glidden.

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