Blue, Portland, Maine Restaurant Details

Food:

they do not pay musicians. They pass the hat; so next time you order something, tell them to take their payment out of the hat.

Food:

Ridiculously good live music nights--folk, celtic, jazz. Place was packed out last time I was there with people from 21 to 65. Affordable drinks and good mixing spot, but come for the music.

Food:

Definitely a cool place to listen and drink. Never a bad sound inside.

Food:

Reminded of venues in Greenwich Village in NYC, I sat until very late at my first evening at "Blue" at 650 Congress Street, Portland, ME. Go! Go back. Some of the best live music to be heard in Portland, ME can be found at Port City BLUE downtown. An old guard jazz aficionado, I treasure venues that showcase talent and Port City BLUE has all the elements.

Menu-wise the owners have picked a number of items perennially favored - some light pasta dishes - good meatballs (I tried to slip one in and asked the owner for his secret recipe... but he was stone cold sober... I got nowhere)... antipasto, cheeses. The wine list is a nice assortment - same for the beers/lagers - and beverages include specialty sodas. Good bread. All in all - all you really need for an evening glued to your chair - listening to fabulous music.

Dunno what the one negative reviewer here was speaking about - but they cannot be a music person such as I am.

Support the arts. Apparently the owners have that figured out. I loved the place and I've seen lots - including venues in London such as Ronnie Scott's and nearly staying the night in venues in the Village in NY. BLUE is wonderful. Kudos to the owners. They are caring with the musicians and I thank them for that.