The Sleekest Bars in Camden, Maine

Indulging in a region’s many delicacies, including its fare and libations, is an integral aspect of a New England getaway. In MidCoast Maine, a particularly picturesque slice of the Northeast, lucky travelers are surrounded by fresh seafood, farm-to-table creations, craft ales, and regionally-inspired cocktails. The sleekest bars in Camden, Maine, including Camden Harbour Inn’s AAA Four-Diamond restaurant, sublimely embrace creativity, sophistication, and exemplary New England-style techniques.

The Best Bars in Camden, Maine

While 2020 hasn’t been an overly kind year to local restaurants, taverns, and taprooms, the most beloved bars in Camden, Maine, remain as enticing as ever. Travelers will always need a quiet, elegant place to enjoy a glass of fine wine, a colorful cocktail, or a craft beer. Thankfully, these three staples are eagerly open for business as the Northeast readies itself for autumn.

Natalie’s Restaurant

Camden Harbour Inn’s AAA Four-Diamond restaurant, Natalie’s, is a multi-functional space that features lavish decor, head-turning Penobscot Bay views, and world-class mixologists. Natalie’s bar opens at 5 p.m., accompanied by the dinner rush, and closes at midnight. The bar’s mixologists craft an array of seasonal cocktails that are equally delicious and aesthetically pleasing. On occasion, Natalie’s offers cocktail-making courses. Of course, this dimly-lit, scarlet-clad bar also boasts the city’s largest wine menu (24 pages in length), featuring a multitude of varietals from across the globe. Top-shelf scotch, rum, and cognac are also readily available.

The Jack

Admittedly, The Jack is an idyllic after-dark, date-night hangout. Patrons can munch on Americanized grub, sip on classic Maine ales, and play bocce (or admire the shimmering stars high above). As one of the most laid-back bars in Camden, Maine, The Jack welcomes droves of locals and tourists alike. Keep an eye on its social media channels to learn more about hours, private seating, free games, and drink specials. The Jack’s staff continues to adjust their business practices, oftentimes for the better. Cornhole is now available, as is a sizable outdoor seating area. While The Jack mostly caters toward beer aficionados, their mixologists do craft some unique (and fruity) cocktails.

40 Paper Bistro & Bar

40 Paper boasts a small but lively bar known for its mules, red wines, and regional ales. Despite operating in such a cramped space, 40 Paper’s mixology team is swift, skilled, and charismatic. The house cocktail list features everything from espresso-infused vodka to Bulleit rye and locally-distilled gin. Many of the core ingredients, including bitters, fruit, and liqueurs, are locally sourced. It’s easy to appreciate 40 Paper’s extensively-detailed wine menu, which includes notes about every label.

Luxury Hotels in Camden, Maine

Enjoying an innovative cocktail or fine wine at one of the best bars in Camden, Maine, is the perfect way to cap a full day of classic outdoor pursuits, including a schooner cruise, state park hike, and winery tour. Camden Harbour Inn remains one of the top-rated romantic getaways in New England, mainly because of its culinary delights, sophisticated luxuries, and spa services. As a proud member of the Relais & Châteaux association, this luxurious Camden hotel remains a beacon of excellence during all four seasons. To book a well-deserved romantic escape to MidCoast Maine, please dial 800-236-4266 (or check availability online).

Plan a Visit to the Camden Maine Farmers Market

With summer’s golden radiance officially here, hundreds of thousands of Mainers continue to rediscover the coastal landscape via state park hikes, schooner cruises, and vineyard tours. Midcoast Maine is an ethereal destination filled to the brim with history, sophistication, and sprawling natural beauty. And the most desirable destination along the coast is Camden Harbour Inn, a proud member of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux hotelier association. The inn’s roots date back to the late 1800s. Today, Camden Harbour Inn boasts a AAA Four-Diamond restaurant, distinctive accommodations, and worldly concierge services. One of the many highlights of a mid-summer escape to this lavish respite is the local culinary scene, including the vibrant, twice-weekly Camden Maine Farmers Market located on Washington Street.

The Camden Maine Farmers Market: Support Local Business

Every Wednesday afternoon and Saturday morning, hundreds of locals and visitors alike flock to the Camden Maine Farmers Market to peruse produce, support the community, and learn a cooking tip or two. It’s common knowledge that most food travels approximately 1,500 miles before landing on the dinner table. Thus, a buoyant visit to the farmers market is exceedingly environmentally friendly. Yes, supporting local farmers and businesses is a focal point, but there’s also ample opportunity for a nutritional boost, as many of these delicacies are 100 percent organic. The team at Camden Harbour Inn always urges guests to spend some extra time getting to know the growers, primarily because they’re apt to divulge long-standing recipes, cooking tips, and insider knowledge about other fabulous vendors.

Classic New England Delicacies

The Camden Maine Farmers Market provides a splendid opportunity to learn more about the region’s thriving farmland and the many unique eats that grow particularly well in New England, such as okra, eggplant, asparagus, and cabbage. Some travelers purchase a bushel of goods for a mid-day picnic, while others gather unique ingredients for an on-site cooking class here at Camden Harbour Inn’s farmhouse kitchen. But, of course, many people bring their purchases home with them. Don’t leave the Camden Maine Farmers Market without purchasing a challah loaf from Atlantic Baking Co., the “catch of the week” from Pemaquid Lobster & Seafood, bourbon barrel-aged syrup from Frontier Maple Sugarworks, wild blueberries from Burke Hill Farm, and seedlings from Bahner Farm.

The Best Hotels in Maine: Camden Harbour

There’s no better way to jumpstart a Saturday morning than a leisurely visit to the Camden Maine Farmers Market. Even if the day’s haul is minuscule, it’s always nice to experience the culture amid droves of grinning locals. Combine a brief trip to the market with a voyage aboard a fishing charter, a self-guided brewery tour, or an extensive lighthouse drive. On-site luxury services include chauffeured limousine rides, private helicopter flights, in-room artwork and jewelry viewings, and, of course, cooking classes. This luxurious Camden hotel remains a shining example of urbanity, hospitality, and historical significance. While there’s no offseason for romance, summer and autumn are quite popular amongst couples. So, please check availability online at your earliest convenience.