“Party” listings
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First Friday Art Walk
This is a see-and-be-seen social must, occurring on the first Friday evening of each month. Galleries and museums open their doors for new exhibitions, meet-the-artist receptions and other artsy activities like live music. Go before dinner as many offer food and drink. (09/2011)
Various
firstfridayartwalk.com -
Havana South
Slip from the cobblestone streets of the Old Port into this Cuban-inspired oasis and head straight for the sleek, spacious bar. Cocktails include Latin favorites like mojitos, caipairinhas, and the Pisco Sour, a traditional South American drink made with fresh lime and egg whites. (07/2011)
44-50 Wharf St
207-772-9988
havanamaine.com -
Downtown Lounge
Grab a booth, get cozy and try a local brew on tap. Missed dinner? Never fear. This popular neighborhood bar serves tasty quesadillas, grilled pizzas and other late-night snacks. Beware the bathrooms: The steep stairs are a hazard before you even take a sip. (04/2011)
606 Congress St
207-773-1363
downtownlou...ortland.com -
THE SNUG
The Snug only sounds like a good place to curl up for a nap; you’ll be having too much fun to think about sleep. Grab some friends— or make new ones —as you nestle into this Irish pub’s unusual enclosed booths (those would be the “snugs”). Or, grab a seat at the bar and get to know the fellow pouring your Guinness. (01/2011)
223 Congress St
207-772-6839
thesnugpub.com -
BRIAN BORU PUBLIC HOUSE
This downtown Irish pub offers a warm welcome, with a fireplace, hot toddies and a variety of Irish beers and local brews on tap. The pub gets crowded at happy hour and after Pirates hockey games, which are played just down the street at the Civic Center. (11/2010)
57 Center St
207-780-1506
brianboruportland.com -
ROSIE’S
Esquire named this bar as one of the nation’s best, and its assessment was spot-on. Unpretentious Rosie’s welcomes visitors with cheap and delicious local brews (22 ounces for $3.75), like the Hooker Pale Ale, and burgers that are straightforward, juicy giants. (09/2010)
330 Fore St
207-772-5656 -
GRITTY MCDUFF’S
Always a great place for a local brew, Gritty’s is even better in the spring, when the outdoor patio opens to views of pedestrians on cobblestoned Wharf Street. If you get hungry, it serves great burgers. (05/2010)
396 Fore St
207-772-2739
grittys.com -
BUBBA'S SULKY LOUNGE
Bubba's has come full circle-so retro that it's cool. Join hipsters and old-timers on the dance floor and get down to '70s disco tunes, or sit back and relax by one of the fireplaces. (03/2009)
92 Portland St
207-828-0549
www.bubbassulkylounge.com -
NOVARE RES BIER CAFÉ
Portland is known for its craft brews, and this Old Port beer café shows why. The extensive menu of 200 bottled beers-plus 25 on tap-lets visitors sample the best from Maine and around the world. (01/2009)
4 Canal Plaza, Ste 1
207-761-2437
www.novareresbiercafe.com -
THE STADIUM
No matter which team you're rooting for, the Stadium is the place to catch January's NFL playoffs. The sports bar has 40 big-screen TVs spread over 31,000 square feet, plus plenty of classic American pub grub. (01/2009)
504 Congress St
207-772-4263 -
RÍ RÁ
Really two Irish pubs in one, Rí Rá offers a warm, intimate dining area upstairs and a ground floor where folks gather to hear music, watch the roaring fireplaces and compete in weekly trivia games. (11/2008)
72 Commercial St
207-761-4446
www.rira.com -
AMIGOS
In the heart of Old Port, Amigo's is an affordable spot to mingle with friends, sip margaritas and check out live music. On a warm evening, take your fresh guacamole to the deck out back. (10/2008)
9 Dana St
207-772-0772
www.amigosportland.com
