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David's Restaurant, Monument Square, Portland.
David's Restaurant, Monument Square, Portland.
David's, FB

8 Cheap Cocktail Spots in Portland

Delicious drinks and low prices, not necessarily in that order.

by Eater Staff Updated
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David's Restaurant, Monument Square, Portland.
| David's, FB
by Eater Staff Updated

There's no question that Portland has upped its cocktail game in recent years. But these now-ubiquitous, carefully crafted concoctions of top shelf booze, small-batch bitters, house-made infusions, and freshly squeezed juices generally come with double-digit asking prices. For those not wanting to spend the better part of an Andrew Jackson on every drink, there are still some options. Here are eight places in Portland to drink well without breaking the bank. Share your own favorite cheap date spot in the comments.

Note: map points are listed south to north.

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Shays Grill Pub

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Shay's has $5 martinis all the time. There are eight to choose from, with options like the Hot & Dirty (vodka martini with olive and pepperoncini juice) and the Downhometini (bourbon, cranberry, and pink lemonade). Still not cheap enough? They're all $4 after 4 p.m. on Tuesdays.
18 Monument Sq, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 772-2626
(207) 772-2626

Downtown Lounge

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Happy Hour goes from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. every day (yup, even weekends) and features $3 well drinks. And these aren't weak drinks.
606 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 773-1363
(207) 773-1363

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The Portland Hunt + Alpine Club

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The bar that raised the bar for Portland cocktails features a $6 daily punch that's always changing. Happy Hour (4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday) also features a handful of $6 drinks to choose from.
75 Market Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 747-4754
(207) 747-4754

David's Restaurant

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The Happy Hour options are plentiful: $5 infused cocktails, $5 well Manhattans and martinis, and $4 well drinks are available weekdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
22 Monument Sq, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 773-4340
(207) 773-4340

Old Port Sea Grill

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Happy Hour is long (3 p.m. to 6 p.m.), frequent (seven days a week), and features $5 cosmos and Manhattans to pair with $2 oysters.
93 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 879-6100
(207) 879-6100

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Boone's Fish House & Oyster Room

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Cocktail specials are $5 during Happy Hour, which runs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m seven days a week.
86 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-5725
(207) 774-5725

The Armory Lounge

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On Martini Mondays from 4 to 6 p.m., all drinks on the martini menu (with over two dozen choices) are $7 at this subterranean bar.
20 Milk St, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-4200
(207) 774-4200

Geno's Rock Club

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An Old Fashioned or Manhattan will set you back far less than $10 here — and typically come with a sidecar for the overflow of the enormous portions.
625 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 221-2382
(207) 221-2382
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Shays Grill Pub

18 Monument Sq, Portland, ME 04101
Shay's has $5 martinis all the time. There are eight to choose from, with options like the Hot & Dirty (vodka martini with olive and pepperoncini juice) and the Downhometini (bourbon, cranberry, and pink lemonade). Still not cheap enough? They're all $4 after 4 p.m. on Tuesdays.
18 Monument Sq, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 772-2626
(207) 772-2626

Downtown Lounge

606 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
Happy Hour goes from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. every day (yup, even weekends) and features $3 well drinks. And these aren't weak drinks.
606 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 773-1363
(207) 773-1363

The Portland Hunt + Alpine Club

75 Market Street, Portland, ME 04101
The bar that raised the bar for Portland cocktails features a $6 daily punch that's always changing. Happy Hour (4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday) also features a handful of $6 drinks to choose from.
75 Market Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 747-4754
(207) 747-4754

David's Restaurant

22 Monument Sq, Portland, ME 04101
The Happy Hour options are plentiful: $5 infused cocktails, $5 well Manhattans and martinis, and $4 well drinks are available weekdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
22 Monument Sq, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 773-4340
(207) 773-4340

Old Port Sea Grill

93 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
Happy Hour is long (3 p.m. to 6 p.m.), frequent (seven days a week), and features $5 cosmos and Manhattans to pair with $2 oysters.
93 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 879-6100
(207) 879-6100

Boone's Fish House & Oyster Room

86 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
Cocktail specials are $5 during Happy Hour, which runs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m seven days a week.
86 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-5725
(207) 774-5725

The Armory Lounge

20 Milk St, Portland, ME 04101
On Martini Mondays from 4 to 6 p.m., all drinks on the martini menu (with over two dozen choices) are $7 at this subterranean bar.
20 Milk St, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-4200
(207) 774-4200

Geno's Rock Club

625 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101
An Old Fashioned or Manhattan will set you back far less than $10 here — and typically come with a sidecar for the overflow of the enormous portions.
625 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 221-2382
(207) 221-2382