Arcadia 2.0

I’ve written before about how Covid changed Maine’s landscape. The shift brought on by Covid has allowed some businesses to flourish while others floundered. Arcadia National Bar falls into the former. I have written about Arcadia before when they were a hole in the wall, but now they have blossomed into a full-scale bar with two floors.

The biggest change Arcadia went through is the amount of space available to them. There are two floors of games available to customers. The first floor is primarily pinball with some classic games scattered throughout the bar. The classic games include Q-Bert, Pong, and Mr. and Mrs. Pac-Man. The basement level is mostly devoted to sports games, like skeeball and a hockey game. Arcadia even has a PlayStation 5 in their basement level. All the games take quarters, so Arcadia provides an ATM as well as two quarter machines on the first level. There are even boardgames that patrons can play while they visit Arcadia.

Arcadia has plenty of seating.  There are stools that surround the bar, and there are two booths near the bar as well.  Arcadia also provides a couple of tables by the front windows, and those windows look out onto Congress Street.  There are seats scattered around the gaming floor, allowing patrons to watch people play their games.  Arcadia even has its own version of a food court, an area devoted to serving food to guests.  Those enjoying the food Arcadia has to offer can sit in the booths that line the food court.  Visitors can enjoy a variety of food, including garlic knots, pizza, sandwiches and hotdogs, and a whole slew of desserts.  Arcadia offers a comprehensive list of drinks to those who come to sit back and relax.  Draft beer, wines, liquor, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks are all available for purchase.

Arcadia does a lot to sets itself apart from other bars.  For example, during the colder months, when people are wearing heavy coats, Arcadia has a coat check.  Additionally, there is outdoor seating during the warmer months, so people can enjoy the weather.  Finally, Arcadia host a whole series of events.  Every Thursday, Arcadia hosts a trivia night, with prizes for those who place first, second, and third.  Arcadia even hosted a Pride event during Pride Month.

Arcadia offers so much to their patrons. Whether you want to play pinball or skeeball, this local watering hole has you covered. If you want to learn more about Arcadia, you can click here. As always, I leave you with this question. Where should I go to next?

The Gritty Reality of Good Food

Freeport, like Portland, has a great restaurant scene.  So, it should come as no surprise that my next stop during Restaurant week was Gritty McDuffs Freeport Brewpub.  Located on Lower Main Street, this blink and you miss it pub is a great place to stop during your shopping adventure.

 

Seating is plentiful, and during the off season, guests are able to find a place to sit relatively easily.  There are seats at the bar, tables, long tables that seat eight, and picnic tables.  The menu is large, with soups, salads, burgers and so much more.  Gritty’s has a rotating menu of soup, chowder, and cheesecake.

 

The service is top notch, and the drinks are absolutely delicious.  I settled on the cheeseburger, with a side of fries, which was great, and I also had the cheesecake of the day, which was the peanut butter finger cheesecake.  If you want more information on Gritty McDuffs, you can click here.  Sadly, tomorrow is my last post during Restaurant Week, but I’m far from done visiting restaurant’s in Maine.  As always, I ask, where should I go next?

A Smooth Landing at the Flight Deck

Microbreweries are becoming more and more common, with Maine hosting an assortment of breweries throughout the state.   In my time here in Maine, I’ve heard people frequently talk about Flight Deck Brewing, so I made my way out to Brunswick to see what the buzz was all about.  Flight Deck Brewing is located in a converted small arms range at the Brunswick Naval Air Station.  Driving through the compound was a pleasant experience, as there wasn’t a lot of traffic, and I drove past a couple of decommissioned planes.  While the brewery is housed in a grey building, there are plenty of signs pointing to Flight Deck.  Furthermore, if you miss the first entrance, don’t despair, a second entrance isn’t much further down the road.

As it was Saturday, Flight Deck was packed by the time I arrived.  Additionally, the brewery was celebrating their two-year anniversary, which definitely brought in the extra clientele.  There are two seating sections within the brewery, with the larger area hosting seats at the bar, high tops, and picnic tables.  The smaller seating area has a couple of leather couches, along with picnic tables and a small counter.  Its in this area where brewing equipment can be viewed, each named after a “Top Gun” characters.  Furthermore, Flight Deck is decorated with model planes, along with flying equipment like helmet and goggles.  Flight Deck even provides a TV tuned to the day’s sporting event.

Flight Deck brews their beer in house, and their passion for their beers is evident.  According to their website, they are closed every Monday to dedicate the day to brewing plenty of beer.  They have an assortment of beers, and each drink is described on their menus.  Like many other drinking establishments, patrons can purchase a flight of beers, or a singular beer in an array of sizes.  Flight Deck has even bottled some of their beer, so folks can bring some beer home with them.

Flight Deck Brewing is a great place to bring you kids, as there are child friendly drinks available as well. If your kids happen to have four legs, a tail, and an affinity for milk bones, you can bring them along too. There are treats at the bar if your dog needs a snack.  The lawn provides a great space for kids, dogs, and grownups to sit and enjoy the day as well.  Picnic tables and benches are scattered around the space, with corn hole available for guests.  There’s even a fire pit that provides warmth during the colder months, and illumination at night

Since I had yet to eat lunch, I made my way to a food truck called Cooks Lobster and Ale House.  With seafood and pub fare, there’s something for everyone.  Both the food truck and Flight Deck accept both cash and plastic, so paying is convenient on all fronts.  Furthermore, one of the decommissioned planes is close by, providing a photo opportunity for guests.  Flight Deck host a whole slew of events as well, which can be found on their website.

As I continue to travel to different microbreweries, I’ve begun to notice to a certain pattern. Each brewery I’ve visited has done something to make it wholly unique.  Flight Deck Brewing works to embrace their roots, in their décor, as well as the “Top Gun” references.  The fire pit and the food truck were nice touches that added to the atmosphere at Flight Deck.  More information about Flight Deck can be found here, while their event schedule can be found here.  As I wrap up this post, the ever-eternal question leaps to mind, where should I go to next?