One real paloma before boarding in PDX’s Terminal T
Gate-side tequila bar Tequileria Paloma sits in Terminal T after security, and it actually builds drinks around tequila instead of generic well pours. Flyers call out the classic margarita and the namesake paloma as the safest options, with stronger pours than the beer taps a few steps away. Figure on airport pricing in the $$ range, with tequila shots and cocktails running well above what you’d see in Portland’s neighborhoods.
Hours track typical PDX bank times, generally opening by the early morning outbound wave and running through the late evening arrivals; expect a full bar whenever the concourse is busy. Seating splits between a small bar and nearby tables, so if your flight at Gate T is boarding in under 40 minutes, the barstool route is smarter. One Google reviewer calls the tequila list “decent for an airport,” which matches reports of a focused but not huge lineup rather than a 100-label wall.
Food is limited to a short snack menu, with reviewers mentioning simple small plates that work as a base for one or two drinks. People talk about grabbing chips or a quick bite alongside a single paloma before a long flight, mostly to keep the drink from hitting too hard at altitude. Don’t expect a full dinner here; think bar snacks you can finish in 15–20 minutes and still stroll back to your T-gate without rushing.
Complaints cluster around price and speed, with Yelp users flagging sticker shock on tequila pours and cocktails that land several dollars above city bars. Service slows down when only one bartender covers both the bar and tables, so a 25-minute layover is tight if the seats are full. Regulars say they sit directly at the bar and name the tequila brand they want to avoid default house options. Tip: plan on one strong drink, close your tab as it’s poured, and set a hard “walk to gate” time on your phone.