45 Best Cocktail Bars near South Portland

“Second time here, and again so good! Can’t wait to come back!!“

“The best seafood I have ever had. Fresh! Hand breaded! Delicious! 🦞🍤🦀“

“What a nice place with great tasting food and shakes! We will be back to try different menu items!!“

“Another amazing meal!! We had the kimchi seaweed salad, bluefin tuna crudo, Spanish mackerel, Maine peekytoe crab, fried cauliflower and suckling pig. Everything was so good and it was hard to pick a favorite. I'd have to go with the fried cauliflower. It had such a wonderful spicy and sweet sauce and was cleverly complimented by crunchy fried chickpeas, mint and julienned apple. When you got a bite of everything, the dish practically sang to you. Angie's favorite was the suckling pig. This dish consisted of pork confit which had then been layered into a mold and then topped with crispy pork skin. Then delicately fried again on the flat top grill. It was served with a brown butter apple puree and marcona almonds. It had all the amazing flavors you expect from a great pork roast. No dessert for either of us.“

“Went for Oyster Social/Happy Hour they do on Wednesdays after a local recommended I try…had a little bit of everything and some punch. I’m not easy to impress. It was DIVINE!!! Delicious fresh seafood, excellent quality, great drinks, just a very nice experience I wish I were local to attend every week! Highly recommend!“

“Loved the concept. Modern dive bar. Good quality cocktails without the usual stuffiness, and most were only around $13-$14. I usually avoid bars around the Old Port area, but this one seemed different. On a Saturday night, the crowd looked like locals who knew exactly what they were getting.

We walked in at 8 PM to a completely packed house. Handful of booths, bar stools, and some standing tables in the back. We got insanely lucky and swooped into some bar seats the second a group closed out.

The ladies next to us mentioned that Esquire magazine named their Espresso Martini one of the best in the country. Had to try it. They used local Allen’s Coffee Brandy, which gave it a heavier, sweeter, and much more robust punch than a standard vodka-Kahlua build. But it was still the best out of all the martinis we ordered.

The food menu was mostly just dive bar snacks. Cheese balls and hot dogs. They intentionally don’t put much effort into it, and everything was really cheap.

Definitely recommend checking this place out. Just be prepared to elbow into a standing table if you roll in during the weekend rush.“

“Just an excellent experience overall“

“Stylish cocktail bar with great drinks and tasty snacks. The cocktails were excellent.
Despite the crowd, the servers were very accommodating and made sure we found a table, which we appreciated.
The popcorn was also delicious, a must-have.
A perfect spot to relax and enjoy a few drinks.“

“The wife and I had an amazing time for my birthday. Dinner was perfect. Our bartender Mikey was attentive and entertaining. Highly recommend! 5 stars.“

“We absolutely loved our dinner at Knotted Apron. The food was so delicious & inventive but more importantly the service was impeccable and made me feel like I was at home! ❤️ We will absolutely be back soon!“

“Just finished one of the BEST Italian meals ive ever had in my restaurant going life in a place id never have expected to and thats saying something being a 1st Generation Italian coming from NY ! ViA VECCHiA is Portland, Maine was absolutely 10/10 on everything they did! We started with Meatballs, Whipped Ricotta & Grilled Octopus. The meatballs reminded me of my mothers, the ricotta was tremendous with truffle honey & sesame breadsticks and the octopus was grilled perfectly. One dish was better than the next. We shared ravioli with as an entree and we never felt gross like we ate too much. The portion sizes were PERFECT. Wrapped the night off with a espresso infused cheesecake over salted caramel. Wow. Staff was incredibly accommodating, professional and polite. Service was excellent! If youre ever in Portland, ME you must go get a meal here!“

“Ordered some Nippers off Etsy. Very tasty drinks. Shipping was very Quick and packaging well done. Only thing in would say is the nippers really Don’t make two full drinks unless you add more than the suggested alcoholic or a mixer. We will buy again just the larger sizes.“

“This place is friendly, it looks great inside, and the food was great. The decor and the food are both very Instagrammable. The guac was very good as were the tacos and the birra brisket grilled cheese. The salsas are not the common salsa you get other places - they seemed pretty unique to me. The pancakes were good (corn which was a nice change) and the drinks were great too. Service was quick and super nice. We’d absolutely go back again.“

“I’ve always had good conversations with the bartenders when I come here! It’s been a bit since I’ve been able to stop by but it’s always on our list when in the Portland area!“

“Best martinis in Portland! It’s a must try if you’re in town. Chocolate salted caramel is my fav 🤤 but, you must ask for Miriam, she’ll take care of you!“

“Warm and comfortable, lovely wine, friendly staff, and tasty food truck offerings.“

“Fantastic menu! I felt like I just walked into a glamorous pub in England when I saw the menu choices. The cocktail list is loaded with great drinks AND there are two happy hours daily! I had a delicious toasted cheese sandwich with bacon and tomato —so huge I could barely finish half. It came with a heap of perfectly fried hand cut potatoes. My sister got a lovely bowl of French onion soup to start and the steak frites as a main course. There was a big sliced steak done to perfection! We will return regularly! *****“

“What a great place to discover!! One of my new favorites! Loved the cool vibe, incredible food, and special cocktails! Can’t wait to go back!!“

“Looking for a dog-friendly place for lunch and glad we found this place! We weren’t even here two minutes and the servers brought our dog a pup cup and a bowl of water. I usually don’t look for restaurants in hotels when on vacation but this was great! Limited but very good menu.“

“My partner and I celebrated my 50th and our 30 year anniversary there. They had a special table set for us. The food, drink and atmosphere was amazing. Their was a surprise birthday cake for me made by Ilma. Such a memorable experience. Only complaint is that there should've been like 30 of those deviled eggs....lol Thanks for the great meal and everlasting memories.“

“Great food made on the premises, including homemade desserts and sourdough bread. Try the charcuterie plate with several cheese, fruit, nuts, bread and a rotating sliced meat. Or the grilled shrimp or tuna, both yummy. Cocktails, wine, espresso -- choices galore. gotta love the espresso martini, even a decaf one! Jazz or blues background music, no headbanger stuff. Relax and enjoy...“

“Great venue, great staff. 10/10 would go every night!“

“Small menu but very good options of interesting and delicious plates. The avocado crudo, charred cabbage salad and the cod were fantastic. The desserts... Charred corn ice cream and the Peruvian dark chocolate cake - WOW! Nice list of tequilas and interesting cocktails.“

“Best food I ate in Portland all week (including upscale places) was the lobster bisque from Chef Ryan. Oysters were GREAT as well. Family friendly. Chef Ryan’s whole menu was top notch and the kitchen staff was so nice. Ty came up and offered to give my young kids a lobster lesson over FaceTime (was here for work). Lizzy was excellent at the bar for our group. Ashley was amazing and welcoming to our group. Couldn’t recommend more. But def order the menu items and not just the lobster!“

“Went for a lupper date with my husband on the referral of a friend. Had the Natalie house drink which was well balanced and bright for us gin lovers. Enjoyed thier spin on Poutine with a tater tots base. Lots of goo goodness with bacon and sausage. Sausage pizza with Vodka sauce had real Greek olives and was delicious. Will be back again!“

“Chill intimate environment. Fabulous community. Rotating local art. Fast friendly bar service. Excellent drinks, whether you want a cheap beer or a cocktail. Sober friendly with NA options. Everyone is welcome and treated with kindness. The End is a regular stop for me and I have all the respect for the guys behind it. Check them out! 🤘🏻“

“pop up with Meet on the Street last night. Prix Fixe four course menu 😋. Food was outstanding, service…outstanding. Drinks?? Always outstanding! The gondola in the bar is always a fun little spot to sit. Such a great space on Wharf St, especially when the snow is falling. Food is warm and lovely, and the staff is always happy to see you. 100/10.“

“A fantastic venue for drinking and dancing. It's a distillery and they craft some fabulous drinks. Rum with salsa dancing is a potent and fun mix. As a senior travel writer and retired professional dancer of 45 years, I did encounter the ageism thing as usual but I am older in comparison to the average person here and expect it. Some were freaked out they had to dance with me in a rotational group. Body language and projection say way more than words. Rather than introduce yourself and give warm welcomes/goodbyes I mostly saw employees/instructors hiding behind their cell phones with slouched postures. That's an avoidance behavior and probably not in the best interests of a growing business. Prejudging a potential customer can cost a business dearly from my experience. But again it's a fine and elegant bar and I highly recommend a visit especially before you dance!“

“This place is the definition of real food done right. Everything on the plate is fresh, intentional, and full of flavor-no filler, no fluff. You can actually taste the quality. It’s beautiful, flavorful food that hits differently. The kind of place that makes you want to slow down and enjoy each and every bite.“

“Top marks for our server who took extra care with our order, separating the soup and salad for sharing. The crab cakes were amazing! We ordered wine which was clearly chosen based on the taste and an easy pairing with menu items. The restaurant sits just outside the hotel allowing guests to enjoy a quiet spot in the city and the lovely outdoors.“

“Absolutely love Aloft, first time staying at this hip Hotel on Commercial St , in Old Port, best walk in shower ever,,, perfect location. Front desk receptionists were over the top in being helpful. Priced right for winter season“

“Todd in the back lounge is the kindest, most talented bartender around. His cocktails are top notch and he is completely dedicated to his guests’ experience. We spend a lot of time at the Press Hotel and have personally witnessed him treating every guest with respect, class and above and beyond service.“

“Enjoyed breakfast here:
- 2 coffees
- Eggs and corned beef hash
- Eggs and bacon

While the service, quality, and quantity were top-notch, our total - after gratutity - was $73.00. Sorry, but that is a ridiculous amout for breakfast for 2 adults.

Aside from the toast being drechned in butter, the food was well-prepared and delicious. The coffee was fresh and super hot, and our waitress ensured our coffee - and waters - were always full.“

“Great service, lovely atmosphere and the food was delicious. Pizza was the star of the show, but the rye cavatelli was a nice, bright dish.

Pasta serving was too small for the rather high price, but supporting quality neighborhood places like this outweighs the slight wincing at the final bill.“

“We had our wedding reception at Grace in April and it was absolutely perfect, we cannot recommend enough. The building is gorgeous, truly not requiring any added decor as it shines on its own. From the balcony, the massive stained glass windows, the huge bar, to every other detail; it is stunning.

The ownership changed in the middle of our wedding planning which was stressful at the time, but genuinely made our day that much better. The new Grace team is incredible. Meghan was a surprise bonus wedding planner; providing us with great advice, doing everything she could to make our day perfect, and renovating Grace in record time before our day. Her and the team provided new paint, new tables, and perhaps best of all, new bridal and groomsmen suites that were the perfect place to get ready.

If you are debating booking Grace, do it. It is beautiful, has a great dance floor, is in the perfect location walkable to everything Portland offers, and was such a smooth planning process.“

“Don't skip this absolute gem while visiting OOB. The staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming. The hospitality of the staff is authentic. While I was waiting for my take out I overheard an interaction with an older gentleman sitting at the bar. The attention and kindness I witnessed from the employee (maybe owner or manager) was something you don't see every day. The food is great, the portions are great, the service is great. With so many options at OOB, Ocean Jade should be on your go to list.“

“Very nice layout that’s small but big enough for those staying in the area. Not super busy in evening or morning. Vintage yet updated modern clean feel throughout. Nice cafe next door support great breakfast and coffee and utilizes this space in the Longfellow lobby for seating. Great vibes, low to moderate noise that you can still hear a normal conversation.“

“I cannot rave enough about my experience here. Being alone with a well-behaved dog is challenging since most dog friendly places really don’t make it easy unless you have a second human to order and coordinate while you manage your dog. This place takes dog friendliness to a whole new level and the food, atmosphere, and service were top-notch.

I know my dog is the most adorable dog in the whole wide world, but every single person that worked there came to say hello and the moment I sat down, they brought a bucket of water for her. The oysters were fresh off the mud flats that I could see from my table, the beer was local, cold, and served quickly, and the avocado crab salad is hands-down one of The best salads I’ve had even though it was simple because everything was so fresh and delicious. I have every intention of visiting this establishment every time I visit Scarborough/Old Orchard Beach. This is truly a gem.“

“This might be the best overall bourbon list I have ever seen at an establishment. Prices were reasonable as well. I just wished they opened earlier than 4pm. Burger next door at Rigby is 5 stars.“

“An absolute gem in the heart of the old port. The margaritas are the best in all of Portland and served by the friendliest / warmest locals around. Not enough space to talk about the divine cuisine. ¡Salud!“

“Fire pizza service everything about this place is awesome if you haven’t tried not tried it your losing out amazing food get some“

“We really love this place. Stumbled on it by accident and now its one of our regular haunts when we are in Maine. The food is always delicious, we love trying new things they add. We love this restaurant and can't wait to be back.“

“Visited Saturday night. Delicious food at good prices. Great service. Relaxed atmosphere.“

“What an amazing experience. We would definitely recommend and will be back soon!“

“Delicious whole belly fried clams!!“