A new mobile bar experience, **Rain + Rye**, is set to launch at **Delta Carts** in **Portland** on **April 1, 2025**. Co-owners **Kevin Candelaria** and **Colin Costanzo**, both seasoned bartenders, aim to bring a unique drinking experience to the city with their innovative concept. The duo has spent recent months catering events and making appearances around Portland, showcasing their signature cocktails.
Candelaria’s journey in bartending began at a young age. He started mixing drinks at his grandparents’ bar in **Southern Texas** at just 16 years old. With over a decade of experience in Portland’s vibrant bar scene, including previous roles as a bar manager at the now-closed **On Deck Sports Bar and Grill** and at **10 Barrel**, Candelaria is passionate about his craft. “It’s a passion of mine. It will probably never, ever go away,” he said.
The vision for Rain + Rye began to take shape when Candelaria partnered with Costanzo, a friend he met while working at On Deck. They describe their mobile bar as a “full bar on wheels,” offering an extensive range of cocktails along with four taps for draft drinks. The design features a spiral staircase leading to a rooftop area, where patrons can enjoy their drinks in an elevated atmosphere. The front section of the cart also transforms into a roped patio area, enhancing the overall experience.
Costanzo expressed his enthusiasm for the venture, stating, “Being able to go up the stairs and go up onto the rooftop, and having the sides of the bar fold down to patios, it brings a completely different experience to what everybody else has. I’m super excited to get it out there and really have people see it, experience it.”
Despite their excitement, the timing of their initial launch at the end of summer 2025 has presented challenges. Candelaria noted, “We didn’t really get to capitalize on last year’s weather. There’s summer, and then there’s rain.” The duo is hopeful that their upcoming launch at Delta Carts will attract patrons looking to enjoy the sunny days ahead.
With aspirations to eventually open a brick-and-mortar location, Candelaria remains optimistic about their future. “It’s a little too early to tell how this year is going to go, but for right now, it feels like we’re on the right track to expand relatively quickly,” he remarked. “We’re ready to rock and roll.”
Rain + Rye is set to be a notable addition to Portland’s dynamic food and beverage scene, promising a fresh take on the mobile bar concept. As they prepare for their official launch, both Candelaria and Costanzo are eager to share their passion for bartending with a wider audience.
