Where To Grab A Drink In Portland, Maine
Portland, Maine: a beverage lover’s paradise.
Portland is overflowing with superb craft alcohol products, makers, and places to hang out and enjoy the spoils. There are not many places like Portland in America right now when it comes to enjoying a drink out on the town.
At SeaPortland, our mission is to share with you some of these fantastic liquids against the backdrop of Maine’s famous scenery. In that spirit (pun intended, people), we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite places and activities in Portland where a good local drink is either the main attraction or a perfect complement to the fun.
Check ‘em out! We’ll see you up here soon…
House Island/Fort Scammel
The most popular of SeaPortland’s tour offerings takes you to one of Casco Bay’s least explored islands. Drink a local craft beverage while exploring the only fort in Casco Bay to have fired an offensive shot in combat. Learn about the history behind Fort Scammel and the Mainers who built it!
The tour leaves directly from an easy-access dock in the Old Port and features a beautiful cruise around the Portland Harbor!
Maine Brews Cruise Tour
The Maine Brew Bus is famous all over Portland. The bus happily shepherds fun-loving folks to Portland’s best breweries, distilleries, and seltzer/kombucha makers. With a Brews Cruise tour, there is no reason to restrict yourself to just one destination. Hit ‘em all, and gain special access to unique tastings and brewer hangouts. Hop aboard!
The Porthole
Grab a great seafood meal at the Porthole!
The Porthole is a Portland institution. Located on the water side of Commercial Street, The Porthole was opened in 1929 as an early breakfast joint for lobstermen on their way out to sea. These days, The Porthole still offers an epic breakfast, but the massive deck comes alive in the evenings when throngs gather to enjoy a full lobster dinner and a few beers overlooking the Portland Harbor.
SeaPortland’s tours embark and disembark on the dock right next to The Porthole. We love it for a pre-cruise happy hour or a post-cruise dinner!
Suds and Sea Dogs
Beer and baseball. Is anything more American than that?
Portland is lucky to be home to one of the best AA teams in the minors: The Portland Sea Dogs. The Sea Dogs are a Boston Red Sox affiliate and play their games at Hadlock Field in Portland.
Grab a Sea Dogs Biscuit and an Allagash White and you’ll be set for a sunny afternoon of baseball.
Pro Tip: Sign up for the Maine Brews Cruise Sips and Sea Dogs Tour, which features the unique chance to enjoy craft beer tastings and catch a game in the same afternoon.
Catch a Show at Thompson’s Point
Thompson’s Point sits just off Portland’s downtown peninsula on the Fore River, a thriving development unlike many others in southern Maine. The ultimate spot to catch a summer concert in Portland, there isn’t much like watching the sunset and some live music with a cold beer in hand.
Pro Tip: Check out Bissell Brothers Brewing, right next door!
Portland Zoo
The Portland Zoo is a bit of a well-kept secret, but the locals know what’s good. The Zoo is a classic backyard dive featuring picnic tables, local craft beers, fun music, and cheesesteaks in the summer (shoutout Rebel Cheesesteaks!). Located in the burgeoning East Bayside neighborhood between a half dozen awesome breweries, the Zoo is a great and casual stop for visitors and locals alike. Have you seen the Boogie Mon?
Rathskeller on Wharf
Wharf Street is the Old Port’s hidden gem, with its cobblestone alleys and brick buildings serving as the cultural epicenter of Portland’s downtown alongside Commercial Street and the working waterfront. Rathskeller on Wharf is a classic haunt featuring tavern food, well-made cocktails, and local draft beer. Can’t go wrong.
We recommend Rathskeller for dinner and drinks in the Old Port after a SeaPortland sunset cruise!
Paper Tiger
Looking for a delicious cocktail in an eclectic and inviting space? Look no further than Paper Tiger. Portland’s newest buzzy cocktail bar is a must-stop for a fun night on the town. Combining seafood-inspired small plates with exotic flavors, colorful decor, and unique cocktails, Paper Tiger is emblematic of Portland’s growing cultural scene. This place is just fun.