My wife and I recently went to our first show at Blue the other night. Had never really known it was a spot prior to this concert. It was an album release party for local pop-punk/emo band Broadwing. The card featured other local bands as well as a New England DJ. I know now that some shows at Blue are free or minimal cover which is great. Tickets for this show ended up being $12 which is a great value for a concert/night out. Hard to find tickets that cheap nowadays. The person working the door was friendly and had our name already so didn't even need to pull the tickets up. Bartenders were friendly and the drinks were well made. I especially liked their spicy cocktail Bing Bong which had the perfect kick to it! Prices were reasonable for drinks as well. Venue is on the small side as expected but had a great vibe for intimate smaller shows. Even with a sold-out show it was not overpacked. The acoustics and sound were good for a smaller venue as well. If you love smaller concerts I would recommend checking out their event schedule to see if something piques your interest. Also if you are a fan of pop punk music then do yourself a favor and check out Broadwing (especially their song New England Baby)! Very down to earth friendly band! read more

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The online presence of Blue is a dumpster fire. Why do I need to enter my contact information just to see what's happening tonight? If I don't, there is NO current reliable information on who's scheduled. Pathetic and unreliable. I'm not doing it. I've enjoyed many evenings there, but the basic management of the venue is a joke. It will be a shame when it closes. What acts are scheduled for the NEXT WEEK? How difficult is that to maintain? Apparently, it's not possible. read more

Favorite place to catch a random show or a drink. Always such special talent on that stage.

Blue is one of my favorite venues in Portland for live local music. It's so Portland--an understated room where one owner mixes your drink and the other runs the sound board and passes the basket to ensure the musicians get paid, because there is often no cover. There is a surprising variety on the seasonally changing drink menu: hot toddies, various margaritas, pumpkin spice espresso martinis, along with the currently offered "No BS Old Fashioned". On my last visit I had an Aperol Spritz and my friend had the Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini--we enjoyed both. They have a food menu as well. I had some very good ratatouille served with pita bread on one visit. They often have cupcakes, although I've never had one. The best thing about Blue is the local music, which draws some extraordinarily talented musicians, many of whom have appeared on national tv and have sold out much larger venues like Thompson's Point and The State Theater, closely followed by the respectful local audience, whose primary purpose is to listen to the music and support the musicians. read more

Blue - Aperol Spritz and Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini - Music Venues Near Me - Portland, Maine

NO COVER OR TICKET NEEDED UNLESS A SHOW CALLS FOR IT. Tips are welcome! Nice place to listen to some blues/jazz. We went for a local band. Not a place to order food, the flatbread was very bland. Good drinks and the bartender were the quietest and yet very attentive. read more

Blue - a group of people sitting at a table in front of a stage - Music Venues Near Me - Portland, Maine

Friday night, many people inside here to check out the live music on stage. Intimate setup for a venue with a bar in the back and some seating up front and to the side. No cover to get in, which is a huge plus. Drinks are well-priced, beers being around $6-8 and good cocktail options. Local beer on draft, including a couple of nice IPAs. For food they have a bunch of snacks and desserts, with a few tables to sit and enjoy. The ambiance here is very chill, as people are respectful of the acts on stage. The bartender gets drinks out pretty quickly as there never is a giant line to order. Well worth a visit at night when in town. read more

Blue - Outside - Music Venues Near Me - Portland, Maine

Small intimate blues bar no cover charge! Stumbled into this cool little spot while visiting Portland some friends. It was five of us and they quickly accommodated us. What I loved most is that there was no cover charge. We ordered a few beers and some food and enjoyed the night watching some locals kill the stage. They do pass around a little basket for donations. You don't have to give anything but it's definitely greatly appreciated by the musicians. They have different people playing each time so it's pretty cool! Definitely worth stopping by here if you're in the area. Friendly ambiance. Vegan and vegetarian options available! read more

Blue - Menu - Music Venues Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Fantastic experience here last night. The band killed it, staff was professional and polite, and the whole room was very respectful of the music and musicians read more

Fantastic place to hear Jazz music. Great food and drinks. Looking forward to returning soon read more

Some nights, Blue is the best part of my night out. Other times, I can't escape it quickly enough. It really does vary that much. This is a small, dark, intimate jazz club that always smells like stale farts and/or popcorn? I'm sorry but I always have to mentally prepare for the smell when I walk in. It's sort of alarming and is probably from the lack of open windows. The musicians they get for this venue have offered some of the best shows I've ever seen. It's up close and personal in this tiny venue, so you really get to focus on the instrumentation, the skills of these amazing performers. In that sense, I feel very lucky to have Blue in my neighborhood. I also enjoy Blue because it carries several delicious local taps. However, it is so dark in here that's almost impossible to read the menu and order. I get what they're going for, but it is sort of illogical. The food menu also boasts outrageously priced food (which I have heard from everyone I've asked is mediocre), and the excessive and glaring typos make me even less inclined to order something (sorry if this makes me a pretentious jerk, but I just can't get behind splurging on a food not even spelled correctly). Different nights warrant different "vibes," as well. One night I was here for an Irish band, and people were laughing, hollering, singing along. That was a lot of fun. Another night was a quieter jazz band, and a couple at a table were whispering to each other and loudly told by stuff to SHUT UP and HUSH. That was appalling. Like, can't you go ask them nicely to be quieter or to leave? This is a public venue... I get that there is music going, but people come out to have fun and be social.. at a bar... I'm also all for the donations setup they have going on here. The staff will go around with a basket asking guests to contribute what they can to support the musicians. Or, if you don't have cash, you can add some additional dollars to your bar tab. Love this idea - however the staff can get unreasonably pushy. Like, they will harass you if you don't give the musicians money. Or, if you tell them you'll add to your tab later, they demand you tell them how much right then so they can go tell the bar staff. It is super uncomfortable. I get that this is a classier kind of place, and sometimes it can be a ton of fun (especially when the super sweet and friendly bartender is working!), but other times I feel like I need to be on my best behavior or else I'll be shushed or yelled at. Maybe if you're quiet and have a lot of money to spend and don't have a strong sense of smell, make this your regular spot? read more

A nice place. Good food and snacks. Tonight I tried a Spicy Margarita. It was the worst drink I ever had in a restaurant. Totally sour. No spice. No salt on rim. It was mostly straight lime and lemon juice. My lip's puckered after the first small sip. read more

I strolled in just after 9p on a Saturday. Pretty crowded, as it's a small place. A nice lady gave me her seat at the bar, since she was leaving. If I was with someone, I don't think that I would have got a seat. Old Fashioned was all right. They didn't have salad, so I got the pretzel bites + cheese. It was all right. Service was great, friendly staff. Second band was really good! Third band was all right. Acoustics were good, and I liked the intimacy. As the third band was starting, there were a few small tables open. So either get there before 8p, or after 10p. read more

Blue - Music Venues Near Me - Portland, Maine

Such a cool place to hangout and listen to live music! I love their system of donating whatever you wish for the performers!

We stumbled across this jazz club when walking back towards the hotel we were staying in on our honeymoon. We both love jazz so we decided to check it out. First, for such a small indoor space, I really appreciated them checking vaccination cards upon entrance. The had a 1 drink per person minimum which was fine because we were already planning on getting drinks. I had a fall-themed cocktail that was lovely. Their kitchen is also open late which is a huge plus when we get the munchies at 10pm for some pierogis. The band playing that night was hosting a jam session, so different musicians were rotating in and out of the band. Everyone was obviously very talented and fun to listen to between playing some well known jazz standards to more obscure or original stuff. read more

Well this is a mixed review. There were several things about Blue that put me off. That said, there were some things that I appreciated. Many reviews commented on the intimate atmosphere in Blue which is code for this place is very small. There's seating for about 22 people at tables, then additional seating at the L shaped bar. On the evening I attended, there were only two servers and one of them was the bar hostess. That means there was a lot of work for only two people with a full house. The bartender and hostess had to pour all the drinks in addition to making all the food and managing the audience. Granted the food menu is small plates and nothing requires cooking. The pricing on the menu seemed in line with other bars with similar offerings. For my budget, it's pricey for very small bits of food. 2 very small pieces of cheese, an ounce of honey, 8 olives, and 15 almonds = $12. Like I said, normal for Portland, but still pricey for what gets served. The food and drink menus are on big chalkboards on a wall over 3 tables. If you don't have great vision, you have to stand over seated people to see the menus. This was a little uncomfortable for me, and I imagine those seated. This is not a cocktail bar, only wine and beer are served. For that reason I would have expected a better wine list. There were only three whites, I ordered one and wasn't that thrilled with it, but that's a matter of taste, you might love all the choices. The part I enjoyed the least was when the hostess addressed the audience, as the band stands watch, to explain that this bar doesn't charge a cover but expects that you will contribute cash to a basket that she brings around and puts in your face. There was a distinct sensation that this was not optional. Imagine the discomfort of those lured in by seemingly free live music (which exists all around Portland) then faced with having to stare down the lady with the basket if you didn't want to 'voluntarily' contribute. Additionally, when I sat at the bar I immediately ordered a bottled water, then a glass of wine, then (when I could get her attention) a food plate. When my friend joined me at the bar I gave him my glass of wine but the bartender insisted that he had to order a drink because the bar has a one drink minimum. This policy is in place because they don't charge a cover and they offer live music which is understandable. So I ordered another bottle water and a cup of tea for my friend. When I was finished and ready to pay, I waited through 4 songs and the banter between the songs before I was able to get the attention of the bartender without shouting at her. She washed a sink full of dishes with her back to the bar while I studiously watched for even a glimpse over her shoulder. Eventually, waving my credit card, she noticed and brought me a bill. I agree with the other reviewers that there's an intimate atmosphere for live music at Blue and that deserves to be appreciated. I added a star to this otherwise 3 star review. It was the aura, the ultimate price tag, and the service that made me decide this place is out of my league. read more

Blue - a group of people playing music in a bar - Music Venues Near Me - Portland, Maine

While I still think this place is great (see original review), I was totally let down last time! My friends and I came in and sat at the bar, and we ordered a bottle of wine in anticipation of a jazz singer + band. Half an hour passes by, and the music doesn't begin. We look at the nearly empty stage... where are the instruments? While the singer was fantastic, we didn't hear a note of the jazz that we specifically came for on this particular night. Downed the wine and headed elsewhere for the evening. read more

Magic. One of the best venues I've been in, in any town. Intimate and cozy, friendly and neighborly. Listen to local legends like Samuel James and Dana Gross play like they are in the living room of your good friend. Always good beer on tap, and a well curated wine list. The food is home, yet sophisticated - the pasta bowl, the olives, Barry's hummus. Barry and Terez make this place feel like the hippest B&B you've ever seen. read more

Blue - Blue - Music Venues Near Me - Portland, Maine

Relaxing. Affordable. Conversational. Stopped in for post dinner drinks + live music, which Blue delivered. The basket donations every 15m is an exaggeration: it's per band (approx 1 band/hour and $10 on this Saturday night. A perfectly reasonable counter to the modestly priced under $10 wine in a city you can easily cough up $15-$20/glass. Band was great and noise level perfectly catered to good conversation and a soft glass of vino. A solid pick for affordable live jazz right off the main strip. read more

Blue - Expedition - Music Venues Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Rude staff. Stopped serving me after two beers. Seemed sexist in their service. Won't be back despite great bands.

My boyfriend and I went here recently to see a friend play. We grabbed a beer got settled in and the music started going. An nice girl went on stage explaining that they accept money for donations - which they disclaim that it is in fact OPTIONAL. Of course we gave a very generous tip, not just because our friend was in the band but because the band itself was awesome and we really enjoy seeing them from time to time! In between sets, they had another employee come around with the donation basket, a younger gentlemen with long hair, kind of pulled back. He approached my boyfriend and I and we politely explained that we already put in our donation. He then, treated us like we were lying???? He rolled his eyes at us and said with an extreme attitude "uhm, okay..." I mean there's no need for that, regardless if we gave a tip or not. My point is, they shouldn't disclaim that it is optional if they are going to treat their customers with disrespect REGARDLESS if you've donated or not. Unacceptable. Bottom line. read more

Local pub with live entertainment. They usually have no cover charge but ask for donations to help the musician out. A very intimate atmosphere with a limited menu but a full bar menu. read more

What a great date night place.. Low lights.. Excellent not too expensive wine and beer choices for this kind of venue. Music that seems to come from within , around and over and above you all at once... A little small.. But again I go back to a perfect date night spot.. Also keep in mind beer and wine only and since it only seats maybe 20 people they only have 2 or 3 people working. But I don't mind waiting 3 to 5 mins for a drink when I'm staying hours to see a show.. Food is Portland style.. Small in portions and pricey lol read more

If you're looking for great company and even greater live entertainment in Portland, look no further than Blue. The outside may be nondescript with only a single hanging sign, but inside is the neatest little venue I've been to in a long time. There isn't a bad seat in the house. Their calendar mainly features an array of musical acts, but it's their Monday night stand-up comedy show that's a must-see for me every time I'm in town. I went once on a whim and inadvertently started a tradition. The talent is mostly made up of Mainers with day jobs who by night showcase their prolific comedy chops. I've seriously laughed to the point of crying many times. Like the time several drunk local baby boomers insisted on interrupting sets and ended up getting brilliantly roasted every time. It's unusual that Blue never charges a cover but please don't take advantage of this fact. All they ask is that each patron order at least one beverage, which isn't hard since they have a full bar and whip up quality cocktails. While you're at it, get some snacks since their food menu is surprisingly good, particularly the nachos. And when the donation bucket comes around, don't be a cheapskate! It's still my goal to catch a concert at Blue, but I'll never stop plugging their Monday night comedy show. Whether your prefer music or comedy, come enjoy them at Blue in a chill and intimate environment with good food and drinks to boot. For a rather unassuming venue, it hits all the right marks. read more

A canceled show elsewhere in town forced a quick review of live music options. Two stood out and, after a quick listen at the other choice, Blue won. It was our first visit here. Timing was good, as the 8 o'clock performer was just about to start. It's a fairly small venue, but we still had a choice of seats and took some great ones. Ordered cocktails and a beer, shifted the chairs a bit, and settled in. The man on stage was easy-going, good-humored, skilled with his instruments, and a reasonable singer most of the time. The audience was relaxed, sometimes rather talkative, and respectfully appreciative. Blue keeps the lights low and the sound level comfortable, so it has a kind of living-room vibe. That was accentuated at the end when our musician abandoned the mic and took a seat among us for a song. Food wasn't our aim, but one plate of nachos and another of stuffed grape leaves ended up on the table. Nobody exclaimed at their deliciousness or complained they were inedible. The drinks were fine, not amazing. The prices were about what I'd expect (which means I wish they were lower). The service was simple: Address guest needs and blend in. About halfway through the set, a basket was passed for donations to the artist. I like this model: No cover; free-will donation (with a suggested $10 in this case). Many folks ponied up. I've been curious about Port City Blue for a long time, so it was good to enjoy a thumbs-up first visit with our plan B. read more

Blue seems to get skipped over when planning a night out and, while I can understand why (I'll get to this in a minute), it's also one of my favorite spots for a relaxing night. Blue hosts different local bands each night, with a focus on jazz, and occasionally holds ticketed shows. You can check their Facebook page for regular schedule updates. The atmosphere is relaxed, staff is friendly, and audience interaction with musicians is often encouraged. They offer local beers, a decent wine list, coffee, tea, and food. Overall, this is a great place that offers a cozy environment for listening to live music. Which brings me to the downside of Blue. Like I said, it's cozy. Cozy enough that if you're talking loudly over the band, you will be interrupting your neighbors. And sometimes the musicians. Blue is a great space to watch music, but not so much for catch up with old friends. Go for the performance and please don't be the person that everyone else in the room is forced to listen to all night. read more

Blue is a cozy little room with everything you want in a small music venue. They've got a nicely edited wine and beer list and just a few items to nosh on: cheese, bread, olives, desserts and a couple of dishes you could make a meal out of like Baked Meatballs, mmm. The music is immediate and intimate, mostly jazz, blues, old-time, and singer-songwriters, and there is never a cover. The crowd seems to be a mix of folks who come out to see the artists and those who want to meet friends for a drink and enjoy the music while they chat. This can be a tough balance to pull off, but when it's right, there's a great casual, social atmosphere. The staff is also super friendly and helpful, so I have no complaints. Except that Portland is too cold for me to live there and go to Blue all the time! read more

I had my first visit to Blue last night and I'm definitely going to be back. Monday nights are comedy nights and last night was part of the Big Name, Little Rooms schedule. We saw the comedy legend Barry Crimmins get up on stage and ramble for probably 80 minutes about a variety of topics with his hilarious take on them. It's very cozy at Blue with small round tables and chairs scattered about plus a bar at the back. We had tickets for this show and were told to find empty seats wherever. We shared a table with another couple and had a very attentive waitress. She checked in on us a few times and brought my boyfriend an Irish coffee very quickly. It came with a huge mug with Bailey's and whiskey and a dainty french press that you pour into the big mug. It just seemed like a fun way to serve it. I was a little put off that it was $10, but then again I have no idea what an Irish coffee should cost. I really like this space for comedy because there isn't a bad seat in the house. Barry was wearing a wireless mike that kept turning off and they tried to fix it, but gave up after awhile. He was speaking loud enough that I'm pretty sure the people sitting way in the back could hear him fine. I'm not sure if listening to a band here would be too overwhelming given how small it is. Perhaps just sitting near the bar would be okay. read more

Love this jazz bar! Amazing bands, positive atmosphere, great wine list. One of my favorite places in Portland.....

A (very) cozy spot to see local live music. Although I am usually interested in the acts playing, I rarely feel up to the standing-room-only situation that arises with well known groups or the demand to buy a drink as soon as you sit down (there is a one purchase minimum) sometimes they insist you make a decision before your coat is off. Overall, a decent wine list and fair prices if you can find a seat and know what you want. read more

It seems like a really nice place but the night we were there a conceptual jazz band was playing and I just wasn't in the mood for it

A small intimate music venue with big sound and welcoming atmosphere. I went to the Sean Mecher show and never being here before didn't know what to expect. The place is very small, but I had no trouble getting a seat at the bar at 7:40 for the 8 pm show. And they have half price happy hour before 8 with a nice beer selection that is already cheaper prices than I'm used to. There was no cover-just a donation request part way through the show. The five person band that barely fit on the little stage and put on a 90 minute full-on show that I would gladly have paid an admission charge to see. read more

Found my way in here for a jazz night. No cover to get in, they ask for donations for the artists, and I think that's a pretty smart system. They also frequently break and the musicians will mingle with the crowd, which is a really cool vibe. The service is relatively good, they know when to leave you alone and when to check in on you. The food service however, is exceptionally slow, and the food is mediocre. It's not bad, it's just...regular. Great beer selection, lots of local selection. Pretty good drink menu, and the prices are on par for Portland. This place could easily get another star or two upon my next visit. I'm sure some of the food service woes were just an off night. Will be back for the atmosphere, hopefully my third time will be for the food. read more

Visiting Blue here is basically like walking into a musicians living room and spying on them while they jam out. This was such a neat experience for me and my fiance and we really enjoyed listening to these talented musicians. Plus, a $4 Guinness doesn't hurt. read more

Kudos for offering a home for jazz in downtown Portland. They also feature stand up comedy. It reminded me a bit of a college rec center with its casual tables, but the bar was standard. For the opportunity to listen to live jazz on a Tuesday night over a Bissel Brothers 'Substance' I was very happy. I can't really comment on the kind of music that is typically featured, the group mid-week reminded me of some of the jam sessions I watched in college, lot of long solos, not necessarily playing as a real band. However like I said it was nice to have live jazz available and with a suggested donation instead of a cover, the bands can earn their tips. read more

Fantastic spot for no-fuss eats, reasonably priced drinks and live music! The vibe is warm and cozy, yet still cool. Happy hour deals seemed awesome, and I've heard from locals that their hotdogs are THE best in town. Bravo, Blue! read more

Great music almost every night of the week with recommended donations. Jon is the best bartender around, definitely worth stopping by while the tall guy is behind the counter to get the perfect drink. Some locals and regulars play standards & originals. read more

Blue on Congress. A Kind of Blue Miles played of. A place where fat beats mix with cool riffs and sail over the enchanted electric. A place where embodied souls pick up on cool melodies floating amongst the masses. A place where candles seem to dance against the moonlight, where free flowing PBR just tastes that much better. Blue. 5 stars. read more

Great, intimate spot. Live music, no cover but a little donation basket. Teeny tiny open kitchen, tended by the bar staff. I didn't have any food myself, but the menu looked good and all the food coming out looked tasty. Decent draft selection, craft cocktails. I definitely would stop by again the next time we're in Portland! read more

I have visited Blue on several occasions now for music and comedy events. It is a great space that hosts great events nearly every night of the week. My issues lie in the food. I am constantly disappointed at the food, which is relatively pricey for the portions you receive. The portions are closer to appetizer size. Their food also falls into a trap that many restaurants find themselves in, which is that their food has "quirky" ingredients for quirky's sake, without actually adding to the quality or taste of the food. I now plan ahead and eat before I attend an event here. read more

This place came highly recommended. The level of talent was exceptional however, after sitting for 15 minutes the hostess insisted the crowd donate a minimum of $15 to the band. It was quite nervy and I was totally turned off. I will not be revisiting. Would have had no problem throwing in money but did not appreciate being strongly urged. read more