News Update
Anything from recent closings, openings, and headliners:
- Maine Lobster Week is underway across the state. Now through Sunday, September 29th, 2024, visitors and locals can enjoy speciality lobster rolls and lobster dishes in honor of the annual celebration. Participating locations in Portland include Luke’s Lobster (See: The Half Pounder), Portland Lobster Co., Alto Terrace Bar + Kitchen, Harbor Bistro + Terrace, The Knotted Apron and more. Learn more.
- Honey Week at UNION Restaurant in The Press Hotel is happening now through Friday, September 27th, 2024. Celebrations for National Honey Month include a special 3-course prix fixe menu featuring local honey hand-harvested on The Press Hotel rooftop. View menu and learn more.
- Hispanic Heritage Month is Sunday, September 15th – October 15th, 2024. Papi, a Puerto Rican bar and restaurant in the Old Port, shared a BTS interview with Chef Ronnie Medlock as he highlight the importance and significance of Puerto Rican food in his family growing up.
Fun for the modern day foodie! Events, happenings, tastings, pop-ups, parties and more!
New Additions
- Gross Confection Bar will be hosting a Make It & Bake It Pastry & Baking Class on Tuesday, November 5th. This is a hands-on baking class teaching the methods and procedures to make Gross Bakery scones, cheddar biscuits, and more. As announced back in August, Gross Confection Bar closed their daytime bakery, Gross Bakery, to the heartbreak of many. While the nighttime dessert bar and restaurant remains open and the same, Gross Bakery hinted that they would be back in some form, i.e. pop-up classes. Tickets are available online.
- Portland Hunt & Alpine is celebrating National Bourbon Month with the launch of Ezra Brooks. They will be hosting a happy hour bourbon barred sampling Tuesday, September 24th from 4pm – 6pm on the patio.
- Batson River Brewing & Distilling’s Oktoberfest celebrations have started (will start later this week at the Portland location) and will run through Sunday, October 6th. Each of the three locations will have German bites and beer available – including a Fiestbier, Beer Bratwurst, a German Vesper Board, and more. View menu.
- Oga Suya’s end of summer Naija Party at The Portland Zoo is happening Sunday, September 29th. Nigerian BBQ accompanied by DJ sets from Deejay Onax Real Nikluis and Our Latin Thing ME
Après will be hosting their annual Apple Tasting on Thursday, October 10th from 4pm – 7pm. They’ll have bushels of heirloom, orchard exclusive, and house preferred local fruits on display for tasting with guidance from their passionate team, including the cidermakers ready to talk shop, apples, apple growing and apple harvesting.
- Papi will be hosting Bodega Culture in the coming weeks, this time with a Halloween twist. The pop-up will be inspired by late-night bodega runs with food and drinks. More to come.
Ongoing Events
- September’s Negroni Week is getting a month-long extension as local bars and restaurant celebrate Negroni Month. For a full rundown, visit Bitter to Better: Where to Celebrate Negroni Month in Portland, Maine – which includes ViA VECCHiA, Hardshore Distilling Co., Canopy Hotel (Salt Yard Cafe + Bar / Luna Rooftop Bar), Terlingua, Ocotillo, Paper Tiger, El Rayo Taqueria, Bramhall, $3 Dewey’s, and more.
- Oktoberfest at Novare Res Bier Cafe will run from Saturday, September 21st – Sunday, October 6th. An authentic tribute to Munich’s Oktoberfest celebration, Novare Res will have a rotating list of German Oktoberfest lagers, Festbiers, and Marzens along with some local autumnal options served by the .5L mug and 1L maß. A full menu of German-inspired festival fare as well. For a full line-up of Oktoberfest celebrations, be sure to check out Raise Your Steins: Portland, Maine’s Epic Oktoberfest Guide.
- Mr. Tuna has announced dates for the second leg of the 2024 Tuna Tour. Popping up at a select list of bars and restaurants (mainly along the east coast) “making good food with good people for some important causes.”
- Ocotillo will be hosting their first neighborhood night: Calamity Jayne’s Cookout on Thursday, September 26th. Limited menu of saloon-inspired cuisine and beverages.
- ViA VECCHiA is set to close out September’s Negroni Month with flair, hosting its first-ever Bitter Ball contest on Monday, September 30th. This lively event marks the culmination of Imbibe’s Negroni Week and will feature a fierce, yet playful, Negroni competition among some of Maine’s top bartenders. Learn more.
- Alto Terrace Bar + Kitchen is hosting a Fall Prix Fixe Dinner on Saturday, October 5th in addition to an Oktoberfest style dinner on Saturday, October 12th. More details to come.
- Portland Distilling Co. will be throwing a release party for Goldies Gin on Monday, October 7th. Details to come.
Freedom’s Edge Cider Co. Fresh Pressed Harvest Fest
- Join Freedom’s Edge Cider for the Fresh Pressed Harvest Fest on Saturday, October 19th. More details to come but will include live apple pressing, apple Olympics, live music, local makers, fundraising, raffles, and food trucks.
Did we miss something? Have something exciting on the horizon for us to share? Shoot us an email at info@portlandoldport.com
