This is Why Fore Play is Portland, Maine’s Best Sports Bar

If you’ve lived in Southern Maine for a while or even occasionally visit, there’s a good chance you have found yourself at this classic Old Port sports bar. Fore Play Sports Pub on Fore St. in Portland, now in its 29th year, remains a Portland favorite when it comes to gathering for games, getting together with friends, or just making a pit stop for one of their infamous Jell-O shots, where hundreds are made fresh every Tuesday.

When I think of a sports pub, I think of wall-to-wall TVs showing different games, pool tables, darts, arcade games, good pub food, and reasonably priced drinks. Fore Play delivers on all fronts, which is one of the main reasons the regulars keep coming back. They also know how to throw a party, whether it's pub crawls, birthday, bachelor/bachelorette celebrations, or just plain parties.

They pride themselves as the bar that welcomes everyone, even the celebs that popped by over the years, including Billy Joel and David Ortiz, seen here with owner Bob.

Another one of their big draws is their sports packages that bring fans in to watch their favorite teams, whether it's college football on Saturdays or the NFL Sunday ticket.

With 34 TVs on two levels, owner Bob Waitkevich is happy to put your game on, if it’s not on already. Bob also offers up a free buffet for customers every Sunday during the regular NFL season, usually consisting of his famous chili, meatballs, hotdogs, pizza, and more.

Their menu is what you would expect for a sports bar – burgers, wings, pizza, and more – and is currently available in-house and for takeout orders Tuesday through Saturday from 4pm-10pm.

Fore Play was long known as the bar open 365 days a year, with the sign at the front door to remind you. They may currently be closed on Mondays, but one thing they can say that most in the Old Port cannot is that the doors will remain open until 1am six days a week, even if Mother Nature decides to drop a foot of snow on us.

When you walk in to this sports bar by day and party bar by night, you’re likely greeted by one of their longtime bartenders like Nappi or Tori. Oftentimes, owner Bob is there visiting with the regulars.

I hate to be cliche’, but this place gives off major Cheers vibes. It's that place where everybody knows your name. They have been around long enough that everyone has a story about a good time at Fore Play.