12 editor picks in Portland.
Food tour in Old Port
Old Port Culinary Walking Tour from Portland
6 of these places are in Old Port
Portland's bar scene punches well above the city's size, with a cluster of serious cocktail rooms on the peninsula. Portland Hunt + Alpine Club on Market Street in the Old Port set the bar with its Nordic-inflected drinks, while Blyth & Burrows on nearby Exchange Street draws crowds for its theatrical, multi-room space. In the Arts District, The Bearded Lady's Jewel Box on Congress Street keeps things intimate and inventive.
12 cocktail bar places in Portland we have eaten in, sorted by editor score. All cuisines in Portland · Cocktail Bar across every city.
Drink Scandinavian-influenced cocktails, aquavit Bloody Mary
Portland Hunt + Alpine Club on Market Street, since 2013 from Andrew and Briana Volk, is Portland's defining craft cocktail room with aquavit and smorrebrod.
Drink Vintage-inspired craft cocktails
Blyth and Burrows on Exchange Street runs a vintage-inspired cocktail bar with a hidden speakeasy (Broken Dram) accessed via the alley behind the building.
Drink Creative seasonal cocktails
The Bearded Lady's Jewel Box on Congress Street, since 2014, is a small Arts District cocktail room with creative seasonal drinks and no street sign.
Drink House cocktails, natural wine by the glass
LFK on State Street near Longfellow Square is a literary-themed bar with books on the walls, an eclectic cocktail program and a kitchen of sandwiches.
Drink Rotating taps of rare Belgian and Maine craft beer
Novare Res Bier Cafe in Canal Plaza, since 2008 from Eric Michaud, is Portland's Belgian-and-craft-beer destination with a courtyard patio open all summer.
Drink Maine craft beer flight
The Great Lost Bear on Forest Avenue, since 1979, is Portland's craft-beer pub of record, with Sunday brewmaster events featuring Maine breweries on rotation.
Drink House cocktails with Pennant Distilling spirits
Camp Pennant on Commercial Street (the 2024 rebrand of Liquid Riot under Michael Fraser) runs a brewery, distillery and bar in one Old Port building.
Drink Cheap beer, well drinks
Ruski's Tavern on Danforth Street is the West End neighborhood dive bar, opened 1980s, with cheap beer, well drinks and a breakfast plate from 07:00 daily.
Drink Seasonal craft cocktails
The bar at Central Provisions on Fore Street runs a seasonal cocktail program alongside the kitchen's small plates of crudo, tartare and pork belly.
Try Sandwiches, small plates, cocktails
LFK on State Street runs the kitchen and cocktails until midnight daily, the Arts District late-night stop near Longfellow Square with book-lined walls.
Try Vintage-inspired craft cocktails
Blyth and Burrows on Exchange Street runs vintage-inspired craft cocktails until midnight Wednesday through Saturday, with a Broken Dram speakeasy downstairs.
