We went to the Maine House for our date night, which usually means drinks and appetizers. We typically look for a variety of interesting small plates, but the selection here was lacking. The food is from the Liberal Cup, and over the past few years, the quality there has noticeably declined. That said, it seems to have improved a bit.
My wife ordered a crab cake, which was good. I had the spaghetti Bolognese, but it was more like American Chop Suey—plentiful, but not at all as advertised.
Personally, I found their cocktail menu too sweet overall, and it lacked any classic offerings—no Aviation, no Vieux Carré, etc. I ordered a Manhattan, which was decent, but it was served with a bright red maraschino cherry instead of a Luxardo cherry like you’d expect at an upscale cocktail bar. Small details like that matter.
Finally, when we arrived, there was only one waiter serving an almost full house. I flagged her down and placed our drink order, but after 20 minutes with no drinks, I asked about them. She snapped at me. While I understand she was under pressure, taking it out on customers is not acceptable.
I'd like to see a revised food menu specific to a craft cocktail bar, and more thought on the drink menu with more attention to details
JENNA Buzzell
Not worth it. Drinks trash (Potent and disgusting not what I asked for), Foods trash (Two pieces of bacon), Service trash no where to be found, got our order wrong had to wait an hour for a replacement Caesar Salad.
Sarah-Helen Rice
Amazing cocktails, super friendly and welcoming staff!
Andrew Cain (Andrew C)
Great cocktails and awesome live entertainment.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Preston Bass
This place makes such fancy drinks for only like $13 I got parts mint flower in my drink and it changed my life. I even ate the flower like a salad. Big ups owner and staff keep up the great work
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Krista Neal
Great food, live band, cool atmosphere. They even have art for sale. Only downside is the parking, seating options, and long wait for service during the busy times. Even then, I'd still go back because it's worth the wait.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ryan Kneeland
A Hallowell gem. I don't go there enough, but when I do, I always enjoy myself. Great cocktails and food, especially when Bao and Beyond are featured with their excellent food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Uros Andjelkovic
With some fails it was a great experience! I had the best cocktail of my life and the best french fries. Fix the tables please... 🤪 Overall fun place!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Tyler Reed
Dan and TJ behind the Bar, Tina's a babe, and Wild Bill keeping it really real in the kitchen great food and drinks always.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wes Sproul
Very nice place went there for a fundraiser for another local bar which I was very thankful to see the community get together for this I didn't rate food because I didn't have any I have to say the service was great great selection I did go during evening hours which was considered bar time only and that was the other reason I did not have anything to eat
Parking: The area has timed parking on the street but if you're going out as a late night date night it is until you leave a lot of streets have more parking along the area but very easy to usually find free parking there is no parking garage so you do need to find your own parking area
One of the best date-night locations in central Maine. Excellent cocktails and mocktails. Great food (outsourced from the Liberal Cup, next door.) I do wish they had a few more tables and service can be a bit slow at times. However, I highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Sarah Catherman
One of the best date-night locations in central Maine. Excellent cocktails and mocktails. Great food (outsourced from the Liberal Cup, next door.) I do wish they had a few more tables and service can be a bit slow at times. However, I highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Scott Meyer
Stopped here just for drinks after having dinner elsewhere. The drinks were amazing. I could definitely taste the smoke in the Mezcal. The only reason I dropped the stars on service wasn't related to our interactions at all. While we were there, we saw two other couples turned away because the staff wanted to close early. It was only 9:30 PM on a Saturday.... ?
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 3
Gabriel Benner
Food was great. Service was as slow as making maple syrup and that and includes taping the the tree, but overall a good experience.
We went to the Maine House for our date night, which usually means drinks and appetizers. We typically look for a variety of interesting small plates, but the selection here was lacking. The food is from the Liberal Cup, and over the past few years, the quality there has noticeably declined. That said, it seems to have improved a bit.
My wife ordered a crab cake, which was good. I had the spaghetti Bolognese, but it was more like American Chop Suey—plentiful, but not at all as advertised.
Personally, I found their cocktail menu too sweet overall, and it lacked any classic offerings—no Aviation, no Vieux Carré, etc. I ordered a Manhattan, which was decent, but it was served with a bright red maraschino cherry instead of a Luxardo cherry like you’d expect at an upscale cocktail bar. Small details like that matter.
Finally, when we arrived, there was only one waiter serving an almost full house. I flagged her down and placed our drink order, but after 20 minutes with no drinks, I asked about them. She snapped at me. While I understand she was under pressure, taking it out on customers is not acceptable.
I'd like to see a revised food menu specific to a craft cocktail bar, and more thought on the drink menu with more attention to details
Not worth it. Drinks trash (Potent and disgusting not what I asked for), Foods trash (Two pieces of bacon), Service trash no where to be found, got our order wrong had to wait an hour for a replacement Caesar Salad.
Amazing cocktails, super friendly and welcoming staff!
Great cocktails and awesome live entertainment.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
This place makes such fancy drinks for only like $13 I got parts mint flower in my drink and it changed my life. I even ate the flower like a salad. Big ups owner and staff keep up the great work
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Great food, live band, cool atmosphere. They even have art for sale. Only downside is the parking, seating options, and long wait for service during the busy times. Even then, I'd still go back because it's worth the wait.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A Hallowell gem. I don't go there enough, but when I do, I always enjoy myself. Great cocktails and food, especially when Bao and Beyond are featured with their excellent food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
With some fails it was a great experience!
I had the best cocktail of my life and the best french fries.
Fix the tables please... 🤪
Overall fun place!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Dan and TJ behind the Bar, Tina's a babe, and Wild Bill keeping it really real in the kitchen great food and drinks always.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very nice place went there for a fundraiser for another local bar which I was very thankful to see the community get together for this I didn't rate food because I didn't have any I have to say the service was great great selection I did go during evening hours which was considered bar time only and that was the other reason I did not have anything to eat
Parking: The area has timed parking on the street but if you're going out as a late night date night it is until you leave a lot of streets have more parking along the area but very easy to usually find free parking there is no parking garage so you do need to find your own parking area
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
One of the best date-night locations in central Maine. Excellent cocktails and mocktails. Great food (outsourced from the Liberal Cup, next door.) I do wish they had a few more tables and service can be a bit slow at times. However, I highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
One of the best date-night locations in central Maine. Excellent cocktails and mocktails. Great food (outsourced from the Liberal Cup, next door.) I do wish they had a few more tables and service can be a bit slow at times. However, I highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Stopped here just for drinks after having dinner elsewhere. The drinks were amazing. I could definitely taste the smoke in the Mezcal. The only reason I dropped the stars on service wasn't related to our interactions at all. While we were there, we saw two other couples turned away because the staff wanted to close early. It was only 9:30 PM on a Saturday.... ?
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 3
Food was great. Service was as slow as making maple syrup and that and includes taping the the tree, but overall a good experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
This is one of my favorite places!
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