The Armory Lounge

The Armory Lounge is a classy place located within the Portland Regency Hotel & Spa. We stopped by for some dessert and after dinner drinks. The orange cremesicle cake was awesome! This is a great spot for date night or a sophisticated drink as well.

Located within the Portland Regency Hotel but clearly a spot for local after work patrons as well. Food is reliable and consistently good, as is the service. Atmosphere is comfortable but can get a little loud sometimes - a happy kind of loud. Recommend.

Great cozy restaurant inside the Regency. Beautiful and relaxing setting, great staff and excellent fare. Nice quiet place when you want a break from the hustle and bustle of downtown Portland. Great outdoor garden bar cafe in the summer, too! We love it!

The service was top notch! We had dessert and drinks, and the strawberry rhubarb pie was delicious.

We didn't have any food. We just had a cocktail each. They were nice, that day the weather was good and the bar stayed open outdoors, not indoors, and the menu for drinks is slightly different then. It is a very vibey spot!

The service was great, we had the same bartender / server both nights, drinks are great, food is great. The mushroom soup of the day was delicious as was the Cobb salad.

Pro tip: To get to the Armory, keep walking when you enter the hotel and head downstairs. On the right will be the bar's door. Once we found the lounge, we had a great time. Service was fast and friendly, and drinks delicious.

Very nice atmosphere and very friendly staff. I loved it here. I highly recommend this restaurant/bar.

The Armory Lounge is easily the best cocktail & martini bar in Portland that I have been to. Super relaxing atmosphere, great/creative drinks, tasty appetizers and polite/professional service....always like to see John behind the bar! My wife & myself have been coming to the Portland Regency's Armory Lounge for year because it's simply the best. I typically get a Manhattan but this time I got the Lounge Singer which is a nice combo of Bulleit Rye, Sandeman Port, Campari and orange bitters....very tasty. Another good one is the Nutty Professor...Screwball whisky, Jamesons, chocolate bitters and some club soda. For a truly enjoyable time friends, family or your significant other, check out the Armory!!

I stopped in expecting an elegant experience. The sign at the entrance requires removing hats and limiting cell phone usage. I was concerned about this because I had on a hat. I walked in and the place was practically empty. One elderly couple having dinner and two guys at the bar. I figured I might be early and decide to try it anyway. After looking around, I noticed how dated and dull the ambiance was. I ordered anyway. At the suggestion of the female server, i selected a hot toddy. Well, how many bartenders does it take to make one drink? Evidently more than one. The male bartender was new, and I get it that he's taking his time to get it right. However, no one should be trained to make a drink in front of the customer. When you're getting the ratios wrong, just let the person who knows how to make it, do it. It was annoying and the drink was poorly made! Poor customer service! I took a couple sips asked for the check and left. Dull, drab, and dingy spot.

One of the best restaurants I've ever been too. Exquisite service & beautiful ambiance. The food was unbelievable. So fresh and delicious. Of course traveling to Maine means you have to try their famous lobster. This place did NOT disappoint. I love that it was already out of the shell and ready to devour lol. The price point for this place is higher than most restaurants in the area, but, it is attached to a marvelous hotel so that makes sense. I really would eat here again and again. OH and let me not forget the drinks. My goodness they were strong and tasty!!! The next time I visit Maine I will most definitely eat here again.

Located in the bottom of the regency this is my favorite spot to get a drink. The cocktails are always so good and decently priced. My favorite is the espresso martini or of course a dirty martini. They also have decent food at good prices. The fried green tomatoes, the burger, and chicken quesadilla are some of my go to. It's elevated bar food for sure. They even do lunch which is good as well. They have a large bar inside with a couple small TVs, and lots of tables around the bar. It has a cozy feel which makes it my go to spot in the winter. The service is also always really great!

Great stop for drinks! Service was fast and friendly and atmosphere was cool. It was a little dark but that added to the vibe.

Their happy hour is quite pleasant. You can get a very good glass of FoxGlove red wine and a white for a fair price. Their sweet potato fries are the best around. You do have to ask for their snack plate which consists of pretzels, a trail mix, and a tasty cheese spread with good crackers. The service could be a bit friendly, but the servers are professional.

It was my first time there meeting a friend for cocktails for a 'TGIF' , after work. They provide a nice cheese and pretzel plate that was great. We didn't get any food or appetizers as my friend indicated 'not so good', so I can't make any judgements there. But, the staff are very friendly, fun and attentive. I'd stop by for another cocktail !

DELICIOUS, super refreshing & perfect mango marg. Ambiance is a bit dark, service was slow (clearly understaffed), but convenient location- mix of demographics there, families, older folks, millennial/Gen Z. Bathroom is super clean though (it's in a nice hotel), great location in the heart of downtown Portland so you can walk anywhere after for dessert, or if you want to go shopping or near the waterfront.

Stopped by for a drink while waiting on a table at a restaurant down the street. The drinks were strong & tasty! The bartender was a lot of fun!

Solid hotel space for a nice cocktail. Loved the old school wood paneled vibe, drink was good but not the most inventive. Bar staff nice enough but not big for convo

Everyone is super nice and the food is great! I don't drink martinis but the chocolate martini is like dessert. If you have Evan as a server, you'll have a good experience.

The Armory is a place that I had heard about in talking with friends, however, I had never made my way there until a couple of days ago...and I was surely missing out. First off, I'm incredibly surprised that this place has 4 stars because they have an EXTENSIVE list of cocktails and other options to choose from. AND their drinks are actually really well-made! I came here on a Saturday night and it busy, but there was plenty of spots to sit. A group of 4 friends and I decided to sit down at one of the large tables, and we were quickly greeted by our waitress, who brought over two complimentary plates of crackers and pub cheese. Now, these are not just some dingy cracker plates, but they are filled with pretzels and other crackers with a pub cheese spread. AND she brought over two for our table of five. The waitress was incredibly nice and answered many of our questions. The atmosphere is definitely dark, as others have pointed out, but it certainly is a lounge. There is an easiness to the establishment and it allows for people to have conversations with light music and a cool atmosphere. I ended up ordering a gin drink with elderflower and lemon which was amazing! They definitely serve a lot of martini-like drinks, but that is something that I liked about the Armory. The Armory will definitely become a staple in the bars that I visit in Portland!

While the food here isn't anything special, the vibe is rad and the cocktails are strong. This is long been a place locals go for a drink,

Great place to have a drink with my Lady. Great signature drinks and you can order from the dinner menu.

Love this place! I had never been but several friends of mine have and after what seems like forever I finally got on in there to test it out! Some friends and I stopped here for dinner and drinks the other night and had a great time! At first when you walk in it seems very Gentleman's Club-esque, but the staff and other patrons are very welcoming. There isn't a dress code per say, but this place is definitely not your yoga pants and flip flops type of bar, so plan accordingly. We started by ordering a round of drinks, which OMG were so good! The drinks are on the pricier end but they are sooooo strong, and worth every penny. I got the Aloha, which tastes like vacation in a martini glass, complete with two pieces of tequila soaked pineapple inside the glass (nice little dessert for after our meal)! We were given a platter of crackers, pretzels, and pub cheese for free just for coming in and ordering drinks...both plates we promptly devoured between the five of us with not one complaint! We each got something to eat for dinner. I got the sirloin tips wrap with steak fries. The fries are awesome, crispy on the outside but soft on the inside, perfect amount of seasoning, I just loved them. The steak in my wrap could have been cut a little better to make it easier to eat in a wrap (the pieces were so huge it was almost impossible for me to eat in a wrap...I ended up just taking the pieces out and not eating the wrap at all). The meal was tasty though and definitely worth the $11 I paid for it. My friends all seemed pleased with their selections as well. Overall, I had a good time here. The seating is comfortable, the ambience is classy/chic, the food and drinks are good, and it is a nice place to unwind either alone or with others. I will definitely be back again!

Old school staple in Portland. A bit outdated. Menu reflects holiday drinks. Christmas was 4 months ago. Time to update. Time to update interior as well. Little bit too "bad hotel" vibe. Nice staff. Extensive drink menu & offerings. Pricey for the Portland scene.

Great for an after dinner drink during these crazy COVID times. Closes earlier now during the week but the bartender stayed til we finished! The chocolate martini was divine! As was the Armory Singer and the hazelnut flourless chocolate cake - yum!

The Armory Lounge was one of those places that I had heard a lot about (mostly their complimentary cheese platter), wanted to check out and never seemed to find myself at their door. Finally stopped in the other night and really liked the place for the following reasons: 1. It has an old school bar lounge vibe. Kind of like a place that Don Draper might have met a colleague after hours. 2. There is a lot of comfortable seating all along the walls, great for private conversations. I HATE sitting in the middle of a room and feeling like everyone around me can hear everything i'm saying. 3. Low lighting. Who likes stark lighting in a bar? 4. Our waitress was fantastic. She seemed to be serving many tables and made it all work with grace. 5. The famous complimentary cheese platter came without a request. Nice! 6. On Sunday, all apps are half off. Score! I got a standard Margarita (I know, boring!), but it was well made and was exactly what I wanted. We also ordered a caesar salad and a quesadilla, which were surprisingly good! I might return in the future specifically to make a meal out of the Sunday half off apps!

Very nice location with a great menu. The ribeye was cooked to perfection which went great with a nice bottle of wine. Romantic setting along with great service.

It was raining out and the valet attendant suggested this restaurant to us. It was great! My husband and I both ordered the rib eye and it was so tender and tasty! We had the chocolate cake for dessert! Great evening out!

My go to place in Portland for a classy cocktail. My favorite Cosmopolitan in the city! They also have a great dark and stormy. Pro tip: Ask for the snack plate ( pretzels and crackers with pub cheese). A nice touch! More of a spot for a few drinks and appetizers, but they do offer a full dinner menu. Great spot!

I specifically came here because of two other reviews: one person said The Armory Lounge would be a place that Ron Burgundy would hold court at; one said that it felt Sherlock & Holmes sitting room. Those two descriptions are VERY, VERY different, yet somehow... totally accurate. The Armory Lounge set in the dungeon... I mean basement... of the Regency Hotel does have a dark, moody atmosphere to it leaving one feeling as though they should be solving mysteries with neat contraptions. On the other hand, because of the dated carpet and furniture, it's also very easy to imagine an egomaniacal 1970's news anchor drinking too much scotch while entertaining a crowd at the bar. Speaking of which... I was here at 5:20pm and brought the median age down by about 20 to 30 years. No exaggeration here, either. Kind of fun, since not a single other patron paid any attention to me or my counterpart (sometimes its nice to have a feeling of anonymity in a bar in Portland, no?). We sat at a table on the side of the room in these awkwardly enormous chairs. I was having a fight with mine (it was like hot glued in a permanently angled position, and not being flush with the table was driving me nuts) when our server approached. She delivered complimentary snacks - some pub cheese (no matter how orange that stuff is, it still totally makes me weak in the knees) with an assortment of crackers and pretzels. Possibly one of the best free cocktail snacks in the city that you are most likely unaware of. My counterpart and I each had two drinks a piece... each one was FAN-FREAKING-TABULOUS: 1. El Pepino Picante (jalapeño-infused tequila, triple sec, fresh basil and cucumber, with pineapple and lime juices on the rocks): A Jekyll and Hyde of cocktails, lemme tell you. At first you taste the delicious, watery-yet-distinct flavor of pure cucumber. One second later it's followed-up with the delicious sting of jalapeño. Such. A. FUN. Drink. It almost felt like a meal. The tequila (which I'm not a fan of) was very muted, which I personally appreciated. 2. Summer Fling (watermelon, mint, agave nectar muddled together with either Stoli vodka or Beefeater gin, served on the rocks, finished with club soda): Want to know what summer would taste like if it was a drink? This is it. Right here. If you are a fan of watermelon salads - you will appreciate this drink abundantly (NOTE: get it with vodka, not gin). It's refreshing. It's cooling. It's garden-y. It's also got a TON of actual watermelon in it. Who doesn't love second drink (Pam Beasley reference) as food? 3.Pepperoncini Pickletini (Stoli vodka splashed with pickle and pepperoncini juices): If you've ever done Pickleback's before (and enjoyed them), it's hard to not like this drink. Also, it made me crave pizza SO BADLY. I'm not usually one for savory drinks, but this was just gooooooooood. It tastes EXACTLY how you might think it would. My only advice? Get this drink with a garnish of olives. 4. Fleur de Tea (Absolut Wild Tea, house-infused jasmine and honey green tea, a splash of St. Germaine Elderflower liqueur & lemon juice. Served tall on the rocks): What's better than the most perfectly made southern sweet tea? Adult southern sweet tea that's so dangerously delicious and easy to drink that after two you'd be walking sideways. This flavor profile - which I've only experienced one other time at Local 188 - is tremendously pleasing to me. If you like drinking tea, this is a wonderful, wonderful cocktail. Now, I'm seriously put off my menus with no prices. To me that means that whatever you're ordering is so inappropriately expensive that the business doesn't want to scare you away. I have no idea how much our cocktails were, but I was expecting to hemorrhage a little money when the bill came. Instead, I had a near heart attack from shock when my tab was just $28 (that's with tax). So during happy hour the cocktails are $7 a piece? WHAT?! WHHHHAAAAAAT!?!?!?!? Basically, what I'm telling you is that The Armory Lounge is one of the best kept secrets in the city. No, the atmosphere isn't necessarily modern, trendy, or hip... but in a way that actually makes it ironically cool. And cocktails THAT cheap?! And drinks THAT delicious and stiff?! And service that solid (I didn't mention it, but our server was great)?! Please... please... I'm begging you. Pretend you didn't read this review so that I can continue to enjoy this place all to myself!

The Armory Lounge and Restaurant on Milk Street in Portland is a nice spot for drinks, snacks, and food. I am happy that I was able to find this place and was not disappointed. I really liked the vibe and atmosphere of this place as it was very laid back and the decor is unique. You can really relax here and have a good time. The staff here is awesome and does there job well. Overall this was a really great place.

I often thought a great business idea would be to have a space where people could rent living rooms - cozy spaces to talk, play games and hang out in a city where you don't always have a simple place find a nook and talk. Now, if any of you hooligans open up this place - I need a cut. Just saying it. I will find you. Now, the Armory is not a living room. But, it does what I would want from my clutch business idea. Looking at other reviews, some people see it as a place to get fancied up for a cocktail. Which, it can be. For me, it is a reliable place to either meet up with someone to have a good conversation or to be alone to read and write. Sometimes you just have to take yourself out on a date, and be alone. Plus I feel like I am in an amusement parks idea of a detective's library - and there is *nothing* wrong with that. The cocktails are tasty, the service is very friendly. I went there alone the other night, and just wanted half of the cheese plate - and they were very accommodating, bringing me a great small plate of some cheese and fruit. That with my hot toddy was perfect.

Awesome place. The drinks were great. I liked the wine menu and I also enjoyed the environment

This place is an awesome "get dressed up with your girls and sip fancy cocktails" type of bar. The atmosphere of this place is amazing. While it seems a little weird at first (in a side door and down a few steps), it is definitely a hidden gem! Even better, even though it is a "classy" establishment, there isn't the snotty or extremely expensive service that normally comes along with that label. Every drink that I have had here has been very well done. I have had more classic drinks (i.e. regular martini) and then some of their specialty drinks and I have never had a dud. They are always well made and promptly delivered to the table. While it can get a little crowded, I have always had excellent service. I definitely would come back or recommend to friends.

The "Dirty Bird" martini was the best martini of my life, and one of the best cocktails of my life, in general. I was interested in getting a vodka gibson, but didn't know what it was called or if I would like it. The waitress brought me one of the pickled cocktail onions to try, which I thought was very nice of her. I'd go again just for the Dirty Bird, but would love to try some more of their cocktails.

Yet another one of my favorite places to go. Good pub menu (you can get the upstairs hotel restaurant menu as well) and good drinks. Only 4 beers on tap but usually some good ones. There's a full bar and the bartenders are the best in Portland, good service and friendly. Busy place on Friday and Saturday nights, outside seating during the day and early evening. Oh ya... Really good martinis with specials on Mondays.

There's something about this place I like. It's very clearly a hotel bar in atmosphere and decor (love the dated cozy basement library feel), but the cocktail list is pretty long and interesting, and the professional bartenders seem to be using legit ingredients and techniques, so we were happy. When we were there, the crowd was totally mixed, everything from a loud young bacherlorette party doing rounds of shots to some elderly folks enjoying a glass of wine, but I guess that's par for the course when you're in a hotel?

Absolutely fell in love! The prices weren't too bad on drinks, the staff was attentive, and the atmosphere was PERFECT! When we found this place, I didn't want to leave. Everything was so clean!

We got pretty woman-ed out of here! Stood, waiting to be seated for about ten minutes, made eye contact with multiple servers - no response. Big mistake. Big. Huge.

I loved it here. I've never stopped in because I've had the impression that it's this old, go-here-if-you're-90 kind of place. What gave me that idea? No real reason besides the way I analyze photos. When choosing hotels, there are certain styles that do not appeal to me. I'm more prone to choosing, say, a Westin which is modern, but comfortable (and not overly modern like a W) vs. an Omni or any sort of Ritz or Four Seasons. Those upscale hotels always have great service, but they are often so "classic" in style, but are inconsistent and often can be quite old. I guess I sort of interpreted this lounge to be the same way. Is it old? Yes, but in a charming way. And, if you think about it, there is nothing wrong with being old. For instance, there are two types of old men: 1) the ones with great stories to tell that you want to sit and listen to 2) the dirty ones you want to distance yourself from before they try to say something strange. The Armory Lounge is the inviting one. The food looked good, and it seemed that plenty of people were having dinner. There were also a lot of holiday party groups, and I appreciated that everyone was so free to have a good time here. There were young and old people here, great people watching. Keeping in mind that this also part of the hotel, there is definitely a well rounded crowd. Bartenders were friendly, the place was cozy. I will be taking my boyfriend back here for more when 2017 hits.

How do you write a review of The Armory without the mention of Portland's finest bartender? If Sam Malone cheerfully knew everybody's name in the '80s, then Ben Bragdon is surely Sam's contemporary equal. A bartender's equivalent to The King of Pop: Ben, the two of us need look no more We both found what we were looking for With a friend to call my own I'll never be alone And you my friend will see You've got a friend in me Sure, The Armory is a cozy retreat for a more mature crowd (and some who are still in route), but when you've made a friend in Ben, you might as well list The Portland Regency as your forwarding address. Ben, you're always running here and there You feel you're not wanted anywhere If you ever look behind And don't like what you find There's something you should know You've got a place to go I don't get too caught up in the Yelpy stuff: Pour size, Wait time, Garnish fusion. They do a great job at The Armory. For me, it's all about the people I'm with and the feeling of being welcomed with a genuine smile...and a water back. Ben, most people would turn you away I don't listen to a word they say They don't see you as I do I wish they would try to I'm sure they'd think again If they had a friend like Ben

Friday night--fancy cocktails and complimentary crackers/cheese plate? I'M THERE! After seeing their cocktail menu online, I knew I had to check this place out! While the crowd tended to be a little older than what I'm used to (think 35+), I really enjoyed the atmosphere! The walls are lined with an awesome library/bookstore wallpaper, imitating shelves upon shelves of books, the the lighting is dim, with cushiony furniture all around. Much MUCH better than the wet floors, loud music, and dark rooms where I can't even hear the person next to me. My friend and I took a seat at the bar, where we ordered the Honey Badger and something fun with vodka and pear/basil. While I did enjoy my sweet mug of hot Jack Honey + lemon, I kind of wish I tried something a little more fun! But no worries, I'll be back again. The best thing about this lounge on this particular night was the people. First off, we saw some SWEEEEET snack platters being served. Upon sounding super excited, the lady next to me proceeded to share that they're complementary, and she always used to get them when she lived in town and was a regular. Secondly, the guy that brought our check was super friendly, openly offering suggestions on brunch among many other places, after answering my question about happy hour! Odd tidbit: this place is actually much quieter in the summertime, explaining their plentiful summer-time happy hour vs Monday-only winter-time happy hour. (I got a little hyphen-happy there, don't you think?)

Best martinis in town! Ben is a wonderful soul and is one of the best bartenders in the Portland area. The blood orange martini is a must.

Since moving back to Portland a few months ago, I've spent an awful lot of time hanging out in basements and cellars around the city. It seems like subterranean-chic (I just coined that...I think?) is in, and The Armory Lounge is no exception. Given that 'winter is coming', I shouldn't actively be hiding from vitamin D - but I do what I need to do in order to be trendy - and to maintain my pasty white, mole-like complexion. And in true root cellar fashion, this bar feels like it's been preserved from the 70s. Or maybe it's a 'Midnight In Paris' flash forward? Big puffy leather chairs, darkly-lit corners, a large wooden bar, plush burgundy carpet and patrons in their 40s define the atmosphere in this place. Maybe I just imagined it, but are some of the walls actually adorned with 'library' wallpaper (and not actual books)? Even the pub cheese they offer with their complimentary snack tray - and the servers who serve them - seem to be a holdover from the 70s. The only thing this place is missing to complete the retro throwback is an impenetrable Marlboro haze. We descended into The Armory on a Friday night and the place was packed. It seemed like a few holiday parties had dug in, and the crowd was VERY loud. I don't know if this is typical of a Friday night, but I had to shout to be heard over the drunken cackling of the middle-aged women who were taking full advantage of a child- and husband-free night in Portland. As one could predict, service was a little bit slow due to how busy the servers were. I had a Shipyard ($6, from a somewhat limited selection of taps) and we hung out for a bit. Since our group was looking for more of a relaxed environment in which to have dinner, we passed on the menu and moved on after about 20 minutes. After reading all the reviews I had pegged this as my kind of place. And it still might be, in ten years...once I age out of the trendier places and give in to the harsh reality of middle age. (I can't wait to update this review in ten years). That said, I will be back at a different time of the week/year to see if the vibe changes.

For several months The Armory Lounge was mah thing. Literally, every Sunday I was there for cocktails and half-priced appetizers. Half priced crab cakes and cheese-plate? Yes please! Our long-time waitress, who's name I embarrassingly admit I just can't remember (probably because I was always floating on at least two of their delicious martinis... Natasha, Natalia??) was the greatest waitress ever! She knew us by name (which apparently I can't say the same *shame face*) and drink, and even gave us a gift-card to the lounge near Christmas time. I always got the Almond Joy martini, extra almond-y. I don't know if they actually did anything special to the cocktail, but it made me feel special. It's creamy, delicious, strong and has a cinnamon sugar coating on the rim. The crab cakes have gotten smaller since the last time I was there, but you still can't beat half-priced food and they're still pretty good. The atmosphere is dark and cozy? It's a mash-up of painted tables resembling marble, fake library decor, dim lighting, and cushy chairs. It's definitely a lounge resembling an outdated man-cave, but that's never stopped me once from going. In fact, I kinda love it. I'll be back soon for my almond-y Almond Joy Martini.

Easily the greatest cocktail bar I have ever been to by leaps and bounds, and I've thoroughly enjoyed a good cocktail in many venues across many different states. There is something to be said about a place like this, but I was brought back immediately after going there. First: Their bartender is incredible. I sat there for an evening sampling cocktails, and he knew the names of many of those who came in. Mind you that these weren't regulars, but some people who he said he hadn't seen for many months. Second: Their cocktail menu is diverse, fitting, and downright delightful. You can order off the menu or ask for something else, but having samples roughly eight different cocktails I'm quite confident that everything there is phenomenal. I do highly recommend the blueberry mojito if in season as they use fresh mint, real Maine wild blueberries, and what I can only assume is love. I know for a fact I will be taking a trip back to Portland just to have this drink again. Third: The ambiance is wonderful. It is a proper lounge. Dim lighting, mostly quiet environment, and a great place to have a cocktail, drink, think, make conversation, and enjoy oneself. Many people who come here wear jackets but they don't seem to be required. Fourth: The food is done well. They provide free snacks, during some afternoons they provide complimentary fruits, cheeses, and vegetables, and everyone who comes in gets a small complimentary snack plate as well. Fifth: The service is top-notch. Knowledgeable and intelligent staff members make you feel welcomed and provide expert service on top of the already talented and welcoming bartender. I believe this is the only place I've ever felt compelled to tip 50% gratuity. In summary: This is an excellent place to drink like a Sir.

Stoped by after having dinner in the Old Port for a drink. Service was wonderful. Our waitress came over with cheese and cracker/pretzel plate which is very yummy. I first had the chocolate cake martini...delicious. After I tried the fleur de tea, very refreshing. Would be a perfect summer drink.

This is the bar/lounge that Ron Burgundy would come to. It's dark, decorated in many leather bound books (OK they're just wallpaper books but they look cool), and smells of rich mahogany. I can almost see Ron here drinking scotch and complaining about Anchorwomen. But in all seriousness it's a phenomenal spot to get drinks and has one of the most extensive martini menus in town. Located downstairs in the historic Regency Hotel, I would normally categorize the scene as an older classier crowd but in recent years it has become a hot spot for almost all ages. At least you won't have to worry about peeling your feet off the floor or being shoulder shoulder with sweaty YOLO-ers like some spots (I won't say it but like a place that rhymes with "Gore Flay"). Great for a early evening spot or late night/last call, the Armory Lounge is on my list of best places to get a drink in town. TIP: I don't think it's on the menu but late night ask your server for the "Cheese and Cracker plate". With various crackers and whipped cheddar spread this snack plate will hit the spot after a few rounds.

Typically I drink beer, wine and the occasional margarita. But on this rainy Thirsty Thursday, my cohort and I decided to check out the Armory, described by fellow Yelpers as a place one might find Ron Burgundy or Sherlock and Holmes, sipping a scotch. On walking in, I could see the validity of this description. The decor was dark, with big leathery-ish chairs and a lot of wood. However, I was a little put off by the large, loud group of people surrounding the bar- my favorite seat for the proximity to the tender- nor was I fond of the faint aroma of fish sticks ( my least favorite food.) So I found a quiet chair off to the side and perused the drink menu while I waited. None of the drinks were what I would typically order, but I found the Pepino Picante- Spicy Cucumber en ingles- which I chose for its similarities to a margarita (tequila and juices). Plus I love spicy drinks. I love it when I inadvertanltly order exactly what I didn't know I wanted. SO DELICIOUS and not really like a margarita at all. It was refreshingly cucumbery with a gentle fiery kick to the finish. So light, not super sweet, and very easy on the tummy. I was tempted to get another of the same, but decided to be a good sport and go for the Summer Fling. At first glance, this drink is pretty much the opposite of anything I would ever order. But summer cocktails (even in a dark basement bar on a rainy evening) call for fresh fruit. I had a choice of gin or vodka. Vodka wins every time. And who doesn't love vodka soaked watermelon speckled with mint? The agave nectar in conjunction with watermelon took this cocktail to a slightly sweeter level, but not unpleasantly so. The Summer Fling is the perfect drink on a hot and humid day. It is the epitome of a summer cocktail. My cohort had the Pepperoncini Pickletini because the worcestershire sauce in another cocktail was not vegeterian friendly. I'll admit, I was dubious, but I can definitely see how it would appeal had I salt craving. She also got the Fleur de Tea which I was slightly jealous of. It reminded me of the ever so slightly sweet sun tea my very Texan grandfather was fond of. It's probably better that I did not order this. It seems like one of those sneaky drinks. Throw a few back and before you know it, you're hammered! Did I mention the cheese and cracker plate? I picked up a townhouse cracker and dug in to what I thought was roasted red pepper hummus. Um- NO. It was a huge blob of pub cheese. Not gonna lie, I was not dissappointed. All in all? I dig it. I'll be back. I can't wait to see what they come up with for all the other seasons.

This is my new favorite bar. The bartender mixed drinks absolutely perfectly! She was friendly and knowledgable, she had extensive expertise about the liquors. They even have a collection of in house made liquors that absoultey delightful. I love the decor, the deep comfy chairs, the dim romantic lighting and the cool wallpaper of book shelves. I had the blood orange martini, which was sweet delicious and perfectly balanced. This is my new cocktail lounge hangout

This is such an unassuming cocktail lounge in the bottom of the Regency, and I feel it's well worth a visit. Expertly crafted cocktails, genuine and friendly staff, awesome food. I loved the Maine crab melt and the lobster croissant was fantastic. Kids meals are balanced with roasted veggies and other whole food choices. Prices were below what I expected. I was surprised and pleased to find the Armory Lounge right under our nose. It's well kept, dark, and delightfully cool on these dog days of summer. Hard wired Irish say, YAY!

Now this place has character. It has the look and feel of a 1970's bar from the second you walk in. The walls are dark and so is the carpet that lines the entire bar. It has a warm and cozy feel which is fitting for a city that practically lives in frigid temperatures and snow in the winter months. Even the chairs at the bars are cozy. They also have tables and chairs set up around the entire bar which is great for small groups or just to have conversation. They have a great bar selection and serve all local beers since there are breweries in the area. I stepped outside of comfort zone and ordered a few ciders that were delicious. The bartender gave me a breakdown of the differences between all the ciders and beers they had, which is always helpful for someone who doesn't drink beer. Overall it's just a real cozy and classy place. It's located downstairs in The Regency Hotel and can be slightly hard to find, so just asked someone. I'd say this was probably the best bars I went to in Portland.

Oh hello Sherlock & Watson. Thank you for inviting us into your sitting room. What a great dark, cozy hidden find. (if you can't find it, walk into the hotel, go downstairs and then to your right you will see the door). Drink menu is extensive and everything is unique and tasty, good beer selection and extensive wines. The service is beyond compare with knowledgeable bartenders who are quick and friendly. The crowd is also great; right when you walk in is buzzing with conversation and is mixed in ages which is perfect for any crowd. Didn't try the food on this trip, but will definitely be back!

Incredible martini menu. Incredible! Part of me wishes that I wasn't even writing this review, because this place is a hidden gem. I've never been one for the Old Port, but I wouldn't hesitate to return if this is where we were meeting for drinks. The decor makes the place what it is, with dark corners and intimate table settings. I was a little uncomfortable at first about meeting at a hotel bar, but I would go back in a heartbeat.

The martinis at The Armory are wicked good and the atmosphere is incredibly relaxing. The music is low and not overpowering and there is plenty of comfy seating. HOWEVER I have been here on three separate occasions and have had some of the worst service each time. The first time we went was for a friend's 21st birthday and the waitress ignored us for most of the night and when she did come talk to us she was incredibly rude. The second time was with a smaller group and once again we were ignored once more and had to wait forever for a check. The third time was for my own birthday and we waited a half hour for our own drinks and then once again when we were ready to leave and asked for the check we had to wait another 45 minutes for it. So overall while the drinks and the bar are really nice the service leaves a lot to be desired for unfortunately.

This is old port classic. Showed up late rainy afternoon and melted into a cushy chair....great happy hour, a must do before dinner.

We stopped in here for our first couple rounds of drinks after eating in the restaurant upstairs (separate review). It was New Years Eve and just before 8 o'clock and the place was SLAMMED. We found a little table for three in the corner were we could people watch pretty well. Our server was busting a hump but she did take the time to joke/snark about how busy it was so I give her A++ for that! The drinks were good and prompt. I think my wife had the blood orange something or other and she really liked it. I thought the burgers coming out of the kitchen were huge and I was glad I didn't have to eat one. All in all, it was a nice bar to start the NYE evening and on an ordinary day seems like a great place to have a drink after work or if you're in the area and want something quiet.

Love this place! If you are looking for a nice bar in Portland this is a must visit. The ambiance is dark and the drinks are excellent. They are a pretty good bar menu if your hungry. This is a must visit every time we are in town.