Bonfire Country Bar Portland

Bar · Portland

Bonfire Country Bar Portland

Bar · Portland

1

37 Wharf St, Portland, ME 04101

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Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null
Bonfire Country Bar Portland by null

Highlights

Nestled on Wharf Street, Bonfire is a rustic-chic country bar that serves up good vibes, free bacon happy hours, and a fun mix of country music with unique seating options like saddle stools and swinging tables.  

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37 Wharf St, Portland, ME 04101 Get directions

bonfire.country
@bonfireportland

$$ · Menu

Information

Static Map

37 Wharf St, Portland, ME 04101 Get directions

+1 877 653 7678
bonfire.country
@bonfireportland

$$ · Menu

Features

dine in
takeout
delivery
wifi
payment credit card
Tap to pay
outdoor seating

Last updated

Jul 5, 2025

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"Bonfire is a country bar located on one of the historic cobble-stoned streets in Portland's Old Port. Rustic-chic in decor, expect to see lots of solar solo cups and hear your fare fair share of country music while sitting on a horse saddle style stool or, even better, at the swinging bench table." - Mainelyseo

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Ian Ashland

Google
I have come here many times over the years and I am always pleasantly surprised by how much fun I have every time. The bartenders are kind, down to earth, and friendly. The atmosphere is very country, but in that fun way, and it's a place to go to dance. And the drinks are phenomenal. On my most recent visit I was drawn in by the Toasted Marshmellow Espresso Martini advertised on the special board outside and I was not disappointed!

Brady Darnell

Google
I recently had the pleasure of being served by a fantastic bartender named lauren who truly elevated my dining experience. Their exceptional skills behind the bar were matched only by their warm and engaging personality. From crafting delicious cocktails with precision to providing attentive and friendly service, this bartender went above and beyond to ensure that every guest felt welcomed and taken care of.

Valerie Ridlon

Google
A quick date night on a Sunday, no crowds, that was nice. Great atmosphere l, different than other establishments.

Taylor Snipes

Google
Epic bar with a country theme serving up great drinks! Located on the iconic Wharf St, you can easily bar hop down one of my favorite streets in Portland. If you’re a country fan, this is your spot. They play all the latest country hits plus the classics. I love the vibe in here, especially the seating. You’ve got saddle stools (never seen those before lol) and a swinging booth. Service is great too.

Erik Gumaer

Google
I highly recommend the bartender Lauren for their exceptional service, and dedication to providing an unforgettable experience for guests. I look forward to returning to the bar and enjoying more of amazing atmosphere she provided. Cheers to an outstanding bartender!

Katie Hice

Google
Music was great variety of country... Seats were fun & adorable but everything else was not good. Menu of food & drinks on table but did not have food (then why are menu on every table) we have bacon...umm ok? Bartender was hanging with her friend & needed to be prompted to serve people... Really bad , only 10 people in bar...

Leigha Taber

Google
Great bar as always! You can always count on amazing service from bartenders like Jill and music to sing along to! Try the s’mores martini, you won't regret it! Free bacon during happy hour 🙌

Robert Nicol

Google
Staff is super friendly! A great environment, the chairs alone are enough reason to visit. And they have free bacon during happy hour!!

Emma H.

Yelp
Fun country bar in portland. A younger crowd and gets a bit roudy at night. They have lots of cool seating, games, and great music. My friends and I had a blast here!

Adam C.

Yelp
I did not expect a honky took up north in Portland, but here it was. The country music blasting on tv screens, you would think you were in a gay bar with country music. Cheap beers and truly a country feel in New England what's not to like? Service is friendly with a smile.

Nefarious C.

Yelp
Came here while bar hopping on my 21st birthday and was very disappointed. Place was filled with depressed middle aged men and the bartenders were very rude and indifferent about it being my special day, left after being there for only 5 minutes. Had a very shitty and sad vibe overall. Do not recommend coming here.

Selah S.

Yelp
Jill by far is the best bartender in Portland. Shots- to die for. Mixed drinks- legendary. Customer service- above and beyond. Atmosphere is something you can only find in Portland Maine. I was wondering the old port absolutely parched when I stumbled upon Jill's smiling face and the aroma of bacon and I knew I was home.

Chris B.

Yelp
Cool spot. Super loud . Place was busy bartenders weren't very attentive. Would definitely hang there again

Lisa M.

Yelp
I thought this would be a cool bar to check out in Portland based on their happy hour specials and country theme- the first time we tried to find the bar our google maps said we were there on a main road but you have to go down a side road to find it (FYI!) - it's across from the chocolate bar instead. We came during what we thought was happy hour (4-7 pm everyday as listed on their website and even the receipt we got that day) but apparently happy hour is no longer a thing. The bartender kind of looked at like we were making something up - she didn't even give a reason why there wasn't (like I expect it's because of Covid.) And again, the receipt I signed for the drink I ordered had it advertised on the bottom - I would recommend updating that if it's something no longer offered. The bar had some unique finds- benches for seats, saddleback looking seats, and other fun items. I would guess this place would get more crowded and loud the later you come. The outside patio area was a nice option for a slightly quieter experience and to enjoy the nice weather.

Kevin C.

Yelp
Came here with a couple friends. Went up to the bar to order a drink. Immediately, the bartender was very rude and was yelling at us so I didn't tip her. When she noticed that I didn't tip her she asked why. I told her she was being rude. She then called over security and told them to kick me out. It was truly absurd.

Monica G.

Yelp
Soooo fun!! Manager accommodated our large friend group with special shots! Music was just our style and great country vibe. Thanks for helping us celebrate!

Amaury J.

Yelp
A fun bar in Wharf Street, which actually looks like a bit much from the outside (we were hesitant to go in), but once inside you might change your mind! We visited Bonfire Country Bar on a Friday, and they were packed. A friend was visiting us in town and asked us to go in, so we agreed. And I am glad we did, because otherwise we probably would've never explored this place. We had to wait for about 5 mins to get inside, but once we made it we understood why they were so popular. Loud music, fun drinks, a cool crowd, and zero frills or pretentiousness. We sat in the funniest bar stools (let's just say you'll have a cool looking butt with these) and ordered the trailer park trash cocktail, or at least I think that's what it was called. Although my partner hated his drink, I actually loved it. It was a mix of three types of alcohol, but it tasted fresh to me? Don't judge. We'll we be back? Probably not, unless another friend asks us to go. Nonetheless, we had a great a time.

Paige L.

Yelp
We both ordered the 32 oz beers, which we likely wouldn't have done if we realized it was closing at 9. That's our fault for not going out enough to know. I ordered the cider, which was pretty typical for a cider. Being from the south - I felt right at home with the music and the mason jars. If you're drunk, be aware the bathroom door SLIDES. I got laughed at by a table of old dudes because my drunk self couldn't figure out the door. Alcohol ya know? Our waitress had tons of tables, but she was incredibly attentive and kind. If she sees this (no idea her name), good luck in nursing school - we both could tell you'll be great!

Crazy F.

Yelp
Scariest place in Portland, there are no gay people and the drinks aren't strong enough

Adam S.

Yelp
Yesterday, it began to drizzle and in an attempt to shield myself and my husband Richard's new perm from the rain, we wandered into the first establishment we could get our paws on. It happened to be the Bonfire Country Bar. Immediately, I felt like we had made a mistake. From the horrifying music, the gun arcade game and the visually upsetting bar stools, it felt like a hate crime about to happen. Still can't get over the barstools, I haven't seen that much butt crack since my good girl Tina's 25th in Philly. Only difference is today, no one got arrested. Once I moved past the visual horror, it was time to eat. Surprisingly, the food and the drinks were delicious! If I close my eyes and ears, it would have be perfect! It was the only time in my life I have been jealous of Helen Keller! Overall, this gets four stars. Would I stumble in here accidentally on purpose again? Maybe.

Hannah H.

Yelp
We came last night we had a fabulous time the bartender was lovely and so nice to talk to. However tonight we came in ordered drinks paid for what we ordered so far the lady counted the money and asked if we weren't going to tip we explained we are going to be here a while and needed to break bills but she would definitely be getting a tip; after that explanation she stated she could break a bill now or she would no longer be serving us and stated it's Maine law to leave a tip at every order. I'm a white female my man's a black man I don't know if that has anything to do with it but she should be fired awesome bar other than her

Zach M.

Yelp
Bonfire is ONFIRE . Came here on a Saturday night and they were serving hits on hits all night long. Electric atmosphere fueled by country classics and new hits alike. Ran into many bachelor and bachelorette parties here (peak season) which only added gas to the fire. Was fortunate to watch the men's Olympic 1500m final where we chanted "USA" as we watched the red white and blue take home the g o l d.

Lena V.

Yelp
Saddle up! This bar is young, fun and cowboy themed! It's placed right in the heart of downtown Portland where all the party buzzing seems to concentrate. Modern country playing in the background, music videos on TV screens, beautiful blond bartenders wearing just American flag sports bras are ready to pour your drinks, raw wood and fun seats all around (swings, logs with saddle imitating horses, bar chairs with "not your" butts). There was giant Jenga available that I saw people playing on the bar patio.. Everything in this bar is super cool I had great time sitting on the fake horse and having a drink with my boyfriend. I wasn't mad that drinks were served in plastic cups but the real turn off was the bathrooms, they were filthy, yuck.

Jaime R.

Yelp
Definitely not worth wasting your time at this loud obnoxious spot that kicks you out if you laugh too loud. The staff only wanted to be in our face and not let us relax laugh and enjoy ourselves as decent people celebrating birthday and anniversaries!? They wanted us to turn our laughter down but they're were not even willing to turn down their obnoxiously loud music or apologize for their unnecessarily rude behavior to all of us at the bar because 4 of their most important client's Wanted to ruin it for all of the rest of us visiting celebrating birthdays and anniversaries and reunions !? Do not waste your time at Bonfire! find your way over to Via Vecchia, P L C, amigos... go get a good meal next door at Street and Company! Do not compare us Mainers to the rude grumpy staff at Bonfire! They are an immature example of unwelcoming bad work ethic not of what southern Mainers are like! I hope you are able to get out and enjoy our beautiful city and never stop... Laughing and being you

Shawn A.

Yelp
Not a Country fan, but really enjoyed this bar. I got a recommendation to stop in from my Assistant. She was spot on, good beer and free bacon. Yes, I said free bacon. I know, that is enough to get most people in, it was for me. They had a good mix of beers on tap and I selected a local one that I hadn't tried before. It was great. We also got an order of the wings. Although they have a few varieties we went with the standard buffalo sauce. They are a breaded wing and the sauce was a solid tasting buffalo. We enjoyed them. The seats are very unique. We sat in a couple of porch swings, there are tables with saddles and some with individual swings. I thought it added to the ambiance of the place. And did I mention they serve free BACON!

Karrie J.

Yelp
Wow. What a horrible bar. i sat next to a kid who was not over the age of 15 and they served him a beer. they then after bringing the bouncer over they punched the kid and pushed him onto the cobblestone floor on the street. i would never come back after the unprofessionalism of the staff and the horrible treating of the kid. bud light was flat and the service was horrible.

Leslie L.

Yelp
A friend recommended we check out this bar while we were visiting Portland, and I'm glad we did! There was great music, quick and kind bartenders and fun places to sit! My husband and I sat and enjoyed our drinks on some porch rocker swings! Some other seating options included saddles and fun painted stools! Bonfire is a great place! We will definitely be back!

Caroline S.

Yelp
If I could give zero I would. One flat beer that I wasn't allowed to change unless I paid for it... the cider was essentially a wine, which wasn't expressed when ordering. I told the bartender it was flat, and she said it was supposed to be a vinegary wine drink. And then my boyfriends drink had a mucous-like substance that was explained as yeast. Either way, foul. Yuck.

Jennifer C.

Yelp
Oh Bonfire, you really are something else. You are unique and one of a kind. That is why I've decided to honor you by making you my 100th review. Happy hour consists of extremely cheap food and FREE bacon. Yes, you heard right. FREE BACON DURING HAPPY HOUR. Granted, the bacon is greasy and cold, but who could say no to a salty, greasy snack to compliment your ice cold beverage? As a fan of country music, they play modern country music videos on their TVs and the whole ambiance of the place is very country. We stopped by here a few times during our trip to Portland and each time it didn't disappoint. Staff was very friendly and we loved the generally laid back, chill vibe of the place.

Mike J.

Yelp
Stopped in for a drink and maybe a bite but the kitchen was down. That's understandable but we sat at a bar side table and nobody came over. Two bartenders looking over but said nothing. Went up and ordered some drinks from unmotivated young girls who were too busy chatting. Nice atmosphere too. Disappointing

Yvonne R.

Yelp
Great lively bar, good service, outdoor sitting. The bouncer Ray was friendly and helpful. Highly recommend!

Clara O.

Yelp
Young blonde bartender refused to serve a cup of water when we had already had a tab paid and tipped well. Told me to get it myself. When i got it myself, I asked for a side of ice because it was warm, she said "no I have been working since 1 pm." I then asked the security to ask for a cup of ice for me, she scooped some ice and threw it, called me a bitch, and had us kicked out. Highly recommend! 10/9/22

Lisa S.

Yelp
The best bar in all of Portland ! The drinks are amazing. All of the fun seats are a great addition. Awesome service ! Phenomenal country music ! Literally my favorite place while I've been here

Simon T.

Yelp
Put an entire community at risk by jamming people into a bar just to turn a profit in the midst of a pandemic. Avoid at all costs. Plus it's a terrible bar anyways and the drinks are overpriced.

KC D.

Yelp
I'm giving this a 2 because of the staff who work there. The blonde bartender is a bitch. Yelling at everyone to sit their ass down. You can't stand up for one second. The place is Jam packed with people wearing no masks when seated. If you stand up to tie your shoe, not get your ass down ASAP when you return to the bathroom, or get up to get the check you are yelled at. Sorry bartender bitch, you're not Coyote Ugly material so get your ass off the bar and sit down! They also ran the credit card and added a 20% tip without us even seeing the bill.

LeeLee S.

Yelp
First of all, I would like to know do they recycle all the cups they serve drinks in? At an actual bonfire don't you use the same cup all night long, was it necessary for the bartender to use a new cup every time she poured someone a drink. The left side of the bar was made up of a few early 20 somethings with too much makeup on and tight clothes (they were obviously the bartenders friends) the right side of the bar had 3 older men. One was eating a Tupperware of pasta. The atmosphere is cute, swing chairs, loud country music, different for a bar in seaside city. I don't think I'll be back though

Marc B.

Yelp
Of all the bars on Wharf street, Bonfire is probably the cleanest and the most decent. Bonfire caters to those who love country music, as there is loud country music playing along with music videos on the TV screens. The whole aesthetic revolves around country. To the refurbished planks of wood, the swinging tire swings, and the porch swings, it provides an authentic and fun atmosphere. The stocked bar and beer choices are decent and are of course served in a red solo cup. They have bacon happy hours and everyone always seems to enjoy their time here.

Amaya C.

Yelp
this place has a fun atmosphere, however there are no prices on the drink menu. i ordered three mixed drinks and three green tea shots and got a little scrap paper with 76$ written on it. nothing else. how much were these drinks?! i would definitely recommend to get drinks anywhere else and just come here to vibe. super disappointed that I got charged this much

Connor P.

Yelp
Music: yeah Servers: eh Drinks: neh Save yourself some time and money and go somewhere else. Drinks are no bueno and expensive. Good music and staff tho. No food.

Liz B.

Yelp
Bonfire is an awesome bar to hang out with friends and dance. We went both nights while we were in Portland (Friday & Saturday), and it was packed! The line to get in can get long, but it moves pretty quickly. The staff were fun and friendly. Great social atmosphere with fun swings and cute bar stools. The drinks were good and reasonably priced. They play a mix of country songs and other genres. It's a great place for a fun night out

Alvaro H.

Yelp
Great place for beer!! Good beer and service (guy at entrance a bit lost but still on).

Brianna C.

Yelp
I'm glad I can never remember or pay attention/focus enough long to post on yelp while sitting g at the place of business... so I'm able to really reflect on my experience.haha. Thus, my reflective memory of the bar was great ! it kinda reminds me of a dive bar located in an ally (an ally 2 me cause I'm from .CA where streets and building are not so colonial and "vintage" like the new england areas ) it was pretty empty - . We picked the wrong night to explore Portland for the holiday ... But the staff was very nice the drinks were Great #militaryDiscounts! And I loved the entertaining decor from the cute little bar stool seats to the swings . Definitely would visit again on our next trip to Maine

Kyle S.

Yelp
Bonfire is a great country bar right in the heart of the old port. They have a cool set up with some interesting seating and fun sliding doors on the bathrooms. They also have a great happy hour with free bacon!

Brett F.

Yelp
Portland finally gets a country bar, and it's actually really decent. Bonfire has been open a week and is already one of the most popular bars among the Fore/Wharf Street crowd. It's a fat middle finger to the trendy, expensive lounges that have invaded Portland in the past few years. There's lots of good here. I hate 51 Wharf, and it's the same owner, but they did their homework for this. The decor/vibe is straight country but strictly faux divey. It's a nice looking bar. The 15 or so large screen tvs make this a great place to watch a game. Country music (along with some stadium rock anthems?) blare from the speakers. The playlist needs to expand a bit, but it's all of the favorites. They did a tremendous job hiring attractive bartenders who are also friendly and personable. Just in case, Bonfire is one of the first Maine bars to have a "wall of beer" where you can pour your own beer using prepaid cards. Considering the full house on weekends, this could be useful. Most drinks are served in solo cups and the beer list is expansive. Prices are great and the happy hour is one of the best around. From 4-7 every day whiskey and tacos are $1, certain beers are $2 and burgers and wine are $3. The burger won't be putting Five Guys out of business, but was fine. The food menu is typical southern pub fare and is decent and cheap. Hilariously, all food comes out on trays covered with a lid, like it's Jean Georges. The thoughtful touches really stand out. The bar is lined with outlets and USB plugs to charge a phone. Some of the seating is literally saddles and hammocks, which is awesome. Bacon is free and delicious. I can't emphasize enough...service is amazing. There are some annoyances like having to leave a credit card or license to order food (or so I was told when ordering, but it sounds false) and the kitchen is at 51 Wharf. When it's busy it would be really easy for food orders to be forgotten, mixed up or take a long wait. Also, $13 cocktails with a souvenir cup is perfect for Key West but just a poor idea here. Luckily you can always just order standard, cheaper mixed drinks in the solo cups. From all appearances Bonfire is going to be a roaring success. It's an attractive "dive" country bar with great service, music, and a ton of TVs. It's a great addition to the downtown bar scene.

Tripp P.

Yelp
All star joint!! Best bar in Portland by far! Awesome atmosphere, great bacon, awesome service and perfect drinks! 5/5 totally recommend for the locals and those passing by!!

C C.

Yelp
This is a country bar. Just let that seep in. Country bar: solo cups, kitschy country tropes like duck hunter and themed bar stools. I give Bonfire points for being as advertised. I'll probably be back.

Ivy S.

Yelp
What an adorable country bar. The swing chairs are so much fun and their drink prices are reasonable. The crowd is mixed ages but mostly young and it was a fun time! My only critique is the bathroom situation. A two stall bathroom with a giant sliding door is super impractical and quite confusing as to who is In line inside versus outside the door. we didn't stay until dancing time but we'll be back.

Martha M.

Yelp
This place is RACIST AF! My black boyfriend and I went here for a drink on a Saturday night during COVID. We were both wearing masks when we walked in. The bouncer asked for our IDs. I went first, no problem. When my boyfriend's turn came he was asked to remove his mask (during COVID!!!) to make sure he matched his ID picture. When I asked the bouncer why the different treatment he responded "I've been doing this for 27 years I know what I need to ID someone". This is discrimination at its finest, will not be funding this racist establishment ever again!

Nick F.

Yelp
We visited Portland with two other couples and had a great time at Bonfire. Classic country music mixed with some new hits too. Lots of TVs, cold drinks, and fun swing seats. Bartenders and servers went above and beyond to make our night exceptional. Would highly recommend for a night out! Professionally run with great customer service!

Deanna M.

Yelp
If I could give this bar negative stars, I would. I never write poor reviews, but for this place I had to. The one star can be for the bouncers being nice guys. We came to Portland for the night last night and I was so excited to go to this bar. I talked all my friends (who are not country lovers like I am) to please go to bonfire only to be at a table waiting for service for 40 minutes (after also waiting to get in the door itself). We asked for our server very politely twice and the bouncers/staff said she would be coming around shortly. She never came and our group was ready to leave. In lieu of leaving, two of us ladies spotted a seat at the bar in hopes of ordering from there to make it easier on the bartender who was clearly too busy to leave the bar and come to our table to serve us or anyone else. (I've spent many years in the bar industry so I do understand how tough it can be with a busy bar). Both with full masks on and standing in a safe spot hovered over the chair to not be in the way of anyone, we waited for just a few minutes to get the bartender's (blonde girl) attention. Before we even got a word out she looked up at us and immediately started very rudely screaming at us to go to our table and that she would not serve us at the bar. We complied and said ok, but we have been waiting for 40 minutes at our table for service already so we were trying to make it easier for her. She cut me off before I could even finish that sentence and said "no you haven't been waiting!" And the GM who was standing right next to her decided to start yelling at us too that we had not been waiting at all and could basically screw. I've never been spoken to that way from a bar personnel, never mind a manager in my life. As a woman it was honestly pretty startling to see the way he just snapped and allowed his staff to treat paying customers. I'm extremely polite to bar/restaurant staff as I've been in their shoes many many times. My group spends a lot of money on bars and nightlife, no one was drunk or rowdy or being rude even after all the waiting we had been doing so there was zero reason for our poor treatment. They had a full bar, full tables and only 2 bartenders on the bar and no servers. The GM was too busy flirting with some young girls behind us on our way out to even help them. Maybe they shouldn't open to full capacity if they don't have the staff for it. Won't be back here after the way we were treated. 10/10 disappointment.

Bailey B.

Yelp
Went here on a Saturday night and it was fun! Way better than it's Manchester NH counterpart. I'm not a huge fan of country music, but after a couple shots I can dance to just about anything. It was packed in there and yet we never felt snubbed or slighted by the bartenders. It's very loud, so not really a place to chat with friends, but a great dancing/drinking spot. The one male bartender was entertaining as he poured patron shots for me and my friends. Really reasonably priced, and a good place for a good time. Nothing bad to say!

Ian B.

Yelp
First, I'll go through what you get with Bonfire on a GOOD night, and then on a bad night. On a good night at Bonfire, you get a bunch of girls swinging into you on tire swings and a bunch of dudes that probably have a confederate flag in the back window of their F-150. I'll admit that the atmosphere is kind of cool and rustic, I do like that. Drinks are pricier than neighboring bars and there's really no space to dance or anything. It's overall just so meh. If you're really into country, it may be fun as a novelty. On a bad night, the power-tripping owner/bouncers will ruin your night. I've not been let into Bonfire twice and was stone-cold sober both times. I walk like an idiot because of chronic bad achilles. The bouncer must've seen me walking up and made some assumptions. After making me stand on one leg, he declared me "hammered" and told me to beat it. Whatever dude. I don't like your bar anyways, my friends do. The second time was way worse. Again, completely sober. I hand my MAINE ID to the bouncer, and he proceeds to put it in his back pocket. Uhhhhh dude, that's my driver's license, I need that. He INSISTS that it is fake which blows my mind. I know he probably sees a ton of fakes but this is a MAINE ID. Like dude, I've lived in Maine my whole life and I'm freaking 23 years old. If you can't correctly verify the ID of the state you work in, you should be fired. Anyways, he tells me I'm going to need to call the police if I want my ID back. I do so. As it's (fairly) a last priority for the police, 45 minutes goes by of me waiting for an officer to show up. I go back to try to reason with the bouncer. Dude I don't wanna go in your bar anymore, I just want my ID back. This is when the owner comes out and puts his hand on my chest and tells me that I'm "belligerent" and need to step back. I am literally floored by this reaction as I was talking to the bouncer as calm as could be. I ask him what the problem is and he tells me that he heard me say I was gonna "F up the bouncer" and that anyone he works with will back him up on that. I weigh 160 lbs and this bouncer is pushing three bills. I'm not dumb. I didn't say anything remotely close to that. I walk away because I'm going to lose my mind at the fact that this dude is trying to slap assault charges on me for NO reason. 10 minutes later the owner comes out with my ID and says "lets go for a walk". He lectures me for 5-10 minutes like I'm some 18 year old kid on the town for the first time ever. Tells me he'll only give my ID back if I shut up and don't say a word and listen to him (talk about demeaning, but at this point I want my ID back. I hate the DMV). "It's not a matter of if your ID is real or not" he says. Isn't that literally ALL it's a matter of? At the end of this lecture he hands me my ID back. I try to be the bigger man and go to shake his hand whilst saying "hey thanks man, glad we didn't have to get the police involved". His response is "you should be glad, that would've ended poorly for you". At that point I had my ID and I'll admit that I was walking away I told him to go eff himself, among other more colorful insults. He deserved them. I've never in my entire life seen a human on such a massive power trip. I'll never go back to Bonfire and try to tell as many people as possible not to give this guy business. I hear he owns a couple other bars in Portland? Would love for someone to tell me what those are so I can avoid giving him my business at those spots. You can't treat people like they're lesser than you. Sad that he probably gets away with it on a nightly basis because he owns some meh country bar that everyone's girlfriend LOVES. I hate this guy. And I hate Bonfire. Never go there.

Kaitlynne M.

Yelp
Favorite bar in Portland! Always playing awesome country hits. Fun seating. Board games. Free bacon happy hour. Awesome nachos. Great bartenders!

Jack K.

Yelp
Power tripping bouncer took my ID and refused to give it back claiming I had given him a fake ID. Politely asked for it to be returned as I need the license to drive back home the next day and he refused. I asked to speak with a manager and manager did not come. Suggested the bouncer to call the police and he proceeded to. Waited another 15 minutes for the police and then called the non-emergency police myself to inform them of the situation and to try to expedite. During this team another bouncer came out and tried to pretend to be cool about the situation saying that he "would never treat this situation like that and would give me my ID back"... uh yeah ok, read the other reviews about this place and turns out bouncers here power trip like this all the time. Finally police show up, literally just eyeball my ID don't even scan anything and give my ID back (I'm blatantly 27 and on an 8 year anniversary trip) I say have a great night to the bouncers and leave the front step of the Bonfire. Waste of time for everyone and embarrassing for the establishment for wasting the polices time, wasting taxpayer money and pointlessly embarrassing customers.

Victoria P.

Yelp
Country Bar smack in the middle of Wharf street. Great place to pregame or maybe even get food? I've never eaten here, but I do love the way the tire swing looks when I go at night. I'd love to try a burger while drinking a beer and sitting in the swing hehe Country music isn't my thing, but if you love country music this bar may be for you!

Richard D.

Yelp
I have gone to the Bonfire in Manchester, and liked it a lot. Great food and service. I expected the same in Portland, but I was seriously disappointed. First, they don't have a kitchen and the food was delivered in cardboard boxes that the rude bartender threw in front of you. The bartender was terrible. She never checked on you, or asked about the food. The hamburger was cold. When I asked to have the drink without ice she said she had to fill it with ice because it was a Happy Hour Special drink. I told her I didn't like ice in my drinks, and to give me less drink. She refused, and said the owner doesn't allow it. This was a totally different experience than Manchester, which has their own kitchen and the food is fantastic. My brother as with me, and he said the place was much better when he went their a couple of years ago. The prices were also higher for everything at the Portland bar.

Ethan G.

Yelp
If you like country music this place is for you. Get there a half hour or earlier before happy hour (with free nicely made bacon some crisp some properly cooked so as to leave some flavor for those charred bacon scrubs). Personally I hate music made to be sold to the less intelligent masses so I hated it. But I do love daisy dukes. Once again if you like country and affordable drinks this is your heaven.

Adam L.

Yelp
I'm so glad we stumbled upon this bar! On Sunday they have $3.50 mimosas and bloody Mary's; definitely a solid deal. Then starting at 4 the best happy hour I've seen begins... $1 whiskey shots and tacos, $2 fries, and $3 burger. I got 3 tacos that come with tortilla chips and 2 shots of whiskey. I couldn't believe it was only 5 dollars. I thought the tacos were great. You can get chicken or beef, and they're a good size. Bonfire's tacos make the ones from Taco Bell look sad. If you want to go to the best happy hour then look no further!