The Commercial Street Pub. It’s like the Cheers song, “where everybody knows your name… and they’re always glad you came”. I walk in and am immediately welcomed by people I’ve considered friends for almost 20 years. The owner, Johnny, always greets me with a hug and makes sure there’s room at the bar to sit down. That’s after I make my rounds, saying hi to all my old friends at various tables, including some of the most beautiful bartenders in Portland, Maine. I sit down and am immediately served my favorite glass of wine, and always with a tall glass of water (that I never need to ask for). To me, that’s priceless.

I actually met my husband, Joe, in the Pub. I had just graduated college and was working as an Account Executive for a radio broadcasting company. I had been hounding the new owner of Free Range Fish & Lobster to sit down for a quick meeting to discuss a potential contract that had been drafted with the previous owner. Joe was extremely hard to find, but when I finally did, at The Commercial Street Pub (I hate to sound cliché), it was love at first sight. So yea, The Pub has a special place in my heart.

The Pub is obviously located on Commercial Street in Portland, Maine and has an extremely broad clientele. From fishermen walking in after a long haul out to sea, to business people walking in for lunch in suits on their lunch break, The Pub definitely offers variety. It’s not just a bar either. Their food is amazing. The menu is always changing, featuring local favorites and just caught in Casco Bay fresh seafood. If you’re just looking for a quick bite, try their ever-changing featured devil egg. Get a whole plate and share with friends or buy them, one at a time. I highly recommend the shrimp tacos. So fresh!

While you’re at The Commercial Street Pub, enjoying the always fun vibe, delicious food and perfectly mixed drinks, be sure to scoop up some Pub merch. I’m loving my new cropped camo hoodie. Whenever I wear it, someone always approaches me to tell me how much they love The Pub. I also have a pair of Commercial Street Pub thongs, but this isn’t that kind of blog. The Pub is definitely a place “where everybody knows your name… and they’re always glad you came”.