A Former Grocery Store Led To One Of Maine’s Oldest And Most Beloved Pubs
Maine is full of history. It doesn’t matter if you live in a small town or one of the larger cities, it seems that every building, every shop, every person has a story to tell about life before we got here. That’s just one of the beautiful things about living here. We’re always on the hunt for the interesting backstories of local spots and this one is a favorite! It doesn’t hurt that visiting also means a great meal.
Bull Feeney's in Portland offers exactly what we're looking for in a pub - great food, good drinks, and live music. But a lot of people don't know that the history of this local favorite is fascinating.
He soon opened a grocery store that housed a secret saloon inside. While fun was the goal, it was also meant to be a place welcoming to immigrants like John.
Over time, he opened four more of these "saloons." Here, immigrants could meet other people and get help settling in. John also helped them register as citizens and voters.
John had a son who played football for a local Portland high school. He earned the name "bull" by the way he put his helmet on his head and charged through the line.
Today, Bull Feeney's borrows from the family legacy. The name is an homage, but the pub is still a gathering place for people to meet and surround themselves with friendly faces.
Bull Feeney’s is open Thursday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to midnight and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Their hours have changed recently and might fluctuate throughout the rest of the year so be sure to check out their website or follow them on Facebook for the latest. They can be reached at 207-773-7210.
Michelle has lived in many places, but counts Maine as one of the best. In addition to the smell of ocean water in the air on rainy days in Portland, she loves puppies, photography, funny people, the Maine Red Claws, traveling, fresh tomatoes, Cambodia and filling out forms. For questions, comments and inquiries please email: mstarin@onlyinyourstate.com.
