Portland staple Rivalries has closed and has reportedly been sold to new owners.
For over twenty years, Rivalries has been one of Portland’s most popular sports bars for football Sundays, or for a snack before catching a Maine Mariners game right across the street at the Cross Insurance Arena. Classing itself as a more “upscale” sports bar, Rivalries had something everyone could enjoy, especially their renowned Sweet Chili Buffalo sauce.
After being hit hard by the pandemic in terms of staffing, food costs, and more, Rivalries’ owner has decided to sell and focus solely on the Falmouth location of the sports bar, which will remain open.
Rivalries owners Amy and Lance Meader sold the space (but not the name) to Bobby Will, owner and chef of Bar Harbor’s Salt & Steel seasonal restaurant. He says he plans to do some minor renovations to the space, and hopes to open his new “hyper locally sourced gastropub,” Thistle & Grouse sometime this summer.
