If you’re from Southern Maine, chances are you’re familiar with the ongoing “Biddesance” (a clever term coined by a drinks & dining writer for a certain Portland newspaper).
Eateries, shops, and bars of every ilk have been cropping up faster here than dandelions, thanks to the energetic young entrepreneurs that have flooded this former industrial mill city with new life.
Biddeford is now officially the youngest city in the state—the median age in the downtown area is 29—and a fair few of the establishments on this list are owned, operated, and patronized by this demographic.
Map of Biddeford Bars
Here are all the bars in Biddeford we mentioned in this article, perfect for your next bar crawl:
Banded Brewing
One of my favorite spots in Biddeford, Banded has evolved over the last few years in all the right ways.
The tasting room here used to be pretty much bring-your-own-food only; these days, their incredible beer offerings are partnered with a just-as-fantastic menu from a recently-expanded kitchen. Many of the seasonal beers at Banded are local collaborations—such as one of my absolute favorites, the Breakfast Land Imperial Stout, made in partnership with the award-winning Palace Diner around the corner.
And to go along with that, I highly suggest you get a House Grilled Cheese, and of course, dessert.
The Brownie Deluxxxe is a whole lot of brewhouse magic on a plate: House-made stout brownie, Barrel-Aged Mountain (another of my favorites) fudge, whipped cream, and an amarena cherry on top.
Location: 13-W, 32 Main St, Biddeford, ME 04005
Website: Banded Brewing
Round Turn Distilling
Just before you get to Banded Brewing’s doorway in the hallway of mill building 13-W, you’ll encounter the doorway to Round Turn, makers of the most excellent Bimini Gin.
Round Turn features a bright, lofty tasting room, and the talented mixologists behind the bar have an arsenal of craft cocktail ingredients ready and waiting to be metamorphosed into a work of drinkable art.
There are four types of artisan Bimini gins—the coconut variation is my favorite—and myriad different ways to enjoy them.
The Bimini Special—inspired by Ernest Hemingway—is a refreshing little number everyone has to try at least once: Bimini Gin, fresh lime juice, Angostura bitters, coconut water, and simple syrup (shhh—are those palm fronds I hear blowing in an ocean breeze?).
Location: 32 Main St bldg 13w ste 103, Biddeford, ME 04005
Website: Round Turn Distilling
The Martini Bar
Serving up “New York City-themed drinks and desserts,” The Martini Bar is a moonshot idea made real.
The always-evolving creative cocktail list includes delightful tipples like the Strawberry Basil Martini (vodka, triple sec, strawberry puree, and basil), and the desserts are made in-house and can only be defined as next-level.
If you’re a cake girl like me, you’ll be hard-put to pick one…but you can’t go wrong with the Red Velvet.
There is music and dancing most weekends, which kicks up the atmosphere a lively notch or three.
Location: 137 Main St, Biddeford, ME 04005
Website: The Martini Bar
Pop’s Tavern
A true local bar if ever there was one, Pop’s is an entity unto itself.
Not a dive bar, not a sports bar, not a pub…just a friendly, come-as-you-are type of place to stop in, pull up to the bar, and chew the fat with the locals while downing a beer or two.
This Biddeford icon has been in business since 1977, and while Pop passed away in 2020, his legacy lives on every time the doors open for business at Pop’s—his presence is palpable.
Location: 13 Bacon St, Biddeford, ME 04005
Website: Pop’s Tavern
Lorne Wine
A great spot for delicious, sustainably-grown wine (and beer or cider), Lorne is a feast for the senses.
The wildly colorful exterior beckons you inside, where even more color and cool décor await, and the interesting flavors of both the libations and daily rotating snack plates will awaken your taste buds.
The menu changes pretty much weekly, so you never quite know what you’ll be choosing from when you go to Lorne—but know that you’ll never be disappointed.
Location: 61 Main St 1st Floor, Biddeford, ME 04005
Website: Lorne Wine
Champions Sports Bar
With ten HDTVs, 22 beers on draft, live music, dart boards, cornhole, karaoke, and trivia nights, Champions has a bit of something for everyone.
Open 7 days a week until 1 a.m., there is pretty much always something going on at this lively spot.
The pub menu has plenty of options to go along with your libations, there is plenty of bar seating, and you can watch your favorite team play while enjoying your meal.
Location: 15 Thornton Ave, Biddeford, ME 04005
Website: Champions Sports Bar
Mulligan’s
The quintessential Irish pub, Mulligan’s is another popular local watering hole.
With over 50 beers on offer as well as a full bar, you can pick your preferred poison as well as something tasty off the affordable pub menu.
Keep your eyes peeled for daily and seasonal drink specials, such as a Spicy Strawberry Pineapple Margarita on Valentine’s Day, or an Irish Chocolate Martini on St. Patrick’s Day.
Location: 23 Lincoln St, Biddeford, ME 04005
Website: Mulligan’s
Magnus on Water
An upscale cocktail experience awaits you at Magnus. From the moment you step in the door, the chic décor and elegant vibe let you know something special is about to happen.
My first advice is to sit at the bar if you can; it is a work of art unto itself, with a cool, icy blue ribbon snaking its way down the center of one end of the burnished wood bar to the other.
And speaking of art—the drinks here are hard-core, craft cocktail magic.
I mean, the entire menu is next-level…but the drinks.
If you like a bit of bite in your beverage, go for the Crowd Surfer (and I also recommend subbing mezcal for the Blanco): Blanco tequila, lemon, lime, pineapple-poblano, and seafoam.
Location: 12 Water St, Biddeford, ME 04005
Website: Magnus on Water
Cowbell Burger Bar
There is always something going on at the Cowbell; Margarita Mondays, Trivia Tuesdays, Ladies’ Night Karaoke Wednesdays, 20-ounce drafts for the price of a 16-ounce on Thursdays, live music Fridays and Saturdays, and Mug Club discounts on Sundays—and a weekday happy hour from 3-6, with $5 craft beers and tasty snacks.
“Build the burger of your dreams” or choose another option from the Cowbell menu to accompany your beer or cocktail.
Location: 140 Main St, Biddeford, ME 04005
Website: Cowbell Burger Bar
Elements Books, Coffee, Beer
What a concept, right?? Part bookstore, part coffee house, part bar—what a novel idea (see what I did there?)!
Elements is a cozy spot where you can pull up a stool at the bar for a local brew, settle into the cushy couch with a book, or plug in your laptop and get it done.
Enjoy live music on weekends and small-plate noshings and snacks to accompany your beer (they also have a few wines on offer) while you peruse the quirky antique book pages beneath the glossy marine varnish on the bar top.
Location: 265 Main St, Biddeford, ME 04005
Website: Elements Books, Coffee, Beer
LaundrYup
Yet another smashingly genius concept, LaundrYup is a place where you can get your laundry done, have a bite to eat, and enjoy a cocktail while you wait.
The menu is Italian-themed, with panini, antipasto, and meatballs holding center stage; the cocktails vary day to day, depending on what’s going on that night (Tiki Wednesdays with Music Bingo, Margarita Mondays).
So, grab your wallet—and your laundry basket—and head to LaundrYup.
Location: 77 Hill St, Biddeford, ME 04005
Website: LaundrYup
As it turns out, Biddo has too many spots for me to cover in one go—but do yourself a favor and check out these fine establishments, as well; each has its own unique element of bar-centric enjoyment just waiting for you to discover it.
Sharkey’s Arcade & Bar is exactly that—without the screaming kids.
Blaze Brewing Company is another fantastic mill building brewery-tasting room, as is the all-gluten-free Lucky Pidgeon Brewing Company.
Opening in the summer of 2022, Batson River Brewing and Distilling plans to open their newest location atop the new Lincoln Hotel, and as of this writing, The Dunn Bar—another venture by the folks at LaundrYup—is scheduled to open at the end of May 2022.
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