91. Dogfish Bar And Grille
City: Portland, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 772-5483
Address: 128 Free St.
Description: Just a few steps down from the Portland Museum of Art, Dogfish is both an eclectic restaurant and a bar where lesser-known local and national acts play. The stage is tiny, the bar a fine watering hole, and the food is good enough that you should arrive early.
92. Empire Dine And Dance
City: Portland, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 879-8988
Address: 575 Congress St.
Description: Beer, burgers, and bands are what you need to know here. The food half of the equation is good, standard pub fare with a bit of a Mexican twist, and the music tends to be local.
93. Geno’S
City: Portland, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 221-2382
Address: 625 Congress St.
Description: Here is Portland’s answer to CBGB, which is to say an age-old punk-rock dive with scuzzy decor, a lousy sound system, and a lineup of good, loud, fast young bands. A Maine classic.
94. The Space Gallery
City: Portland, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 828-5600
Address: 538 Congress St.
Description: One part art gallery, two parts rock club, the Space Gallery took up where the late, great Skinny left off as Portland’s best place to see the newest latest bands. Most of the acts that play here are from the indie and underground worlds, whether they be local combos like Seekonk or rural electric or national performers like Richard Buckner and Bob Mould. More cosmopolitan than many clubs of its ilk, Space serves alcohol, and you can peruse the gallery with its revolving shows of up-and-coming artists. And, somehow, it’s just better lately. Call or check the Web site to see what’s scheduled.
95. The White Heart
City: Portland, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 828-1900
Address: 551 Congress St.
Description: Another restaurant-cum-nightclub, the White Heart mixes a menu of soups and salads, steaks and spuds with live music by local acts, the occasional art and poetry shows, and deejay-supported dance. All that and it’s where the city’s beautiful people hang out.
96. Comedy Connection
City: Portland, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 774-5554
Address: 6 Custom House Wharf
Description: This Old Port staple isn’t where you want to turn for Down East “humah.” But if you want to see good local stand-up—this place launched comic Bob Marley, who is now plying his trade in Hollywood—as well as some nationally known funny folks, this is the place to be. All shows are for guests age 18 or older. Tickets range from $6 to $16.
97. Greenhut Galleries
City: Portland, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 772-2693 or (888) 772-26
Address: 146 Middle St.
Description: Peggy Greenhut Golden has an eye for talent, and she has some really fine works in the gallery she’s run since 1977. The focus is contemporary art, and painters include regional talents like Mary Bourke, Leo Brooks, and Kathleen Galligan, whose work is showcased nicely in the bright, museum-like space. Open year-round, Monday through Saturday.
98. June Fitzpatrick Gallery
City: Portland, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 772-1961
Address: 112 High St.
Description: A good selection of contemporary works are hung here across from the Portland Museum of Art, and there’s another space at 522 Congress Street, as well. Exhibits change monthly.
99. The Movies At The Museum
City: Portland, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 772-9600
Address: Congress Sq.
Description: When you have the audacity to call yourself The Movies, you’d better be good. This grandaddy of independent cinema in Maine is that and more, and now, after 32 years as an Exchange Street staple it’s joined forces with the Portland Museum of Art and moved downtown. The merger will allow the PMA to broaden its film fare and will give the Movies a better screen and a more comfortable auditorium. But the hip flix will still be there. You’ll see the great flicks—daring foreign films, underground classics, American indies—here months before they end up on screens elsewhere. Will they be as avant garde? That remains to be seen. Museum admission is not required in the price of your ticket.