With more than 25 craft beers on tap, an elevated menu of burgers, steaks, and other unique meat varieties, Cowbell describes its flagship location as “the best sports bar north of Boston,” and the Maine restaurant group has turned game day into a destination.
Cowbell, the Maine-grown restaurant group, describes itself as a go-to destination for watching the game in Greater Portland. The group has built a following that stretches from its original Southern Maine pubs to its flagship at Rock Row in Westbrook, and Cowbell says its reputation now travels well beyond state lines.
According to Cowbell, Rock Row was named “the best sports bar north of Boston” by Boston radio stations and television channels, a distinction the company says carries weight in a market where Boston sports fans hold their venues to a high standard.
Ten years ago, when the first Cowbell location opened in Biddeford in June of 2016, Cowbell started off as a neighborhood gathering spot built on regulars. Over the decade since, the concept has evolved into a high end sports bar, pairing more than 25 taps with burgers, steaks, seafood, brunch, and a menu that Cowbell says sets it apart from other bars and pubs in the region.
At Rock Row, the experience scales up. This venue was designed as a destination rather than a neighborhood stop: a stadium-grade video wall for game days, a full stage for live entertainment, a private mezzanine function space for events, and a members’ bar anchored by the venue’s liquor locker program.
“We wanted a place where you could watch the game the way it deserves to be watched, then stay for a show,” said co-owner Alex Markakis. “There’s nothing else like it in Maine, and possibly New England. We take a lot of pride in the outcome.”
The formula still traces back to the group’s roots. According to Cowbell, its earlier locations in Biddeford and Scarborough were built on regulars, and that year-round local base remains the core of the business even as the flagship draws visitors from across the region. The company describes it as a Maine story: a brand carried primarily by the people who live there rather than tourist traffic.
For private events, the Rock Row mezzanine offers a dedicated function space overlooking the main floor, and the venue’s event calendar runs year-round.
Locations, menus, and hours are available at cowbellmaine.com.
