My husband and I traveled to Portland, Maine. After hours of traveling (connecting flights, etc), we checked into our hotel and decided to walk around for a while. We ended up at Maps to have a cocktail and a little snack. The two guys working were friendly. The drinks were good! I forgot to get a picture of the soft pretzel with beer cheese that we served, but it was the biggest pretzel we've ever seen! It said XL on the menu - and it was! The ceiling is covered in big maps. Definitely unique decor. They also have a lot of vinyl there. It's below street level so it's a little dark. But it felt sort of cozy. I don't t know if we'll make it back there on our trip, but I recommend it! read more

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I've been wanting to go to Maps all summer because who doesn't want a slice of cake when they're out at a bar? It seems the owner's wife is responsible for the baking but be wary if you have allergies; the bartender wasn't able to tell us what nuts were in the weekly cake. Very fun speakeasy vibe and the Tuesday trivia nights are a blast! Cocktails are a bit small but delicious and the food portions are generous. read more

Maps Bar - Weekly cake - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Portland, Maine

The underground speakeasy style bar in a basement with a focus on beer and dessert with lots of vintage maps on walls and ceiling with vinyl playing. It's been a long while since I have been here. Way back during pre-pandemic times during a Maine Beer Week. I really enjoyed it and would have likely given 5 stars had I reviewed back then. Maybe that is just me wearing rose colored glasses and thinking more positively than it was though. They have since expanded to have more food offerings than just cake and more drink options than just beer. I do believe it's an improvement to have more options and was a smart business move! This stop in the vibe just didn't feel the same leaning towards a negative way unfortunately. I was excited to give their cocktails a try and my wife got their French 75 while I got their Pickletini because I love pickles so why not! I suspect due to how similar the drinks are, the bartender garnished the wrong drink with the pickles so that was a bit off initially for the French 75. It was a simple fix though. So overall, I still appreciate the decor and ambiance despite the vibe being a little weaker now in my opinion. I would return to give their food a try and do believe it's a solid option for a bar especially if you want to avoid wharf street. read more

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I've never experienced a bar like Maps...it's like a step back into the past where the top vinyl records were spinning and people are enjoying good company. They have a fine selection of cocktails and local brews. Besides the staple maps on the ceiling the lighting makes for a moody and fun scene. read more

This was the worst place I've ever been to. DO NOT GO HERE!! The bartender was the rudest person I've ever met. Ask for a marg with some jalapeños. Bartender said no problem then gives me plain Rita. I asked since I didn't get what I asked for if I could get a glass of wine. The bartender then said "if I paid for it" when he was the one who made the wrong drink. He the proceeded to say "I don't have time for this"! So nasty! Then he proceeded to tell me I was ruining his day! Are you kidding?? TERRIBLE! TERRIBLE! Place. We also asked for an Octoberfest beer he said sure, then gave us the wrong beer. Don't waste your time in this dump!! GO TO CUTIES BEXT DOOR!! Way better!!! ****pic of bartender below******* read more

Maps Bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Portland, Maine

MAPS is a below ground bar on Market Street in a prime location parallel to Exchange. It has eclectic decor, dim (in a good way) lighting, and a great menu filled with cocktails, beer, wine, snacks and cakes, and happy hour specials! It was poppin even on a Monday night, so it must be a regular haunt. It was loud in all the right ways. Service was fine, my $8 margarita was even better. read more

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One of the hippest, coziest bars in all of Portland, dare I say. I adore this little underground basement bar. They have good beers on tap, a decent food menu, rotating cake slices, vinyl playing in the background, maps displayed all over the place, low-hanging ceilings, and sweet booths where you can tuck in and escape the cold. Service is good and the prices are reasonable. But above all, come for the vibes. They also have happy hour from 4-6pm and trivia on Tuesdays at 7pm, which I'm hoping to check out one of these days! read more

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Used to really like this place. I went when the bar was not even busy. The bartender clearly didn't want to service me and seemed really rude for no reason. The vibe was so hostile?? read more

Easily one of our new favorite spots in Portland. It's a little hidden gem with a speakeasy vibe. The only bar I've ever seen that plays vinyl- so dope. The drinks were amazing and the staff were super cool! Definitely a cozy spot. read more

Maps Bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Portland, Maine

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absolutely loved this place! loved the decor and the bar and the live music really sets them apart from everywhere else. bartenders are very competent and it's a good crowd that comes down here. there's so much art in the bathrooms. they pour the drinks pretty strong and there's something very crisp about the garnish of each. read more

Great little place! The drinks were good and the vibes were chill. The maps all over the roof and walls were fun. The Orono wicked blueberry ale was refreshing. The old fashioned was chesty read more

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My partner loves maps which meant MAPS was the perfect place for us to grab a drink. Drinks were nice with a large variety. Ambiance is superb and staff is friendly. 1 beer and 1 old fashion cost over $20 plus tip. They have gender neutral bathrooms and a fair amount of seats for how small it is. read more

Maps Bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Portland, Maine

Worst marg in Portland. And even worse service. Don't waste your dollar here. The bar tender was extremely rude and the drinks were horrible. read more

The worst service in Portland. Bar tender couldn't be bothered and couldn't event make a good drink. And then gave us the wrong drink. Skip this spot and go next door for a better experience. read more

Definitely a great dive-ish bar if you're into that! I'd say elevated dive, maybe? It's in a basement level, tons of maps on the walls and ceilings. A decent drink menu with reasonable prices. They had some great music going and we all enjoyed the relaxed vibes. read more

Neat bar in old port, with maps all over the walls. Drinks were really good and interesting. Bar tenders were nice, the music was a bit loud if you wanted to talk to people. Didn't try any of their food but I think they have a few things. Decent bar but not my favorite. read more

Maps Bar - Inside area - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Good food, good music good vibes and good people. Best bar in Portland Yeah boiiiiiiii read more

This is one of my favourite dive bars in the US now ... and certainly my go to spot in Portland! I am a lover of good beer, divey bar decor and vinyl records ... all of which feature prominently here. It's dark ... it's got basement vibes ... the bartenders are cool and they play vinyl records over the sound system. I can't imagine a better concept. We arrived and George Thoroughgood and the Destroyers were playing. And not just one song ... the whole damn record! Behind the bar is a vintage turntable and shelves of vintage vinyl which the bartenders spin. The music they played were 70's and 80's staples and it was a great vibe as it was the same artist for several songs. The beer list here was great with local superstars like Maine Brewing Company Dinner, one of the top-rated beers on beeradvocate ... and a couple Bissell Brothers offerings. It's clear that someone picking these knows good beer and it's nice to see that there is a good variety beyond IPA. One other cool thing is you can order these hard to find draft beers by the glass, or by the pitcher. Imagine a pitcher of Maine Beer Company Dinner! Most places cannot even get it on draft. The bar is spread out pretty well, so unless its really busy, you can find a spot to sit or stand in. I don't know if they serve food but there was some kind of machine in the corner which looked like a hot dog cooker or a quesidilla maker. This is one of my new favourite dive bars for a reason. If you are looking for bud light and hip hop music, you are in the wrong spot. If you like vintage vinyl, craft beer and dive bar grunge without feeling overly hipster, you should try this spot for sure! read more

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The ambiance gave a speakeasy vibe. Music was nice, not too loud. The service was great. They do offer delightful homemade slices of cake (if they haven't sold out). read more

Love this establishment. Tough to find and super eclectic. One of the best cakes I've ever had.

Really awesome bar in downtown Portland! I loved the theme as an adventurer and the super chill and relaxed vibe. It wasn't an overcrowded bar and had plenty of space to move around. They also had the amazing smell of grilled cheese in the air which no one can deny. Unfortunately we tried getting grilled cheese too late and weren't able to get any. We will just have to return! read more

This is the vibe I am always looking for! Basement dive bar with good cocktails, good service, vinyl throwbacks and no pretension

Maps stole my heart. Classic European style underground bar with multiple beer styles on draft. Bartender was a sweetheart who picked great vinyl records to spin for our listening pleasure. Energy amazing. Ambiance amazing. Come here. Do it. read more

Super cute, hipster college bar. It was fun if you're younger. The record player behind the bar was cool and the decorations were just right. read more

My friend (visiting from Denver) and I (visiting from Dallas) stumbled into Maps on our visit to Portland. We liked the vibe and the drinks were on point. The bartenders were really friendly. I enjoyed listening to vinyl. Definitely, my type of hangout. I loved that it was all ages and diverse for Portland. read more

Making All People Smile(MAPS) Fave new establishment in old port! What piqued our interest was the music when we were walking by to find a new place. I've been going to Portland for years and was disappointed that I hadn't known about this place sooner! You feel like you are transported to a different place once you walk in with the vinyl music playing and maps everywhere. The bartenders are great (Ben and Richie) and the Prosecco on draft is delicious! This place is on our visitation rotation! read more

The greatest thing about Portland ME is finding all these little hidden gems all about that city. The Maps Bar is one of those places where you can go to hang out for a drink that is in a small neighborhood bar, almost speakeasy feel. The bartender was friendly and engaging. They have happy hour cocktail offerings. They also have small pitchers of beer for sharing. There is a good variety of bottles and cans as well. I was even able to get a great German beer on my visit. This was a great place after walking around the port for a while but before we were ready to head out to dinner. read more

Super chill bar with maps everywhere. This is is a great spot to just chill, drink, and hang out with your friends. Friendly staff, variety of drinks, and really chill and fun atmosphere. One of those hidden gems in Portland ME that you should definitely check out when you visit! read more

Neat little underground bar. Connor the owner served up a mean grilled cheese. Love the dim ambiance and chill vibe. read more

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Love the atmosphere highly recommend getting gift cards as gifts for love ones! Good prices and run by Portland locals! read more

Maps Bar - Me and my dad at maps! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Portland, Maine

I think this cute, eclectic, subterranean new bar deserves 5 stars. It accomplishes what it sets out to. On Market St. across from the Big Easy, the interesting outside proclaiming "Cold Beer, Wine By The Glass, Hot Coffee" is sure to lead the curious down the basement stairs. Inside is pretty awesome. A free 1970's jukebox loaded with dozens of oldies. A blueprint for Fenway park decades old. A 1960's light-up time zone map of the world. Many, many random touches. They did a great job and the bar feels homey and fun. The owners (who it appears are the only employees), are a 30-something husband and wife. He's very nice, perhaps a little quiet, and American. She's British with an addicting accent. Maybe I saw Mary Poppins creepily recently, but I could listen to that all day long. Their goal (according to them) is to create a comfortable, low key pub. They want 10-15 people in the bar. Unfortunately the bar is a little too good and they may need to adjust. There are 5-6 beers on tap and the selection is great. I was shocked to see the Sierra Nevada-Allagash collaboration beer, along with several other interesting craft beers I hadn't heard of. The only beer I was familiar with was Substance. There are another 15-20 beers on bottle, including a handful of ciders. It's a thoughtful, creative list. The wine list is disappointing. If I've heard of them, they're sold at Shaws, for about $10 a bottle. I have trouble paying $7-$8 a glass for that. They said people enjoy seeing wines they are familiar with, and they're more of a beer bar anyways, but some people prefer wine and it wouldn't take too much effort to improve the selection. The food menu is limited with the highlight being the 3 grilled cheese sandwiches. My friend and I split two, the English and the Blue. Giant, loaded and gooey grilled cheeses appeared, with jam and other fun toppings. $8, and probably the best grilled cheeses I've ever had. Splitting one would be a solid light meal. I was very impressed by Maps, and while it's difficult to describe here, the atmosphere is unique to the Old Port. It's not for kids. There's no hard alcohol. But for a great, fun, small bar away from the crowds, I'd highly suggest giving it a try. read more

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Maps is slowly becoming a regular Friday night affair for me. When everyone goes on Friday night dates, I, too, have a date at Maps. With a sweet slice of cake that is moist and delicious. $5.40 for a slice of cake may seem steep, but the slice of cake at Maps is huge and is better for sharing. But I do not share my sweets, so I elect to get my cake to go so I can savor the remaining the next day. To illustrate how big a slice is, the staff had to slice my slice in half just so it could fit the styrofoam container, and the two half slices fill up the box. Score! I've only had two kinds of cakes here, the chocolate sour cherry cake and chocolate salted caramel cake. Both were yummy, but I would say I liked the salted caramel one better. Can't wait to try a grilled cheese here in the near future! read more

Maps Bar - Homemade chocolate sour cherry cake - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Portland, Maine

This place is amazing. My friend brought me here one night after some event and I was blown away by how well it works: they serve coffee and tea, cake and pie, and all sorts of spirits. Ooh, also grilled cheese! Also it's underground - such a neat little place with exposed brick and old maps (hence the name) on the walls and ceiling. From Thursday through Saturday they're open until 1am which makes it great for a cozy and intimate late night libation. read more

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Girls night out decided on dessert and when looking for carrot cake this came up?!? Talk about hard to find! It was located right in front of us going up Market street yet did not "see" until heading down the street. Interesting. Down the stairs we went and whew what is that smell? Can't put my finger on it but not especially welcome. Found a table for three immediately and menu was waiting. No cake or desserts but teas and coffee a well as tasty grilled cheese sandwiches that satisfy the sweet and savory tastebuds with each bite. Yum! Plenty of people coming and going. Records behind the bar but not sure if they are played or not. Music was non-remarkable. The old school roll-up maps on the ceiling are a nice touch as well as the other vintage memorabilia. May go again and hope the smell is gone. read more

What a trendy little hipster basement bar Maps is.. I'm totally a fan, when I can get in that is. There's been times when I've walked down the stairs into the bar, took one quick glance around and walked right back up the stairs and out because it was way too crowded with no seating. This is the type of bar you want to have a seat in and relax. Have a piece of cake, eat a grilled cheese, have some wine and beer. "Fancy" grilled cheese sandwiches will run you about $8. Wine $8 and up, beer probably $5ish and up. There's always a couple of different homemade cakes to choose from. I know there's a happy hour at some point which includes a glass of wine and a piece of cake, however it never seems to be happening when I'm there so I can't tell you the time. The small space makes it virtually impossible to have a conversation if the place is too busy because of the noise level, however, when it's not too busy you can really appreciate the great music they play here on vinyl. The décor is great, I love all the maps. I like to take a look around and take a gander at them. Lots of cool vintage things in here, including a sweet jukebox. Maps is the kind of place where if you have dinner somewhere and the portions were too small and you're still hungry... you go to Maps for a snack, dessert, and drink. Sounds like I've done that a few times, huh? read more

Maps Bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Wow....what a joint! The owners are on site, serving up personality + and the very best of beer, wine, grilled cheese (try the bleu!) and some of the best tunes to drink, chat and laugh to; Bring a friend or two, make new ones and let this delightful place become a regular on your list of places to get to (often). It's the best! ps- try the cake! read more

awesome grilled cheese sandwiches and pretzels. wish we could have stayed for more. This place is a bit of a hidden gem. They need to advertise those cheese sandwiches better. Will definitely return next time I'm in town. read more

What a cool place! It was late and I was in the mood for coffee. Yelp showed this place as a bar/coffee house so we stopped in. It's down a long flight of stairs in the basement of a building. It's very dark and small but that wasn't a problem. There were a few tables but they were all occupied. We sat at the bar and I ordered a cappuccino my wife a green tea. The only cake they had left was carrot. I'm not a fan so I passed. The girl next to me had the last piece of oreo cookie cake and said it was delicious. Like I said, it was a cool little place and I loved the fact that they were playing vinyl records! Good place to hang out! read more

I decided to stop in here with a few friends a few weeks back for a dessert and drinks after having dinner in the city. We were craving dessert and Maps apparently has cake that is to die for, so we stopped on by. We ordered a slice of chocolate peanut butter cake which tasted legit like a Funny Bone. It was so moist and delicious and the perfect addition to our night out. We also got a slice of vanilla cake with salted caramel frosting which was very good but the chocolate peanut butter cake is where its at for sure. We also got some beer to wash down our cake; I have recently been turned on to the Samuel Smith Strawberry beer, thanks to my friend's suggestion. OMG. It literally tastes like I'm drinking strawberry jam. The combination of flavors between the cake and the beer were SO GOOD. It was like eating peanut butter and jelly. Very tasty, and so worth the calories! We ordered an americano coffee for my friend as well which came on a tray with cookies and all the fix ins...it was so adorably set up and she loved it. The best part of this place is that they have grilled cheese on the menu....but not only grilled cheese. You can make it a "pickle back" for a small fee too! And at the bottom of the menu we noticed something that said "make it a nickelback" for $49. Naturally we were curious, so I asked, and I don't want to give it all away, so I won't tell you what it means, but it's totally worth it to ask. Next time you're here I dare you to ask too! (the only drawback I can see for this place is that it is very cramped and small, but that's grasping at straws really...this place is lovely) read more

Location || very interesting vibe. It was the basement of a building and at night the street was pretty empty. Once I stepped in though, it was like stepping into a secret bar. Low lighting and great music choice. Food || we stopped in because our waiter said there was great cake here. There were two cake stands on the bar. Chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting and banana cake with vanilla cream frosting. The chocolate cake was amazing. Very moist and the peanut butter frosting wasn't too sweet. There were pieces of peanut butter cups on top which added great texture to the cake. Banana cake was delicious as well but the vanilla frosting was too sweet for my tasting. Price || a little pricy for cake. Two slices costed me $10.50 but I'm chalking it up to the super homemade nature of it. Behind the bar counter I literally saw a cuisinart blender and baking scrapers. Overall delicious cake and very hip environment. Would love to go back to try some of their real food. Kitchen closes at 9 though. read more

Maps Bar - Chocolate cake with peanut butter buttercream and banana cake with vanilla buttercream - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Portland, Maine