State Theatre Portland is a nightlife spot in Arts District, Portland.
The State Theatre on Congress Street is Portland's flagship historic concert hall, a 1929 Spanish Revival venue programming touring rock, indie, comedy and DJ acts in a 1,800-seat room.
Tip: Tickets via statetheatreportland.com. Bars on each level; food trucks often park outside for big shows.
Address: 609 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
The Bearded Lady's Jewel Box on Congress Street, since 2014, is the Portland cocktail bar built explicitly to welcome marginalised communities including LGBTQ patrons.
Tip: No sign outside; look for the street number. Evenings only.
LFK on State Street is a literary-themed bar with a curated rotating sound system, programming jazz, lo-fi and indie throughout the evening.
Tip: Daily 11:00 to 24:00. Sound quality favours a sit-and-listen evening rather than DJ dance crowd.
The rooftop at Bayside Bowl on Alder Street is Portland's flagship summer rooftop bar, atop the downstairs bowling alley, with city views, a long drinks list and Standard Baking biscuit sandwiches from the kitchen.
Tip: Rooftop opens noon in summer; closes mid-October. The downstairs bowling alley runs year-round.
The Broken Dram is the speakeasy downstairs at Blyth & Burrows on Exchange Street, accessed via an alley entrance.
Tip: Walk down the alley next to Blyth & Burrows for entry. Smaller than upstairs; fills earlier on weekends.
The Bearded Lady's Jewel Box on Congress Street, since 2014, is the Portland cocktail bar built explicitly to welcome marginalised communities including LGBTQ patrons.
Tip: No sign outside; look for the street number. Evenings only.
LFK on State Street is a literary-themed bar with a curated rotating sound system, programming jazz, lo-fi and indie throughout the evening.
Tip: Daily 11:00 to 24:00. Sound quality favours a sit-and-listen evening rather than DJ dance crowd.
Ruski's Tavern on Danforth Street is the Portland West End neighborhood tavern, opened in the 1980s.
Tip: Open from 07:00 daily; cash and card both fine. The breakfast plate is the daytime draw.
Aura on Center Street is Portland's flagship live-music and dance venue, hosting touring acts, EDM nights and ticketed Friday and Saturday DJ events from a 1,200-capacity converted hall.
Tip: Friday and Saturday DJ nights run 21:00 to 02:00; tickets via the venue calendar. Concert nights have separate ticketing.
