Classy and funky bar with really good and creative cocktails. Had a bunch of interesting conversations with the friendly regulars and the bartender was awesome. Good for a chill lounging kind of night.
Alex J.
Place rating: 5 Portland, ME
Having only heard great things about the bar, and curious about it’s name, we wandered in a the start of our night out last week. Almost unmarked and very dark, you might walk by it once or twice, but once inside the atmosphere is incredible. The décor has a quirky vintage feel(notice the incredible mural) and the vibe very laid back and intimate. The drink menu is very artisanal and fun — if you’re a fan of a gin & tonic, be sure to try the cucumber & peppercorn variety, it’s incredible. Also check out the sitting room up stairs, it’s cool & cozy and has great people watching from the balcony.
Lindsey M.
Place rating: 4 Waltham, MA
Asked another bartender in town for suggestions on a fun bar and they suggested the Bearded Lady. Once we heard the name we knew we had to go and check this place out. We had no issues finding the place, the door was well marked although it did look a little dark inside. We came in early and were able to score a very nice table by the window. The bar is pretty limited with drinks, they only have beer and cocktails. I tried the«Stalk dirty to me» drink which was OK but nothing I would get again. The décor and people watching were really quite awesome though. The staff is super friendly and very attentive. The bar could best be described as a Hipster type bar with a Victorian 40’s/50’s vibe. All drink menus come framed in antique frames(that remind me of my old family portraits!). The décor around the bar is very 40/50’s with glassware also from that time period. All bartenders were wearing a Hawaiian style shirt which was unique. Before leaving, we wondered up to the top floor which was an interesting sitting room. Upstairs was more psychedelic with a 70’s acid trip feel. Just a bar you don’t see everyday! Definitely come check it out, but if you are picky like me; stick to beer!
Monica L.
Place rating: 3 Portland, ME
Space is cool but the cocktails were horrible. Cozy little place to have beers with a date but that’s about it.
Matt G.
Place rating: 5 Fremont, NH
If you can find it, you will not be disappointed. The drinks are absolutely amazing, and even though they’re beautiful cocktails, they’re decently priced. Atmosphere is hip, staff is attentive, owner is awesome. Didn’t try any food, but it’s not a restaurant so I wouldn’t expect truly amazing things anyhow, so as long as it’s decent you couldn’t go wrong. Highly recommend the Bourboner’s Delight as a drink, especially in the cooler weather.
Tony W.
Place rating: 5 Portland, ME
Small, nondescript cocktail bar that you’re probably going to walk by a few times before finding the entrance. I’ve been here twice and enjoyed myself both times. The interior is dark and intimate, and I’ve found the bartenders(NOT pretentious a place enough to be referred to as ‘mixologists’) to be friendly and attentive. And the cocktails. I really admire the creativity and spirit of invention that goes into every drink. They’re a bit pricy — and the drink you order may be good on paper but a complete miss on the palate — but if you come here two or three times you’re probably going to sample a flavor unlike anything else that you really dig. I have not tried the food, but honestly I would probably just keep this as an after dinner place.
Brian W.
Place rating: 2 Portland, ME
After probably 3 or 4 visits to this bar, I think I have finally decided, Nah! I’m done with it. The cocktails are good. I’ve had one or two that I would call very good but the whole experience always leaves me perturbed. I know a lot of people complain about them not having a sign but… get a damn sign! The drink selection is certainly adventurous but sometimes you don’t want adventurous or sometimes you are with a friend who doesn’t do adventurous and just wants a Jameson & Ginger Ale. By all means, shoot for the moon but if you alienate everyone who doesn’t want the moon, you are going to find an increasingly dwindling demographic. Service runs from pleasant to dead-eyed. I don’t need and really don’t want chatty Cathy behind the bar bar but don’t act like I am imposing on you and don’t roll your eyes if someone orders something you don’t want to make. Picture if the bar was a DJ. «Hi, I’d like to make a request.» «We don’t take requests.» «But when I hired you, you said you took requests.» «Alright, fine. What?» «Uh… How about „Walk On the Wild Side“ by Lou Reed?» «You don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ll play you something better.» (Proceeds to play all four sides of «Metal Machine Music») I had some of the food but not enough to judge beyond thinking that $ 7 – 8 is too much for chips and dip. The décor has all of the warmth of a racquetball court but it doesn’t matter because it is comically dim, so you don’t really notice. I really wanted to like this place because I like a good cocktail and it is very convenient for me. I gave it a number of tries but it just never took. Bottom line, I think this place is in love with what it want’s to be or thinks it is but is missing the apparent clues as to what it is.
Nathan K.
Place rating: 1 Portland, ME
I was mildly excited for this place. «Nan’l» has a reputation about town as a great bartender so I felt like maybe a bar with him at the helm could deliver a great experience. Long story short: it didn’t. The badness starts before you even enter. The Jewel Box’s windows are reflective so you can’t see what’s going on inside and there is no hanging sign, like every other business on the block. The only indication of its existence is a piece of crumpled paper taped to the door that says Jewel Box. I have twice suggested it as a place for others to check out only to have them tell me they couldn’t find it. I’m not sure what the reasoning is behind this, but it just leaves me with the feeling like the place thinks its too good for a sign. Or too cheap, or too lazy. Whatever the reasoning, it rubs me the wrong way. Entering the place, the lighting was low and the music was loud. This is expected at a bar. Low light and loud music aren’t bad in and of themselves but in both cases it was over the line to the point of stumbling around and screaming at my compatriots just to be heard. At no point could I hear our server, who couldn’t be bothered to speak up. Service wasn’t great. Again, laziness comes to mind. It wasn’t busy, and there aren’t a lot of tables anyway, or a big menu with lots of stuff on it, and yet it felt like our sever just couldn’t be bothered to spend any time talking to us. One friend asked for a recommendation and her response was essentially ‘they’re all good.‘ The menus come in frames, which is a cute idea in theory but in practice my menu was totally askew and I couldn’t read half of what was on there. Take five seconds and glue it on, guys. It’s not hard. Not that there was much to read, anyway. The menu had five cocktails and two beers on it. We tried four of the five drinks on the menu. One was nothing remarkable, certainly nothing I’d order again, but I wouldn’t describe it as horrible. The other three were so spectacularly terrible it was almost impressive. «Ashtray Heart,» could be a cool name for a drink, but if you’re going to call it that it that, you should make sure it doesn’t taste like it was actually mixed in an ashtray. I would tell you the names of the other drinks, but I can’t remember them, and I went to go look them up online, but of course the Jewel Box has no website. Well, not ‘no website.’ Rather, the website has no relevant information other than the address and the — rather useless — declaration that Nan’l loves us. Like the sign, I can’t tell if this is laziness or if they just have so much confidence in their establishment that they think it doesn’t need anything else. Either way, it’s not great. The Kickstarter listed ‘custom shaved ice’ and a ‘cabinet of curiosities’ as necessary components of the bar for which people were supposed to pay. My drink had plain ice and the only thing curious about the wood cabinet behind the bar was why it was filled with such uninteresting tchotchkes. This was pretty lame to me, and also again reeked of the laziness that is a trademark of this establishment. Can’t be bothered to put up a sign, or a website, or to keep the menus in place or to follow through on the promises of the kickstarter. They’d rather just take your $ 10 for one small, terrible drink and call it a day. We stayed for less than fifteen minutes. We didn’t dare try the food. Three people in our party didn’t finish their drinks(two of them were only sipped twice before my friends announced that the drinks were so bad they couldn’t finish them). The server either didn’t notice or didn’t care, an attitude which boggles my mind. This place has been open for less than a year. As someone who has owned my own small business, I asked everyone who even glanced at our façade what they thought. If someone seemed even the slightest bit unhappy I wanted to make it better and turn their bad experience into a good one so they’d keep coming back. To the server’s credit, I also didn’t go out of my way to let her know how bad it was, but this was because I couldn’t hear anything she was saying and was really tired of yelling over the music(great choice on the Li’L Kim Ultimately, the Jewel Box doesn’t seem to care if you show up, if you return or if you enjoy yourself while you’re there. Well, I went, and I didn’t enjoy myself, and I won’t be returning. If you decide to, all I can do is wish you good luck.
Matthew B.
Place rating: 5 Portland, ME
Super chill and skillfully crafted cocktails are always available. I remember prior to the opening of the Jewel Box attending some serious happenings hosted by the now owner and that spirit carries thru. Drinks are $ 10(well worth it) along with a few beer and wine options. I’d say more but I’ve already said too much.
Yelena S.
Place rating: 3 Austin, TX
I had no idea this place even existed, which is pretty lame because we live a few blocks away. That being said, we couldn’t even find the Jewel Box because there’s hardly any indication it’s even there. A couple approached us while we walked aimlessly up and down Congress St, they asked us if we were looking for the Bearded Lady, out of all things. They kindly led us to it, turns out we walked by it about 5 times. It’s a cute and funky little set-up. We went New Year’s Eve, there were a good number of people inside so the windows were misty, making it nearly impossible to see inside from the street(one of the reasons we couldn’t find it). There’s a cool Victorian-esque mural on the wall, and the drinks were served out of ‘crystal’ glasses. I hear their drink options change often? On NYE they were all bubbly-based for $ 8 each, with options like cassis with lemon and elderflower liqueur. Mine was alright, I’d be curious to return and try what other cocktails they offer during the week though. They had some interesting small dish options, but we were bouncing from place to place for drinks so I didn’t have a chance to try any of them. It’s a sweet little Portland spot, a little more eclectic and hip than the usual bar scene.
Rachel D.
Place rating: 4 Portland, ME
Personally, I like Bearded Lady’s Jewel Box. It’s hidden, it’s eclectic, their bathroom is cute, their drinks are good, and the mural reminds me of a Lego version of Marie Antoinette. Also at night when they’re busy the windows fog up making it extra secluded and comfy. For me personally, this is a good spot. If you like your bar a little out of the ordinary and you enjoy hipsterisms(what are those anymore even?!) then you’d probably enjoy Jewel Box. Their drink menu is changing constantly but a favorite of mine has been the Tiger Balm. Their drinks are pretty boozy but not the type of boozy where you think someone may be drugging you at a Frat party, no. The type of boozy where you know someone curated a delicious drink for you and it’s so delicious that by the time you finish it you may have two more, or you may take a nap. They also offer meat, cheese and pickle boards(yumm). So don’t forget to get a bite to eat and have a glass of water from the little Russian glass man jug. You’ll thank me later.
Michelle L.
Place rating: 4 Portland, ME
Dark, quiet, a friendly bartender and ample seating? Count me in. The drinks here are kind of intense, my first«the Hemingway daiquiri» was super tart, but very delightful. The second featured Laphroaig scotch and mostly just tasted like scotch. Don’t get me wrong, I love scotch, but I’m not sure this one was all there. I love a good cocktail bar, and this one is 100% on the right path, I’d ideally call it like a 3.5 for now(expensive snacks, drinks not always winners) but I could see coming back here on the regular cause the atmosphere was 100% and the service was a delight.
Brett F.
Place rating: 1 Portland, ME
I recently decided to give the Bearded Lady a second chance and had the single worst drink and single worst order of food in my life. The drink tasted like Listerine mixed with Splenda. It was not made by the owner. My friend ordered the same drink and it was much better, but still not so great. The food was a pickled vegetable plate. It was inedible. The friend who ordered it loves pickled foods and quit after two bites. I nearly spit my piece out. I don’t enjoy giving poor reviews, but this was so awful that maybe the feedback can help improve it. I personally won’t be going back.
Steff D.
Place rating: 4 Portland, ME
I am not one of the cool kids who knew the infamous Nan’l(The Bearded Lady) before his Jewel Box opened(even as I write this, I don’t really know him… we’ve passed by each other about a thousand times in Trader Joe’s, and when I came to his new cocktail bar I was served by a different bartender while Nan’l spent time either in the kitchen or talking only specifically with some girls at the end of the bar), so I couldn’t tell you about his time at Local 188, his work with the Pocket Brunch series, or any of the super exclusive speakeasy private parties he held. But I can tell you this: you will get one helluva exceptional cocktail at The Bearded Lady’s Jewel Box. Are the drinks small? Oh, yes(NOTE: the bartender told us that they don’t have specific glasses for specific drinks; they just use whatever they think will fit the quantity made for each drink), but they’re the same size you’d find in many cocktail bars in NYC. Are the drinks expensive? Oh, yes. $ 10 a piece might not seem like a lot until drink two or three… when you realize how much you’ve spent. Are the drinks delicious and unique? Oh, yes. And they’re constantly changing, so whatever you see here on Unilocal will probably NOT be what you get when you go yourself. For example, we were excited to try The Penicillin like so many people here raved about… it was no longer available, but what we did try was fab(though I couldn’t tell you exactly what because… it was farrrrrrrrr tooooooo dark to take a photo to capture that fleeting, illusive menu): — Mata Hari(???): Cognac and chai infused something or other. absolutely perfect. Wish I had had this second to end my palate with. It was mellow, clean, and really refreshing. — DLB(???): Rum, citrus, and a whole lotta bitters. Very nice, but wasn’t a great drink to end the night on. — The friend I went with got had two drinks, one of which had tequila(I didn’t try it) and one of which had LOADS of scotch… and it tasted like burly men. Like… sawdust and cigars and beards. Awful description, but seriously, those were the images this drink evoked. How impressive when a drink can do that, right? Also — the bartender serving us? He was tall and had tattoos on his arm… he was EXACTLY the kind of bartender EVERY establishment in Portlandtown should have. Personable, thoughtful, genuine… it seemed like he actually liked his job and was knowledgeable about the drinks themselves. High five to you, good sir. The snacks menu had a handful of offerings, all $ 8. From a charcuterie board to a garlic dip, we however tried the cheese ball which — yes — does in fact sit on top of a giant sesame, pretzel cracker. The cheese ball was creamy and herby and nutty… but worth more like $ 5 or $ 6. Will I rush to come back here? I’m not entirely sure at this point. I liked it, I’m glad I experienced it, but I might wait to come back here when I catch wind that the menu has changed once again. I do think that this place really is crafting some of the most perfectly conceived and executed cocktails in town though!
Dawn T.
Place rating: 4 Portland, ME
Another trip is in order. I wasn’t paying enough attention. Add to that this is a cocktail bar and I’m a neophyte with cocktails, having been in the wine business for a very long time. Lucky us, we arrived when there were seats, they did not last long for sure. There aren’t many, but the space isn’t that big, I had a hard time imagining how to get more seating without killing the ambiance. My friend and I are both over 50 and had a hell of a time trying to read the drink menu. Thankfully the iphone has a flashlight which proved invaluable once again. Nan’l, the owner, recognizing that I was very tentative about choosing a cocktail due to lack of experience, made a drink for us while we were trying to decide. I’ve heard others comment on how delicious this drink is, so there’s no question it was simply my lack of grasp that accounts for the squinching of my face upon tasting it. He was not the least bit offended, and happily produced the drinks we ordered in no time. Mine was called Penicillin and had a distinct aroma of bandaids which was strangely enticing, CLEARLY the goal of this barman. We both enjoyed our drinks while chatting along and visiting with other folks we knew that were there or came in. If I could have read the menu with ease, or even knew there was a food menu, my experience would have been 5 stars. I have no doubt the next time will be. Updates soon…
Kylie D.
Place rating: 4 Portland, ME
Like some of the other reviewers, I’m giving the Jewel Box 4 stars because I’m sure that they’ll iron out the small kinks soon enough, get a sign outside and buy some decent seating. I agree, the décor seems a little bit random once to get past the beautiful bar. The tables near the window are coffee table height which makes them incredibly awkward to sit at or near. But honestly, I can forgive a lot when I’m served an amazing cocktail. It was Thelonius Monk week when I dropped in so all the drinks were made with ingredients made by Monks — real monks, not jazz musician monks. Great way to tie in a theme, don’t you think? I had the Casco Sour made with rye, bitters, Benedictine and an egg white for frothiness and good measure. It was served in a champagne coupe and it was delicious — subtle and well-crafted and only $ 10. My friend was famished so we ordered a cheese ball off the small menu of noshes. We didn’t have high expectations for a cheese ball, but we were pleasantly surprised… by the cracker it sat upon! The cracker was homemade, about 6 inches in diameter and not solid — I don’t know how exactly to describe it, it looked sort of like a flat funnel cake(terrible visual, I’m sure, sorry!). In any case — it was fabulous! And a perfect complement to the cheese(probably goat/chevre?). Our server was sweet and attentive and our snacks(all snacks I think) were delivered to tables by the owner himself. I’m so happy this wonderful spot is just down the street from my office and I look forward to coming back very soon! Cheers!
Deni T.
Place rating: 4 South Portland, ME
I’m going with 4 stars, based on what I think this will be once they get going. There is no sign outside(yet? It is new after all) and it is difficult to see in through the windows from the street. Since we had walked past a few times we were on the lookout for friends. When we saw them going past as well, we knocked on the window and they actually could not see us. We were meeting a party and had arrived early hoping to eat multiple small plates instead of a large dinner. Unfortunately for me, the dairy free options were limited to the pickle party. It was delicious and I loved the older glass dish with little forks, similar to what Grandma would have had. My companion got the garlic dip with veggies and enjoyed it, also in the old glass dish style. Nice touch! The«gems» of the Jewel Box… Amazing. Cocktails that are made with care and at the same time with ease. I had penicillin by mistake… A scotch drink… A happy mistake. I meant to order The Undertaker which had bourbon which is one of the loves of my life. I kept with the penicillin all night while the Tiger Balm and other gems looked great and came in their own unique glasses. They do have a beer that is crafted for them by Infiniti as well. The space is open and not cluttered but look at the details on the candle holders and pictures in the frames(tiger boy anyone?). The window has a nice long window seat that is begging for a cushion with tables and chairs opposite. The bathrooms are pink and cozy. The bar is big and accommodates many. The cocktail crafters are proficient and friendly. When we arrived there were only 5 others there at 7pm. Just before 8 we were the only patrons. By 9 it was very busy and difficult to hear conversations next to you. It was good to see people out stopping in this new spot and they can only get better!
Holly B.
Place rating: 3 Portland, ME
Great cocktails — our celebratory crowd was happy with their drinks. I had the Penicillin, and it was SO refreshing. The atmosphere was okay… it wasn’t overly visually stimulating, but that means it wasn’t cluttered either. The crowd was a variety of ages, but all happily consuming the cleverly crafted cocktails, and made for interesting people — watching. The later it got, the busier they got, and thus the louder it got — keep in mind if you’re looking for a quiet place to chat. Our server was kept busy, and I tried to flag her down for 20 minutes before going to the bar for my tab — I’m a server, I know how busy it can be :) As of right now, they only have a snack menu(try the pickle party!) so plan accordingly! I will definitely go back!
Robert R.
Place rating: 5 Kennebunkport, ME
Hot new bar on Congress near the arts district with classic cocktails and small bites.(note: very cocktail centric with one beer on tap and no wine list) Generally younger crowd with a very«re-energized» vibe reflecting Portland’s entry into the foodie elite. Open only a few days so far and not widely advertised yet, we were there twice last night for before and after dinner cocktails. All seats taken at 7:00 and standing room only at 10:30. Fun place, unobtrusive upbeat music playlist, great conversation and the bar staff headed by Nan’l, the owner, are true cocktail professionals. Highly recommended.
Jay N.
Place rating: 5 Portland, ME
Just from my short experience with this place and its owner, The Bearded Lady’s Jewel Box is going to be a crown jewel of Portland’s social nightlife scene. This is a true cocktail bar offering small plates of food by an in-house chef, but the custom cocktails are front and center with the lounge promising some 450 different cocktails annually. The owner, Nathaniel, also known as ‘The Bearded Lady’ is a young, hip, warm and friendly upstart with a following from his previous employer. He began hosting cocktail parties at the homes of his mixology fans which eventually lead to a unique Kickstarter campaign which then lead to the opening of this little gem of a place. His concept would be unique in some of the country’s largest cities but Portland’s got it right here.