Toast To These 11 Bars In Bar Harbor!

Bar Harbor, Maine is a charming little island off the main coast of the state and serves as a gateway to the mountains and trails of the famed Acadia National Park. With unique boutique shops, quaint parks, restaurants and more, Bar Harbor feels like you’re stepping into a different world. But we’re here to talk specifically about one thing and that one thing is: bars! So sit back, relax, and get ready to order a drink with your friends at these bars in Bar Harbor!

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1. Cottage St. Pub

A seasonal pub that’s casual, comfy, and cozy, so take a load off and enjoy!

📍 21 Cottage St | Bar Harbor | facebook.com/cottagestreetpub

In beautiful downtown Bar Harbor you will find the place for ultimate comfort, great drinks, and good vibes, it’s Cottage Street Pub! Whether you enjoy a craft cocktail outside- (or in), this spot has got you covered, and we must say that the aesthetic of the building is super cool – it gives off “classic old pub” vibes on the outside, with a dash of modern upkeep inside. 

A friendly staff is there to greet you, offer recommendations, get you your free popcorn, you heard right, free popcorn, and get you settled to enjoy an afternoon or evening out in town. Cottage St. Pub has a range of craft cocktails, beer, local brews, wine, and more. Check out their ever-rotating craft menu for the latest creations.

“If you're really looking for special place to go, try that pub. Their cocktails are out of this world. So well balanced. My personal favorites are Dirty Water and watermelon crawl. They don't serve any food. But you can get some free popcorn.” -Yelp Review

2. Geddy’s

Family friendly place serving seafood wonders, classic pub food, and beer!

📍 19 Main St | Bar Harbor | geddys.com

If you want a more family-friendly option that’s a restaurant/bar combo then you’ve come to the right spot with Geddy’s! Geddy’s is where you’ll get the best seafood in Bar Harbor, along with delicious cocktails/drinks that pair so well with the meal you won’t wanna go anywhere else for this type of experience.

Sustainably sourced seafood and the freshest ingredients are used to make every single item on the menu, so you know you’ll be having a tip top time. And if seafood isn’t your thing you can try their wood-fired pizzas, burgers, or their vegetarian/vegan options. Geddy’s has craft cocktails, their own “Volcano Bowl” (iykyk), beer, wine, local brews, and non-alcoholic drinks.

“Food was delicious and service was wonderful. The ambiance simply colorful. I had their quinoa salad, vegan choice. It was prefect while she ate her Geddy's lobster. She said worth it. Thank you!” -Yelp Review

3. Dog & Pony Tavern

A local hangout spot with the game on and good drink/grub to go with!

📍 4 Rodick Pl | Bar Harbor | dogandponytavern.com

Open year round, Dog & Pony Tavern is a locally owned pub featuring:

• Drinks from local breweries 
• Multiple TV’s with the game on and a Wii set-up for kids
• Outdoor seating when the weather’s nice
• Classic pub faves like Creamy Mac & Cheese, Salted Soft Pretzel, Real Ale Beef Burger, and a Maine Lobster Roll
• And annual events, festivities, and daily specials- so if this place sounds right up your alley then you can head on over to this bar in Bar Harbor any day of the week from 11am to Midnight!

And yes, you can pair any of those meals with almost any of their drinks which cover cocktails, beer, wine, and more.

“The food was absolutely amazing! We had fish and chips + poutine. Satisfied my craving for some poutine after my Canada trip. The service was phenomenal, the staff checked in frequent enough and was friendly + patient. Quite cosy interior, as usual for a tavern.” -Yelp Review

4. Leary's Landing Irish Pub

Advertising as the “closest Irish pub to Ireland in the U.S”, so if that intrigues you, step right in!

📍 156 Main St | Bar Harbor | learyslanding.com

In the heart of Bar Harbor lives Leary’s Landing Irish Pub, a truly authentic Irish pub that’s cozy and will be your new favorite. Any drink you’re looking for, from a cold Irish ale, to a craft cocktail handcrafted by a professional, they’ve got it, and they’ve got food that pairs nicely with any drink on the menu like Fish & Chips, Chicken Wings, and Fish Tacos. 

They've got the largest selection of whiskey and town along with Irish Gin & Tonic, and much more. Named as one of the top bars in Bar Harbor by two publishers, Leary’s Landing Irish Pub is the perfect stop for all those craving an Irish experience!

“We really enjoyed Learys for lunch!!! I had a reuben and my husband enjoyed the blackened haddock. Both very good! Our server was excellent with great local suggestions that were helpful. Prices were reasonable.” -Yelp Review

5. Project Social Kitchen & Bar

A chic and trendy spot offering small plates and creative cocktails!

📍 278 Main St | Bar Harbor | socialbarharbor.com

Let’s talk about the concept, specifically Project Social Kitchen & Bar’s concept, which is “using fresh ingredients in creating Craft Cocktails, delicious Smapp Plates, and Sweet & Savory Crepes.” which sounds like an excellent concept. 

This is definitely the most “modern” look of all the bars on our list today as it’s here to provide an experience that’s unique but also comforting. No matter where you’d like to sit, inside, their open air dining space, or their large wrap-around garden with a small stream adding to the aesthetic, they have a place for you!

On their Happy Hour menu you can have Wine By The Glass and Bruschetta, the Dinner menu has a Meat & Cheese Board, Seafood Chowder, or Lobster Rolls, and the Cocktail Menu intriguing picks you’ll have to see for yourself. Project Social Kitchen & Bar has a lot of drinks/foods that will quickly become your new favorite(s).

“Everything we had was amazing, drinks were great, wish we could have ate more! Service was great, the chef even came out and talked to us. Loved the garden vibe on the patio.” -Yelp Review

6. Finback Alehouse

A gastropub offering both American and global fare with drinks and live music!

📍 30 Cottage St | Bar Harbor | finback-alehouse.com

In 2021, Dale Stockburger opened up Finback Alehouse in a building that was originally built in the 70’s, and all this time later it still holds that same charm, both in the architecture and the team helming the mission to bring the best service, food, and drinks possible. Finback Alehouse has dinner and drinks to serve, and on the dinner menu they have foods like Pork Belly Sliders, Nachos, Lobster Rolls, and more. Their drink menu has cocktails, drafts, sours, craft cans, wine, shots, cider, seltzers, and more for your evening drinking needs!

“We were wandering around Bar Harbor looking for a different fare of food rather than the typical seafood destination and this was one of our favorite places we stopped. The food was top notch with a great selection at the bar.” -Yelp Review

7. Tap & Barrel Tavern

A laid-back bar with a vibe so good you’ll definitely come back for seconds!

📍 41 Rodick St | Bar Harbor | tapandbarreltavern.com

If you’re someone who loves a casual, laid-back aesthetic then you will absolutely fall in love with Tap & Barrel Tavern which features the exact right vibe for a “local beach bar” (you’ll get exactly what we mean when you see it in person). 

They’ve got outdoor and indoor seating perfect for any kind of weather in the Harbor. Tap & Barrel has a pretty elevated menu with bites like the “Bone 'n Bourbon” which is roasted bone marrow, pickled mustard seed, blackberries, and basil breadcrumbs.

They also have regular pub picks like Grilled Cheese and a Brisket Sandwich so you’re going to be eating good here. For drinks they have local brews, craft bottles and cans, and a rather big selection of whiskey and bourbon.

“Great service and food is fabulous. Love that it's a family restaurant and not a big chain. They pay special attention to their customers needs! Love the bathroom! And the Bourbon selection is top notch! Highly recommend” -Yelp Review

8. Thirsty Whale Tavern

Calling all seafood lovers: come get your Lobster Rolls and chowders!

📍 40 Cottage St | Bar Harbor | thirstywhaletavern.com

Thirsty Whale Tavern or as locals call it, “The Whale” has been locally owned since 1988! It’s a buzz with people of all ages bustling through their doors daily. You’ll find it changes vibes when it grows darker out as it’s kid friendly by day and adult-centric by night. 

The Whale is known for their seafood bites as they feature fresh local seafood caught in Bar Harbor proper. Featuring some of the best Lobster Rolls and Chowder in town, you’ll be able to wash it down with beer and specialty cocktails.

“Warm, inviting atmosphere! One of the only places open late in Bar Harbor on an off-season week night (we were there in mid-April). We got their fried seafood platter and it was the perfect late night snack. Solid portion size, fried well, delicious!” -Yelp Review

9. Side Street Cafe

A warm environment that welcomes you to try delicious bar favorites and seafood specials!

📍 49 Rodick St | Bar Harbor | sidestreetbarharbor.com

What started in 2009 as a dream to create an environment for good food and drinks for all to enjoy has expanded to a staple in Bar Harbor. Side Street Cafe is a favorite in town and for good reason as they are constantly upgrading and changing with the times in order to make a welcoming atmosphere for locals and travelers alike. 

Enjoy Shareables like Harbor Wings, House Fries, the Lobstah Bowl, and Crab Cakes, with fresh greens and signature mac & cheese for the main course(s). Plus you’ll be able to look forward to a constantly rotating menu of delicious cocktails and other drinks designed by the geniuses behind the bar.

“Upon hearing great reviews, I decided to try it out. The vibe I got felt friendly. We had great service and our first time experience was awesome. The food was all phenomenal and delicious.” -Yelp Review

10. Testa's Bar & Grill

This bar in Bar Harbor is open daily from May till October- so make sure to stop in!

📍 53 Main St | Bar Harbor | testasbarharbor.com

Testa’s Bar & Grill is a seasonal bar located on Main Street in Bar Harbor. Open from May through October daily, this beach-bar is exactly what you need when you’re on vacation in this gorgeous town. They’ve got ocean views, outdoor garden seating, and are dog-friendly so you can see many friendly pups around while you enjoy their food and drinks. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner with dishes like Omelets, Locally Harvested Oysters, Testa’s Fried Wings, and the Maine Lobster Dinner. You'll love sipping on some specialty cocktails, drafts, bottles, cans, and wine throughout your meal.

“I was very excited to see a dog menu! My pup had a great time. The food and drinks were good and the service was great! My husband and I will definitely be going back when we visit Bar Harbor again” -Yelp Review

11. Havana

A Latin-American bar and restaurant with an upscale flare you won’t find elsewhere!

📍 318 Main St | Bar Harbor| havanamaine.com

A lot of our list fits the “casual” bar atmosphere a lot of people look for when they are searching for a place to get food and drinks. But if you and your party are looking for a place that’s more upscale and elevated then you’ll be happy to find Havana. Havana in Bar Harbor is a gorgeous Latin-American bar/restaurant that has picture-perfect foods cooked with lots of care along with a wine list that accentuates the flavors of each bite. Their menus are constantly updating with the season so be sure to look at what they currently have through their website.

“A large restaurant with several rooms, very professional on point staff food was great great selection of wines. The shrimp appetizer was delicious the bluefin tuna also great. Lobster Haddock with coconut sauce delicious.” -Yelp Review

Whether you’re getting a bite to eat or a drink or both, these bars in Bar Harbor are here to provide that, along with good vibes of course. This island off of Maine has so much going for it with outdoor adventures and or simply strolling through the town, and that makes these bars a nice place to unwind with your friends/family!