Portland
Early-20th-century elegance meets a 21st-century cocktail menu, plus lots of Teddy Roosevelt memorabilia and a ton of taxidermy at this excellent bar. The…
Must-see nightlife in Maine
Southern Maine Coast
Books, coffee, beer? Seriously, do we need to write anything more in this review? Oh, alright: Elements is an independent, well-curated bookstore that…
Portland
In a pocket of town growing in stature (and with a neighboring distillery), Rising Tide is well worth investigating. Locals congregate in the car park,…
Midcoast Maine
On the 2nd floor of the colossal Fort Andross mill complex overlooking the Androscoggin, this raw, loft-like space is part cafe, part bar, part theater…
Portland
Portland's drinking scene is suffused with microbreweries and craft cocktail spots, and these are all very nice, but this old port also deserves a down…
Portland
As the name says, there's a bunch of maps decorating the walls at this charming basement bar – it's as if you've entered a watering hole for hipster-ish…
Midcoast Maine
'Drouthy' (droo-thee) is Scottish for 'thirsty' (thanks to poet Robert Burns' 'Tam o' Shanter'), and this cute wee pub wears its owner's Scots heritage on…
Western Maine
In the basement of the Sudbury Inn, this congenial pub is a much-loved destination for après-ski or some post-hike refreshment. It has 29 beers on tap,…
Portland
Decked out in Christmas lights and flea-market kitsch, this sprawling bar and restaurant is a Portland institution. Dozens of taps serve primarily…
Western Maine
Bethel's sprawling brewpub pours eight of its own brews (from the Ski Town Brown Ale to the Mountain Momma IPA) alongside perfect beer-drinking food:…
Portland
This Scandinavian-style, minimalist cocktail bar is a two-time James Beard semi-finalist for 'Outstanding Bar Program.' The setting is spacious, airy and…
Portland
Another cool brewery in Maine with innovative beer and a big, welcoming brewery bar? Why the hell not? This enormous space isn't just a good spot to grab…
Portland
Nationally known for its Belgian-style beers, Allagash opens its doors for free tours and tastings every day (book a tour online; weekend tours are super…
Portland
Although Bramhall touts itself as a speakeasy, there's a level of exclusivity implied in that description that doesn't register at this redbrick…
Midcoast Maine
The tasting room of this small, ethically minded brewery is a popular destination for beer lovers, who like both the hoppy flavors and the brewers' ideals…
Down East
Deer Isle's best coffee is roasted on the island from ethically sourced beans. The Main St location is a gathering point for folks from near and far, and…
Inland Maine
Wash down your haddock sandwich with a pint of Sow Your Oats Stout at this friendly local brewpub in a renovated downtown storefront. Food is high on…
Mount Desert Island
Save the ales! About 10 miles northwest of downtown Bar Harbor, this brewery is well worth a visit – for free daily tours (at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm, June to…
Portland
On the outside: a cute, oddly residential-looking building in the middle of downtown. On the inside: a dark bar decorated with a skull, wooden chickens…
Inland Maine
This buzzing coffeehouse serves some of Bangor's best espresso. Low-lit lamps, jazz in the background and some comfy armchairs make it a fine rainy-day…
Midcoast Maine
This bar, located above Marshall Wharf Brewing Company, serves that establishment's beers, as well as cocktails, whiskies and other drinks to ward off the…
Western Maine
The best place in town for an afternoon or evening pick-me-up, this friendly spot has a good selection of Maine craft beers on tap, and the bartenders…
Midcoast Maine
That settles it: you can be in the most isolated, off-the-radar corner of a basically medieval-tech-level island in the middle of the damn ocean, and…
Portland
This is a great summer bar, where you can drink mainly outdoors on a spacious porch, with a young crowd and easy breezy vibe. It can get a little fratty…
Inland Maine
A great little watering hole in downtown Bangor, Paddy Murphy's has a friendly crowd, Guinness on draft and loads of classic and creative pub fare (thick…
Southern Maine Coast
There are a thousand nautically themed bars in New England, but the Ship's Cellar, looking like the hold of an old sailboat, is the real deal. Dark wood,…
Down East
Founded by a former Brooklynite in 2015, Bucklyn is the go-to place for quality pour-overs and rich espresso drinks. The shed-sized interior doesn't offer…
Mount Desert Island
Nearly every local's favorite coffeehouse is this friendly cafe and bakery, which pulls excellent espressos and makes a mean bagel sandwich. It's about 0…
Down East
Reason enough to venture up from Bar Harbor, this new spot in Ellsworth serves a dynamic, ever-changing lineup of tasty brews. There are food trucks too,…
Portland
Shipyard has grown to become Maine's largest brewer (and also brews Cap'n Eli soda). Pop by to visit its tasting-room facilities, try some of its beers …
Marshall Wharf Brewing Company
Midcoast Maine
The tasting room for this dockside brewpub stays true to its maritime roots, serving, for example, a Scotch ale brewed with Maine kelp, and more…
Portland
The lounge area at this swank, off-the-beaten-track restaurant is a good spot for 25-year-old scotch or fancy gin cocktails.
Portland
The folks at this painfully hip spot are really into their cocktails – and mocktails. Seasonal cocktails might run the gamut from apple brandy, orange and…
Portland
Gritty is an apt description for this party-happy Old Port pub, which dates from 1988 – making it Maine's pioneering brewpub. You'll find a generally…
Southern Maine Coast
Fruited sour ale, traditional stouts and the Greenwarden – a pale ale brewed with spruce tips, which may be the most Maine beer ever – are all on the menu…
Portland
Get yourself into the tasting room of this hardworking little brewery and go gaga on imperial brown ale mixed with maple syrup, or traditional Belgian…
Portland
Tucked away off the Lower Exchange Street alley, this European-style beer garden attracts a mixed-age crowd, who sit at communal tables quaffing drinks…
Midcoast Maine
A hoppy IPA or a thick stout does wonders when it comes to warding off the chill winds blowing in from the Rockland docks. Enjoy those beers in the…
Federal Jack's Restaurant & Brew Pub
Southern Maine Coast
Above the Kennebunkport Brewing Co, brewing since 1992, rowdy crowds dine on international pub fare like nachos, steamed mussels and fish tacos. The real…
Portland
There are a lot of forgettable bars in the Old Port, but Rosie's, with its neighborhood vibe, wood floors and local clientele, stands out by not super…
