Condé Nast TravelerJul 30, 2026
20 Best Bars in Portland, Maine, for Hole-in-the-Wall Dives, Sceney Cocktail Lounges, and Waterfront Wine Bars
Beer put it on the map, now there's so much keeping it there.
20 things in this story
- ElizabethParkCosmopolitan zinc bar with thumping tunes and dim lighting.
- Benny'sRestaurantHigh-energy joint with vintage photos and Campari concoctions.
- Lucky CheetahRestaurantSubterranean dumpling lounge with cheetah print wallpaper.
- Top of the EastRestaurantLounge with live bands, strong drinks, and harbor views.
- The MarquisRestaurantBar with Champagne service and absinthe frappes.
- Five of ClubsRestaurantLobby lounge named for a literary group, feels like Jazz Age.
- Via VecchiaRestaurantBar with innovative cocktails and olive oil-vodka martinis.
- PapiRestaurantBar with modern takes on Puerto Rican classics.
- East EnderRestaurantBrick-walled spot for pub food and craft cocktails.
- Central ProvisionsRestaurantBar with adventurous flavors and organic/biodynamic wines.
- Blyth & BurrowsBarNautical bar with creative cocktails, some set on fire.
- BramhallPubSubterranean bar with candles and emphasis on cocktails.
- Novare Res Bier CaféRestaurantOne of New England's best beer bars with a biergarten.
- Downtown LoungeRestaurantConsistent neighborhood dive with worn leather booths and jukebox.
- MapsRestaurantHome basement bar obsessed with maps and always serving cake.
- The Jewel BoxBarGlammy French zinc bar with a dreamy party atmosphere.
- ChavalRestaurantSpanish tapas restaurant with a great wine list.
- LazzariRestaurantItalian-American restaurant with a retro theme.
- Bubba's Sulky LoungeRestaurantDive bar with cheetah print wallpaper and Champagne.
- Oxbow Blending and BottlingRestaurant
