In a recent round of closings to hit Portland, Maine, exciting news about the reopening of Dry Dock has been announced.
The team behind Luke’s Lobster, including Luke Holden, Ben Conniff, and Bryan Holden, has officially signed the lease on the former Dry Dock location at 84 Commercial Street. The Luke’s Lobster team will be keeping the name Dry Dock and plans to open the restaurant in early Summer 2025 as primarily a seafood restaurant and tavern with a full bar program.
Originally opening in 1983 and closing its doors in 2018, Dry Dock has long been a beloved fixture on the Portland waterfront. After being closed for over five years and facing damage from the harsh winter storms of 2023 and 2024, the new tenants plan to significantly renovate the two-story venue over the winter. Plans include an expanded deck and revamped interiors to restore the waterfront gem.
While the restaurant will not be branded as a Luke’s Lobster location, it is set to operate as a seafood tavern featuring a full bar program and a diverse menu. Additionally, the Luke’s Lobster Portland Pier location is not changing and will remain as is. Although specifics about the menu will be unveiled closer to the opening, early descriptions hint at a seafood-focused tavern with something for everyone.
Bryan Holden, president and chief development officer for Luke’s Lobster, expressed enthusiasm about the project: “We’re so pleased to work with the building owner, Steve Goodrich, to get this lease signed. Steve, myself, my brother Luke Holden, father Jeff Holden and our entire team are committed to restoring and reviving Dry Dock as the mainstay it was on the Commercial Street working waterfront.”
Jeff Holden, managing partner at Luke’s Lobster, added a personal touch by recalling his fondness for the location. “I was a regular when I had my business here on Commercial Street back in the 1980s and 90s. We feel truly grateful to work with Steve on the opportunity to bring the legacy of Dry Dock restaurant back to life here.”
More information will be announced in 2025, so stay tuned for updates on the new chapter for Dry Dock!