East Bayside in Portland, Maine, is a seaport neighborhood which first flourished in the early 19th century as an American residential and commercial center. Popular with visitors for its vibrant arts and entertainment scene, the college town nowadays oozes with modernity and boasts a wealth of vivacious drinking spots perfect for an enjoyable night out. Here’s ten of the best drinking spots in the area.
Enjoying a stellar reputation among bar goers in the East Bayside area, The King’s Head is located in the Pierce Atwood building on Commercial Street. The venue offers some of the best craft beer around, with choices including Spencer Trappist, Paulaner Lager and Murphy’s Dry Irish stout, among many others. They have great snacks and dinner options too, and diners can sample calamari, fish and chips or a sumptuous grilled hangar steak. This bar has a quaint, welcoming feel to it, and will keep thirsty patrons heading back for refills, if only to check out any new additions to the craft beer and cider collection.
The Muse Paintbar combines the best of drinking and eating with art, making it an out-of-the-ordinary, unique and unmissable stop. With colorfully decorated walls and a diverse range of paintings in every direction, this venue is a real spectacle. Easels are dotted around the venue ready for visitors to create a masterpiece, and the beer and wine is always flowing. If you want to learn more about how to create a great piece of artwork classes are held here weekly.
If you want some good cocktails in an Irish pub setting in East Bayside, pay a visit to The Snug Pub. True to its name, this cozy venue exudes a warm atmosphere which encourages diners to relax whilst they sip on some Guinness or a refreshing cocktail. With friendly staff and plenty of room inside, this pub is great for an affordable outing. They have a unique set of snacks to go with the large variety of drinks, too. Don’t miss the Irish quesadillas or the pretzels. There’s a fantastic playlist here, featuring a combination of popular tunes and traditional Irish anthems great for dancing the night away.
The East Ender is a great, old-fashioned American establishment located in a giant, red-brick old mill building. There are some tables where diners can enjoy a drink and a tasty meal outside in good weather. Inside is a medium-sized bar area offering a wide selection of common and unusual wine and liquor options, top picks of which being the tangy margaritas, the juicy bloody Marys and the ice-cold draught beer. There is also a full food menu available here with a special focus on seafood, with the lobster grilled cheese sandwiches being a delicious accompaniment to any drink.
Eventide Oyster Co. is a seafood specialty restaurant centered around a well-stocked bar. Think of it as a place of sumptuous seafood and fines wines, a venue which also offers a plethora of ice-cold beer options to match. When you’re not sampling the American beers and mixed drinks here you can have a taste of Maine’s best seafood. They have delicious oysters, lobster roll, New England clam bake and other dishes. For a top dessert choice, the big whoopie pie is dark, rich and delicious.
Restaurant, Diner, Gastropub, North American, Vegan, Vegetarian, Fast Food, Dessert, $$$
Silly’s serves tasty burgers and pizza, and also has a refreshing bar offering some of the best beer you’ll find in town. Their bloody Marys are particularly noteworthy, and you’ll do well to try a range of their red wines, as well as the fruity sangria. Try a tasty snack here like the crunchy pickle chips in spicy dipping sauce, or the scrumptious fried chicken with chorizo. Silly’s is a proud member of Portland Buy Local, and sources everything that they don’t make themselves from local producers.
Looks like it's closedHours or services may be impacted due to Covid-19
Bistro, Restaurant, Bar, American, Vegetarian, Fast Food, Asian, $$$
Since opening its doors in Portland in 1988 Hugo’s has been a firm favourite with East Bayside locals, and is a fine restaurant and bar serving some of the best dishes in town. Not only does it regularly serve delicious helpings of seafood, like octopus salad and lightly-smoked cod, the bar here is one of the best around. There are local beers like Dry Cidar Portland, Old Thumper and the very popular Shipyard, as well as distinctive ales sourced from afar, such as Hitachino from Japan and Old Speckled Hen from Britain. The hand-stitched menus here are a charming touch to an already warm and inviting venue.
Bar, Restaurant, Sandwich Shop, American, Vegetarian, Vegan, $$$
Duckfat boasts a popular outdoor patio along with an intimate inside bar and restaurant area, a place which seems like it is always brimming with excited customers. They serve an eclectic collection of beers, wines and cocktails, and if you would like something non-alcoholic, try one of their milkshakes like the ‘Original’ Duckfat milkshake. Not short on great cuisine either, the establishment also offers a heart-warming selection of Maine foods, including locally sourced Maine potatoes fried in duck fat, tasty paninis, soups and salads.
An incredibly popular noodle bar, The Honey Paw serves some of the most original Asian delicacies. If you fancy a real Chinese treat like wok-fried rice noodles, or you want to sample an ice-cold Thai beer or cocktail, then you’re in luck here. Enjoy some Szechuan chili, a Vietnamese pork meatball soup or some Korean fried chicken alongside a cold and crisp glass of wine here. This is a top choice for a refined drink and a delicious meal.
Located on Congress Street in East Bayside, OTTO of Portland serves fine selections of pizza and other delicious dishes along with great drinks. This establishment offers patrons a wealth of hearty food options like like pulled pork and mango, tortellini pies and meatloaf with mashed potato, and you can follow any main course with a plethora of refreshing craft beer options. Don’t miss the Shipyard, a seasonal favorite with the locals.
