The Annex - by Side Street Cafe

The Annex, a casual sister spot to Side Street Cafe, draws a mixed crowd for drinks and live music in Bar Harbor. The kitchen does burgers, fish tacos, and kebabs alongside Maine comfort like blueberry pie. It's the kind of place where you come for the cocktails and the band, and the food is, well, secondary. Service tends to be warm and attentive.

• Maine blueberry pie with ice cream, warm and worth ordering.
• Live music most nights, casual bar scene with good energy.
• Cocktails, especially margaritas and the Nightshift, are genuinely strong.
• Burgers are solid; friendly staff in a low-pressure setting.

Get the Maine Blueberry Pie with ice cream on the side. The burgers hold up well. A Nightshift cocktail is worth trying. Skip the fish tacos unless you're not picky about seafood quality. The margaritas are made properly. Beef kebab shows up well seasoned if you want a warm entree.

Casual and cozy with live music creating a fun, social energy. It's a bar first, restaurant second, so don't expect hushed conversation or pristine table service.

Guests rave about the cocktails and the live bands, often choosing to stay for the drinks and music even if they skip dinner. One visitor called the margaritas "delicious and perfect," and staff like Lexi earn consistent praise for warmth. The food, though, splits the room. Some love the burgers and pie; others found the tacos rushed and the fish tasting frozen.