Portland207

Sure, Chellie has raised way more $$ than any other democratic candidate, but she also has one of the sweetest bands around playing at her rally tonight.  Reason enough to swing by Space and plunk down the suggested $10.  In addition to The Toughcats, there will be a cash bar and whoopee pies.  6:30 to 9:00PM.

Novare Res (4 Canal Plaza):  One of the newer entrants into the deck scene.  Carved out of the shell of the old Black Tie Catering location and tucked away off of Exchange Street.  The bar is dark, but freshly updated and there is row of 25 gleaming taps.  They change often and have offerings that are hard to find anywhere else in Portland or beyond.  The tap list is complemented by a list of bottles 200 deep.  Scotch and a short wine list are also available.  Food is limited to small but affordable appetizers.  Come for the beer selection, stay for the deck.  It is a huge space that rivals any outdoor location in town.  Lack of sun is an issue late in the day, but there is something alluring about being in the heart of Portland and feeling so secluded.

Empire Dine and Dance (575 Congress St.):  Chairs and tables have been springing up everywhere on Congress Street and down in Monument Sq.  Empire has a decent little patio set up that rivals their neighbors of a few blocks away.  The menu has been shifting to more bar food and it is not a bad spot to enjoy an oversized pint glass cocktail.

White Heart (551 Congress St.):  While it may not actually be one of the best bars in America, it is not a bad little spot.  Pretty laid back during the week, but always full on Friday and Saturday evening, the little patio provides a nice spot to watch the characters who stumble around this area.  They have a nice list of signature cocktails and rotating specials.

Flatbread (72 Commercial St.):  Pizza deck.  A nice big deck on the water with picnic tables and umbrellas.  Dinning is communal and it is a dog friendly atmosphere.  The Casco Bay Lines vessels depart from the pier across the way and water taxi pick-ups are right there as well.  Some much needed livelihood in the normally sleepy Portland Harbor.  Plus you can look up at those envious souls trapped in the behind the glass windows and sliding doors on the second floor at Ri Ra.

Yosaku (1 Danforth St.):  Sushi deck.  One of the better lunch spots in town.  The have a large deck and a solid lunch menu.  There is much debate over the best sushi in town (Miyake), and Yosaku is up there.  They get extra points for a fantastic deck complete with a fountain and for the fact that the owner is a former member of the Chinese National Speed Skating Team.  That might be more rumor than fact.

Portland Lobster Co. (180 Commercial):  Another tourist haven, but a great atmosphere early in the season.  Food prices are outrageous, so stick to the beer menu.  Limited taps, but they are served to the backdrop of a dry-docked lobster boat.  Right down on the water and plenty of standing and sitting room.  Plus, it’s sunny all day.  A rare find for decks in Portland.

The list is growning, but is still far from complete.  More to come.

After several weeks of sun (with the obligatory weekend rain) but less than ideal temperatures, the proper roof deck weather is finally upon us.  Spring is a torturous time of year.  After five or six months of cold, snow and sunsets at 4pm, Portlanders want little more than to escape the darkness and dankness of their favorite watering holes and to move their imbibing to the fresh air.  Plenty of off-shore breezes and cold fronts have ensured that the city’s roof decks have been slow to fill.  The exception of course is Boru’s, which maintains a healthy deckful of smokers year-round.  Now that temps have pushed past 60, it is time to lay claim to the good deck space and throw back some of those perennial summer brews that have already sprung up on the rows of taps.  Here is a quick and admittedly incomplete rundown:

Brian Boru’s (57 Center St.): This deck starts to fill in at 3pm and tends to remain that way until close.  They have a few picnic tables, but I have never seen anyone actually eat out there.  Probably difficult through the haze of cigarette smoke.  Still, if you stand upwind, this is a nice perch.  Some water views and a bit of late-day sun.  Plus, you get to look down upon Rivalries patrons milling about that pen-like patio that they have carved out of the parking lot.

Dogfish Bar & Grill (128 Free St.):  2 decks are better than one.  To find your way to the rear deck, just head straight out the back door, meander through the garbage collection area outside and climb the stairs.  A few tables are back there and the views are mostly of parking lots, but with glimpses of the harbor.  The sun tends to be out of reach by 6pm or so.  The front overlooks Free Street and the sun is in play a bit longer on this side.  The Matthew’s roof deck is easy sand wedge away.  Not sure what the deal is with that place, but I would like to find out.

Dogfish Café (953 Congress St.):  Down on the sketchy-side of Congress.  The other sketchy side.  Same great quesadillas as its sister establishment up the road.  Out back there is a small, but effective little deck.  There is a high fence but plenty of gaps through which one can enjoy views of both the Greyhound station parking lot and busy St. John Street.  Hard to beat pre or post Sea Dogs game.

Mim’s Brasserie (205 Commercial St.):  New chef, same crap food.  Still, they have a swank deck that is ideal for brunch or that morning cocktail.  The sun sets on Mim’s by early afternoon, so drinks are best enjoyed before 3.  They have a very nice little bar, a few tables and a labyrinth of umbrellas for the wait staff to navigate through while handing out mimosas and over-priced salads. 

Dry Dock Restaurant and Tavern (84 Commercial St.):  A tourist haven, but a treasure in the off-season.  One of the only true waterfront dining/drinking spots in town.  For a city with “port” right in the name, there is a dearth of true waterfront dining options.  Two decks, one up, one down.  Sunny up top, shady down below.

Shay’s (18 Monument Sq.):  While neither a roof, nor a deck, Shay’s does provide those in Monument Square with space to enjoy beers in the open air option.  Each day comes with its own food and drink special.  I can attest to the fact that, while made with well booze and often served in a mason jar, their martinis are far more affordable then David’s next door.  This stretch of Monument Square gets sun for about an hour a day, so get there between about 4pm and 5pm.  

A decent start, but there are many more to come to round out the roof deck/patio list.  The season has just begun.  Suggestions welcomed and encouraged.

Just strolled out of the office for the afternoon pick-me-up at Arabica and ran into the Rustic Overtones (they should really get a proper website) playing on a rooftop overlooking Monument Square.  As of 4pm, they are above the B of A, presumably on the deck outside of the WBLM offices.  Heard some Rooms by the Hour songs, but did not hear any of the new stuff before I had to retreat from the sun and return to my office.  Just a reminder that MENSK is hosting an event just up the street in Congress Square today.  Earth Day whatnot.  It runs until 6pm or so this evening.

All that Bushmills drinkin’ was for not.  Portland lost out to Louisville, Kentucky in the Bushmills Twin City Competition.  Besides the pride that goes along with winning a faux twin city competition, Portland missed out on pocketing $40K in prize money.  Considering the state of the city’s coffers, this money would have been a welcome windfall.  Perhaps Milwaukee (birthplace of PBR) is looking for an adopted twin.  That would seem like a more natural kinship for our fine city. 

The USM Law School is holding an auction this evening to raise green for public interest fellowships.  A variety of local restaurants have stepped up to provide free food and drink from 6:00 to 7:30.  Live jazz will accompany the silent auction during this time and the live auction kicks off at 7:45.  The event is being held at USM’s uber modern Abromson Center.  Here’s hoping they auction off the 20 foot high table and chair set.

80s time.  Again.  If you didn’t make it to Bubba’s last eve, head to The Big Easy tonight to rock it with The Awesome.  Portland’s coveted cover band takes the stage 10pm.  Prepare to Wang Chung.

Democratic US Senate candidate Tom Allen is hosting a meet and greet and drink at the Shipyard Brewery this evening.  Free pizza (Portland Pie usually caters these things) and free Shipyard.  A $25 donation is suggested.  Word is that Tom loves talking policy over a frosty Export.  The event is from 5pm to 7pm today (3/27) at the Shipyard Brewery.  86 Newbury Street in Portland.  RSVP to rsvp@tomallen.org.