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    Lincolns

    4.3 (195 reviews)
    InexpensiveLounges, Cocktail Bars
    Closed 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

    Lincolns Photos

    Business Info

    LINCOLNS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Casual
    Good for groups

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    Reviews With Photos

    Josh T.

    Awesome place. Even my wife (who is picky as hell) loved it. Great vibe, great bartender, great drinks. Worth the search.

    Outside. Storefront. Enter these red doors and go downstairs.
    Daniel B.

    We had a good time at Lincolns, a speakeasy in downtown Portland, Maine (Old Port neighborhood). This was one of several restaurants and bars we visited while bar-hopping in downtown Portland. Lincolns stood out because it was the only speakeasy we went to. It's not some place you can just walk into from off the street without knowing about it beforehand. Since this is a speakeasy, there's no street sign nor clearly-marked storefront. To enter, enter the double red doors at 36 Market Street and go downstairs. During our visit, the hidden entrance door was a faux brick wall with a towel rack. The entry area looked like a cheaply-constructed escape room. It was made to look like a locker room. Inside was a very casual, sort of dark and grungy, basement bar and lounge. "Sort of" because some of the furniture, like the European-style felt button chairs and sofas, were nice. The space was small, but not tiny. The owner(s) successfully accomplished the "secret," off-the-grid speakeasy atmosphere, in my opinion. Bring cash because this is a cash-only establishment, as has been well-documented since the business' opening in 2015: https://maine.eater.com/2014/12/15/7394203/east-ender-small-axe-food-truck-portland-lincolns-bar-full-belly-deli-liquor-license. Surprisingly, everything was still $5 during our visit in 2023. Despite high inflation in recent years, Lincolns' unique $5 pricing has remained flat. When we visited, the menu was simple with six beers on tap, two wine options (one red, one white), and about a dozen liquor options (plus mixers). Their only food item was Chili Mac. Again, everything was just $5 each. A sign at our table said Poetry Night is the first and third Tuesday of every month at 7pm ($5) and stand-up Comedy Night is every Thursday at 8:30pm ($5). Service was good from both the door greeter (nice) and the bartender who served us (polite, efficient). On a Saturday around 5:30-6:30pm, this place was busy, but not crowded. There were still empty seats/tables to be had, but only a few. The speakeasy vibe was fun for the novelty. Check out Lincolns on social media for current hours, specials, events, and more. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LincolnsPortlandMaine Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lincolnsportlandmaine

    Inside!
    Adrian R.

    So cool to try and find!! Not going to tell you- other than you have to wait until 5 pm walk downstairs from the door you come through then pull, don't push! Good luck!! Ambiance is great!!

    Amaury J.

    Lincolns is such a hidden gem, quite literally. This speakeasy is one of those places I almost don't want to review because I hope it stays this low-key for a little bit longer, although in this day and age, that's virtually impossible. Lincolns is a place where tourists mingle with locals, where you can get the most generous pour of your preferred liquor for just $5 (in this economy?!), and where you can sit back on their nice leather chairs and feel transported to a time where speakeasies like this one were a thing. A place where service is always top-notch, the crowd is diverse and not pretentious, and you just go for a good time, each time. I'm so grateful for this spot!

    Erin H.

    Such a cool neighborhood spot with a great vibe. All drinks are $5 cash only. Finding the entrance was a bit tricky but made the experience all the more fun. When I visited, the bar was filled with a mix of tourists and locals. If you are visiting the area it is totally worth the trip.

    a stage set up for a show
    Anna K.

    This is a very cool experience being it's a true speakeasy. Very hard to find - we walked up and down the street until we found another group looking for it. Drinks are $5 and you get what you pay for.

    $5 Menu
    tom p.

    My happy place. Try to stop in whenever I'm in Portland .. Ambiance : Like hanging out in your best friend's parents basement bar when you were a kid. Location: Hidden ..NOT hard to find. Bar: No pretense.. Value: It's in the name. Overall: "Legendary"

    Comedy night stage
    Arthur S.

    Fun spot, $5 drinks! It might take you some time to find, but it's fun to find. You can choose from your basic drinks. There was one bartender who was doing a great job and had a good pour. Thursday night was comedy night at 8:30 for a $5 cover. Most of the comedians were funny. This place is the definition of speak easy. Good job!

    Current menus

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    7 months ago

    Can't go wrong with Lincoln's! Great pre, or after, dinner spot! Go around when they open for a good vibe to chat with a friend

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    9 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Mark O.

    Mark O.

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    2 years ago

    Quiet environment, good drinks, mysterious environment . Bartender very nice. Would stop by again.

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    2 years ago

    Finding your way in is half the fun! Great atmosphere, very speakeasy--and affordable cocktails.

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Lincolns

    What time does the comedy start on Thursdays?

    8 pm :-)

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Lincolns

    I get a lot of people from out of town and I love taking them here and trying to let them find the entrance.

    Mentioned in 23 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Room for Improvement

    Room for Improvement

    4.6(57 reviews)
    0.1 miOld Port

    I've only heard good things about room for improvement and I was so glad to finally make it there!…read moreThis low ceiling, cozy bar has moody, lighting, booths, bar seating, and an outdoor standing bar. It's such a vibe for a late night drinking or grabbing a quick bite as they have such good food! They've made using the restroom fun as it's decorated with Polaroids from guests, and another funny item (you'll have to see for yourself) You need to get their espresso martini. The cold foam topping it off is the most delicious thing I've ever had.

    I enjoyed the bar that use to be located here that was called Jager. It was all German themed and I…read moremostly went for the beers. Room for Improvement has been around for quite awhile at this point and I have heard nothing but positive about it. My wife and I finally made the time to come here and glad we did. With it being Halloween they have a special theme this week called Doom for Improvement so we thought it was the perfect time to visit! We showed up at opening for a spot to beat Halloween crowd on wharf street. I was reminded of Jager right away in the sense it felt familiar while also feeling new. They decked it out with Halloween decorations and bartenders were dressed up. We had Bojack Horseman serving us who was a top notch bartender, friendly, answered any questions and had good vibes! My wife tried their Pineapple Daiquiri and their Espresso Martini. I went with the Halloween themed drinks and got the Rest In Peeses that was a peanut butter (Reese's) themed Old Fashioned. Secondly I grabbed their Plenty Evil that was inspired by the Good & Plenty candy Absinthe Frappe. My wife's drinks were phenomenal and would both be go to orders for her and we both found a new favorite Espresso Martini. My first drink nailed the perfect mix of peanut butter flavor with a classic Old Fashioned. Secondly despite not being a huge licorice/good & plenty candy this drink was delicious! I look forward to returning for a non Halloween themed visit but we were both extremely impressed. If you are looking for a bar to grab drinks and want a nice and chill vibe this is your spot. Expect friendly bartenders who make high quality drinks!

    Photos
    Room for Improvement - Inside at the bar

    Inside at the bar

    Room for Improvement - Sauerkraut dog

    Sauerkraut dog

    Room for Improvement - Their espressotini, made with banana and coconut! Vegan

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    Their espressotini, made with banana and coconut! Vegan

    Central Provisions - Popover

    Central Provisions

    4.3(1.4k reviews)
    0.1 miOld Port
    $$$

    Dinner at Central Provisions was such a standout experience. The small plates format made it fun to…read moretry a variety of dishes, and everything felt thoughtful and well-executed. The flavors were creative without being overcomplicated, and each dish had something that made it memorable. The atmosphere struck a perfect balance--lively but still intimate enough to enjoy conversation. Service was attentive and knowledgeable, with great recommendations that really elevated the meal. Definitely one of those places you leave already thinking about what you'll order next time.

    We were happy with the service and speed at which the small plates were delivered to us however…read morethere was a small instance where we got a dish we didn't order (not pictured and it was the special). The lemon sole (fish) and octopus carpaccio (not pictured) were filled with flavor! The pork belly was very underwhelming and I would not order again. The waiter said 2-4 plates per person. I recommend starting on the lower end and adding additional dishes based on how you're feeling. The amount of food was very different from dish to dish. For example the tuna dip had way too much bread and the pork belly was very small in size. Overall I was half impressed. I wish the staff would take a moment to announce the plate as it's placed next to you or point it out on the menu for those hard of hearing and wanting to know what they are about to enjoy. However the music, overall restaurant vibe and half the dishes exploding with flavor made my experience pleasant and I will return again knowing a bit more of what to expect and looking at photos of the menu/meal options beforehand.

    Photos
    Central Provisions - Open kitchen

    Open kitchen

    Central Provisions - CP Frites

    CP Frites

    Central Provisions - Cold Fashioned

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    Cold Fashioned

    Lucky Cheetah - Sichuan Cucumbers

    Lucky Cheetah

    4.2(75 reviews)
    0.1 miOld Port

    The Lucky Cheetah is an absolutely amazing place! Think delicious dim sum with a twist combined…read morewith a fun tiki bar vibe combined with a sophisticated retro speakeasy décor and ambiance. What could be better than a dumpling lounge? We just went for the first time and were blown away. The ambiance of the place is unique. It feels like a chic timeless but retro speakeasy with the fun atmosphere of a tiki bar. Dark red and black colors, floral art, Art Deco chandeliers, lacquered tables, kitsch and fun cheetah lamps and statues. It immediately put a smile on our faces. The food is also unique. Dim sum for dinner but with more sophisticated twists and better quality than you'll find in most Chinatowns. You start by getting a dish with three different dipping sauces for the dumplings. The hot and sour soup was rich in peanut flavor, filled with tofu, mushrooms, and seaweed, with a cumulative little kick of spiciness. It was a great start and a major cut above anything we've ever had in a Chinese restaurant. The sichuan cucumber salad are Chinese cucumbers innovatively cut into a spiral like a slinky or coil spring. You pick them up with chopsticks and they spring up and down! Served in a horseradish and pepper coulis, they had a spicy kick. Don't miss the mojo baby corn. It's grilled, crispy, and addictive. You'll want a bucket of it when watching a movie. Steamed soup dumplings are filled with ham or prosciutto, a nicely salty and meaty twist on the standard ones. Steamed mushroom and truffle dumplings are probably the closest to traditional dim sum, rich, flavorful, and packed with shrooms. Crab and lobster lucky bags were deep fried wontons filled with a mix of ground lobster and crab, on a bed of crème fraiche with scallions. A great contrast with the crispy salty shell and soft filling! Our favorite was the sesame beef bao. They look like the traditional sesame balls in Chinese restaurants, crispy on the outside, pillowy soft inside but filled with brisket! They were mouth wateringly delicious! There was a selection of larger entrée plates that looked good (fried rice, lo mein, crispy chicken) that we didn't try but will next time. The drink menu was three pages long. Every kind of creative cocktail you can imagine, a long list of wines and sparking drinks, at prices from reasonable to 'special occasion.' For the atmosphere and ambiance, it seemed like cocktails or sparkling wine went best. All the staff and the manager couldn't have been nicer and more welcoming. They made us feel like old friends. Their warmth was genuine, we were sincerely touched by their friendliness. We were smiling and laughing the whole time, and amazed at how delicious the food was. It's unique. It's so much more than just a delicious meal. Going here is truly an experience, one that we'll remember for a long time and want to repeat often. It's an incredibly special place, and you feel special being here. You won't find a place like this outside of New York City, but here it is in Portland. We're going to go back often and regularly.

    TLDR; Food was good/fine. Service and ambiance were great…read more Interior and service were phenomenal. Our waiter was very helpful and enthusiastic without being overbearing. Interior was clean (including the bathrooms) and had a nice fun quirkiness to it. The food, while good, fell a bit short for me. Money bag: This was great. Both my wife and I loved it. Their take on money bag was different and it worked well. The fact that cream cheese was on the outside left more room inside for the meats, and we could choose how much cream cheese we had. Soup dumpling: Also great. While delicious, nothing was special about the dish. Spicy lobster lo mein: This was a bit of a letdown. Not sure if this is usually how it comes out, but the noodles were chopped to such small lengths that it was easier to eat them with spoon than chopsticks. The sauce, while clean and properly seasoned, tasted a bit too clean, almost to the point of being bland. The lobster didn't really add anything to the noodle/sauce and just felt like it was dropped in there. Overall, we still had a great time, but it was a bummer that the main dish was such a letdown.

    Photos
    Lucky Cheetah - Decor in the back room

    Decor in the back room

    Lucky Cheetah - Sweet & sour cod

    Sweet & sour cod

    Lucky Cheetah - Sweet & sour cod

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    Sweet & sour cod

    Papi

    Papi

    4.4(108 reviews)
    0.0 miOld Port
    $$

    After a few days of eating ourselves silly on seafood, my fiance & I were dying to find something…read moredifferent. We didn't expect to find good Puerto Rican food in Portland, but I'm so glad we found this local gem! Reservations are recommended; they were still packed during the off season. We were lucky enough to snag two seats at the bar during dinner time without a wait. The bartender is super friendly and gave us some excellent food recommendations. We ordered the beef empanadas, pernil, and pollo guisado. Everything was DELICIOUS. The beef empanada filling is hard to beat - this might be one of the best ones I've had yet. We both really enjoyed the pernil & pollo guisado, but the soup was probably my favorite. I'm a soup gal, and this was just a hearty and excellent bowl of soup. Pernil portions were very generous. Definitely a highlight of our trip!

    As a latina visiting Portland, I searched for Spanish food in the area and this place came up! I…read morewas pleasantly surprised and did not expect to eat at a Puerto Rican restaurant. I Gotta say it smelled soo good. Just like my mommas kitchen. The atmosphere was incredible, it was upscale yet cozy. The food was really good too.. The empanadas were very tasty and in also ordered tacos and corn fritters that were delicious as well. Only thing i didnt like is that their rice had an insane amount of olives for the serving size. I counted 18 olives in a small serving. I mean I dont mind olives but not that much. I ordered rice with guandules and I feel I got rice with olives. I honestly had a very good experience here and would definately come back if im ever in the area again.

    Photos
    Papi - Interior looking towards entrance

    Interior looking towards entrance

    Papi
    Papi - Bar

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    Bar

    Lincolns - lounges - Updated June 2026

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