Aug 24, 2026 - Food and Drink

Pay what you can at Bar Carlo one-night only

Teal-walled bar with shelves full of bottles. A pink tray holds pineapple, citrus, and herbs on the counter. Two cocktails sit nearby—a short red drink and a dark red coupe; a black siphon stands to the right. — Take part in a global inclusivity experiment at Bar Carlo this week. Photo: Courtesy of Bar Carlo

Portland has not shortage of great food on the financial spectrum — from cheap carts to spendy fine dining — but on Wednesday one restaurant is leaving the pricing up to you.

Why it matters: What began as a community-minded experiment among Mexico City chefs is going global this year — and Mexican-American brunch spot Bar Carlo is joining in.

State of play: The Paga Lo Que Puedas / Pay What You Can campaign comes from Norma Listman and Saqib Keval, the duo behind acclaimed Mexico City restaurant Masala y Maíz.

The idea: Let more people experience acclaimed restaurants, without the price barrier.

How it works: Instead of a check, diners get a blank envelope and decide what they can pay for their meal. Drinks are priced as usual.

The intrigue: Organizers say that since launching the concept in 2020, participating restaurants have often brought in roughly as much as they would on a normal day.

If you go: Bar Carlo (6433 Southeast Foster Road) is open from 8am to 6pm Wednesday.

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Pay what you can at Bar Carlo one-night only

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