Portland, Maine punches far above its size. This small, brick-and-cobblestone port city on Casco Bay has a nationally famous food scene, a busy arts district and a music community that keeps going straight through the long Maine winter. Players will find singer-songwriter open mics, brewery bluegrass circles, jazz sessions and blues jams within a few blocks of the Old Port. This guide covers the city's history, its music scene and venues, and where to find open mics and open jams.
A Brief History of Portland, Maine
The peninsula on Casco Bay was part of the homeland of the Wabanaki peoples. English settlers established a fishing and trading village called Casco in the 1630s, and the settlement endured a remarkably hard early life: it was destroyed during conflicts in 1676 and 1690, rebuilt, and then bombarded and burned by the British Navy in 1775 at the start of the American Revolution, when the town was known as Falmouth.
Rebuilt again and renamed Portland in 1786, the city flourished as a seaport, shipping lumber and importing molasses and sugar. Portland Head Light, first lit in 1791, became one of America's most photographed lighthouses. When Maine separated from Massachusetts in 1820, Portland served as the new state's first capital. Poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was born here in 1807.
On July 4, 1866, a fire started by a firecracker destroyed much of the city. Portland rebuilt in brick and stone, and the Victorian commercial blocks of today's Old Port date largely from that era. After decades of decline in the mid-20th century, the waterfront revived as a center for restaurants, breweries, galleries and music, and the city has welcomed new communities from around the world.
The Portland, Maine Music Scene
Portland is the musical capital of northern New England. Its scene is tight-knit and supportive, with a strong singer-songwriter and Americana community, a deep traditional music culture (Irish, Celtic and French-Canadian sessions are part of the region's heritage), active bluegrass and blues societies, and a dedicated jazz contingent fed by the University of Southern Maine's music program.
The Portland Symphony Orchestra performs at Merrill Auditorium, home to the historic Kotzschmar Memorial Organ. Community station WMPG champions local artists, and the city's breweries have become important stages in their own right. Portland's own Rustic Overtones and indie artists like Lady Lamb are among the acts that came up through the local scene.
The city is also one of the most linguistically diverse regions in the United States, and its long-running International Open Mic has celebrated performers from Greater Portland's immigrant communities alongside American artists.
Popular Live Music Venues in Portland, Maine
- State Theatre (Congress St.) – A restored 1929 movie palace and the city's premier mid-size concert hall.
- Thompson's Point – A waterfront outdoor concert venue for summer tours.
- Cross Insurance Arena – The city's arena for large concerts.
- Merrill Auditorium – Home of the Portland Symphony Orchestra and the Kotzschmar Organ.
- Port City Music Hall (Congress St.) – A popular room for touring indie, rock and roots acts.
- One Longfellow Square – A beloved nonprofit listening room for folk, Americana, jazz and singer-songwriters.
- Mayo Street Arts (10 Mayo St.) – A community arts center in a former church, home to world music and the International Open Mic.
- Port City Blue – A jazz and blues bar with live music and a weekly jazz session.
- Andy's Old Port Pub – A classic Old Port bar with live roots and blues music.
- Maine Irish Heritage Center – Hosts Irish music concerts and community events.
Open Mics and Open Jams in Portland, Maine
Portland's open stages are friendly and well run, and many of the best jams happen in breweries and taprooms. Below are the standout events, followed by a schedule.
Before you go: Maine schedules shift with the seasons, and some events are monthly. Always check the venue's or host's website or social media before heading out with your gear, especially in winter weather.
Open Mics
- Definitive Brewing Company Open Mic (35 Industrial Way) – Mondays, 6:00–9:00 p.m. A weekly open mic for musicians, poets and more. All are welcome and encouraged to perform; performers get $5 pints, and you can bring your own food or have it delivered.
- One Longfellow Square Open Mic – Monthly, hosted by singer-songwriter Thomas Charles Clukey. Free admission; doors open at 6:30 p.m. Geared toward singer-songwriters to keep transitions smooth; if time allows, more names are drawn at 9:00 p.m. A chance to play one of the city's best listening rooms.
- International Open Mic at Mayo Street Arts (10 Mayo St.) – A periodic evening of curated and spontaneous performances by international and American artists who call Greater Portland home. Check Mayo Street Arts' calendar for dates.
- Area open mics – Local blues site Bluz Junky lists additional open mics around the region, such as Bentley's Saloon in Arundel.
Jams
- Bluegrass Jam at Root Wild Kombucha (135 Washington Ave.) – A recurring bluegrass jam hosted by Colin McKenna and promoted by the Bluegrass Music Association of Maine.
- Jazz Sesh at Port City Blue – A weekly open jazz jam (it has run on Tuesday nights, 9:00–11:00 p.m.) that opens with a short house set before the stage opens up. Informal and fun for players and listeners alike.
- Sunday Jazz Jam at Hi-Fidelity Beer – A Sunday jazz session listed by local music calendars.
- Blues jams – Andy's Old Port Pub has hosted a blues jam, and the Trainwreck Blues Jam at the Railroad Pub in nearby Gray is a regional favorite (call ahead). Bluz Junky keeps the most current blues jam listings.
- Lucky Pigeon Brewing Acoustic Jam (Biddeford) – A recurring acoustic jam about 20 minutes south, listed by the Bluegrass Music Association of Maine.
Portland, Maine Open Jam & Open Mic Schedule at a Glance
| Day | Event | Venue | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Open Mic (6 p.m.) | Definitive Brewing Company | All Styles |
| Tuesday (confirm) | Jazz Sesh (9 p.m.) | Port City Blue | Jazz |
| Sunday | Jazz Jam | Hi-Fidelity Beer | Jazz |
| Recurring | Bluegrass Jam | Root Wild Kombucha | Bluegrass |
| Monthly | Open Mic (doors 6:30 p.m.) | One Longfellow Square | Singer-Songwriter |
| Periodic | International Open Mic | Mayo Street Arts | World / All Styles |
Tips for Playing Portland's Open Mics and Jams
- Plan for winter. Snowstorms can cancel events, and cold, dry air is hard on wooden instruments. Let your instrument warm up in its case before tuning.
- Walk the Old Port. Many venues are within a few blocks of each other; parking downtown can be tight on weekends.
- Learn some trad tunes. Irish and Celtic sessions are part of the region's DNA, and knowing a few common reels and jigs opens doors.
- Tip and buy a pint. Breweries host many of the best jams; support the room that supports the music.
Helpful Local Resources
- Bluegrass Music Association of Maine (mainebluegrass.org) – Upcoming public jams and festivals.
- Bluz Junky (bluzjunky.com) – Maine blues, jazz and roots gig and jam listings.
- Portland Downtown events (portlandmaine.com) – Downtown music and event calendar.
- WMPG 90.9 FM – Community radio supporting local musicians.
