With all due respect to the effort and detail in your blogs, Portland, Maine's "nightlife" is terrible. I've been here for 4 years, and despite the hype it gets from the locals, nights in Portland lack "life." Unless you want to throw on your trucker hat and Carharts and grab a microbrew and some pub grub, you're out of luck. I've ventured away from Wharf street towards the Space Gallery, and even the new White Heart (among others) looking for something lively, yet it always ends up feeling like I'm a high school sophomore at a middle school dance (girls overdressed, guys underdressed, and awkward interaction between the two). When I came to town, I was just under the drinking age (although where I came from, that didn't matter at many venues) and I had heard from the locals that the scene at night in Portland was something different, and something altogether unique. What I found (and guests of mine who have come up from Massachusetts and Rhode Island) to be true was the exact opposite. Aside from the mediocre pub scene, and the half-hearted attempt at aiming for the hipster crowd (read: Space Gallery and White Heart), there's very little to be found in terms of variety. The argument I've heard again and again is, "Portland does the best it can for a small city." No doubt Portland is small, but cities like Newport, RI and Portsmouth, NH at about 1/3 the size of Portland tend to do as well or better in terms of offerings as Portland. Keep doing what you're doing and spread the word; eventually something good will come along, but until then I must admit I am very disappointed in my Portland experience.

Hey, thanks for taking the time to leave such a long, respectful response. One point I particularly enjoyed was the abundance of underdressed guys and overdressed girls. Very true (and that's the way I like it!).
But in terms of dissing the scene here, I've got to disagree with you. While I've never been out in Newport, Portsmouth's bar scene is, at best, a quarter of the size of Portland's. The sheer density of Portland's bar and clubs also put similarly-sized cities to shame (By my count, there are over 50 places to drink here in a very small area).
P-Town also draws in people from a much larger swath than either of these other cities you mentioned...if you live in Seacoast, N.H. or anywhere in Rhode Island and really want to go crazy, you will go to Boston or Providence. Someone in Buxton, Augusta, even Bangor? Their only choice for a real place to "go out" is Portland. And this translates to a Mardi Gras-like scene during warm nights on Barf Street.
Portland also has something for everyone and the scene is only getting more diverse. Upscale? Go to the Wine Bar. Rock? Go to Geno's or the Big Easy. Dancing? 51 Wharf or Bubba's. And I can't remember the last trucker hat I've seen in Portland.
I also know people that come up from Boston and D.C. to check out our scene, and they are all very impressed. This article from the Globe does a good job of showing what many out-of-towners think of Portland.

Dude, I moved here too, about 4 years ago. It's not the bars and venues that are different - it's the people. They are far more laid back than those in my hometown of Pittsburgh. That's not a bad thing, just a different thing. If you don't like it - leave.

In regards to the White Heart, I love this place, however, I hate most everyone in there. Too many people wear that did-you-see-how-hot-and-interesting-I-am-even-though-I-don't-care-what-you-think look on their otherwise disinterested faces. Their utter "coolness" is just too much.

Thanks for the responses. I don't disagree that the density of Portland's offerings is rather large given the size of the town, it's that the variety is lacking. The most popular places are all the same. The problem that I see is that there is no line between "bar" and "club" here. A bar can't be magically turned into a club by pushing some tables aside, and that's literally what places like 51 Wharf, OPT, and even Cake do. They're just restaurants/bars that clear a little room. If you've ever been to a Place like Manchester, Providence, Hartford, Springfield, etc (for comparison's sake, I won't use Boston... it's just not fair or realistic to expect any New England city to compete with Boston) clubs are places specifically designed for the dancing/ lounging crowd with ornate, trendy interiors, vast dance floors, etc. Even when Liquid Blue was open it didn't offer this.

The Gritty's and Bulfeeney's and Ri-Ra's (a chain, btw) are interchangeable and the only thing that separates them from the OPTs, Cakes, and 51 Wharf's of the world is the fact that you're talking DJs vs. Live music. otherwise, it's the same exact crowd at each (Digger's/ Liquid Blue fit in here as well).

Even the article in the Glove (thanks for linking it) mentions the Generic feel of many of the venues. This is the problem, everything is so generic, but fortunately for the sake of Portland's nightlife, the people for the most part don't realize this. Like you said, Portland draws in people from all over the state who have nowhere else to go, so what can the majority of them compare it to? They can't, therefore Portland is their measuring stick. You seem to have visited alternative places, but most of the Portland crowd is local and hasn't (My girlfriend who grew up in the area calls Old Port summers, "High School Reunions" every night and it is in every sense of the word).

The "Mardi-Gras" scene you described, may beat Portsmouth, But Newport, RI... a destination for everyone from NYC, Long Island, and Southern New England blows it out of the water. Aside from ending a whole hour earlier (Not including the stragglers going to area diners and pizzerias) than other New England towns, the police are quick to break up the Wharf St. scene... and it's mostly people bumping into other people they know anyway.

I'm not saying Portland's home to the worst nightlife in the world. It's just one dimensional. There are few places I've been to that are better for just going to grab a beer and pub food with friends. But want to dress up (as a guy) and go to some upscale bars/lounges then and upscale club? you're options are EXTREMELY limited. The laid back atmosphere is nice, but there's no alternative when you want something else. the "did-you-see-how-hot-and-interesting-I-am-even-though-I-don't-care-what-you-think" look is annoying and also anywhere, so that hasn't bothered me any more than usual. It's a local scene, and sure, some tourists check it out when they're in town and have an OK time, but trust me, if they're begging to go back to Portland, it's not because of the nightlife. I'd say that 8 out of 10 people from out of state I've talked to that have been out in Portland and elsewhere were less than impressed. If the locals find it "off-the-hook" and crazy, than this is an instance where ignorance truly is bliss.

A good time can be had in Portland, and I've had a few. Friendliness and laid back attitudes are the biggest highlights for me. It's just soooo one dimensional, and it really does feel like everyone knows everyone (which, if you're a small town kinda person, then cool). Portland's nightlife is average for a small town, but it's nothing special, and can't compete with the slightly larger cities (or smaller ones like Newport, RI). Samuel Johnson once said, "A horse that can count to ten is a remarkable horse, not a remarkable mathematician." That's Portland; a small town that draws from all over a sparsely populated state, which is good, but it doesn't put Portland on par with most other places. For Many other things, Portland is an awesome town, but nightlife really isn't one of them if you're talking about the bigger picture (read: outside of Northen New England).

That's my rant. I understand if it draws animosity from others (especially life-long locals), but that's not the intention. I am leaving Portland, but not because I hate it or because of the nightlife (for Grad School and a career if you want to know), and I've enjoyed my overall experience here... I just found the nightlife to be disappointing after how it was hyped up. Thanks for the responses.

Having lived in Los Angeles and Boston and making at least one trip to miami (And numerous other cities large and small) a year for each of my 4 years since turning 21 I have to disagree that portland's nightlife is subpar or even average. While there is not the variety of the previously mentioned cities and it does lack the big dance clubs (It also lacks the long lines and snobs that plague many of these establishments), this is more than made up for by the fact that most of the (Many) bars are within walking distance of each other, reasonably priced and populated by a variety of different types (Though the OP is a bit heavy on the collared shirt, sox fan, gelled hair crowd) who are for the most part down to earth people just looking to have a good time. During the summer months especially there is a large influx of out of state people who significantly reduce the High School reunion factor. Compared to my experiences elsewhere I would give Portland a 7 or 8 in nightlife (On an average weekend night) when stacked up against any city of any size in the country. I would like to see a larger variety of bars and clubs as well, but comparing it to Portsmouth, NH and Springfield, MA is laughable.

I usually go out looking for young tail and I find it. Maybe its the handlebar moustache. That's why I'm still the best.

I hear Saturday night at Foreplay is popped collar night. Throw on some journey and grab a bud light, it's the only place drink prices and the IQs of the patrons will both be in the single digits.

noplace compares with clubs in Germany and most of Europe for that matter. although I am in Austria right now, (which is a lot quieter) I have to say that DJ clubs in Germany are the absilute best. - live DJ music remixes etc. made live, smoke filling up the whole place at times where you cant even see in front of you, and closing time is not until 4 or 5 am.

plus it is perfectly ok - though no one really does this here, sometimes though, to drink a beer on the way to the club - ie on the street , on the bus, and walking right up to the door at the club. BUT there is no violence and aggressive attituedes like in america - in other words nobody will get in your face. beat that Portland.

Yes, how can we forget the flagship pacifist nation Germany? But seriously, how can you compare Germany and Portland? If you are opening up that can of worms, you might as well bring Vegas Miami, New York and SoCal into the conversation. I do think Americans can get a bit too riled up, though; I have seen too many foolish conflicts concerning some promiscuous girl end with blue lights or blood shed.

Now we're comparing the four square blocks that compromise the old port with an entire continent? First of all, smoke filling up entire clubs isn't that cool unless you dig cancer. Second if people walking around with open containers of booze is your thing, portland has plenty of that, just head down to preble street.

haha I am talking about smoke like they use at concerts and stuff, it is that frozen oxygen smoke that they blow out of machines? anyways, I am from Portland, but it is too bad that everything closes at 1am! plus nobody really drinks and hangs out like dirty ol preble street, usually its just me and a friend drinking a beer on the way to the club or bar (cause its cheaper)its kinda funny though to just pop your bottle as you exit the store, or on the bus, but people sometimes look at you strange (mostly if its daytime), cause the normal folks just dont do that. or drinking a beer in the caf at the university, that is allowed. btw, I dont drink a lot, and when I go to clubs, I really don't drink at all, maybe one beer if I am with friends. but the good thing is, its been greened up here (spring)for about a month! - Salzburg.

Portland Maine ist ein großer Platz, zum des Bieres zu trinken. Alle meine österreichischen Freunde fliegen in die Vereinigten Staaten, um Bier bei drei Dollar Deweys zu trinken. Wien ist eine große Stadt, aber es hat nichts auf Portland. Ich liebe saurkraut und verschiedene Würste. Warmes Bier schmeckt besser, besonders wenn es in einem Badezimmerstall an kiesigem ist.

Loosely translated, Dieter said something like:

"Portland Maine is a big place to drink to of the beer. All my Austrian friends fly in the United States to drink beer with three dollars of Deweys. Vienna is a big town, but it has nothing on Portland. I love saurkraut and different sausages. Warm beer better tastes, especially if it is in a bathroom stable in gravelly one."

Mmmm. Warm beer in a bathroom stable.

haha! "Drei Dollar Deweys". viele oesterreichiche Leute in Drei Dollar Deweys in Porland? ja vielleicht, aber ich glaube das eigentlich nicht.