5 Best Pubs in Bar Harbor

“You're going here for cocktails. Do they serve beer? Yes... But that's like ordering grilled cheese at a seafood place (nothing wrong with the beer selection though). Understand this, the place is busier than it looks and making great cocktails is an art. This isn't a beer slinging joint where a order is compete in 60 seconds. Be patient. You're likely on vacation anyway. If you want to see a professional mixologist/bartender/artist, go to the Cottage Street Pub. See Cassidy (dark hair, teal highlights). Enjoy her professionalism and appropriate amount of sass. Cassidy mixed up FANTASTIC cocktails for us Monday through Thursday (July 17-20,-2023) (yeah, you read that correctly, we went four nights in a row). Not only did she mix the cocktails, but she mixed up great tunes the entire time as well. Read all that again, don't waste your time on beer here, get the cocktails. Learn the bartender's name, it helps to grab their attention when they are herding 100 cats. Hope you get Cassidy as your professional bartender! I'm sure the others are great, too.“

“The Barnacle Oyster Bar and Spirits in Bar Harbor, Maine, is the go-to spot for fresh oysters, quality beer, and expertly crafted cocktails. With limited seating and a devoted following of locals and visitors alike, it’s best to arrive early. We started our visit with a dozen of Maine’s finest oysters, each brimming with freshness, followed by perfectly balanced Black Manhattans. What truly stood out was the bartender’s impressive skill and efficiency—single-handedly managing the bar, crafting exceptional cocktails, and sharing extensive knowledge on the menu offerings. Adding a unique touch, the kitchen operates from the basement, with a red light signaling when food is ready to be served by a vintage dumb-waiter. If you’re in Bar Harbor and seeking a standout oyster and cocktail experience, The Barnacle should be at the top of your list.“

“Amazing place. Kitchen is open until 11pm which is a blessing! The staff is super chill and the food is amazing! The pulled pork sandwich is fire and so is the burger. Definitely check it out when you’re in town!“

“We were here on vacation from Indiana and loved the atmosphere! Happy hour oysters and drinks were awesome (the gin blueberry special drink is great). Staff was very nice, Skylar and Amy (Aimee) were very friendly and knowledgeable.“

“This place is fantastic. Seafood Risotto was so good. Our server Emre was so informative and helpful. I highly recommend eating here if in Bar Harbor.“