Top Bristol Venues

• Spaces for 26-200 Guests
• 5 Restaurants
• 4 Bars
• 3 Waterfront

Rí Rá Irish Pub in Portland, Maine occupies a waterfront address on Commercial Street, where harbor views and an authentic Irish pub atmosphere set the scene for private gatherings of nearly every size. The pub draws on classic Irish hospitality — think working fireplaces, warm woodwork, and a menu anchored by locally sourced ingredients — while offering dedicated private spaces that can be tailored to anything from intimate dinners to full-venue buyouts. Five distinct event spaces span from cozy semi-private rooms to a full-floor configuration that seats 130 and accommodates up to 200 for a cocktail reception. The Harbor Room and Bay View Room both feature dramatic harbor views and working fireplaces, making them well-suited to seated dinners and board meetings alike. The Upstairs Bar and The Parlor offer more relaxed settings for smaller cocktail receptions. For larger events, The Upstairs at Rí Rá brings the entire second floor together under one booking. A dedicated events team, in-house catering, and on-site A/V equipment round out the offering. The pub's team works with guests to build custom menus, and a virtual tour is available for those planning remotely.

• Spaces for 10-120 Guests
• 1 Bar
• 5 Historic Spaces

Blind Tiger Portland occupies an 1823 Federal-style mansion in Portland's West End — a building with a history as layered as the city itself. Built by Joseph Holt Ingraham and expanded over the following decades, the property served as a private school, a rectory, and, during Prohibition, an illicit gathering spot that locals quietly called "Social Corners." A thorough 2020 renovation preserved original architectural details — the rooftop cupola, the ornate fireplaces, the basement billiards room — while reimagining the mansion as a boutique inn and social gathering space. For private events, the property offers a collection of named gathering rooms accommodating groups from 10 to 35 guests. The Barroom, the Dining Room, the Living Room, the Sun Porch, and the Billiards Room can each be reserved individually; the Living Room and Dining Room can be combined for larger parties. The venue works with a preferred list of outside caterers and provides a commercial kitchen on-site. It is well suited to intimate weddings, elopement ceremonies, milestone celebrations, and corporate retreats.

• Spaces for 35 Guests
• 1 Event Space

This unique guest house and social gathering space is located in an updated nineteenth-century home in the heart of one of the country's most happening small cities, and it is a one-of-a-kind experience. Blind Tiger is intended to make you feel like a true Portlander by providing you with an authentic Portland experience. Assisting them in their exploration of Portland, Maine are some of the city's most influential tastemakers, who provide access to their unique perspectives on how to get the most out of the city. From restaurants to shops and galleries, staying at Blind Tiger will allow you to relax and enjoy the journey rather than having to guess where you're going. Blind Tiger is conveniently located between Portland's trendy West End neighborhood and the historic Old Port, making it a short walk from everything this cool little city has to offer, including shows, art, delicious food, and well-crafted drinks, among other things. You do not, however, need to leave our guest house in order to go on an exploration. You can choose to stay in and take advantage of the lounge, fireplaces, and billiards room at Blind Tiger. The living room and bar room are lively spaces for small gatherings or more casual events of all kinds. With its urban, unique setting, Blind Tiger has always provided the ideal urban venue for your intimate Portland Maine wedding or small group event. There is a silver lining for brides and grooms everywhere who are juggling changes in wedding plans as well as the changing landscape in general, and we are here to tell you about it. Why not have an intimate, one-of-a-kind Portland Maine micro wedding at our boutique Portland hotel instead of delaying your wedding until next year? Blind Tiger has traditionally favored smaller-scale, more intimate gatherings with close friends and family. Despite the fact that they've been gaining in popularity in recent years, we believe they will continue to grow in popularity in the future, especially given our changing and challenging social environment. Moreover, we believe that our favorite reasons for keeping it small will persuade you that this is the only way to go:

• Spaces for 150 Guests

DiMillo's On The Water is a floating restaurant and event venue moored at 25 Long Wharf in Portland, Maine's Old Port district. The 206-foot, 701-ton vessel — opened in December 1982 as the only floating restaurant on the Upper East Coast — can accommodate more than 600 guests across multiple dining decks and lounges, each offering panoramic views of Portland Harbor. The venue hosts banquets, weddings, rehearsal dinners, and group luncheons. Topside rooms on the upper decks overlook the harbor and marina, and the top deck is fully tented and equipped for live entertainment. Complimentary parking is available for banquet guests. DiMillo's traces its roots to 1954, when Tony DiMillo opened his first seafood restaurant on Fore Street with a commitment to freshly caught, local seafood from Casco Bay. Today the venue remains family-operated, continuing that tradition on the water at Long Wharf.

• Spaces for 200 Guests

The Portland Club occupies the historic Shepley-Hunnewell mansion at 156 State Street in Portland, Maine — a late 19th-century landmark the club has called home since 1920. Founded in 1886, the nonprofit organization has preserved the mansion's original character, from its ornate woodwork and grand chandeliers to the period architectural details that give the building its distinctive atmosphere. The mansion's first-floor ballroom serves as the primary setting for receptions, while the elegant parlors and intimate gathering rooms accommodate ceremonies, cocktail hours, and smaller private affairs. The club also hosts corporate events, galas, anniversaries, and gatherings benefiting nonprofit organizations. A dedicated event team assists with coordination, and the venue's downtown Portland address puts it within walking distance of the city's restaurants and cultural institutions.

• Spaces for 40-250 Guests
• 1 Ballroom
• 2 Country Clubs
• 1 Meeting Space

Purpoodock Club is a private golf club set on 188 acres in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, a short drive from downtown Portland. Founded in 1922 on the James Solomon Hannaford Estate, the club has built more than a century of golfing tradition around an 18-hole course designed by Larry Rowe and expanded to its current layout by Geoffrey Cornish in 1957. The clubhouse hosts private events ranging from intimate dinners to full wedding receptions. The Spurwink Room, a 45-by-60-foot space with a private entrance, wrap-around deck, overhead sound system, and views of the first tee and ninth green, accommodates up to 145 guests. The Fireside Room offers a more intimate setting with a fireplace, large windows, and leather seating for up to 40 guests. Both rooms overlook lush gardens and the carefully maintained grounds. The club provides in-house food and beverage services for all events, along with event director consultation and day-of coordination. Wedding receptions include a private tasting, standard white linens, bridal suite access, complete event setup, and cake plating.

• Spaces for 50 Guests

The Ark is a historic inn, dining destination, and event venue on Deer Isle, Maine — a small island accessible by bridge off the coast of Downeast Maine. Built in 1793 by Ignatius Haskell as a post-colonial family home, the gambrel-roofed structure sits on two acres along the shores of Northwest Harbor and Mill Pond. Locals nicknamed it "The Ark" for its scale and elevated waterfront position; the name was officially restored in 2026 when the property came under new ownership. The inn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was recently named among The New York Times' 50 best restaurants nationally. The property hosts intimate weddings and elopements at the harbor or Mill Pond, small gatherings in the historic Tavern and Dining Room, and creative retreats for writers, artists, and small groups. The Tavern — once the Haskell family kitchen — features eight-foot-wide fireplaces with original brick ovens and wood-paneled walls, while the Dining Room operates a rotating Chef in Residence program featuring acclaimed visiting chefs. For couples and groups seeking a calm, unhurried backdrop on the Maine coast, The Ark offers a celebration experience shaped by a genuine sense of place.

• Spaces for 325 Guests

Whether you’re planning a cozy wedding ceremony, a high-energy celebration, or a large-scale corporate or community event, Lost Valley Event Center in Auburn, Maine offers the perfect setting for gatherings of all sizes. Nestled at the base of a scenic ski mountain, Lost Valley combines natural beauty with versatile event spaces to create an unforgettable experience for you and your guests. Our venue offers a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces that can be customized to fit your needs. From intimate gatherings of 20 guests to events with 300+ attendees, Lost Valley’s flexible layout and rustic charm provide a one-of-a-kind backdrop for your special occasion. Indoor Events: Our cozy lodge features warm wood finishes, cathedral ceilings, large windows with mountain views, and a full-service bar. The main event space is adaptable for formal receptions, casual parties, or corporate functions, and includes AV capabilities and customizable seating layouts. Outdoor Events: In warmer months, take advantage of our beautiful outdoor grounds, complete with lawn space for tents, a beer garden, fire pits, and a large deck—ideal for relaxed get-togethers, fundraisers, or festival-style events. Our scenic hilltop ceremony site offers a stunning natural backdrop for weddings and vow renewals. Whether you're planning a wedding, anniversary, family reunion, retirement party, or corporate retreat, our experienced team is here to help every step of the way—from layout and logistics to catering and bar service. Bring in your favorite vendors or work with our preferred partners to simplify the planning process. At Lost Valley, your event is more than just a date on the calendar—it’s a personalized experience in a unique Maine location. Contact us today to schedule a tour and see why so many couples, companies, and community groups choose Lost Valley for their most memorable moments.

• Spaces for 125 Guests

• Spaces for 150 Guests

• Spaces for 250 Guests

• Spaces for 24-225 Guests
• 1 Country Club

The Woodlands Club is a member-owned, year-round private country club in Falmouth, Maine, roughly ten minutes from downtown Portland. Founded in 1988, the club was built around the idea that a single destination could offer year-round activities for families — a model anchored by an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Jim and George Fazio that has since hosted four Korn Ferry Tour events and multiple state and regional championships. For private events, the clubhouse offers several distinct spaces. The Grand Ballroom, renovated in 2015, spans 4,000 square feet and can be divided into smaller configurations for more intimate gatherings. The Fireside Room seats up to 24 guests for private dinners and smaller celebrations. A covered patio with views of the 18th hole serves as a natural backdrop for cocktail hours and outdoor ceremonies. The club's on-site catering and events team supports weddings, corporate dinners, anniversaries, reunions, bar and bat mitzvahs, and similar occasions with customizable menus from an executive chef.

Saltwater Grille offers event spaces for your next celebration in South Portland, Maine.

• Spaces for 70-500 Guests
• 5 Hotels
• 3 Ballrooms
• 5 Total Spaces

The Westin Portland Harborview occupies a landmark property in downtown Portland, Maine, originally built in 1927 as the Eastland Park Hotel. Set in the heart of the Arts District, the hotel sits within walking distance of the Old Port, the Portland Museum of Art, and the city's celebrated restaurant and brewery scene. For events, the hotel offers more than 16,000 square feet of combined space across 11 flexible meeting and event rooms. The Eastland Grand Ballroom anchors the collection — a 5,527-square-foot room with 19-foot ceilings that accommodates up to 320 guests banquet-style or 500 for receptions. The adjacent Balcony is a natural complement, hosting up to 125 guests for cocktail gatherings or 70 seated. The Winslow Homer Ballroom and the Longfellow room round out the main event options, seating 100 and 120 respectively, and each can expand to standing receptions of 130 and 175. The hotel supports events with in-house catering, AV equipment available for rent, and a dedicated event planning team. On-site amenities include the Adeline Wellness Spa and a WestinWORKOUT Fitness Center with Peloton bikes — well suited for multi-day groups.

• Spaces for 100-150 Guests
• 1 Barn
• 1 Historic Space
• 1 Waterfront

Cliffside Lodge sits on the forested grounds of Camp North Star in Poland Spring, Maine, about 40 minutes north of Portland and 90 minutes from Boston. The timber-framed lodge draws on the aesthetic of early 20th-century Adirondack lodges — exposed ceiling beams, wide porches, and a working stone fireplace anchor the Great Room, which opens onto views of ponds, pine forests, and the distant western Maine mountains. The lodge accommodates up to 100 guests for seated dinners or standing receptions. Weekend rentals include exclusive use of the event rooms and surrounding grounds, an on-site ceremony location, dining tables and chairs, and six private bedrooms with sleeping accommodations for up to 20 guests — making Cliffside a natural fit for multi-day celebrations where family and friends gather over a full weekend. The setting blends rustic character with modern conveniences. Towering pines, dramatic rock outcroppings, and a secluded private lake form the backdrop, while the lodge interior offers a functional catering kitchen and two-level Great Room suited for ceremonies, dinners, and cocktail events alike.

• Spaces for 134 Guests

• Spaces for 70-300 Guests
• 2 Hotels
• 1 Ballroom
• 1 Event Space

The Clarion Hotel Portland sits at 1230 Congress Street in Portland's Libbytown neighborhood, close to Thompson's Point and less than a mile from I-295, with complimentary parking on site. Built in 1978 and renovated in 2013, the 149-room hotel offers over 5,500 square feet of flexible event space suited to corporate meetings, social gatherings, and celebrations. The Renaissance Ballroom anchors the event program with 3,200 square feet, a multi-tiered cream ceiling with wooden accents, soft lighting, and an adjacent foyer featuring floor-to-ceiling windows. It accommodates up to 200 guests for seated dinners or 300 for standing receptions. The Gallery Room provides a more intimate option at roughly 1,800 square feet, handling up to 70 guests for dinner and dancing. Additional breakout configurations — Renaissance A, B, and C, and the Chart Room — round out the meeting and event offerings. On-site catering, in-house bar service, and a full-service events team support weddings, banquets, and corporate programs alike. The hotel is wheelchair accessible and provides complimentary airport shuttle service.

• Spaces for 325 Guests