I cannot understand why people are bad mouthing this venue here so much. We have the ability for some big shows, great environment, food trucks, wide open space, outside as the sun is setting. People like to complain I think. If parking is too much, rideshare nearby and walk in. If the food is the issue there are tons of options with multiple food trucks. There are now options with a different beer vendor in Allagash and a new area to hang out (like a pavilion) and even a stationary food station in case you don't want the food trucks. The place is kept up well and there are water refilling stations and port o potty's on the outskirts of the venue rather than at the entrance. We love this place and am glad we have this option for entertainment. Of course we will be back! read more

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So many things to love and dislike about this place. Great things: They have some amazing bands that play here. The venue is very relaxed and has a fun vibe. It's right on the water with great views. The food is pretty great cause it's all food trucks. They have plenty of bathrooms and they are super clean, with actually hand washing stations. Plenty of drink stations so you don't have to wait in line for that. They do Thursday and Friday on thompsons point when they don't have a concert, with free music and food trucks. Cons: The food truck lines are forever, they try their best but it's just too many people and not enough food trucks. Only a certain amount of people can bring chairs? Not sure why, so you end up leaving that and not being able to find it. PARKING, is the absolute worst and so expensive. There has to be a better way to do this and they charge so much. I know it's hard to get out of most concerts so this is a common issue but Thompsons point is by far the worst and the most expensive. Even with the parking though I'll continue to go to concerts/ other events here! read more

Thompson's Point - Sunset - Music Venues Near Me - Portland, Maine

I would go to Thompsons Point so much more if it was easier and cheaper to park there! There is such a bottleneck to enter for events it really deters us from going. Having the bus station at the entrance really adds to the difficulty in attending events there. We have tried ubering and that also is difficult. You pretty much have to be dropped off by the transportation center and walk down. I dont know what the solution is, bit building a huge hotel there is not going to help. read more

BAD venue... a flat pasture with a stage at one end. If you aren't tall, or in the first dozen rows, you're screwed. All you'll see are people's heads. If you're older, or suffer from medical conditions that require sitting/propping as I do, you're screwed. Made my opinion known (even the Bangor Waterfront is a superior venue) on Facebook and the social media staff insulted me. I've been, and am, a fan of the State Theater... it is the best indoor venue in Maine, but this insulting attitude to people sharing their opinion of Thompson's Point is just disgusting. They don't care about anything with you other than your money. Skip. Go to Boston... good grief, go to Atlanta, Texas, even to Tennessee to watch a show in a cave with better layout and more respectful staff. Skip this joint unless you simply can't afford to go elsewhere. They don't deserve your money. read more

Easily one of the worst concert venues I've ever visited. As an out-of-towner and first time visitor, it's a shame to see a place with such potential be a total bust. Having been to hundreds of concerts at dozens of venues, this ranks high on the worst list. I saw Robert Plant & Allison Krauss and they sounded great. Until I exited, I only saw Plant and the guitarist in the band. If seated at sold out show, you will not be able to see the band. Below are tips along with pros and cons. Tips: - Arrive early for sold out shows if you plan to sit. I arrived 30 minutes before doors opened, and line was snaked around several buildings. I'd recommend arriving a hour before doors, if you plan to bring a chair. - Don't park on site. $40 to get within 3 blocks of the gates. It's one lane in and out. I'd imagine it's a nightmare leaving but we left before the encore. Pros: - Small-ish venue - Friendly staff - BYO-Chair Cons: - Terrible/non-existent views if seated. Flat lawn, zero incline. - If seated area fills up, patrons required to leave chairs at gate and rummage through pile after show (see pic). - Port-a-potties are only option. Area in front of them was mud pit due to rain the day before. Gravel all around except this area. - Stage is to the left of pavilion covering, so no covered seating. Under the pavillion are trailers and beer stands with generators, so the sound of generators carries across venue, even during the show. - $40 parking and exit is a mess. One lane in and out of venue. It wouldn't take much for this to be a 5 star venue. Create incline on rear lawn, build actual restrooms or at least gravel the mud pit in front of port-a-potties, remove or turn off bar generators during show and you'd have a much better venue. If you're OK with standing for the entire show, this venue is decent. read more

Thompson's Point - View when seated halfway back in the seating area. The view never improved while seated. - Music Venues Near Me - Portland, Maine

We flew from out of town to come to Billy Strings and loved the outdoor venue. I'm so used to sterile overpriced spots that an outdoor spot that was easy to maneuver, had food trucks, and unique drink selections. The view of the inlet was so gorgeous, definitely a unique vibe. The bad- porta potty's suck. Unique drinks but a lot of heavy beers that give you a headache the next day. The typical parking lot/ leaving situation sucks but that's ever venue I've ever been to so. read more

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We were visiting Portland and decided to see one of our fave bands Khruangbin at this venue. Positives: Cool outdoor layout, great stage/sound, perfect waterfront breeze and sunset... Loved the food trucks, especially Falafel Mafia and Mr. Tuna. Our hotel was in walking distance so we could avoid the $25 parking fee. Negatives: 1) It took over a half an hour to get in once we arrived at the venue, causing us to miss the first half of the set of the opening band. Yes, I get that they need to check bags and such, but it shouldn't take such an immense amount of time. I've been to tons of outdoor and arena shows in New York where our bags had to be checked and I'm usually in within 5 minutes. 2) Beer selection was disappointing, especially with Bissell Bros right there in the same complex. Maine is famous for its breweries, but they had only one local beer available. Do better! read more

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So people have been complaining for years about the $40 concert parking at Thompson's Point, and now it's $60-cash only. For $60 you get chaos and some rudeness. And then things get worse as you wait in long lines to get checked in. If you bring chairs, you have to get there ridiculously early, otherwise they'll take them away from you and you'll be lucky to get them back after the show. You can, of course, opt to walk back to your car and then wait in line for another half hour. An altogether chaotic and overcrowded concert experience. Food trucks are ok, but prepare to wait in more long lines. read more

PLEASE NOTE: This is a review for concerts held by the State Theater only. Thompson's Point is our official outdoor music venue... The pros: + the amount of bartenders! + the plentiful food options! + the abundance of bathrooms! + the water bottle refill stations! The cons: - The physical space. Thompson's Point is completely flat. And it's all General Admission so you have two options to see the concert: 1) you can bring low beach chairs and sit all the way in the back of the field behind the enormous sound engineer's tent and some steel crowd control metal barricades (which is great if you only kind of like the band you're "seeing" [cause you won't really be seeing them, but you will kind of hear them], and are more there for a night out or to be social), 2) you can stand sardine style in front of the engineer's tent (which is great if you love the band you're seeing, but don't care about personal space, are over six feet tall, and never want a drink, food, or to go to the bathroom for six hours). At 5'2, I'm screwed either way. - The parking. Absolutely, without a doubt, the worst parking situation I've ever dealt with in Portland in all my years living here. Do not park here for a concert. Louder for the people in the back (who, again, may or may not be able to hear): DO NOT PARK HERE FOR A CONCERT. Do not pay for their $25 on-site parking. It took us over an hour to get out of the parking lot, and literal fights were breaking out between people trying to get out (seriously, we had a woman repeatedly punch our car for not pulling up six inches). Your best option? Park (legally) on a neighboring street and walk in. Or park *anywhere* in Portland and Uber to the mouth of Thompson's Point road and walk in (which will be cheaper than on site parking anyway). *** PLEASE NOTE, PART 2: The outdoor venue at Thompson's Point is actually great (and better managed) for super local, much smaller stuff. Summer Sunsets Live (the Thursday and Friday gatherings during warm weather of food trucks, cold drinks, live music, lawn games, and incredible sunsets), for example. It's fantastic! As more events start to happen, I hope more organizers use this incredible space. read more

Thompson's Point - Bon Iver 2022. - Music Venues Near Me - Portland, Maine

VIP is an obnoxious disappointment. We thought it would be really fun for once to get dedicated space, a food truck etc. It's worse than regular tickets-much worse. There are about 20 seats and 6 high tops, all monopolized instantly. And then they won't even let you sit on a blanket you brought. The crowd thoughtfully self-organized in neat seated rows far back from the standing area at the stage-and a staffer walked around forcing people to stand up. (Most people, and if they were sitting on a blanket, not a tarp or towel. So arbitrary.) Since there's nowhere to sit to even perch a drink or your dinner so you can eat it, and no one around them was at all bothered by the seated people, it was particularly unnecessary-and mean spirited. With VIP you'll pay more money to be treated very very badly. The porta potties are also no improvement over the main seating area and almost all the food trucks are in the main area so no upside to VIP there either. We actually like Thompson's Point, despite the valid points people make here about parking etc. It's a beautiful spot, the food options are great and a lot of great bands each summer. And we get that there's an art to getting here early for seating etc. Just never buy VIP. 0 stars for VIP and how we were treated tonight, 1 star for the venue's approach to parking-and 4 stars for everything else about it on a beautiful night in Portland. read more

I realized I haven't been to Bissell Brothers for more than 2 years because of Thompson's Point's paid parking to visit any business. And yes, I am that cheap, but when meeting several friends all driving separately, it's borderline rude to assume they would meet me here and force them to pay as well, when we could just go to Bunker or Rising Tide and not worry about getting an exorbitant ticket (I literally had this conversation last week with friends, and they said, "yeah, let's go to Rising Tide"). Whenever coming for a show, we just park out near Congress and walk in... and then walk back out past all the people that paid $25+ to be stuck in a traffic jam for another hour. I honestly am not even sure how to rectify this, but it's certainly not worth it. I really hope TP never closes, but holy do they need someone without their head up their ass running this place. read more

Came for a concert nice atmosphere food trucks are good but a little overpriced for what you get and portions size. We got there early but the service was slow , beer tents were fast so really no waiting. Grounds need better care a slight slope toward the stage would help with visibility would go back but would get food elsewhere before we go, read more

Attended the Ales for Tails event and was delighted over all at the accommodations for so many people and pets! There were 23 local brewery's in attendance as well as 20 local businesses there to answer any pet related questions as well as services for pets. Plenty of parking and port-o-potties for the masses in attendance. Excellent venue! read more

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Beautiful outdoor venue! Food trucks and beverage selection good. It's standing only so if you want to sit you must go to the back where there's no view of the stage. Parking is expensive and slow moving. I'd still go again if there was someone I wanted to see. read more

VIP is a complete ripoff; most of the amenities are fake or overhyped. Portajohns are gross and surrounded by mud. Nice enough piece of land that they monetize excessively, without a lot of concern for the concertgoer experience. read more

Purchased prepaid parking for $40 several months in advance. When we arrived we were told that there were no parking spots left. They told us we could not get a refund on the parking. Getting in and out of the venue is garbage. It took us 2 hours of traffic. It was also super muddy. They did try to add wood chips to help, but it was too over walked. The water refill station is amazing, but not much other than that is good about this venue. read more

I love Thompson's Point for so many reasons, my primary experiences have been concerts and beer festivals. The location is fantastic and set away from the heart of the city and along the water. There's sufficient parking options around the location all within a mile walk (flat walk no hills) During events they usually have attentive parking/traffic attendants which I find extremely helpful for everyone's safety and direction. I find there are a lot of out of town drivers that aren't familiar with the area and they receive directions pretty quickly while in the traffic line. If you take a taxi or ride share to the location even better! The covered area is concrete- which is nice during inclement weather and if you want to stand away from the crowds during concerts (and close to where they pour alcoholic beverages) don't forget to get your drinking bracelet. For concerts you can bring folding chairs that are no more than 9" off the ground and the chair section is located behind the standing section. If you exceed the height they will turn you away at the entrance. They usually bring in fantastic food trucks for large events! Many take credit cards but if not there are generic ATMs in the covered area. Not sure how secure they are but i have seen people use them. There are picnic tables for use as well near the food trucks. The restroom facilities is a circle area created with porta potties and there are portable sinks as well. Try to use them before too long especially if the sun is beating down on them. As much of a germaphobe as I am, they're not too bad. I highly recommend this venue if there is a concert, or other event during the warm weather read more

This place is wonderful. I attended the On the Ocean music festival here and the grounds were clean and the staff were pleasant. The women at the VIP entrance were so nice. Ricky and Dallas, the event staff by the stage for all three nights, were absolute rock stars. You can tell they enjoy their job and they do it well, all while keeping the energy up and everyone happy. Thank you guys so much for keeping this place in tip top shape! read more

This was my first time to Thompson's Point. I've seen a great number of shows and I was pleasantly surprised by the professional and congenial nature of the staff. Entry and exit were efficient, start time was on time, and the sound was top notch. And last but not least, Billy Strings and the band friggin kicked it. My first time seeing him, but I'll definitely be back. read more

Great outdoor venue (even in the rain!) We went to see Old Dominion and had the best time! Easy entry into the venue. It's very clean which is a plus! It was raining but we still had such a great time. Keep in mind, there are no seats. All standing so you might want to rethink if that's not for you. You can bring lawn chairs but you have to sit further back. The set up with local craft beers was great! The only issue was not knowing we needed wrist bands. They need to make that more clear. We waited in line to find out we needed bands. The food trucks are also a great touch. There were so many to chose from! And I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that they had plenty of vegetarian options! There's also some walkable breweries and distilleries! Great touch! I would visit again! read more

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The businesses at Thompson's Point are fantastic and this is not for them. The concert venue is also the best in Portland (which has its own major parking issues, but that's a different story). The greediness of Chris Thompson is insulting to the point (pun!) that I'm essentially done coming here as a regular. I certainly would never drive. This area primarily consists of empty land. There is nearly unlimited parking for the handful of local businesses, but the owner has decided that he should charge $2 an hour for parking at all hours, run by the sleazy Unified Parking. If you do not pay for this, they'll put a $20 ticket on your windshield, which expands to $50 after 20 days and $100 after 60 days. Threats of legal action and collection agencies are all over the ticket. This is not a city owned lot and there is no parking shortage. Would you pay to visit Rising Tide or Allagash? How about Macy's or other mall stores? With the Children's Museum and other businesses joining the development in the coming years, this greed needs to end. It's a massive F-U to the customers this project was developed for, and an affront against the businesses just trying to make ends meet. There may not be another Portland company more deserving of one star (well...maybe Unified Parking themselves). read more

Total disappointment parking miles away, hope for a cab. The actual concert was supposed to start at 7, didn't start until 830, ended before 10. Don't waste $ on higher priced tickets, it's standing room only and hard to see the artist. Not worth the $ or hassle. ​ read more

Go online and check out the many events taking place at TP. The craft fairs, social events, the shops and businesses open are so much fun. Especially when you are with a group. The parking is a bit crazy at times, but I am not sure how else to manage it. Though when they have big events, there are staff to direct traffic and parking. During the week, the businesses are great for an after work treat with friends. It is great that they, who ever they are, are trying to find things to do at TP all year round for people and families. read more

I attended the Allison Krauss/Robert Plant show on July 3, 2023. I'll start by saying that the show itself was wonderful, who can go wrong with these two fabulous artists? And the band they put together for the tour. BUT! Thompson's Point as a venue needs to work on some things. * We got there at 4pm so we could park and bring our very low beach chairs in. When I looked at the website, and the FAQ's, it stated that the show was scheduled from 6-10pm, and that the gates would open 1-2 hours before. Nope, the gates opened at 6pm, after we stood in line for 2 hours. I have also read comments from others that this is common for this venue. * The site was flat and so with the chairs in the back, and standing room in front, no one could see. They really need to do some ground improvements. * The sound was not as good as it could have been, the generators from the food trucks were really loud, and as much as the sound guys tried to overcome the ambient noise, it didn't work. (cue the feedback for Plant's mic) * The parking was crazy expensive...I tried to get a $30 online pass when I bought my tickets, but it said those parking passes were sold out. Imagine my surprise, when I got to the venue at 4pm, and found out we could get parking for $40 - hmmmm, something a little fishy here? * I also saw many people slipping and falling in the mud, not drunk, just losing their balance. A little more site prep could have prevented that. I'll finish up by saying that I attend a lot of concerts, and have actually worked for a lot of festival venues across the country. Thompson's Point is like the adolescent who wants to be an adult, but hasn't quite figured out how to get there. I wish them luck with future concerts... PS) Jumbotrons would help for those in the way back, at least they could see the stage. Other outdoor venues use them, so why not?? read more

I've been to this venue a few times now. Once for the Sierra Nevada Beer Camp, and then to see a concert. For an event like a beer fest, this place is mint. Lots of space, people are spread out and the lines don't seem overwhelming. MUCH better then the indoor beer fests. For concerts, I'm not as impressed. The venue is in a picturesque place, but it's difficult to see so to the lack of an incline on the grounds. Also, it seems that you might want to have the section closer to the music for low chairs. Having folks stand in front doesn't make much sense to me. In addition, as a short person, I really want a venue to advocate for the height challenged members of society and make a roped area for people 5'5" and under. I know this is probably a pipe dream, but if rides can be for people of a certain height, why can't concert space. When all is said and done, would I go here for an event again?... Maybe. Would I pay extra to see someone here because it's the best place a concert can happen? No. read more

Thompson's Point - Music Venues Near Me - Portland, Maine

Very unorganized and loud generators at the beer stands running during the show making it very hard to hear! If you are not standing you can't see the show! read more

What a waste of amazing space. I don't know what time someone had to be there to avoid the 40-minute queue and to get a seat where they could actually see something. The lawn is completely flat, the rule about low chairs was not enforced, and the sound tent was in the middle of the seating area, further obscuring the view of the stage. The music was great, albeit a late-starting, very short (1 hour tops) concert. This was a pricey sold-out show and your guests deserved to see it. read more

With the new pay for parking situation and the incoming hotel, Thompson's point looks more and more like a mall parking lot then a cool indoor/outdoor venue. It's disheartening when you consider that it host many great businesses. But I would not choose this as my event venue. And it will only get worse when that ugly hotel goes up... read more

Been here several times for concerts, beer festivals, yelp parties and now ice skating. Great creative use of this space!

Beautiful spot! Drove over three hours for a concert here! Loved it. Only negative they should've had officers directing the traffic. The guys who were doing the directing were lost and it did take a LONG time to exit! read more

Thompson's Point - Maggie - Music Venues Near Me - Portland, Maine

This is definitely one of the best outdoor music venues that I have been to, and definitely my new favorite one that is close by to home. This place is amazing -- from the atmosphere to the location to the drink options -- if I were an artist, this would be a MUST on my tour. I saw Maggie Rogers here last weekend at her second sold out show at this venue. What an incredible time! The sunset to the left of the stage was something out of a coming-of-age summer movie. Incredible experience. Need to look for more artists playing here. read more

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I love Thompson's Point. It seems all of the happening things are going on here now a days! Ice skating in the winter is great- you can skate, tube down the big hill, and drink and eat in the heated cabin! Concerts in the summer time, and all of the great business that have opened up here are awesome. Not to mention all of the fun events I have been to here recently. Ales for Tails, Street Eats and Beats, and Portland Green Drinks to name a few! Every event I have been to here has been great utilization of the space and I have been comfortable. Some of my favorite businesses that have opened up here at Cellardoor winery- they have great tastings here and great wine for purchase. Tastings for $8 and you'll want to bring a bottle home, believe me! Last time I bought two and some candles! Bissell brothers also moved to Thompson's point recently, and I need to get down there to check out the new space. Circus Maine is also here, and I love their monthly cabaret shows, if you haven't seen this yet- check it out! It's a lot of fun and the people are so talented! It's not expensive and it's a great time and a great date night idea. I also love Color Me Mine. You get to pick a piece of pottery and paint it your own, and guess what? It's BYOB and snacks! Can't go wrong there. There is also the cryptozoology museum, which I admit I haven't gone too yet, but that sounds pretty cool, right?! ;) Thompson's point is definitely on point! Check it out! read more

Parking $3 an hour in a dirt lot. Indoor space at Brick South had terrible sound for Burundi drummers. Deafening sound echoing off the hard walls and concrete floor. MC could have been in a subway station. (Some wise parents had ear protection for their kids.) Not very many chairs, and could not bring your own. Could not take a break outside and get back in, except for a very tiny patch of space where the food trucks were. (They did have great interesting food at least.) read more

I've been begging my husband to take me to the Cellar Door tasting room for months. When we finally had a night away from the kids we went. Atmosphere inside Cellar Door was amazing! The owners did an incredible job. We were not impressed however to find a parking ticket on our car upon returning from only 30 minutes inside the tasting room. There was a young couple taking photos of vehicles and printing tickets. It seemed kinda shady considering the city of Portland has NO parking fees on weekends or after 5pm during week days. It seemed even more shady when the couple got into a car with North Carolina license plates and drove away. I think it's sad that the developers are penny pinching on parking and that the money is going out of state. Furthermore, the only ones not reeping the benefits from this is Portland's business owners renting space at Thompson's Point. read more

One star for the parking situation. It's ridiculous that they charge patrons of the local businesses for parking, when there is never a shortage of spots (except during events). I will not be returning! read more

This is a grand large space that is perfect for large events just a little airy sounding on the acoustics and with it being wide-open and also keeps the cold breeze feeling inside. Fun events happening here and they do a great job Deering up for events like , Children's museum auction benefit read more

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I loved this place until they just told us, last show of the year (Leon Bridges) that we can't have blankets & in 5 minutes we have to pick them up---because then it will be standing room only. We've had blankets at every show here. What gives? read more

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This place has gone down hill ever since they started charging for parking. They sure do know how to piss of their customers. And I'm not talking about event parking, I'm just talking about the parking when you visit the businesses down there. We are spending our hard earned money at these businesses and you expect us to pay for parking on top of that? This isn't downtown, the money isn't going back into the city, and it just doesn't make sense because there are plenty of spaces on a normal day...you wouldn't pay for parking at the mall would you?! It's greedy, that's really the only word for it. We pay for $2 an hour parking and then on top of that, if you go even 5 minutes over you get slapped with a $20 ticket, which then goes up if you don't pay right away. I love both Bissell and Cellardoor, but I'm sick of feeling like I'm being taken advantage of and I'm done. I know it's not the businesses fault but if enough people are complaining I hope they decide to stand up and fight for their customers. I'm only one person but I'm sure there's many more that feel that same and are no longer visiting for the very same reason. Seriously, save your money and avoid this place. read more

I was there last night on a wet, chilly evening. I didn't last long, too cold and damp for my old bones. But it looks like it'd be a great venue in the sunshine. I am in a wheelchair, and I was very impressed with the easy access - parking fee waived, parking right by the entry gate, helpful staff. But the wheelchair seating area was a little square cordoned off from the main lawn by a cage of steel barriers. It felt like being on display at a zoo, like the rest of the crowd was being protected, like they didn't want me wandering. The goal of accessibility is to offer the same experience to everyone, and being in a cage didn't work for me. The only bathrooms were "accessible" portapotties. They are useless for wheelchair users. I would love to go back on a nice day. I'm sure it's a great place. But I can't spend an evening there without access to a bathroom, and I won't sit in a cage. read more

Loved hearing Dylan once again, but this place was beyond horrible. Ticket sellers did not tell us that the 65.00 tickets came without a seat. When we tried upgrading, we were told that the minimal # of seats that were originally available for just a few dollars more, had been sold out. When we arrived for the concert, we saw more than 30 open seats. We 'cattle' had to either stand for hours, or try sitting on the hard ground--being trampled by drunks and grown men and women pushing each other. Security had to remove a few people. Several ignorant people were screaming obscenities at Dylan because they wanted to hear 'old' Dylan songs (probably the only songs they know of Dylan's). Awful environment unless you are willing to stand for three+ hours or sit uncomfortably. read more