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    Inkwell

    4.1 (20 reviews)
    Open 6:30 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

    Inkwell Photos

    INKWELL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Good for groups
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Inkwell

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    Laura R.

    I LOVE the vibe of The Inkwell at The Press Hotel. Some drinks have been better than others, but generally speaking I've enjoyed my times there. The raw oysters offered recently were delicious! I had a dozen of them and would have had more, if we'd had more time. It's generally a quiet environment that's relaxed and great for chatting! There's always something to watch out the windows, if you're alone or having a pensive moment. Parking isn't always easy, but the hotel does have valet parking (idk if they do it for the Inkwell or not). I'll definitely be back again soon!

    Outside
    Ashley W.

    I recommend this place for everyone visiting Portland. The customer service was absolutely fantastic as well as the food. The $1 oysters were big and juicy and the $10 lobster roll was decent. The dill chips went well with the $6 happy hour rose. The atmosphere was great and there's street parking. Note that the inkwell is at the lobby of the press hotel so the space is small, make sure to call for a reservation before going. The phone number on yelp/google is incorrect, call the press hotel instead. Covid menu: https://qrcgcustomers.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/account8794173/8568667_4.pdf?0.850134125878391

    Happy Hour Oysters!
    Ben G.

    My fiancé and I were staying at the Press Hotel, and when we arrived in our room, we heard there was a happy hour downstairs. We headed into The Inkwell, were seated a safe distance from others and started with a couple of amazing cocktails. They're simple but packed with flavor and all at a great value. The happy hour prices are honestly pretty insane, so we ordered quite a bit. The house made chips are perfect, the aracini was delicious and we event went in on some oysters, which were extremely fresh and came with a great blueberry sauce. Overall, the food was delicious, the drinks were great and the service was fantastic. Everyone was so kind and warm. We were lucky enough to be in when Colleen was there, a food and beverage director. She's a gem and made the experience that much better!

    Lobster rolls, cider
    Yulia A.

    What a fantastic experience it was! I knew about oyster& lobster roll special from 4-7 so I booked a table in advance. The lobster rolls ($5 each) were so great that I got a few. Presentation of oysters was on point, with $1 per each I savored over a dozen. Draft beers& cider were just 3$ each. Food was wonderful, service was extra friendly. Loved it

    Lobster roll
    Katie S.

    Inkwell is such a nice lounge! We got the lobster roll with chips ($12). First time I had a lobster roll, and it was delicious; I am hooked. The bread was nicely buttered and toasted (think grilled cheese) and the lobster pieces were huge. We also got the house wine for $6 and the rotating draft of the day for $3. Overall, it was a very nice happy hour and our waiter was amazing.

    Rachel D.

    I hate giving a place two stars but when I went to The Inkwell to experience the new Press Hotel bar I was, to put it nicely, underwhelmed. When you first walk in there is a very interesting wall design with type-writers hanging all over the place. I've never seen this before so this was intriguing and set my hopes high. Aside from the interesting wall art they even had a trio playing jazz, even better! I head towards the bar in an attempt to find something delicious to sip. They weren't extremely busy (maybe 8 other people there total) and it took a little while for me to be greeted and given a menu. Granted I was standing, but I was planning on taking my drink back to a table top to enjoy the music. They had a diminished cocktail list and nothing stood out to me. Being adventurous I tried a coffee / espresso cocktail. I was shortly after that informed they were missing one of the components (second night open and you're missing a cocktail component?) but he could make it anyway. I should have ordered something else, but went ahead. 25 minutes later, and with help, the cocktail was completed and we were happily on our way out of there. I see they have completely different cocktails listed on their site so I'm assuming they made some cocktail changes since the opening. I'm interested in trying this spot again but there are far too many good cocktail bars in Portland now. To be safe, if I were you, I'd go with wine or beer. Good atmosphere but definitely overpriced, the ambiance does not warrant $12 cocktails.

    Lobster roll and Sauvignon Blanc

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    Ask the Community - Inkwell

    Review Highlights - Inkwell

    Check their website for specials but when we went, HH was between 4-7pm, and offered $5 wines, $2 drafts and $5 lobster rolls.

    $20 Maine Lobster Rolls

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    Room for Improvement

    Room for Improvement

    4.6(57 reviews)
    0.2 miOld Port

    I've only heard good things about room for improvement and I was so glad to finally make it there!…read moreThis low ceiling, cozy bar has moody, lighting, booths, bar seating, and an outdoor standing bar. It's such a vibe for a late night drinking or grabbing a quick bite as they have such good food! They've made using the restroom fun as it's decorated with Polaroids from guests, and another funny item (you'll have to see for yourself) You need to get their espresso martini. The cold foam topping it off is the most delicious thing I've ever had.

    I enjoyed the bar that use to be located here that was called Jager. It was all German themed and I…read moremostly went for the beers. Room for Improvement has been around for quite awhile at this point and I have heard nothing but positive about it. My wife and I finally made the time to come here and glad we did. With it being Halloween they have a special theme this week called Doom for Improvement so we thought it was the perfect time to visit! We showed up at opening for a spot to beat Halloween crowd on wharf street. I was reminded of Jager right away in the sense it felt familiar while also feeling new. They decked it out with Halloween decorations and bartenders were dressed up. We had Bojack Horseman serving us who was a top notch bartender, friendly, answered any questions and had good vibes! My wife tried their Pineapple Daiquiri and their Espresso Martini. I went with the Halloween themed drinks and got the Rest In Peeses that was a peanut butter (Reese's) themed Old Fashioned. Secondly I grabbed their Plenty Evil that was inspired by the Good & Plenty candy Absinthe Frappe. My wife's drinks were phenomenal and would both be go to orders for her and we both found a new favorite Espresso Martini. My first drink nailed the perfect mix of peanut butter flavor with a classic Old Fashioned. Secondly despite not being a huge licorice/good & plenty candy this drink was delicious! I look forward to returning for a non Halloween themed visit but we were both extremely impressed. If you are looking for a bar to grab drinks and want a nice and chill vibe this is your spot. Expect friendly bartenders who make high quality drinks!

    Photos
    Room for Improvement - Inside at the bar

    Inside at the bar

    Room for Improvement - Sauerkraut dog

    Sauerkraut dog

    Room for Improvement - Their espressotini, made with banana and coconut! Vegan

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    Their espressotini, made with banana and coconut! Vegan

    The Independent Ice - BBQ Pulled Port Sliders
Two Per Serving , BBQ Pulled Pork, Coleslaw, Fresh Baked Sliders Buns

    The Independent Ice

    4.6(248 reviews)
    0.3 miOld Port
    $$

    Great intimate bar that has an extensive bourbon collection that's on great display. There's long…read morebar area and some booths. We stopped in for drinks only. The food around us looked terrific. We ordered an espresso martini that was great - they ask if want dark or creamy. Also ordered a drink l that was pink - can't remember name and did t take pic of menu! It was good. Ended with an Irish coffee. Server super nice and attentive. Very nice place to stop for a drink or their food!

    Headed out to celebrate our wedding anniversary and had heard good things about Independent Ice so…read moreasked to go there. Parking for Wharf St is either on street, none available, or parking garage conveniently located across Union Street. Entrance is a little difficult to locate due to lack of lighting. It's close to Union St but on Wharf. Hostess with a smile greeted us and sat us in a corner booth as per our request as there were a few options of tour party of 3. We were seated in the corner booth, given menus and water poured into the glasses. With in 5 minutes our server came to take care of us. I had lots of questions since I like spirits, whiskey and am curious about what is out there. They have a HUGE selection of whiskeys and bourbons so easy to get lost. Sadly, the menu for these things is huge and does not give any description as to flavor or smoothness, just where they are made and how much a half and full pour is. The whiskey flight caught my eye as I am looking for a new whiskey in addition the my favorite Jamesons. When I asked the server he said the Maine flight sucks! OK, then asked about the two other flight menus and was given the names I can clearly see in the wall menu, no further information was given. We ordered our drinks, Espresso martini listed in their Happy Hour menu, a Prosecco, two Jamesons Black barrel, a light beer and a ginger ale chaser. Food menu was good with a few options for appetizers, salads/soup, entrees, and desserts. Having read reviews and previewing the menu ordered the Whipped Ricotta with honey and Wasabi peas. Smash burger, Tortellini with chicken, and when it was my turn to order I responded with the Southern Chicken. As I read the description saw a few red flags for spicy. When I said hold on, to see if I wanted the other chicken sandwich, this clearly was an inconvenience for him evidenced by the audible sigh and eye roll! OK I'll take the sandwich don't want to rock his boat. While waiting for our food, two of the three of us finished their drinks. Waiter was no where to be seen for 4 minutes, when he did surface at the back of the building, we had to wait while he had a texting conversation at the end of the bar. This took an additional 4 minutes then he attended his other tables, cleared our appetizer plates and walked off. Came back for our second round and again I am looking to try something new. I asked what has a smooth buttery finish, he rambled of a bunch of names and said "you are looking for something that was toasted in the barrel". Great! Oh wait not so much, the menu doesn't give you that information so again another opportunity for an up sell missed. I asked about the West Cork whiskey, he took out his phone and started scrolling and scrolling with no further information for me to try it. "It's not as good as Jameson". OK I'll stick with what I always get and have given up. A wall full of whiskeys and bourbons and the reason for our visit has been defeated. Food came out hot and was very good. French fries were exceptional. When we were done, our server took up a conversation with someone at the bar and stood with his back to us as our plates are being piled up. Hostess ended up clearing our plates and getting our to go container. After finishing his conversation at the bar, he was very happy to give our check for us to leave. Not sure why we were given this kind of service, but he missed an opportunity for up sells three times. Show interest in your customers. Sadly disappointed and will not be back. Service was terrible and made us feel like an inconvenience. Tipped well even though the service was lacking because the Food was very good. ***Please note that they state in their whiskey menu that their pours are NOT normal pours; one ounce pour here is only .75 and full pour is not a full 2 ounces but 1.5.

    Photos
    The Independent Ice - Maine Whiskey Flight

    Maine Whiskey Flight

    The Independent Ice - Shaved sirloin hoagie (cheesesteak)

    Shaved sirloin hoagie (cheesesteak)

    The Independent Ice - Outside

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    Outside

    Lucky Cheetah - Sichuan Cucumbers

    Lucky Cheetah

    4.3(74 reviews)
    0.2 miOld Port

    I'd like to start this by saying that I never write reviews...and I have zero connection to this…read morerestaurant I had no idea what I was in for when I walked in. All of my memories there are from the Old Port Tavern. they truly transformed the place into an amazing space. I honestly took a moment to look around and take it all in before I sat down. it's gorgeous and fun and really has a personality of its own. good music. top notch staff. and phenomenal food. the chef happened to hear us talking about the Old Port TaVern and made a point to come by and say hello. chef Charlie Eems totally took us by surprise. He was so friendly and courteous, but his food was better. The flavors textures and experience was honestly the most fun I've had at a restaurant in a long time. highlights (all of it) soup dumplings, brocolli rabe, and chocolate torte with black vinegar stawberry compote... go check it out!

    The Lucky Cheetah is an absolutely amazing place! Think delicious dim sum with a twist combined…read morewith a fun tiki bar vibe combined with a sophisticated retro speakeasy décor and ambiance. What could be better than a dumpling lounge? We just went for the first time and were blown away. The ambiance of the place is unique. It feels like a chic timeless but retro speakeasy with the fun atmosphere of a tiki bar. Dark red and black colors, floral art, Art Deco chandeliers, lacquered tables, kitsch and fun cheetah lamps and statues. It immediately put a smile on our faces. The food is also unique. Dim sum for dinner but with more sophisticated twists and better quality than you'll find in most Chinatowns. You start by getting a dish with three different dipping sauces for the dumplings. The hot and sour soup was rich in peanut flavor, filled with tofu, mushrooms, and seaweed, with a cumulative little kick of spiciness. It was a great start and a major cut above anything we've ever had in a Chinese restaurant. The sichuan cucumber salad are Chinese cucumbers innovatively cut into a spiral like a slinky or coil spring. You pick them up with chopsticks and they spring up and down! Served in a horseradish and pepper coulis, they had a spicy kick. Don't miss the mojo baby corn. It's grilled, crispy, and addictive. You'll want a bucket of it when watching a movie. Steamed soup dumplings are filled with ham or prosciutto, a nicely salty and meaty twist on the standard ones. Steamed mushroom and truffle dumplings are probably the closest to traditional dim sum, rich, flavorful, and packed with shrooms. Crab and lobster lucky bags were deep fried wontons filled with a mix of ground lobster and crab, on a bed of crème fraiche with scallions. A great contrast with the crispy salty shell and soft filling! Our favorite was the sesame beef bao. They look like the traditional sesame balls in Chinese restaurants, crispy on the outside, pillowy soft inside but filled with brisket! They were mouth wateringly delicious! There was a selection of larger entrée plates that looked good (fried rice, lo mein, crispy chicken) that we didn't try but will next time. The drink menu was three pages long. Every kind of creative cocktail you can imagine, a long list of wines and sparking drinks, at prices from reasonable to 'special occasion.' For the atmosphere and ambiance, it seemed like cocktails or sparkling wine went best. All the staff and the manager couldn't have been nicer and more welcoming. They made us feel like old friends. Their warmth was genuine, we were sincerely touched by their friendliness. We were smiling and laughing the whole time, and amazed at how delicious the food was. It's unique. It's so much more than just a delicious meal. Going here is truly an experience, one that we'll remember for a long time and want to repeat often. It's an incredibly special place, and you feel special being here. You won't find a place like this outside of New York City, but here it is in Portland. We're going to go back often and regularly.

    Photos
    Lucky Cheetah - Decor in the back room

    Decor in the back room

    Lucky Cheetah - Sweet & sour cod

    Sweet & sour cod

    Lucky Cheetah - Sweet & sour cod

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    Sweet & sour cod

    Cuties - Bar

    Cuties

    4.5(36 reviews)
    0.2 miOld Port

    Awesome place to grab a drink anytime do the day and a snack. Super cool vibes and great staff…read more Very welcoming and friendly. All employees were attentive and helpful. Menu has tons to offer. There's coffee drinks, alcoholic beverages, various snacks and food, etc. Lots of talent and thought has gone into what they offer. We order a Bitchin Michelada and a spicy bloody! Both amazing!! Well done. For sure stop in this gem of a place regardless of the time of day as they have lots to offer.

    I gave Cuties a chance during its opening weekend and thought it wasn't for me. It was too crowded,…read moreobnoxiously loud, and I just felt like I didn't fit in. Fast-forward to now: I was walking around with a friend and we felt like having a drink, and Cuties was right nearby. I decided to give it another shot, and I'm glad I did because my experience was incredibly better. First of all, the place felt a lot more welcoming and less overwhelming. I finally had a chance to look at all the decor and details, and my eyes were FEASTING on the colorful touches and funky vibes. Our server was very nice, and even though we only ordered one drink and definitely stayed there for a good amount of time, he wasn't pushy in any way. My cocktail, the Wink n Nod, was soooo good. It had vodka, gin, manzanilla, olives, and pickled Fresno brine. The result was a yummy concoction with a punch, one that I could savor and not slurp in ten seconds. That said, I gotta say I was surprised by how busy the place was given how early we went. It wasn't even 4pm. I don't think I would come back in the summer or during peak hours because I could definitely see them getting busy, just like during their opening weekend, and having an entirely different experience. Note: Although I didn't try any, I was happily impressed by the food options and non-alcoholic options. A true all-day bar!

    Photos
    Cuties
    Cuties
    Cuties - Menu

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    Menu

    Inkwell - tapasmallplates - Updated May 2026

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