Henry’s Public House, a beloved three-story establishment in Portland’s Old Port, has announced it will be closing its doors for good. The last day of operations is set for February 15, 2025. Since opening in July 2023, Henry’s has been a tribute to Portland’s iconic past, honoring the Seamen’s Club, Bull Feeney’s, and the legacy of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, for whom it was named.
Henry’s is part of the Miranda Restaurant Group, led by Josh Miranda, who also owns and operates other popular Portland venues, including Papi, Via Vecchia, Blyth & Burrows, and Off Track Pizza. Despite the group’s overall success, the challenges of the restaurant industry proved insurmountable for Henry’s.
In a heartfelt statement, Josh Miranda reflected on the closure:
“We love this building and all it has represented in the Old Port over the decades. I’m very grateful to our hardworking, dedicated, and creative team at Henry’s who brought life back into this property and created a great dining and entertainment experience for our guests. And while our other restaurant and bar businesses are enduring, Henry’s is an example that no one is immune to the challenges this industry faces every day.”
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Portland, like many cities across the U.S., experiences waves of restaurant openings and closures. Miranda noted that these shifts often lead to speculation about the reasons behind a closure but emphasized that it’s rarely due to a single factor. Despite these challenges, Miranda’s passion for the industry remains steadfast:
“Those of us who have dedicated our careers and our passion in this industry—for better or worse—keep going. We want to thank everyone who has supported Henry’s—you’re the reason we love our jobs. We’ll be open a few more weeks and would love to raise a glass with our community.”
Henry’s closure marks the end of a chapter for the Old Port, but it’s also a reminder of Portland’s ever-evolving culinary landscape. While it’s always sad to say goodbye, the Miranda Restaurant Group’s other establishments continue to thrive, contributing to the city’s reputation as a food and drink destination.
If you’ve enjoyed Henry’s, there’s still time to stop in, share a meal, and toast to its legacy before February 15th.
