The Independent Ice Co.

My wife and I visited here a few years ago and really enjoyed the Independent Ice company. We came back this week and it was even better than the first time. The staff is exceptional, truly knowledgeable, and they make you feel like family when you’re there. The selection of whiskey is absolutely amazing and the knowledge they have about each whiskey is also incredible. The food is excellent also. All the way around, an amazing experience. This business will always be a favorite of ours.

We arrived late in Portland and were looking for a nightcap. Happened on this place and we were so glad we walked in. Fantastic drinks, I had the smoky Manhattan, but all our drinks were perfection. Wonderful and attentive service, our waiter was amazing. Great atmosphere. Very sophisticated, no rowdy crowd. This looks to be one of the few nice places that is open past 10 pm on a Sunday. Would come back here anytime! We didn't eat anything here as we had gotten food earlier on the road, so I can't comment on the food.

Outstanding! Went for the Bourbon Whiskey Selection (5 pages!). Tried a flight and the bar person brought the flight and each bottle on the flight and walked us through each Bourbon. Same with the singles! Then we snacked our way through our visit with some of the best home-made pimento cheese and crackers and charcuterie. Topped the exquisite visit with their Bread Pudding.

Remember that line from Coleridge's "Rime of the Ancient Mariner": "Water, water, every where, Nor any drop to drink"? Well, Independent Ice is totally the same, but it's bourbon and whiskey everywhere and you actually can drink it. Not all at once, obvs, because your liver would want to shoot you with a crossbow as if you were a tipsy albatross. You get the idea, though. They've got a lot of bourbon. Go for a Mainer flight. The staff is super friendly and knows what's what from whiskey. Small plates available.

What a nice surprise! Fun drinks and you have to try the whipped ricotta! The banana bread Old Fashion was amazing!!

EXCELLENT! Stopped in to get out of the rain and found one of our favorite stops in Portland. Drinks, Food and Staff were top notch. New England hospitality at its best! My husband had the Maine Whiskey Flight, and the bartender delivered it himself and gave him a brief history on each glass. The bar food was so good too!!! We will definitely leave the husbands here for the day next time while we shop, then pop back in for food and an espresso martini. My husband loved it so much he bought a t-shirt and has been wearing it non-stop to show his support of this great establishment.

This was our first restaurant we got to enjoy in Portland! Food was very good. We got the steak with fries and the lobster cheese tortellini and finished it all. The bread pudding was so good we almost went back for that another night. Highly recommend. The bartender made our time there very memorable as he took his time describing each bourbon in the flight, despite being very busy. My fiance loves bourbon and he was able to try things other restaurants wouldn’t dream of having. Great experience!

The Independent Ice Co is a must-visit spot for bourbon lovers, offering an immense selection of whiskey and an unbeatable $5 Old Fashioned during happy hour. The atmosphere is relaxed, the staff are friendly, and the bar itself feels like a cozy haven for anyone who appreciates a good pour. Their bourbon lineup is impressive, featuring everything from approachable bottles to rare finds that would excite any whiskey enthusiast. The only downsides were the pricing on individual pours, which can lean high, and the occasional sense that staff recommendations were more about upselling than genuinely guiding you to something you’d love. Still, the quality drinks, warm vibe, and stellar happy hour make The Independent Ice Co a solid choice for anyone looking to unwind with a great bourbon in hand.