I popped in on my last night in Portland and really enjoyed my meal. The ambiance inside is insane - it's so cozy! I had a cheeseburger and a penicillin, both were delicious. It's definitely not a current day "speakeasy" so don't expect some sort of PDT-style secret entrance or tomfoolery... but who cares, the food and atmosphere was great. read more

Love walking to Bramhall and enjoying dinner and a drink. The atmosphere is dark but fun but also intimate near lots of candlelight's. Very interesting vibe that keeps me coming back for more! read more

Yes, you come to Portland to stuff yourself silly with amazing seafood, but sometimes you just really want a beer and a nice cheeseburger. The entrance to this place is slightly hidden, and you go down into the basement of the building. Bramhall has a very moody, speakeasy vibe that was pretty cool. We opted to sit outside on the covered patio. We got our drinks and an order of Thai chili wings, which were really great - the wings were cooked perfectly and meaty, the glaze, while not spicy, gave just enough interest in flavor to complement the chicken. My entree was a cheeseburger - beer cheese, pickles, lettuce, caramelized onion - perfectly cooked, perfectly dressed. It really hit the spot Service was attentive and pleasant, you bet I will be back again read more

This speakeasy is fantastic. The craft cocktails are inventive, and the bartenders skilled. In particular, Kyleen made a couple that were superb. The night I was in (Tuesday) they had a beer/shot/burger special for $16. Highly recommend. read more

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Really good cocktails and a friendly staff--the vibe here is great. It's Amin a catacomb-like basement underneath an old restaurant. We stop in almost every time we are in portland. Just skip the locally made whisky. read more

I've been coming to this establishment for decades....it is one of my favorite spots in Portland . My most recent visit was on a Wednesday at 5pm for their half price appetizer happy hour from 4-6. Also $2 off drafts and wine! I love the cozy candlelit atmosphere and the staff is very knowledgeable about making suggestions for beer....not easy to do in this booming microbrew town. The deviled eggs were perfection and the truffled fries were delightful....followed by a caesar salad...all half price. Get yourself down there to Congress street...what are you waiting for? read more

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Loved the feel of the place and the people. The menu seemed fun, but I can't directly assess the cocktails or the food as we only ordered a couple pours from the bar's nice selection of bourbon. (We killed the Little Book 2020, but there's still some Booker's 2021-04, Weller Antique, Elijah Craig Toasted, Blanton's, etc.) Staff did their absolute best but were harried and overworked; as such it was hard to catch their attention. They definitely needed one more person behind the bar to handle the endless deluge of cocktail orders. Even so, they managed to keep the train on the track. I totally recommend coming here, though you might want to avoid rush hour, a.k.a. 9 p.m. on a Friday. read more

Speakeasy. You like a good cocktail? You like good food? You like a cool atmosphere? You know what to do. read more

Delicious cocktails and food in a hidden, speakeasy style basement bar. Service was attentive and friendly and the music selection was excellent. I can't wait to come back! read more

Bramhall - Bars Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Their shots are the best I've ever had and go down TOO easily. When in doubt get the daiq shot Also the servers are really nice read more

Maybe invest in some bigger cups or use less ice for what you charge for your drinks probably won't be back... read more

Bramhall - Cups full of ice - Bars Near Me - Portland, Maine

This was a find. I live in Portland but had not been here. Seth was unbelievable with his wine service, conversation and recommendations. Ege was charming as our server. The food was spot on, small plates prepared with knowledge and a fine touch. We sat on the patio on a beautiful evening but the inside looked intriguing in its own way. Trust me, you can't beat this place for an unexpected and satisfying evening. read more

Are you obsessed with Vikings? Or Harry Potter? Or Game of Thrones? Or Dungeons and Dragons? If you said yes to any of those... and you also like flavorful and strong craft cocktails... and you also like candle light... and you also like the smell of leather, pipe smoke, and earth... and you also like when the chances of running into someone you might know are slim to none (and even if you do, it's so dark you can pretend you didn't actually see them)... Bramhall might be for you. I have a wild imagination. And sitting in Bramhall, I could: 1. Be in Edinburgh, or San Francisco, or Montreal... it's got a very worldly feeling to it, and transports you right out of Portland, ME. 2. Be in Ragnar Lothbrook's great hall circa 700 to 800 AD waiting to party after hearing where we're raiding this spring. 3. Be in Diagon Alley having a drink before making a dark magic deal... or busting one. It depends on if my emotional pendulum is swinging towards Good or Evil that night. Too weird? Okay: 1. The cocktails are varied and delicious; they are also reasonably priced. 2. The scene is very laid back; it's in a subterranean space; there is also an enormous patio that's much more generic feeling. 3. The staff is friendly and quick. Actually, you know what, please don't come here. This is mine now. I'm claiming this as my East Coast soulmate bar, and only those who can pretend with me are allowed to come. Þkk! Góða nótt! read more

Awesome pub! The first night my husband and I came here we sat outside and the second time was inside (which we both favored as the interior makes you feel like you are drinking in an old castle). For the first night we ordered linen sheets, eggplant emoji (lol), and my husband got the trophy husband (very subtle of him, right?) The only drink I didn't care for was the eggplant emoji as I found it a little too sugary/fruit forward, but to be fair I like a stiff drink. Linen sheets was DELICIOUS, but honestly the highlight was the gin martini my husband got, made with botanist. Do yourself a favor and get a martini, they know what they are doing! We both got the martinis on the second night with a different gin and again, so good. Shout out to both of our servers Zimmerman and Marcus, they were both *exceptional.* They made us feel like royalty. read more

Came here for a drink with some friends. The atmosphere is very cozy and cool. They offer a $2 pour of their bourbon of the day. I tried this and a cocktail that was very earthy. Overall I liked this bar and the atmosphere. read more

Bramhall - Bars Near Me - Portland, Maine

I had heard so much about Bramhall and knew I wanted to check it out. I just heard it was "different." My friend led the way down the stairs (where aroma Cafe is) and as I pulled back the velvet curtain, it was like I was transported to another time period. It was very gothic feeling with the stone, candlelit ambiance, and overall underground feel. When you've time traveled to the past, why not order a whiskey? That's what I did. And I don't drink whiskey. But I enjoyed it! And I felt like it was appropriate for the place I was in! My friend and I ordered garlic fries (happy hour special) and they were delicious. Think shoestring fries-very thing and crispy. The bar is lovely and expansive. We got perfect view of the leg lamp from A Christmas Story as well as the bartender separating egg whites to include in some speciality cocktails. There are some small tables as well, if that's more your style or are with a group. The bathroom is fun and clean. You open the doors saloon style. The sink is very industrial with foot pedals. I'd love to go back to Bramhall and try some more foods and drinks! read more

Bramhall - Bars Near Me - Portland, Maine

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There are just so many great things about Bramhall. After a two hour drive, the food was 10/10!!! The French fries were just amazing. The drinks were amazing! Now let's talk about our service. Joey was so amazing that he met our level of chaos and rolled with any questions and comments we had. He made the experience unforgettable. Best place in Portland. GO JOEY! read more

Bramhall is a really cool bar and establishment located at the bottom of Roma Cafe. The minute you walk in, you are welcomed into the darkness with stone walls and dim lighting which gives it a dungeon-like feeling. Think Game of Thrones meets Harry Potter. The thing I appreciate about Bramhall is their cocktail selections. They have unique cocktails that are handmade, and they also have a specific selection of cocktails made with local liquor, which I thought was cool. They also provide some limited options of local beer and wine selections. Bramhall also offers some food selections that tend to be pub-like food, ranging from chicken wings, to a burger, to various other shareable plates. I have gotten their fries, which was very thin and good, and I have also tried the burger, which was surprisingly great! The only thing that keeps my review from giving it five stars is the service. Every time I have gone in, the servers and bartenders are nice, however, it sometimes feels like the staff are more enthused with their phones over the actual customers. When I went the other night, I was sitting at the bar and I finished my drink, and it took a while for the bartender to notice I was empty to ask if I wanted another drink. A small fix, though, Bramhall definitely has a unique aesthetic that adds to the Portland bar scene. I will be sure to continue coming! read more

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10/10 for a cool underground bar in Portland. I got a mezcal pear drink that was beyond good so I got two, and felt very happy afterwards. The space has midevil vibes - so good for a date. And the service was awesome. read more

First impression walking in the door, I immediately thought of Harry Potter. Bramhall is right under Roma Café and is almost in a basement style location. All the walls are brick and the dim lighting and old style doors just reminded me of all the buildings at Hogwarts in Harry Potter. It almost had a dungeon feel (not in a bad way though).... Super cool place. It is seat yourself, so once you walk in, if you find a table, it can be yours. We came on a weekday around 7P and there was no issues finding a place to sit.... and we were a group of 6. The drink menu is extensive with ample selections of cocktails, beers and wines. I ended up getting a couple cocktails, both of which were delicious.... however, for the life of me I cannot remember either of the names (sorry!). I am also big on doing a taste test with everyone else's drinks and I can't say there was one I tried that I didn't like. All the cocktails had a unique and different taste. The service was consistent and we were checked on regularly and brought our drinks quickly. Unfortunately, given our later reservation at Roma Café, I did not get the opportunity to have their food. However, based on the looks and descriptions in the menu, it seems like they have some really tasty options. This is definitely a cool place to hang out and get some tasty drinks. And if you want a good Harry Potter vibe, I definitely recommend coming to Bramhall! read more

Awesome bar in Portland - located in the basement. I'd recommend not sitting near the door during colder months. Find a place in back, perhaps near the epic candle mountain and order some delicious cocktails. One of the favorites is the cat nip option - strange and delicious and would come back just to try this. Casual setting and ideal for a date night. Cheap drinks and a few board games are available for use. I'd absolutely return here and would recommend it to anyone. It's so darn cozy and unpretentious. read more

TL;DR: The food was so salty it was borderline uneatable. Outdoor area is nice, and people seemed happy with their drinks. Masks are required in order to be seated, and there are hand sanitizers on the tables. May be worth coming here for the drinks, but I would not recommend the food. Full review: The overwhelming good reviews Bramhall received in the past lead me to believe that either (1) the cooking staff changed post COVID closure, or (2) they had a really bad day today. In short, the food was SO salty it was borderline uneatable. For the record, I am absolutely fine with salt, and this is not a complaint I've ever had before. We started with the Smoked Salmon Rillettes -- the salmon itself was actually delicious, but the beet chips that came with it were DRENCHED in salt. We pointed this out and were given a new batch that had slightly less salt, but still too much. Next, we had the Italian Roast Pork and Korean Fried Chicken. The Roast Pork and the fries that came with it were both--again--extremely salty, and the pork itself was only so-so. The Fried Chicken, while not salty, was underwhelming in its flavor. Service was great, and the outdoor area is very nice. I hate giving a bad review to a neighborhood place that just re-opened, but we decided to eat here based on Yelp reviews, and feel that they are not representative of the quality of the food. read more

Don't know why this place is not packed on Tuesday nights! $16 for a burger, shot of bourbon and beer. Great food and service!

Drinks are good, vibes are good, food is terrible. Brussels sprouts, burger, and salad were all small and flavorless. Next time I'll come just for a drink. read more

I have been to Bramhall a lot and I love it. It feels like I'm in a cave. It's practically therapeutic. Everyone is pretty chill and the food is amazing. Definitely try the steak. It's only 3 ounces but it is phenomenal! There's this layer of lemon butter on the top and it's so good it makes me want to cry. It also comes with patatas bravas and roasted Brussels sprouts in this sauce (not sure what sauce it is but it's great). It can be hard to recognize where it is so it's in the Roma Cafe building if you use the stairs on the side. Kinda seems sketchy but don't be scared to try it because you will not regret it. Ps the kitchen doesn't close super early like most other restaurants in the area. read more

Great atmosphere and alright drinks. The food has taken an absolute nose dive. Brussel sprouts had no flavor, wings were cold and soggy. Too bad. read more

Such a nifty spot! Cocktails are very expensive, but are innovative and tasty. The kitchen produces an eclectic menu that excites and satisfies the late night munchies I get! read more

As a huge cocktail fan, it was a big mistake that it took me so long to discover this place. My partner and I decided to come on a Sunday afternoon for a drink or two and we were not disappointed. When we walked it there wasn't much of a crowd so we were easily able to grab a seat at the bar. We were greeted warmly by the bartender upon arrival. Bramhall offers a huge selection of liquor which gives you plenty of options to satisfy whatever you are looking for. We weren't planning on getting food but I decided to order to grab the rice krispy bar du jour and was very happy I did. Overall the best part of Bramhall was the low key atmosphere where you could enjoy the company of others and also easily meet new people around you. Very friendly staff and great service made this a 5 star place and will definitely go back. read more

Bramhall - Cocktails all around - Bars Near Me - Portland, Maine

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It's dark and intimate, lots of candles and sexy lighting. We needed a quick dinner after checking into our hotel late just down the street. We got settled and ordered a drink each and a light dinner. I had the Maine salad w chicken and hubby got the chicken bacon ranch wrap. Both were insanely good. Service was decent, server was friendly. Great date night spot. read more

I came here for a happy hour on a random Wednesday night and was so happy I did. First of all, the atmosphere here is unreal cool. It's like being in some old castle with candles and alcohol. Absolutely the best. I got a beer on draft (Barreled Souls - Rosalia, which I HIGHLY recommend) and the others I was with got a beer and a glass of wine, which they both enjoyed. I also got the California Smoked Turkey sandwich, which was delicious. It was on one of the best ciabatta rolls I have ever had. The cocktails also looked incredible and I can't wait to come back soon to try them! read more

Bramhall - Rosalita - Bars Near Me - Portland, Maine

Get the Brussel sprouts oh my goodness. Bartender s were great and had the best suggestions. Awesome vibe - reminded me of eastern European underground bars in the best way. read more

Bramhall - Bars Near Me - Portland, Maine

I used to frequent the Bramhall back when it was more of a hole in the wall. It offered cheap beer, free pool on Thursday nights and a juke box of classic rock (including the Allman Brothers' epic 33-minute version of Mountain Jam... For the same price as any other song)... Upon its reopening, it's been given a facelift. The bar has moved, the pool table has been replaced with table seating and the cheap beer has been replaced with artisanal drinks and nice microbrews. The place is dark... Dimly lit by candlelight. It makes for a nice ambiance, but it makes it very hard to read the menu. The menu is still evolving, but it offered a variety of meat options (my friend had the burger and loved it)... As a vegetarian I got the loaded crisps (potato chips with creme fresh, scallions and cheese curds) and the cheese plate (three cheeses, thin-sliced apples, pickled onions, a toasted bread and seasoned nuts). I'm definitely excited to see the full menu once they work out their kinks. The staff was very attentive and enthusiastic... There already seems to be a group of regulars forming so I think the new Bramhall will be a success. Part of me is pining for the indifferent waitstaff and the devil-may-care attitude of the days of old... when I had only pennies in my pockets and was still able to have a few beers with friends... But another part of me feels like maybe the Bramhall Pub has grown up... As have I... And I'm happy to be able go back... (Now with deeper pockets) and have a few beers with friends. read more

Bramhall - Gout pedal operated sinks... A little gimmicky but whatever. - Bars Near Me - Portland, Maine

Yes! Bramhall is exactly what Portland's been missing... well at least since it closed it's doors. However re-opening was exactly the right move. The ambiance in here is perfect if they can keep these candles lit every night. It's got a midievil vibe without being too kitschy. They don't have a cocktail list - or at least didn't when I went in, but after ordering a Manhattan for $7 (I did not stutter..) I was pleased as a peach. Even more pleased was I when the Manhattan was ON POINT (real cherries and all folks). This place was packed for opening night and Jerks of Grass playing, but I will definitely be back to enjoy more delicious spirits. I also heard from a friend that the chips are delicious (made in house!). The service was extremely attentive. The new wood bar also compliments the stone interior extremely well. Bravo Bramhall! read more

Bramhall - Bars Near Me - Portland, Maine

I walked in at 8:30. The waitress was polite and told us they were short staffed. I got seated at 8:45. I placed a beer order at 8:55. I got my first beer at 9:10. That's 40 minutes from entry till I got a beer. About 10 minutes after that my order of fries came out. They were cold and absolutely overly salted. They were inedible. Then I ordered a frito pie. The frito pie came out very cold, overly salted. I felt sorry for the 1 waitress. She was running constantly back and forth from table to table. She was the only worker I saw seating people, bringing food. I heard her tell another patron that her help had been sent home because it had been slow earlier. This poor girl did all she could do. But the experience over all was awful. The food was awful. The wait times were awful. read more

Bramhall is a fantastic addition to the west end scene. I think they've ordered a sign, but I like it better without one, because this bar is a true speakeasy. You walk downstairs into basically a classy dungeon, and I mean this in the best way possible. The bar is very dark and mostly brick and stone, but the materials are upscale. This isn't a dive bar, but it's not a cocktail lounge either. It's new and different and I love it. The lead bartender came from Gingko Blue, so you know you're getting some of the best cocktails around. At about half the price. An old fashioned-like cocktail was $6.50! The beer and wine menu are printed in a faux middle ages book, but the cocktail menu hasn't been finalized. The food looks awesome with burgers, cheese plates, creative sandwiches, etc. The chef came from Duckfat, which is a great sign. Bramhall was packed on opening weekend and will probably remain that way. It's a great, unique new bar. read more

First Experience: 4 stars. We had my sister's birthday party here. Granted, I already had several gin martinis and we had people saving us a table, so it was easy-going to say the least. Our server was super friendly though absent most of the night. Eh, we are a group of servers so we understand a busy and new restaurant working out the kinks. Food was good, well-priced and the atmosphere is the real seller here. Speak-easy vibes and cool basement decor makes for a unique experience. NEXT TWO TIMES: I come in with a friend or two, no one talks to us, we have to look for a place to sit, all seats are full. Am I mad that I didn't get a table without a reservation? Of course not! Am I turned off by the fact that both times when I came in NO ONE talked to us. I actually stood at the bar and stare at the two gossiping bartenders, still to be ignored. I had to say "excuse me" to even get the conversation started. Both were unhelpful and visibly annoyed that I interrupted them. read more

Bramhall - Hummus board, solid 3.5 - Bars Near Me - Portland, Maine

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I have found my new cocktail bar in Portland. I am ashamed to say it took me this long to get down into Bramhall. This place is phenomenal. Please, owners, managers, and staff, don't change a thing; you've got a good thing here. The atmosphere is killer. I love dark, subterranean bars. Hell, bars are dark. If they aren't dank, that is a bonus. This, my friends, is a bar. In the basement of a building, exposed brick, archways, you feel like you are in the basement of some bar in Riga, Latvia in the basement of a medieval building. Candle light the joint, and small nooks and crannies of seating add to the romantic ambience and Bohemian vibe of this joint. The drinks are to die for. Cocktails are top-notch. The bartenders know their craft, and they do not hesitate to fill a request based off a recipe handed to them. Order cocktails, skip the beer, go somewhere else for that. It will be a shameful waste to drink a pint of suds when you could drink mixed nirvana in a cocktail glass. The staff is exceedingly accommodating and friendly. Superior service. The food is good. I had a Cubano sandwich and it was good. The bread was soft, the pickles sour, and the cheese melty. Yeah. Try it. Love it. Go back for more. read more

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Nice sunny patio. A few of my favorite summer beers on tap. My friend ordered the poutine, it was remarkably delicious. Nice crispy shoestring fries, rich gravy, tasty curds. read more

Stopped in for a drink and some food around 10:30 pm on a Saturday night. We got seated right away but it was very busy! I think we got lucky! The decor and atmosphere is very cozy and romantic. Great place for a date or even to kick back with a few friends. They have a delicious cocktail menu with decent prices. We ordered the burger and it was cooked perfectly! The Caesar salad was made with very green lettuce and tons of flavor. The only reason for only 4 stars is because the service started off okay but then at the end we waited quite a bit for our check. Overall, we did have a great time and enjoyed the food and drinks! We will definitely head back next time we are in the area. read more

Yet another 5-star venue in this foodie / bar-ie town! Enter (another) basement venue... hang your coat and join in the buzz of a brick basement with little nooks and crannies and coves with yet more brick and arches with candles and benches and chairs. I didn't like the menu one bit, as it was highly whiskey-oriented, but the bar tender was immensely patient with me in devising options based on what I liked (but he didn't quite know how to make) and what he knew how to make. In no way did I feel like I was holding him up from someone else waiting to order a drink, which was awesome given I'm that person who loses a great parking spot because of the fear of holding up traffic to parallel park. Instead, he saw it more as a challenge to solve a problem and please a customer. Better yet, the dude at the door checking ID noticed we were hanging out without chairs and grabbed us the moment a table opened up. What service!! And, better yet... the server in the back of the bar was just as awesome as the bartender! He took the time to chat, to challenge, to educate and worked with the bartender to create my menu for the rest of that night. I have no idea what I drank--they likely weren't really drinks out of a book (aside from my chocolate martini), but they all tasted good and were priced very fairly (same as an uncustomized drink). And, although at one point the bricks were spinning a little, the server kept us hydrated with water on the side, so we left with a thoroughly great night in the back of our minds. Bottom line: I rarely give 5 stars, and this place deserves it hands down. read more