The Great Lost Bear - Portland's Iconic Beer Bar and American Comfort Food Destination

The Great Lost Bear is so fun! Although I can't speak to their beers or their chili, both of which I've heard great things about, I can attest that it's a chill spot to grab drinks and apps with friends. We got a few appetizers - guac, fries,and jalapeno poppers - all of which were good, but not great, but were stellar portion-wise and affordable in spite of the huge servings. What I really loved was GLB's Western/Cracker-Barrel-but-better ambience and friendly servers. I had an Orange Creamsicle with vodka, which was akin to a Shirley Temple, but orange. So dang good. I also had a massive ice cream sundae, and felt like the true Goofy Goober I am (iykyk). If you're looking for a casual and affordable spot with American comfort food, hidden away from hordes of tourists or the bustling streets of Old Port, The Great Lost Bear is for you!

Dive-y restaurant with eclectic decorations, tons of beers on tap, and a comprehensive menu of American classics Portions are very large, but aren't anything special. I got a burger when I came, and the only thing that was noteworthy other than the fries were the potato wedge fries I came with a large party (my family + my GF's family) so we got to try a bunch of things, but nothing blew us away (not even their "award winning chili"). We also got their 2 lb wings, but we were dissapointed that this included the literal whole chicken wing (and parts that were therefore inedible)

Saturday night we went to GLB have not been in a while ! Patty chose it and we were immediately seated , Our server was Courtney she was very nice. I started w Vegan Chili, with onions and cheese it was amazing and then I got Buffalo Cauliflower and it was Great also. Patty got a Baxter Limoncello Sour and she loved it and she followed up with a Veggie Patty melt and she said it was GREAT Thanks Courtney Ambiance is the GLB hasn't changed it 25 years!!

I'm happy to report that the Great Lost Bear lives up to the hype! When I moved to the area, my fellow beer lovers suggested I check it out, and even old classmates started coming out of the woodwork to recommend it. I'm now paying it forward. I can only speak to the bar experience because my date grabbed us seats there, but here's my take: - Plentiful taps: seemingly endless beer list, which means you'll find something you love whether you're an adventurous beer enthusiast or prefer to stick to what you know. - Noteworthy flights: I highly recommend ordering a flight to sample multiple beers, though a few IPAs were 86'd on Saturday, 10/12. My date and I enjoyed comparing notes and ranking our favorites. - Friendly atmosphere: despite the hype, The Great Lost Bear space and staff were unpretentious and warm. We received the right balance of attentiveness and uninterrupted time, which I know is an art and a science. If a high school acquaintance randomly reaches out 18 years later, you know they aren't blowing smoke (unless it's a pyramid scheme). Now go grab yourself a pint... cheers!

Just returned to The Great Lost Bear for the first time in quite a long time and my wife finally tried it for the first time. This is an iconic and extremely important establishment for the Maine brewery scene and was the first bar to offer Allagash White on draft and the rest is history. They continue to stay relevant with a huge and varied style of a draft list including a dedicated tap that is always and forever gluten free to avoid contamination! So definitely a must stop for any beer lovers! Even if that doesn't appeal to you they got you covered with such a large menu even the pickiest of eaters will find something they are craving. This night my wife and I split their super pulled pork nachos and they were so good!!! She then had their Philly Cheesesteak and I had their PB&J Chicken sandwich. The only knock is the fries they have are under seasoned and honestly worth skipping out on. Otherwise I have been happy with my food here and look forward to making this a more regular stopping place after missing it for so long. Service is friendly and food comes out quick, the staff did seem busy though as I assume they were understaffed. So if you are looking for a night full of beers with a style for every taste or a meal with friends and/or family give this iconic establishment a shot! Warming parking may be difficult and full so street parking may have to do. There is a reason they have been around 40 years!

Came in on Saturday 10/20/24 around 2:30 after flying in from Michigan. I have loved the Great Lost Bear for 20+ years. I am so happy to know the only things that have changed are the beer taps and the staff. This place is a classic. It was pretty quiet, GREAT music was playing and it was the perfect amount of dark inside. We sat at the bar and Ryan took excellent care of us. He was attentive and friendly. We ordered a starter of chips, salsa and guac. The salsa was mild and the guac had a nice spice to it but not too much. It came out almost immediately and we were thrilled. To eat he had the Dixie chicken sandwich with fries for a side. He said it was all really good. We both agreed that the fries are the perfect ratio of fluffy middle and crisp exterior. I had the falafel wrap with fries. It was super tasty. Next time I will asked for more cucumber sauce because it was a wee bit dry and the sauce is REAL tasty. I'm thrilled my friend liked lunch as much as I did. Next time I'm in town I will come back for sure.

A wonderful atmosphere and great service. Came into The Great Lost Beat after a week of vacation and seafood, what a lovely dinner, so fast and food was so tasty. We had buffalo cauliflower for an appetizer and a pulled pork quesadilla, and amazing cheesus burger both with baked bean as sides! We are so stuffed and greatly for the great meal and service!

The Great Lost Beat was highly recommended by multiple people on a visit to Portland, and it certainly did not disappoint! At around 5pm on a Saturday we were seated quickly by a friendly host, greeted by a fantastic waitress, and served great food within minutes! The music was the perfect volume and the restaurant meets the needs of many folks with an expansive menu, large bar and a separate seating area from the bar for family friendly dining. They have a great beer selection and you can get 5oz tasters of anything on the menu for $2 ($2.50 if it's "premium," like the sours). The pulled pork sandwich was messy but delicious. The fries were unique and a little dry, but nothing that couldn't be fixed with your choice of dipping sauce. =) So glad we listened to our peers recommending a visit here and we plan to return if we are ever back in town!