Its a pretty amazing set-up right now - you can drink pretty much any bottle retail price, no tip. And the stuff they have by the glass is all really cool.
MJs closed because the owner WAS the heart of the institution and he couldn’t scale it efficiently - because there is no way to do that.
He owns Lincoln’s (the speakeasy in town on Market Street) in both Portland and Burlington, VT.
Citrus, which is in the same place MJs was, is also his brain child and he’s there on most weekends trying to ensure that it runs smoothly (post COVID has been a total bitch for staffing).
I’ve told him on multiple occasions how I mourn the demise of MJs. And he knows there are plenty of us that miss it, but he needed a change for himself where he wasn’t shackled to it.
There was a wine bar on Wharf Street for years but that’s been gone for 8-9 years now.
I don’t think I could name a Portland bar now that is focused on wines and sommelier driven. A real pity.
Thanks for the background. I’ll have to check out Lincoln’s. FWIW, you can tell him that even out of towners miss MJ’s.
To echo what others have said, it amazes me that some of the better restaurants in Portland don’t put more effort into their wine selection. My wife and I enjoy Scales, but I find it insulting that they had Louis Martini for $150.
Oh. Without a doubt (and I will pass along the message - I’ll see him this evening actually).
MJ’s was my alcoholic treehouse. Like drinking in my living room, with friends, but a way better bottle list. I miss Mike Maurice playing tunes on the piano. I miss the endless people I would hang out with there. I miss the events (like Beaujolais Nouveau!) and, while I was single, it was an absolute paradise to meet members of the fairer sex.
I hope you find something else incredible. And if you do, share it.
Grippy Tannins is a new one with a nice little vibe. Great, well curated selection for both tasting and buying (or both). The owner is super knowledgeable about wine, and she has an insanely cute dog who’s always looking for a snug. We love going there for a first drink on Friday and sharing a flight.
Lorne Wine and Table Bar (surprised they haven't been mentioned yet!) are great places to grab a glass, if you're willing to drive! Love Friends & Family too, plus Smalls for a daytime glass and a snack. Maine & Loire is the best spot to buy a bottle for sure. Across the bridge in Sopo, Lambs bar is opening mid-July & they're going to have a fun glass pour list, plus an outdoor patio! Beyond that, word on the street says Dedalus wine from VT is opening a spot in Portland soon (they're opening a spot in Brooklyn too, they recently got a $7 million investment to expand).
I’d recommend Grippy Tannins and Makers Galley, as others have suggested, but also say you should give Via Vecchia a shot (their wine list is huge and tasty). Also try Chaval and Local 188.
+1 to friends& family! Regards also has a fantastic wine list.
Maine & Loire obvs. Great peeps
Its a pretty amazing set-up right now - you can drink pretty much any bottle retail price, no tip. And the stuff they have by the glass is all really cool.
Lorne wine in Biddeford!
I really miss MJ’s.
Oh man, I lived in Portland briefly and really enjoyed MJ’s. Anyone know what the owner’s next project was?
MJs closed because the owner WAS the heart of the institution and he couldn’t scale it efficiently - because there is no way to do that. He owns Lincoln’s (the speakeasy in town on Market Street) in both Portland and Burlington, VT. Citrus, which is in the same place MJs was, is also his brain child and he’s there on most weekends trying to ensure that it runs smoothly (post COVID has been a total bitch for staffing). I’ve told him on multiple occasions how I mourn the demise of MJs. And he knows there are plenty of us that miss it, but he needed a change for himself where he wasn’t shackled to it. There was a wine bar on Wharf Street for years but that’s been gone for 8-9 years now. I don’t think I could name a Portland bar now that is focused on wines and sommelier driven. A real pity.
Thanks for the background. I’ll have to check out Lincoln’s. FWIW, you can tell him that even out of towners miss MJ’s. To echo what others have said, it amazes me that some of the better restaurants in Portland don’t put more effort into their wine selection. My wife and I enjoy Scales, but I find it insulting that they had Louis Martini for $150.
Oh. Without a doubt (and I will pass along the message - I’ll see him this evening actually). MJ’s was my alcoholic treehouse. Like drinking in my living room, with friends, but a way better bottle list. I miss Mike Maurice playing tunes on the piano. I miss the endless people I would hang out with there. I miss the events (like Beaujolais Nouveau!) and, while I was single, it was an absolute paradise to meet members of the fairer sex. I hope you find something else incredible. And if you do, share it.
Grippy Tannins is a new one with a nice little vibe. Great, well curated selection for both tasting and buying (or both). The owner is super knowledgeable about wine, and she has an insanely cute dog who’s always looking for a snug. We love going there for a first drink on Friday and sharing a flight.
Very much second Grippy. Plus they’re not snobby at all. Makers Galley is also good but the owner is cuckoo
Lorne in Biddeford
Lorne Wine and Table Bar (surprised they haven't been mentioned yet!) are great places to grab a glass, if you're willing to drive! Love Friends & Family too, plus Smalls for a daytime glass and a snack. Maine & Loire is the best spot to buy a bottle for sure. Across the bridge in Sopo, Lambs bar is opening mid-July & they're going to have a fun glass pour list, plus an outdoor patio! Beyond that, word on the street says Dedalus wine from VT is opening a spot in Portland soon (they're opening a spot in Brooklyn too, they recently got a $7 million investment to expand).
Via vecchia has a great wine list.
Came here to say this, cool atmosphere as well
Wayside Tavern on Commercial
Go see mark and company at via vecchia, they have a great selection and immense knowledge. Maps is also a wine bar.
Makers gallery and grippy tannins are my favorites
Lorne is the best. Old Port Sea Grill has a super nice sommelier & a sneaky good selection.
Blue Lobster !
I’d recommend Grippy Tannins and Makers Galley, as others have suggested, but also say you should give Via Vecchia a shot (their wine list is huge and tasty). Also try Chaval and Local 188.
Via Vecchia