Ironside Whiskey Bar

Ironside Whiskey Bar inhabits a split personality - one side bourbon and rye, the other china cups and scones. Tucked into the lobby level of the Portland Regency Hotel, it's simultaneously a serious spirits destination and a surprisingly ambitious afternoon tea service, each with its own following, each unearthing different truths about what the room can hold.

The whiskey program is where Ironside's confidence shows first. Over 330 spirits on hand - rare finds, limited releases, bottles that don't circulate - curated by Liz, the Bourbon Steward. If you're hunting a specific expression or open to surprise, she's the reason you come back. The cocktail menu reads like a love letter to bourbon and rye: the Milk St. Old Fashioned anchors the list, but the Bourbon Raspberry Sour and the 1895 Manhattan move with intention. Prices sit comfortably under $20 for most pours, and the food - Maine crab cakes, garlic focaccia with bone marrow, a rotating charcuterie board - knows when to step aside.

The afternoon tea service, newer and more uneven, has divided guests sharply. When it works, it's a polished hour in a quiet room with homemade finger sandwiches and proper service. When it doesn't, the gaps are glaring.

Liz knows every bottle in the house. Guests travel specifically for her expertise. Whether you walk in knowing exactly what you want or arrive blank and curious, she reads the room and the palate with equal ease. One DC visitor called her "knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and very receptive to new recipes and ideas." She's the reason the whiskey side of Ironside has staying power.

The cocktails are well-made and won't break the bank. A Bourbon Raspberry Sour or Regency Negroni lands at $14. The riffs are thoughtful - the Peach Thyme Old Fashioned trades predictability for a quiet seasonal touch - and the bar respects its base spirits rather than drowning them. With Maine craft beer and wine by the glass available, there's an entry point for every mood.

High tea is here now, and when the kitchen executes, it lands. A few guests have called it a genuine afternoon tea experience in the lounge: tiered service, homemade treats, proper tea vessels (when loose leaf cooperates), and a quiet room that feels intentional. One Boston visitor brought champagne and called it "unforgettable." The caveat: execution is inconsistent, and some guests have experienced stale bread, overly sweet desserts, and a disconnect between menu and plate.

The room feels like a private corner of the hotel, not a bar crammed into a lobby. Intimate seating arrangements of chairs and sofas, quiet noise levels most nights, and a restrained aesthetic let conversation happen. Dress code is smart casual - no jeans, but nothing formal demanded.

Free valet parking removes the Old Port parking lottery entirely. In a neighborhood where street parking is a Sunday-morning project, the complimentary valet is a genuine feature, not a nicety.

The cocktail menu is where Ironside's identity is clearest. House cocktails run $14–$16, and each one is built on a named base spirit and a clear idea. The Milk St. Old Fashioned (Old Forester Rye, orange bitters) is the anchoring classic. The 1895 Manhattan (Woodford Reserve, Carpano Antica, griotte cherry) is the other essential pour. The Bourbon Raspberry Sour and Regency Negroni are rotating favorites mentioned repeatedly in guest reviews. Order a Paloma if you want brightness without the whiskey. If the Lemon Lantern (Hibiki Harmony, house lemonade) is available, it's the one to choose on a warm evening.

For food, the Maine crab cakes with lemon tarragon aioli and Maldon salt are the standout small plate. The garlic focaccia toast - house focaccia, bone marrow spread, Great Hill blue cheese fondue - reads as more bar snack than appetizer but lands well with a cocktail. The charcuterie board (rotating cured meats, cheeses, house nuts, grapes, crostini) is designed for sharing and pairs cleanly with spirits. The power greens salad (baby mixed greens, candied walnuts, golden beets, chèvre, Maine blueberries, farro, lemon vinaigrette) offers a lighter anchor. Close with the flourless chocolate torte (toasted meringue, cherry, sea salt) if you're staying.

For afternoon tea service (offered select afternoons), order sandwiches and sweets on tiered service with a choice of loose-leaf teas. Ask the server about the day's offerings; quality hinges on kitchen execution and freshness.

The room is a hotel lounge done right - intimate groupings of upholstered chairs and sofas, warm lighting, a classy-without-trying aesthetic. Noise levels are quiet to moderate, even when the room fills. The dress code in practice is relaxed smart casual; no one will turn you away for a blazer-and-jeans combination, but t-shirts and gym wear don't belong.

One honest note: this is still a hotel lobby. Guests checking in and out will occasionally pass through. If you want absolute solitude, request a corner table or book an earlier seating. The afternoon tea service, in particular, benefits from an early slot before the afternoon crowd gathers.

The room suits dates, small celebrations, quiet drinks before dinner, and visiting guests who want to feel taken care of. It's not a see-and-be-seen cocktail scene; it's a place to sit, drink something good, and talk.

Whiskey Bar: Wednesday–Saturday, 5:00 pm–11:00 pm. Sunday, 5:00 pm–10:00 pm. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Afternoon Tea Service: Select afternoons (check availability when booking).

Closed: Monday and Tuesday.

Ironside operates on a reservation system through OpenTable; walk-ins are accommodated if space allows, but booking ahead is strongly advised, especially for afternoon tea. Call (207) 774-4200 or reserve online. Afternoon tea in particular fills quickly, particularly on rainy days and weekends. Allow 2–3 weeks' notice for groups of more than four. The whiskey bar is more forgiving for walk-in traffic on quieter nights (Wednesday, Sunday), but weekend evenings are snug.

"Liz made our trip unforgettable. Knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and very receptive to new recipes and ideas. She was fantastic." - Harrison, Washington DC · 5★

"A very enjoyable way to spend a rainy afternoon. The room is set up with intimate arrangements of comfortable chairs & sofas. Everything was delicious & service staff are helpful & attentive." - Faylinda, Baltimore · 5★

"We had High Tea! It was fabulous. Perfect actually." - Nancy, Greater Boston · 5★

"Gabby was our server and was attentive without hovering. The high tea food was delicious and the tea was very good with several varieties to choose from." - Deb, Maine · 5★

"Went to the lounge for afternoon tea, which was quite nice. Both the food (sandwiches and sweets) and the tea were fine. Servers were very good." - Keith, Maine · 4★

"Their savory sandwiches were scant but the desserts were far too much. Just felt like a money grab versus a good experience." - Brendan, Washington DC · 2★

The whiskey program draws consistent praise, particularly for Liz and the cocktails. Afternoon tea divides the room: guests arriving with modest expectations and a flexible palate report joy; guests comparing it to traditional tea services in Boston or New York surface issues with menu execution, bread freshness, and the hotel-lobby ambiance. Value complaints cluster around tea service ($33 per person), not the bar itself.

Ironside sits on the lobby level of the Portland Regency Hotel, in the heart of the Old Port - Portland's historic waterfront neighborhood, walkable and concentrated.

• On foot from Congress Street (downtown Portland): 5–10 minutes through the Old Port.
• By car from the Midcoast: 20–30 minutes from Brunswick or Rockland.
• From Portland International Jetport: 10 minutes north.
• Nearby walks: The Portland Observatory is a 3-minute walk. Fore Street and the waterfront parks are 2 minutes. Custom House Wharf and the ferry terminal are steps away.
• Day trip option: Ironside anchors a Old Port visit; pair it with lunch at a nearby restaurant, a waterfront walk, or an afternoon at the Portland Museum of Art (10 minutes up Congress Street).
• Parking: Complimentary valet through the hotel. Street parking in the Old Port is difficult and metered.

Do I need a reservation? Yes, especially for weekend evenings and afternoon tea service. Walk-ins work on quiet weeknights if space allows, but book through OpenTable or call ahead to be safe.

What's the dress code in practice? Smart casual. No athletic wear or t-shirts; blazer and jeans, or a nice dress, fits perfectly. The room expects you to look like you're out for something, not running an errand.

Is afternoon tea service offered every day? No. It's a select-afternoon offering tied to hotel events and availability. Check the OpenTable calendar or call (207) 774-4200 to confirm. Book 2–3 weeks ahead if you're planning around it.

Is there wheelchair accessibility? The lounge is on the hotel lobby level; accessibility depends on the Regency Hotel's entry and elevator infrastructure. Call ahead to confirm ADA accommodation.

Can I get a table just for cocktails, or is there a minimum food order? The bar operates on a full lounge model; food is not required, but ordering small plates or snacks is customary and expected. Drinks alone, for 1–2 hours, is standard practice.

Does Ironside have a wine or beer program? Yes. Maine craft beer on draft (Maine Beer Co., Cushnoc, Hard Tellin') and wine by the glass (Sauvignon Blanc, Prosecco, Pinot Noir, Cabernet), around $12–$16. The focus is spirits, but alternatives are available.

Is there outdoor seating? No. The lounge is entirely indoors on the hotel lobby level.

Can I do a private event here? The Regency Hotel offers private dining and event space; contact the hotel directly at (207) 774-4200 or via the website to discuss group bookings.