Hip Portland Speakeasy Named Maine’s Best ‘Hidden Bar’

A trendy Portland bar received quite the accolade from a popular source.

The fine folks over at Cheapism decided to dive into the world of hidden bars and speakeasies. This was a wise choice, considering this style of establishment has been a huge hit over the last decade, especially in the northeast.

Cheapism was determined to find the best one in every state, so it got to digging and came up with quite the list. Of course, this included Maine's representative, which can be found in the basement of a gorgeous, old brick building in the West End. The speakeasy in question is Bramhall.

This classic joint was reopened a decade ago under new ownership with a hip vision. The idea was to open a place featuring classic and innovative cocktails, an extensive beer list, and delicious bar food, and for folks to enjoy all of that in an atmosphere that takes you back to a bygone era.

Bramhall even describes itself as a speakeasy, offering drinks that come directly from the times of Prohibition, like the old-fashioned, cosmopolitan, and martini. Of course, they've put their own creative spin on these classics, making them stand out from your standard bar.

You will also find a whole slew of innovative house cocktails that have a modern twist but perfectly encapsulate the speakeasy feel, which obviously fits the joint perfectly.

But what really sets Bramhall apart is the beautiful ambiance. When you first walk down those stairs into the bar, you feel like you are going back 100 years into an era of clarinet-heavy jazz, flappers, and organized crime. The room is so unique, with its beautiful rock walls, perfectly dimmed lighting, and brick archways. It's easily one of the most historic places to enjoy a beverage in Maine.

This is a tremendous choice by Cheapism. Bramhall perfectly captures the spirit of a hidden pub/speakeasy. It's truly everything you want in a modern but classic cocktail bar. Believe me, you will immediately fall in love with this place.

Congrats to Bramhall on the positive publicity. Here's wishing them many more years of serving up the classist cocktails and snacks in Maine.