Maps
64 Market St, Portland, ME, 04101
Maps Menu
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Address :
64 Market St
Portland, ME, 04101 - Phone (207) 272-9263
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Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Happy Hour : Yes
Coat Check : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No
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Steff D.
Here are things I love: grilled cheese sandwiches that have interesting ingredients, beer, coffee, and cake. So when I found out that MAPS was going to feature those things (with moody lighting... something I'm also a sucker for), I knew that I was going to love it. What I didn't know this space was also going to offer was: an English owner (and, after having lived in Basingstoke, I'm a bit of an Anglophile) and a vibe found in the bars of Montreal. It's as if the universe picked my brain while I was sleeping one night, then manifested those things into brick and mortar. It's small. It's uncomfortably small... but not if you've traveled to a big city or a European city where this is the norm. I've sat at the bar (which is my preference here), and I've sat at the table right in front of the door (where people passing by constantly stop and peer down into the space because they're not quite sure what's going on). Somehow, both spots allowed me privacy and intimacy one doesn't expect with their guest at such a small establishment where it could be easy to feel on top of each other. But it works here. Somehow, it all works here. I like the smell of coffee late at night... they have that. They also have a late night "happy hour" option where you can get a piece of cake and port (I believe that's 8pm to 11pm). Late night dessert in this town is hard to come by, so hallelujah for this! Speaking of which - the cake is constantly, consistently delicious regardless of flavor. Get a piece when you walk in (even if you're not gonna eat it right away), because there's no guarantee there will be any left when you leave. They have a regular happy hour (4 to 6pm?) where draft beer is a $1 off. They carry Sam Smith fruit beer (the strawberry revolutionized my life); I haven't seen that anywhere outside of Whole Foods. And the grilled cheese? They're nothing I couldn't make at home... but still, they might actually taste better because I didn't have to do anything to make it myself. Someone made it for me. And if you're the cook in your family, you'll know that when someone else makes you dinner, it tastes like manna from heaven. Currently they offer just three options (the same three since they opened) - my hope is that as the seasons change, they'll offer choices that correspond. That way they can keep their already limited menu interesting and rotating (like they're doing with the beer selection) to bring the same people (like me) in again and again. I dig MAPS. I want to be a regular here, and I'm actively striving to make that happen!
(5)Patrice L.
Go. Just go. Go to Maps now. A beautifully curated, warm, inviting bar tucked into Old Port. The husband and wife team does a wonderful job of making visitors feel welcome. We took advantage of the "cake" happy hour and had a delicious homemade slice of English cream sponge cake and a capuccino - amazing! The espresso and cake hit the spot on a chilly winter afternoon. The beer list was nicely composed and my companion had some tough decisions to make. We will absolutely return every time we visit Portland, it is so nice to visit such a considered space. Next time we'll be sure to try the grilled cheese sandwiches.
(5)Katherine T.
Feels like home. The husband and wife duo who own and run the place are fantastic (he's from Vermont and she's from England). We sampled some beer and cider and were happy with what we chose. We orders the American and British grilled cheese along with a pretzel (3 of us shared and it was perfect pub food). We ended up also splitting a slice of delicious tripple chocolate cake. Perfect atmosphere and delicious food make this a true hidden gem. I'm an out of town tourist but next time I visit I'll be sure to go back. I wish them the greatest success!
(5)Alan P.
I love the space. Small below street room with a variety of couches and comfy seats. A nice selection of beers. Freshly made dessert. Port with a piece of cake "happy hour" from 8-11. Unfortunately I was not ready for that. I tried to stay for it but I could not stay any longer. The 4 stars is because it felt like a sauna at 7:30 in the evening. They need some ventilation or fans to circulate the air. I just noticed that it is classified as a dive bar and I don't agree. It has a really nice feel. They have a large collection of vinyl and the bartender plays DJ with impeccable taste.
(4)sarah s.
Really excited to have found this new little spot! It reminds me of great bars I've been to in Montreal, France, and Austin. It's little, the furniture is great, lots of records and a jukebox that has two Jonathan Richman songs (and other songs, but that's what sold me). Really great vibe. Good beer list, smaller / less fancy wine list, great tea (seemed like it was from homegrown, but I didn't ask). My boyfriend had some cake and loved it. The menu is small and didn't have anything obviously vegan on it (mostly grilled cheese sandwiches) but seems like a really great place for afternoon (or latenight) tea or coffee, or beer. Also I think the address on here is wrong. It's on Market street, not exchange.
(5)Emily R.
Love this spot. Super cozy. Great beers. Lovely owners. Perfect addition to portland.
(5)Jon L.
This is a great little place to grab a beer and a grilled cheese. Great music is always playing. This is really a fun place.
(5)Shanna W.
I almost don't want to write this review because I love it here, and I'm torn between wanting others to known how awesome it is, and also keeping it AS it is, more of a locals spot, with sOmE tourist traffic. Maps is a cozy, intimate bar space that while only a few steps down, (and I mean literal steps down below), from Market Street, seems removed from all the hullabaloo of the Old Port. It's got funky, homey decor and of course maps of all manner, scattered around. The make a killer grilled cheese, with a variety of fixings. The Blue, with the Blueberry Chutney from Stonewall Kitchen (Also a Maine Business), is the s**t! Their draft list is full of local freshness. The staff are super friendly and are in the know about what's happening all around town if you're looking for some recommends. If Andrew is your bartender, he may look eerily familiar...this is because he also works at Jay's and is co-owner of the Highroller Lobster Roll cart! Go here, try it, I guarantee you'll love it as much as I do.
(5)Becky M.
The cake is great, and at $4 a slice, a steal. The grilled cheese is also great, but at $7 or $8, a little pricey. They hit the spot after a couple of drinks though! I love that maps offers a quick bite if you're in the mood for salty and savory or sweet. Atmosphere is quaint, cozy, underground and LOUD. The volume of the music is my only turn-off with the atmosphere. The music selection itself is good; they even played "Maps" by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs when I was there!
(4)Leah W.
I love Maps. I don't know if it's the hipster vibe or the cozy atmosphere or the cake... oh wait, its definitely the cake. I have been here a couple of times. I liked it, but the cake definitely bumped this from a three to a four star review. This cake is (I'm gonna use the m-word here, sorry) moist, flavorful, and well crafted. I used to bake cakes on the side and sell them for monies (as opposed to other things, like kittens). I can tell when a cake is well constructed and homemade. These cakes are way better than I could ever make. YUM. As far as the rest of Maps, it has a small but well cultivated stock of beverages and the grilled cheese options are definitely a guilty pleasure. I like that it is small, but the acoustics aren't great. I like the bar and the cool bartenders are always friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. Be warned, if it is busy, you might wait for your grilled cheese. They can only make two at a time. I will definitely be back and I will definitely get more cake.
(4)Michelle E.
Strawberry beer. This sums up my experience at Maps. If you haven't tried it, you are missing out. It's delicious, not too sweet, and refreshing. Oh, and the rest of Maps is nice too. It's a small place. It kind of reminds me of what I picture my grandparent's basement looking like in 1974-clean, with a lot of maps on the wall, and some vinyl rocking chairs. The menu is beer and wine and some snacks. I've only tried the pretzel, but I hear that the rotating layer cake and grilled cheese sandwiches are not to be missed. They also serve coffee and tea if you aren't in the mood for Strawberry beer...but I can't imagine that ever happening.
(5)Robert M.
I was in town for work and had read about this place on Yelp so decided to stop by. What a lovely cozy space. I sat at the bar and had order a grilled cheese and a local brew. As I waited for my sandwich to arrive the barman asked me if I wanted to hear anything from their vinyl record collection. I said I'd pass and that I was enjoying what he was currently playing. Then my sandwich arrived. The bread was buttery and crunchy and the cheese had a nice bite and smoothness. I ordered another local brew to wash down all the cheesy goodness. I think that if I lived in Portland and not Nashville I would make this place a regular haunt of mine. Great place to grab a drink, meet up with friends, chill out and listen to good music. If they had a working fireplace I would probably move...for the summers.
(5)Cookie T.
Maps is the place I want to live above. I want to go down there to grab some Sam Smiths and read, or some Sam Smiths and gab with friends, or some Sam Smiths at the end of a long day... sensing a theme? I throughly enjoy a place that does drinks and coffee. I have been out with friends, and sometimes I don't feel like a beer. I want a coffee to perk me up. When they bring you your coffee, you get it on a tray with a small sugar cookie. Yes, sometimes I fall prey to the tiny factor that wows me. Maps is comfortable and quirky without trying to hard to be either. The grilled cheese is great too. I have yet to try the cake, but that will be just another reason to go again... because I am pretty sure other reasons for me include: It's Tuesday, or hey look, I am still breathing, Maps sure sounds good right now. I just want to go there a lot!
(5)Brett F.
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.
(5)Katy N.
I've never been to any place like Maps, and that is what I love about it. They serve beer, wine, grilled cheese, and cake. I honestly want to kiss whoever came up with this amazing business model. The atmosphere is so cozy and welcoming, private, and great for long conversations with friends. The grilled cheese was delicious and I felt like we got a great deal on a wonderful meal. I went in the winter and left feeling marginally better about Maine in February.
(5)Kelly O.
Adorable place, serving both wine/beer and tea/coffee/cakes (love the teapots!). The vibe was very cozy/eclectic/casual, like you were a guest hanging out in someone's (nice) basement. It's a great place to stop by- especially for the freshly made cakes, which are excellent. This place is pretty small (and loud- the jukebox has one volume apparently), so I'd recommend checking it out during off hours when it's not too crowded if you're looking to catch up with a friend or have a nice relaxing cup of tea. Check out the happy hours, good deals there.
(4)Tony W.
Great little living room...I mean bar. I love the vibe, the music, the location, the drinks, the concept. We came here on a Friday night and they were blasting Blondie on vinyl. Apparently this place has not yet been discovered because seating was plentiful for such a small basement space. I may or may not have been sitting on an old timey barber's chair, one of the many eclectic/vintage/groovy furniture options. With maps and books everywhere, you seriously get the feeling that you're hanging out in the study of an elderly Geography professor - the only thing missing is a bowl of butterscotch candies. Even the bathroom has a steamer trunk in it. We both kept it simple and ordered fancy beers. After reading the other reviews for the cocktails, food and desserts, I'm eager to come back! I'm especially fond of the espresso machine located front and center on the bar. This gives the place a distinctly European touch. This place is bittersweet because I feel like if they get more than a casual occupancy (15-20 people) it may lose its charm, but I honestly don't know how this place can remain open if it doesn't. I'm happy to keep coming back until either of those things happen, however!
(4)Brock F.
I don't want to tell you how fantastic this place is because I want to keep this bar all to myself. Great beer. Great music on the stereo. Cozy and intimate.
(5)Rebecca P.
I miss the Northeast with all my heart, and it's places like Maps that lead you home. The ambiance is adorable--off the beaten path but without being pretentiously unique, including an awesome map that shows the time in many major cities around the world. The owner/server is also a doll, and aims to please. Plus, if you're like me and sometimes would rather indulge a sweet tooth than imbibe an alcoholic drink, you have options including a $5 "tea and cake" plate during happy hour. I got the (generous) slice of chai cake with a green jasmine tea. The cake hit the spot, though like the chai donut at The Holy Donut could have benefited from having a little less sugar. (I lean more towards cheesecake frostings than icings for the sour that balances their sweetness.) The tea, on the other hand, was fine but didn't taste like jasmine. Bottom line: Despite the tea issue, I really loved the ambiance and the fact that I could hang out and find something to order without feeling like a sober outcast.
(4)Celeste M.
I like this place a lot. They have a great atmosphere. Warm, cozy, beers and grilled cheese. They have an awesome local brew selection and friendly bartenders! The place is usually busy Fridays and Saturdays, but if you come any other day of the week it should be pretty easy to snag a seat.
(4)Ling L.
I happened to walk into this place because it's locate underground on a side street. This place is very cozy and lots of interesting decor. As much as I like the service and beer selection, it does not have food selection. It is definitely a cool place for a refreshing beer
(4)Jim B.
I was in town on Wednesday to attend a show with a buddy from high school. We've maintained a friendship and a love of politics, music, and all things local for more than 30 years. Of course, I got the date wrong and Jeff Black was playing the next night. Oh well--we enjoyed hanging out at Maps. I suggested that we meet up at Maps as I had just read a really intriguing review (in the Phoenix again--why is Brian Duff not the food writer at the MST? Oh I forget--they prefer food/writing hacks). Great space, downstairs off Market Street. It's small and intimate and the vibe works well. Owners Kyle and Vikki make you feel like you're being entertained in their living room. Oh, and Kyle likes vinyl (that's records for the young 'uns), and played a bunch of records for my buddy and I, while we were there for beer and sandwiches. Spoon's latest was just one example. The food was great. We both went with the English sandwich, made with aged cheddar and provolone, sweetened by a roasted garlic jam, with a slice of red onion that worked perfectly in combination with the others. They also have some amazing desserts, too. Maybe next time on the sweets. I was impressed with the beer selection. While not as extensive as other well-known tap rooms in Portland, what they have is quality. Two varieties from Bissell Brothers--their Substance, and a fall red ale were both excellent. They have Allagash (their lager) on tap. They have a decent selection of bottled beers, too. Wine, also. The only negative aspect of our evening was the two hipsters to our left who spent about 90 minutes taking selfies of themselves, not talking, and totally being assholes, as only this variety of 20-something seems capable of (and seems to be ubiquitous in Portland when out at dining/drinking establishments). Put the phone down, ladies, and interact with your fellow humans, please! But that's not the fault of Maps, so I'm definitely coming back here. I almost hate to post this review, for fear that others will discover the place and the next time I show up, there won't be a spot for me to belly up to the bar and listen to what Kyle is spinning that night.
(5)Tarra H.
The tea sets are fantastic and the beer prices are spot on, my only complaint is that the (always awesome) music is so loud you can not hear the people you're with. I've gone back a few times to see if it was a one off but it's consistently impossible to hold a conversation.
(3)Cassandra P.
5 stars for decor and being a place unlike anything I have seen. Small, cozy, intimate. Clean. Grill cheese was delish! Great beer selection. Good wine selection. Pretzel was awesome. It feels like your neighborhood bar! So glad we took the advice of a local and went! Must comeback for cakes!
(5)Lisa B.
Good Food, Great Hosts, Awesome beer!
(5)Michaela M.
Whyyy do I love it here so much? I think it's because you kind of feel like you're at a cool high school basement party. The sultry lighting mixed with weird anatomy posters on the wall make it super friendly, not super romantic. They have a good wine & beer selection, and prices are reasonable with the rest of Portland. I have to say that I didn't even know they served food until I came to their Yelp page. Maybe this is because I'm always here so late and they stopped serving? I'll have to try checking them out earlier in the night...
(4)Chris T.
Went here on Sunday night. What an awesome hole in the wall. The bartender was great, the Fleetwood Mac on vinyl was clutch, and the drinks/cake was perfect. Awesome decor, awesome ambiance, definitely a place I look forward to visiting again
(5)Molly L.
This place is so great! First of all, I love a basement bar. And it's got a jukebox like no other (free!) and grilled cheese and delicious booze and soft pretzels and cake and it is super cozy. Wouldn't change a thing!
(5)Tom S.
Had a piece of my birthday cake - chocolate Guiness - OMG And a nice porter - and great company! Thank you
(5)Emily B.
Have you ever stepped into a local establishment only to feel like you'd been transported to some chic corner of a city so much larger than Portland? During my first visit to Maps, I settled into the cozy spot and felt like I could have easily been stopping for a drink in some distant locale. Perhaps it was the traveler-friendly aesthetic that featured maps of distant places and a ready-to-go suitcase in the restroom, or maybe the quick trip I took down route 1 before my visit made me feel more like I was vacationing than I realized. Maybe for some the ideal watering hole is one where everyone knows your name and the regulars have been regulars since before you were allowed in. I don't mean to downplay the comfort of some of Portland's longstanding establishments, but every once in a while it's kind of nice to feel like you're experiencing something new and different in your hometown. I'll definitely be back, and I expect that as the spot becomes more familiar, none of its charm will wear off. The owners were delightfully friendly, managing conversation with the constant stream of customers without skipping a beat in refilling beverages and the complimentary cups of pretzels. As an added bonus, they have a daily homemade cake available. Stop by after dinner for their dessert wine and cake happy hour.
(4)Thomas S.
Cool old school vibe. Great vinyl selection behind bar,also free jukebox with a vast selection of tunes. Had a soft pretzel with 2 kinds of homemade mustard,also tried a classic grilled cheese,both excellent! Decent selection of craft beers. Excellent service from Aaron,who was intentive,and hard working,even when place wasn't busy. He was also more than willing to play some 80's punk rock for me from the vinyl vault!
(4)Maura H.
My husband and I stopped at Maps before the movies last Friday night. Wow! The reviews about the grilled cheese sandwiches are spot on - they are delicious!! I normally make plain, one cheese, grilled cheese at home so ordering a sandwich with multiple cheeses and added condiments was a stretch for me. Glad I took the plunge! Had a nice Bissell Brothers Substance to go with it. Perfect!
(4)Kate S.
Cute. Beer & wine only. Food is an array of super yummy-looking grilled cheeses and cake. Dimly lit with good music. Lots of cozy corner spots. Amazing jukebox. And of course, fab maps. Look forward to a snowy afternoon or two here.
(4)T K.
Portland doesn't have a lot of bars that feel like 70's basement family bars. Maps has a genuineness to it that matches its vinyl collection. Don't belabor the hipster moniker that this place will get tagged with. It's a lovely fit for all sorts. Wine selection is simple but solid and well-priced. Local beers as expected. They have tea and coffee too. It's a good transport to European cafes.
(5)Jacq B.
So cute, so fun and free Juke Box! Vicki and Kyle, owners/bartenders invite you in and treat you as a guest in their home. We stayed much longer than we thought due to record breaking rainfall, and so glad we did. Enjoyed some lemon cake and a glass of Rośe, great music and conversation.
(5)Deni T.
This underground bar is definately a spot I would meet up with friends and have drinks. It is the right amount of cozy and friendly and they are not trying to do more than what the space offers for them. The jukebox is stunning and I like the added touch in the restroom of the old trunks and travel style. I saw a wall of albums behind the bar, but could not discern what was there... perhaps you just ask if they have a certain something that you might want to listen to and if they have it they will spin it for you. The furniture is not all the same... the bar, a couch with a table and chairs for a living room type of spot, a wall with bench seats and tables with chairs opposite, some other sort of reclining "office" but cooler looking chair (you will know when you see them). So they have created a place where you can have a conversation in a more intimate individual setting. The menu is pretty off limits for me, but I did see someone's grilled cheese and it looked amazingly ooey and gooey and delish. There are currently 3 options of grilled cheese, a soft pretzel with mustard dipping sauce and cake of the day.
(4)Amy D.
Maps is so cool! I can hardly contain my excitement for this lovely new establishment in Portland. I think it has everyone's favorite things all in one place: great beer, coffee, tea, grilled cheese, soft pretzels, cake (!), and tons of vintage maps (!!). The service is great. The atmosphere is great. I'm not sure there is anything about the place that isn't great. Love, love, love, love Maps.
(5)Megan T.
Super cozy, love this new little spot, the decorations are on point. No liquor but a pretty solid wine and local draft list. Only downside is that it's not very spacious so it hard to go with a group. Other than that love this bar!
(4)Sarah C.
I didn't know this place existed until I walked in the door. Great atmosphere and super friendly bartenders. I had a super delicious mocha (at 10pm) which was paired with a nice little piece of biscotti, yum. Fiancé had a GIANT piece of cake that was also delicious. The decor makes me feel like I'm hanging out with Steve Zissou and I love that. Planning on going back again... And again... And again. Definitely has the feel of Montreal bars... It's like it's your own best kept secret.
(5)