user
Port City Music Hall
504 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101, United States
Appearance

Comments
Aa
Review №1

Port City is a great, intimate venue. Bands on stage are nearly close enough to touch and its not uncommon for them to step off the stage and join fans on the floor. There is a large bar as you walk in and a reserved seating area off to the side if you arent in the mood to stand (reserve ahead). Wait for one of your favorites to come to town or take a chance on a new band.

Tr
Review №2

Wonderful Venue! Great sound, books only the best touring and local bands, and is run by the VERY BEST PEOPLE you could ever hope to meet. So proud to have Port City Music Hall here in Portland. An indispensable part of the Maine Music community :)

Wi
Review №3

Such a great venue for live shows - it feels more intimate and close. The cocktails are great, but beers will run you about 7$ per - local brews, though. Pool table downstairs, in and out privileges if you get a wristband. Coming from LA, it’s so nice to be able to be this close to the stage!

Am
Review №4

Music was great! Not a super spacious venue though, so hopefully youre okay with strangers and no personal space near the stage (pretty much near the exit doors is the place you go to take a breather.) The merch if they have it tends to be scrunched up in the corner, but its okay because theyre trying to make more room. Worth at least one venue visit if youre in Maine!

Li
Review №5

Even during COVID shutdown its still one of the best venues in town run by great people

An
Review №6

Nice place to hang out and enjoy some good music! Decent bar with decent prices. Places to sit, but more space to get up close with your favorite performers! Parking and placement are a bit weird, but it’s in a “hip” part of town and plenty of other stuff around if you arrive early. Would go to see other shows there again any time!

An
Review №7

Great music venue. Saw an AMAZING local band. Strong sound system, focused audio techs, drinks are good and affordable.

Da
Review №8

Excellent venue, amazing bar service, and more than one bar!! Everything you need to make a good night great

V
Review №9

Ive enjoyed all the shows Ive seen here, its small and pretty intimate at 500 max, which is great. VIP IS worth it if you have any interest in sitting at ANY point during the show. I also like the bartenders Ive dealt with there, and the door folk are friendly and efficient without being unnecessarily intrusive when theyre doing their safety check.

Jo
Review №10

Great club to see and hear music. It has a nice floorplan and good sound. The preferred seating is an elevated platform off to the left with bar service , it cost extra, but if you want to sit and not fight the crowd to get a drink, its worth it. If you like to be up close to the stage, dont spend the extra money. The staff was really nice too !

Kw
Review №11

Against Me! with supporting act Stef Chura. The staff was friendly and the sound and show were exceptional.

Me
Review №12

Heather Land was absolutely awesome. I have never laughed so much in my life. Only problem, they need to sell bottles of water or soda to those that dont drink alcoholic beverages.

Ca
Review №13

Good stuff. The band is close, the sound is great. Looking forward to seeing more shows there! Had to leave early first and last time I was there but it was no fault of theres. Glad we have this venue in Portland!

Ca
Review №14

Beautiful building. I went with some friends for the Com Truise/Beshken concert a few months back and it was amazing. I had a blast, the layout is wonderful, because if you want to get away from the crowds, music or bar, theres a normally quiet downstairs area on the way to the bathrooms. I cant wait to come back here again.

Ka
Review №15

Such a nice cozy venue. Got super close to the stage for the concert. Nice that music plays down towards the bathroom too!

Ch
Review №16

Place that offers free water in a cooler to all guests its cool in my book

Be
Review №17

Great venue for a music show. I photographed a hip hop and a jazz fusion show there on a Saturday. The lighting for photography can be improved, but its not terrible. The beer on tap is solid too if youre a craft beer fan.

Mi
Review №18

Much better than their other venue the State Theater. For some reason the staff here are friendlier and more mellow. Hate the State Theater , the staff are animals there.

An
Review №19

Nice medium sized venue with drinks for adults and courteous staff. Enjoyed Durand Jones there, looking forward to seeing Tennis next.

Ro
Review №20

The event I went to see was great. The Port City Music hall staff was rude. When we went inside, the gentleman checking tickets at the door told us we didnt need to keep our tickets once inside, so we the them out (less to keep track of). Then some lady comes around to check tickets and gives us a major attitude because we didnt have it tickets even after we explained what the guy at the door told us. I have no intentions to go back to that arena if I can help it. Their staff needs to get on the same page. I dont need their lack of communication directed at me, the paying customer.

Al
Review №21

One of my all time favorite venues. Its smaller than some others in town, but it creates an intimate experience for some great shows.

Za
Review №22

One of my favorite places for concerts. Really clean place with clean bathrooms. Pretty decent size but not to big. Love how close you can be to the band and stage.

Ry
Review №23

Great venue. Well laid out, easy to move around. Clean aesthetic. Sounds quality is on point.

Vi
Review №24

Dont know what it is with this venue but the staff are rude and it tends to be over packed. Fire hazard for sure the last show we went to. Shows are good. If you can see it. But the venue ... just no.

Vi
Review №25

Great shows but its no fun standing through them.

Er
Review №26

One of the best venues in Portland to see local and national acts.

An
Review №27

Really cool setup for shows. Drinks were pretty affordable.

Sc
Review №28

Great venue!! Not too small, not too big. Very intimate but big at the same time. Definitely had an enjoyable experience. Drinks are reasonably priced and the atmosphere is great. Loved it!

Sa
Review №29

Best time ever. Small concert hall but it makes everything so intimate with the artist, especially if youre at the front.

So
Review №30

Excellent venue and friendly staff made for a great night!!

Co
Review №31

What an awesome place! It was my first time time there and I was happy to learn that you can go freely to and from the venue once theyve scanned your ticket. Definitely will return in the future!

Sa
Review №32

Pretty great intimate venue! Everyone working that I interacted with was very nice and the show was wonderful.

Sh
Review №33

Decent venue. Doesnt offer actual seating except in the vip area which is kind of exhausting. But the sound quality in there is fabulous.

Re
Review №34

Wonderful space in which to see a show! Service at the bar was excellent, sound was just right, excellent experience all around. I have one petty gripe: our seats (yes, there were seats for this particular audience) were just behind and to the left of the sound booth. Its not a booth so much as an elevated desk, and all technical activity related to the stages light and sound is visible to the audience around said booth. The dude running the soundboard had a small light so he could see what he was doing, as most board ops do - but this thing was BRIGHT. Tape a piece of gel to your light, my man. It was distracting as hell.

Do
Review №35

Amazing Venue! Definitely will go back!

Je
Review №36

A great venue that often has no barricade. Has full bar , snacks, couches, upstairs and downstairs, but is still an intimate venue

Hi
Review №37

I prefer Port City from the state theater, just because of the smaller space. You get a much more intimate concert experience. There is no seating unless you want the couch way back or to pay for VIP seats, but worth the stand for your favorite artists!!

Da
Review №38

Very open and you can get intimate with action by getting just a few feet from the performance.

An
Review №39

Fav venue in Portland. Small and intimate but lots of space to hang in in the back or downstairs, too! Bar service is always excellent and staff are friendly.

jo
Review №40

Moon hooch was amazing! Bring them back asap

Iv
Review №41

Awesome venue. Great booking and friendly environment. Whoever does the house light work there is doing a fantastic job. Great sound. The venue just a has a damn near perfect layout. I just with they would have the pool room downstairs functioning more often.

Ni
Review №42

Hip spot for a good show. Great bar too. Just dont get stuck in the back

Ry
Review №43

It was a really comfortable venue and the staff was extremely friendly

Dy
Review №44

Ive only been here twice but I really like this venue. Lots of space, big bar. Come to think about it I dont have much to say about the actual venue but I do remember fondly the times Ive had there. Good enough, right?

Lo
Review №45

Supportive of Bernie Sanders for Prez.!

ch
Review №46

Great intimate venue. Awesome.

Li
Review №47

Great shows here! Very fun atmosphere. Having 2 bars is very smart!

Da
Review №48

Been here a ton for concerts from Ween to Percy Hill. Kids concerts by Rock & Roll Playhouse have been a blast for the little guys recently. ️

Ha
Review №49

It was very clean and a very nice place to preform in

Mi
Review №50

Smaller intimate setting with great bar service.

Ni
Review №51

Quite a decent live music venue in Portland. Saw Buffalo Tom there. Its not big nor small and good viewing from anywhere in the place.

Ch
Review №52

Great acts all the time here

Se
Review №53

Awesome venue. Never more than 50 yards from the stage and if you get there for the opener youll for sure get a spot up front by the stage. Could do with a better beer selection but overall one of the best shows Ive ever seen was here!

Wi
Review №54

!Nice small seting for a concerts. Well played out. Had a great time

Be
Review №55

Ive always liked PCMH. Its a small enough size to feel like youre part of the show and big enough to not feel crammed in.

se
Review №56

Pretty great venue for smaller acts. They have a nice side area to sit if you get there earlier, and a relatively larger standing area if you like to dance. Only qualm is the price of beer ($7+ for craft), but thats to be expected

Ro
Review №57

Awesome place to see live music. Very intimate venue. Seating was open and prices were good

Je
Review №58

Fun place. Great atmosphere

Mi
Review №59

Start making sense! Amazing show!

Se
Review №60

Super clean venue really nice staff excellent bookings great music 1 of a kind spot in the city

Ka
Review №61

Went to see Alan Doyles show on 11/10/18, as always Alan was amazing, the venue, not so much. There was no information on parking, and not being familiar with Portland, parking was difficult to acquire. The worst part though, was the in-house lighting affects, which were often shone directly into the eyes of both the audience and the band. If you have sensitive eyes or epilepsy, you may want to avoid this venue.

Ka
Review №62

Saw Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real, Niki Lake opened. Lots of great music for the price. Most of the audience was great. What a good value for the price of admission. Wasnt crazy about the wand and Pat down at the entrance, but as the song goes..... The times they are a changing.

Vl
Review №63

Very nice and intimate venue.

Ma
Review №64

Port City music hall is a good venue for live music. Its a small place so where ever you are in the theater you have a good view and are up close and personal with the band. I recently saw Alsarah and the Nubatones and the did a wonderful show.

Dy
Review №65

Comfortable venue with table seating near stage, dance/crowd floor, and fully stocked bar. Bar cocktails are fairly priced - beers are a little pricey for the plastic cup they give you (but its a concert hall..you should expect this). Staff is friendly, good salesmanship, respectful ID check at the door. METAL DETECTOR BEFORE ENTRY! Dress/pack accordingly. This made the venue feel very SAFE! 4 Stars, only because venue could be bigger.

Jo
Review №66

Show was great. We were disappointed it was only an hour long tho. Seems like two sets would be a better value. The kids just loosened up and it was over.

Ju
Review №67

Venue was beautiful and very clean. But I was told by a few people who have been there multiple times, saying it was the hottest its ever been in there. Honestly probably about 115°. We had to step out early to take a breather. Security throwing people out left and right for smoking weed, when joints were thrown at us from on stage. Asked the bar for a bottle of water and was pointed to a cooler with tiny paper cups like from the dentist

Br
Review №68

Sound in here is friggin sweet bub. Couple of bars, plenty of room, but still small enough to pack the frickin place and maybe even stage dive once in a while

Am
Review №69

Awesome venue. The show was killer. Wonderful experience.

Jo
Review №70

A great medium size music Hall with a large open floor for dancing or gathering to watch music. A small dinner menu just in case youre running late and need to eat some. The chicken panni was fine. I am looking forward to going there again to dance to a great band. I saw the aunnual Stevie Wonder show and the musicians had a heartfelt fell camaraderie. I can support a business that supports that

Er
Review №71

One of my favorite venues in Portland!

JJ
Review №72

Good smaller venue, cheap drinks for a concert hall. The regular priced ticket is general admission, standing only In front of the stage. Preferred seating is elevated to the left of the stage, has tables and chairs, and a waitress who will bring you drinks to your table throughout the show.

Mi
Review №73

We saw The Old 97s... Great show! PCMH is a great intimate venue.

Bi
Review №74

Really good small music venue. Very clean, good bar service, professional staff. If you can spring for the VIP section its worth it, the extra height and close proximity to the stage can get you up close to your favorite band. Sound quality is great. This place brings a lot of good bands to Portland, glad its here.

Ji
Review №75

Good sized venue with full service bar in the heart of Portland. No fixed seating. Audience was in folding chairs in front of the stage. Plan on parking in a garage. Theres no parking lot and on street parking is virtually non existent.

Ro
Review №76

Real good sound system

Si
Review №77

Great dependable venue. Re-entry is allowed and there are 1-3 bars depending on the show. Not always the best view since its a long shaped venue, like a rectangle with a skinny end at the stage. This isnt a big deal if the show isnt sold out or close. Portland house of music and state theater both offer better views.

Mi
Review №78

Loved Barns Courtney. Small venue. Some tables & chairs but mostly standing.

Pa
Review №79

Coco Montoya and opening band were great!

Er
Review №80

Great intimate venue. Would give 5 stars, except that for shows of the quieter, sit there and listen variety, theres always 2 to 10 drunken idiots who dont get that its not a welcome time to make noise. If the staff would do something about that, it would be a much better venue for it.

Da
Review №81

The venue was fine but the concert was very disappointing

P
Review №82

Good little venue. Atmosphere is on point

Ju
Review №83

Was not that impressed but i think part of it was just the particular show. Acoustics were good but the sound could have been much louder. The bar set up was a disaster. 5 to 6 people deep waiting for drinks. Only 1 out of 3 bars open for a packed house?

Sc
Review №84

Great acoustics! Great band! Definitely go again!

Je
Review №85

Has good time great music! Just lil stuffy feeling inside

C.
Review №86

Always a great place to see a show. Laid back but attentive and professional staff.

Vi
Review №87

Venue was a little too rock star for what should have been a grimy punk show but still glad that they were able to play outside of a 21+ bar

De
Review №88

Good venue with lots of open space, coat check, and bar. Had a blast!

Ar
Review №89

They have music and capacity

co
Review №90

Killer venue with a solid, professional staff, great sound, and great bookings.

De
Review №91

Security is chill in a good way. Theyll help you if youre in need but kick the misbehavers out

Ba
Review №92

Excellent drinks and snack food! Good music venue, limited seating at a premium.

Te
Review №93

Great little music venue!

Je
Review №94

A fun venue, staff was cool.

Ch
Review №95

Great venue great acts. Good sound

Sh
Review №96

Bumpin Uglies & Ballyhoo! Excellent concert. Great space. Clean. Efficient staff

Hi
Review №97

Not that big of a venue but great place to see a show been here many times. The bar had everything and had $1 pbrs. Love to see any artist preform here NO COMPLAINTS

Co
Review №98

Venue is downtown and in walking distance from all of downtown Portland. Although recent reviews say otherwise, the staff truly makes an effort to accommodate all guests. They could use additional staff during sold out shows, which Ive attended two. I can feel the bartenders are overwhelmed, but then again, theyve got to be making great money! Make this a destination on your next trip!

Ma
Review №99

Pretty good beer list, chill venue

Ro
Review №100

Nice little venue and had sufficient sound!

Information
100 Photos
100 Comments
4.6 Rating
  • Address:504 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101, United States
  • Site:http://www.portcitymusichall.com/
  • Phone:+1 207-956-6000
Categories
  • Performing arts theater
  • Live music venue
Working hours
  • Monday:7pm–12am
  • Tuesday:7pm–12am
  • Wednesday:7pm–12am
  • Thursday:7pm–12am
  • Friday:7pm–12am
  • Saturday:7pm–12am
  • Sunday:7pm–12am
Highlights
  • Live performances:Yes
Accessibility
  • Wheelchair-accessible entrance:Yes
  • Wheelchair-accessible seating:Yes
  • Wheelchair-accessible toilet:Yes
Amenities
  • Bar on site:Yes
  • Restaurant:Yes
Similar organizations