I recently had an interesting question posed to me by a tourist from the New York area. He was in town for a family obligation, and wanted to know about the Portland nightlife. I provided him with the information that he was looking for, and as he left, I found myself inspired.
As I started to plan my next excursion out, I decided that a “double feature” of sorts was in order. Therefore, I settled on Arcadia National Bar and Top of the East. Both are located in Downtown Portland, and both are very much worth a visit. Arcadia (not to be confused with Acadia National Park) is great experience, whether you just turned twenty-one or forty-one. Arcadia sets itself apart for having an impressive collection of games. Arcade cabinets are scattered around the bar for those who want to relive their arcade days. Classic games like Tetris can be found, along with modern classics like The Simpson’s game and Tekken. If pinball is more your speed, don’t despair, as pinball machines can be found as well. There are even a couple of skee ball machines at the back of the bar! While the arcade games and the pinball machines are not free to play, Arcadia provides an ATM, a change machine, and Tupperware’s so patrons can carry their quarters around with them.
Arcadia even has a number of different consoles available. These gaming systems are free to play, and are quite popular. Customers can find a Super Nintendo, a Nintendo 64, a Wii U, an X-Box One, and a PlayStation 4. Most of the games available are multiplayer games, so friends don’t have to be left out. Arcadia also offers a selection of board games, like Settlers of Catan and Battleships. While playing these games at the bar can pose a problem, there are tables where patrons can eat, drink, and play their chosen board games. Arcadia even provides a couple of picnic tables for larger groups of people.
Arcadia National Bar has a wide selection of craft beers available on draft, in a can, as well as in bottles. It’s quite an impressive selection, and I quickly discovered, to my delight, that there were quite a few beers that were brewed in Maine. Cocktails are made here as well, and their names reference different characters from “nerd-culture,” such names as Falcon Punch, Doctor Manhattan, and Pickle Rick. If you’re craving a late night snack, Arcadia has you covered. The kitchen closes at 12:30 am, which provides ample time for patrons to get their fill of food.
With my trip to Arcadia concluded, my excursion to the Top of the East started. The Top of the East sits atop of The Westin and provides a great view of the city of Portland. I entered the lounge around 6 pm, and since it was mid-October, the sun was setting, lighting the sky up in beautiful colors. From my table, I saw the city of Portland sprawl out before me, while airplanes came into to the nearby airport. The ocean was also visible from my table, which added to an already beautiful sight.
There were plenty of seating options when entering the Top of the East. There are tables in the middle of the restaurant, while other tables line the perimeter. Patrons can also sit at the bar if they prefer, and depending on where you sit, you can still catch a glimpse of the city of Portland. For a much more intimate setting, couches are provided along one of the walls. The Top of the East even provides a TV, and a small party was gathered around watching the football game.
When my Caser Salad arrived, I dug in and was extremely happy with what I was eating. Mixed greens sat on top of my salad, and it definitely added to the already flavorful meal. The cocktails were masterfully made, and quite delicious. I even ordered a cheesecake, which was made in a mason jar.
All in all, both experiences are fine examples of the nightlife in this extraordinary state. While each experience was vastly different, there is still a lot of fun and good times to be had regardless of where you go. If you’re looking for more information on Arcadia you can find it here, and for information on the Top of the East, you can find it here. Now that these two adventures are over, I ask myself the ever-present question in my life, where do I go next?
themerrymainer 