Rehearsal Dinner and Welcome Reception Venues in Portland, Maine

Finding the perfect spot for your rehearsal dinner or welcome reception in Portland, Maine, can feel like searching for a hidden gem—exciting, a little overwhelming, but totally worth it when you strike gold. With its charming waterfront views, award-winning restaurants, and cozy, tucked-away venues, Portland offers the ideal mix of New England charm and foodie-approved flavors.

We’ve rounded up our top spots for rehearsal dinners and welcome parties—because your pre-wedding celebrations should be just as unforgettable as the big day itself!

AprèS

Located at 148 Anderson Street, Après offers an industrial chic atmosphere and specializes in hard seltzers and ciders. With a private event room, an open-concept tasting room, and an outdoor patio, their space can easily fit your needs.

*Photography // Jaimee Morse

Argenta Brewing

Settled in the West Bayside at 82 Hanover Street, Argenta Brewing Company is the city’s only “lager beer saloon.” The space includes picnic tables, benches, soft seating, and an outdoor patio. Rooted in community, Argenta will welcome your guests with open arms.

Batson River

Found at 82 Hanover Street, Batson River offers a distinctive blend of craft beverages and New American pub fare. The interior design boasts the warmth and charm of Maine’s outdoor heritage, creating a cozy and relaxing ambiance.

*Photography // Erin Little

Bissell Brothers

Situated in the Thompson’s Point area at 38 Resurgam Place, Bissell Brothers is a vibrant location for any celebration. Their event space, “The Garden,” was fully renovated in 2022 and boasts modern designs and an energetic atmosphere. Along with innovative craft brews, Bissell also provides in-house catering.

*Photography // Red Stallion Media

Blue Lobster Winery

Located at 200 Anderson Street, Blue Lobster is a distinctive wine bar and tasting room. The venue offers a blank slate, allowing you to dress it up or down as you see fit. Their patio offers lounge seating and picnic tables, and a tent can fit in the parking lot to accommodate larger parties.

Boone’s Fish House

Tucked into the Custom House Wharf at 86 Commercial Street, Boone’s has been a landmark seafood restaurant since 1898. This two-story waterfront establishment features two kitchens, indoor and outdoor bars, two decks, and their “Oyster Room” event space.

Brickyard Hollow

Steps away from Portland’s waterfront, you can find Brickyard Hollow at 9 Commercial Street. This venue combines rustic and modern design, creating a welcoming ambiance for patrons. Their private event space has a dedicated bar offering craft brews, cocktails, and wine, and brewpub culinary offerings from their menu can be served buffet style.

Bunker Brewing

Nestled in Portland’s Libbytown neighborhood, Bunker Brewing resides at 17 Westfield Street, Unit D. This nano-brewery is housed inside an early 1900s garage creating a fun, laid-back vibe. With a spacious indoor tasting room and ample outdoor patio seating, Bunker is a great option for groups of all sizes.

Camp Pennant

Located in the Old Port district at 250 Commercial Street, Camp Pennant is a waterfront bar and restaurant that doubles as the home of Pennant Distilling & Brewing. The interior is meant to evoke the nostalgic essence of Maine summers while sipping house-made craft beers and spirits. They also offer a delicious selection of menu options for catering.

DiMillo’s on the water

This historic floating restaurant can be found at 25 Long Wharf in the heart of the Old Port. Events can be held in the converted car ferry’s topside rooms or the tented deck, offering panoramic views of the Portland Harbor. The award-winning cuisine features Maine’s rich maritime history and traditional American classics.

Freedom’s Edge Cider

Tucked into the East Bayside area at 31 Diamond Street, Freedom’s Edge is a small-batch craft cidery that focuses on locally sourced apples and ingredients. Their Portland tasting room offers indoor and outdoor seating with the flexibility to suite any event’s needs.

Lucky cheetah

This intimate underground restaurant opened in August of 2024 and is tucked downtown at 11 Moulton Street. Its atmosphere blends vintage glamour with modern flair, all while honoring the rich traditions of Cantonese cuisine. The space features a private dining room, a full stone bar, and a variety of seating options.

*Photography // Artisan Agenda

Maine Studio Works

This contemporary industrial venue is located at 170 Anderson Street in the East Bayside neighborhood. It acts as a blank slate with roughly 8,000 square feet of space divided into two studios to accommodate various needs. Maine Studio Works welcomes the use of outside caterers and vendors to fully personalize each event experience.

*Photography // Emily Delamater

Oxbow Blending & Bottling

Found in the East Bayside neighborhood, this versatile venue is located at 49 Washington Avenue. The 2,000-square-foot open-concept layout encourages socializing and offers views of in-house production. The space includes a 12-tap bar, picnic table seating, and an outdoor patio.

*Photography // Emily Delamater

Rí Rá Irish Pub

Providing stunning views of the Portland Harbor, Ri Ra resides at 72 Commercial Street. The establishment spans two floors with the lower embodying a traditional Irish pub aesthetic and the upper offering various dining spaces. The menu features a blend of classic Irish dishes and New England cuisine, and the bar is stocked with both local craft brews and imported Irish favorites.

Rising Tide BrewING

This family-owned craft brewery is situated at 103 Fox Street in the East Bayside. The East Room is a private space with an industrially modern vibe and large garage doors that open up to a tented patio for additional space. In-house catering is offered through their kitchen, The Galley, and a variety of beverages are available alongside their craft brews.

*Photography // James Hardman

Shipyard Brewing Company

Conveniently located at 86 Newbury Street, Shipyard’s tasting room offers charm, flexibility, and a lively craft beer culture. With two main bars, a private conference room, and 8,800 square feet of versatile space, this venue lends itself perfectly to events of all sizes. Catering is offered in-house, along with a wide array of audio-visual offerings.

Three of Strong Spirits

Settled in the East Bayside at 35B Diamond Street, Three of Strong is a craft distillery specializing in organic cane-based rums and sugarcane-based gin. Their tasting room includes an outdoor deck, a private function room, a prep kitchen, and AV equipment. Alongside their bottled spirits, they offer canned cocktails and a full bar menu.