Sports Bars are usually a dime a dozen in the cities that I have been to with only a few of them really standing out. The ones that popped were ones with a TON of taps for draft beer and really good and fresh food in general and then to top it all off the best bars are ones with lots of TV's to watch sports and hang out with friends. Rivalries has a few of these wrapped up. 1. The TV selection is a little deceiving with there only being 2 TV's or so above the bar downstairs but once you can meander upstairs, you will find a plethora of televisions including a large screen viewer. The upstairs also has picnic table type seating and a lot of room to spread out with larger groups. 2. They have a pretty good selection of beers but with the amount of local breweries and brewhauses around the area, you would think that there would be a ton of different types of beers on tap or on the ready. 3. The only item of food that is really worth anything here are the chicken wings (boneless or bone in) with the sweet chili sauce where you can get some sweet with a kick of hot to them also. Our most recent visit to this establishment the place was super packed due to a playoff game going on so we were waiting for a very long time but the hospitality was there and the beer was cold and refreshing while waiting in line. The food is where is lost it's luster this evening after waiting for so long. We got the calamari with rhode island style peppers that were rubbery and really not that good and were all rings and no actual squid like a lot of other establishments serve in the area. We then got the bone in sweet chili wings and they were very good. At the table there was an order for a bacon cheeseburger that was both dry and not as hearty as the price would have you believe that is was going to be. There is an outside deck for the warmer months that you can eat at and you can also reserve the upstairs area whenever you have a larger party which is a very nice touch. I also enjoyed the fact that they are very attentive to the emails that are sent through the website making reservations and answering any questions that I had with speed and thoroughness (don't even know if that is a word) So, to sum this review up, we have never had a BAD experience and since it is one of the only sports bars that I would go to watch the game before heading out to the meat market in South Portland with Buffalo Wild Wings or the difficult parking at Binga Stadium. So, clean sports bar, caters to big parties, and average food and an ok selection of beers on tap, I would not get expectations extremely high but would say .. give it a try!
(3)
Nicole B.
1. Draft beer. 2. Televisions everywhere. 3. Sports, lots of sports. If graded on these things alone, Rivalries would get an A+. The service on this particular visit was uncharacteristically good (I've been here in the past and it takes over an hour to get lunch-- not particularly convenient during the work day). The standard pub food is comparable to your local Applebee's, barely. Eat somewhere else and then come here.
(3)
Josh M.
Cool spot. Plenty of menu options and a cool downtown location. Food came out timely and tasted good. I'm not so into sports but if I were this would be the place I'd come to watch the game. Our servers name was Jen and she was very attentive and nice.
(4)
Jeremy N.
Rivalries is a nice sports bar with outside patio. I went during lunch so it wasn't very busy. The place isn't large so I imagine it gets packed in the evenings. The food was good and the staff were friendly. I wouldn't say there is anything special that stands out about this place but it seems like a good hang out spot to watch a game and have some food.
(3)
Jasper H.
Food is good, decent beer special for football games, but how does a sports bar have only one toilet in the men's room? $5.50 for a mini picture of Bud Light. Wings are good.
(3)
Kylie D.
First, I have to say that four stars might be a little generous for Rivalries, but because it's one of the only decent spots in the city where you can watch all the NFL games and because they've always been willing to put the Ravens on for me, I'm going up a star. I found Rivalries on the recommendation of a friend and I have to say that I feel a little misled. Rivalries is a perfectly nice, respectable sports bar - so not at all what I was expecting. There aren't a lot of rowdy fans, on game day, only about half of the patrons wear NFL jerseys. There are no painted faces. Everyone is seated politely at tables. There's no swearing (except for me). To most people, this would sound terrific, but I would love to see a little more rivalry at Rivalries. Get up out of your seats, people (so I don't have to be the only one)!! Servers are super friendly and attentive and the menu is above average for a sports bar. There are TV's everywhere plus a projection TV upstairs that usually has the feed from all the games on one giant screen. The bar area is small but there's usually table seating on Sundays if you get there early. Sunday football at Rivalries would be perfect if they would add a few brunch items to their menu. Maybe a nice omelette or BLT? They'd go nicely with the mimosa special! The only negative comment I can make about Rivalries is based on an experience that a friend had one Sunday. She and her husband arrived about 5 minutes into the second quarter and they were seated upstairs. They asked if management could put the Steelers game on one of the TV's near where they were sitting and management refused, saying that no one else wanted to see that game and they should have arrived earlier if they wanted it put on. I get it, you want to put on the most popular game, but there are a million TV's at Rivalries - it seems like one per table. I think that management could easily have asked the other patrons around them if they would mind switching one of the TV's (I doubt anyone would have said no) but that was never offered. Next time, maybe just ask. You never know, that Patriots fan might have Big Ben as his fantasy QB!
(4)
Peter T.
Spacious, two-level sports bar with plenty of tables, clean floor, and decent food. They have sooo many tv's. I was even able to watch the 49er game. The drinks were moderately strong, and the food was fair. I guess its like, two-notches above a tgi fridays. I also liked how people weren't screaming, yelling, and cursing. The crowd seemed refreshingly older, which was great.
(4)
Derick L.
Exactly what I want it to be and nothing more.
(4)
Monica L.
Went recently to watch a hockey game. Service was good, especially considering we had a large table, but the food was terrible. My personal pizza was disgusting. The crust was clearly frozen, making it a soggy piece of cardboard with cheese. Literally, the crust was WET. Oh and only one style of wings. I'll be going to Bingas next time for sure.
(2)
Valerie N.
We came here to watch the UGA/USC game on a Saturday. The big screens were great and had our game on. While the wine selection was a bit sparse (including a "Mangria" from Adam Corolla), the beer was delicious. We also ordered wings - we got the thai flavored wings instead of the buffalo wings - that were super good. I'd highly recommend this spot for watching a game.
(4)
Margaret M.
This is a good, solid sports bar. Nothing too special - but a good option for a spot to watch the game and grab so bar food & a beer. The menu is pretty extensive, and the food is good - again, not excellent, but good and is aligned with what I would expect at a sports bar. We all shared the nachos, wings & potato skins and each had a few beers. I do with that they had more draft options as well as some good specialty drinks - don't get me wrong, I love me some beer and greasy food...but a girl has to have some options. I also was hoping for a better crowd and vibe - we can in on Sunday for the games and the scene was pretty dead and quiet. There were people watching the games but they all seemed to be pretty subdued. Part of the fun of watching a game at a sports bar is the crowd cheering and getting into the games and it just wasn't here. Maybe it was an off day? Anyway...we will probably be back to give it a second chance. Parking was easy and the service was friendly & fast so hopefully next time it will be a better vibe!
(3)
Jason B.
Rivalries is just about the best place you could ask for in a spot to watch a Sunday football game. Rivalries is located in a spacious, two-story building with tons of natural light, owing to a big skylight that bathes the room in sunshine on a bright day - offers a much better mood than some dank basement. Service is quick and cheerful, and throughout our stay, we wanted for nothing. The first floor has a short bar and several high-tops, where we posted up. Pitcher specials and wings are de rigeur, and their wings do not disappoint - a tangy chili bbq sauce is spicy and sweet, and quenching the fire with a Roundabout ale is just the thing. Did I mention football? Because: football. There's a big Buffalo Bills contingency here, cheering their home team, but the Patriots game will always be on the big screen. Nevertheless, whatever your game, you can find a screen for it here. The second floor has larger tables, and most of the TVs are tuned to the home game, but you can still catch any action you need. Were I a richer man, I'd stay for the late games too! We needed a hand truck to roll my fat ass out of there after the 1pm games as it was. Definitely will be back to Portland, and we'll definitely stop by here.
(5)
Doug B.
Went for the first time after a staff shake up at my usual stop ForePlay. I wanted to watch the Ravins game. The hostess took me round to all the TVs, 40 of them I think. No game. She explained to me that people get there early and "claim" a TV. They then high it for four hours! Of all the TVs in the wall I saw only 3 different games being broadcast. This isn't a sports bar it's a club and you have to be an exclusive member. Nice decor, for what that's worth.
(2)
David G.
Finally a place in Maine that makes a decent hot wing. As opposed to the breaded, wango tango Caribbean jerk sweet honeysuckle key lime mess passed off as wings, they stuck with getting the basic one right. Hot sauce and butter shaken onto plain wings from the fryer. Done balls. The bar was busy and loud on a Friday and the server was very prompt and courteous. Definitely a good choice to catch a game
(4)
Benjamin C.
Rivalries is a nice sports bar. Plenty of seating, above-average bar food, drink specials, and many televisions. I think this is my 5th time there and probably not the last! My wife and I stopped in to catch the last quarter of the 1pm NFL games on Sunday. No problem finding a table and they turned the tv to our game of choice. Had our first fall beer of the season, a chicken tender salad, and a bowl of chili. All very tasty! The chicken is advertised as "sweet chili," but I actually prefer the regular buffalo sauce. This is abnormal, so be quite specific if you also prefer it...as it doesn't seem like anyone else does! The chili had some nice flavor and comes with a few sprigs of cheese on it. I recommend adding sour cream. Total price for everything was about $25...not bad for a two person lunch! Definitely worth grabbing a bite or beer if you are in the area and want to catch you game.
(4)
Joanna R.
Great place for easy pub food and watching multiple screens of sports :) It usually has a lively crowd, but nothing too obnoxious or out of control. The food was fine, nothing that will draw TV Cameras and celebrities. I do love the way they cook the chicken wings. Tender and crispy :) My favorite was the sweet chili. It was sweet with a little heat. Service was fast and pleasant. Downstairs for smaller parties and the ability to accommodate larger parties upstairs. They take reservations, which is nice, even during Pats games. They had a decent selection of beers, draft and bottle. Local drafts on tap usually have me coming back. Another place that makes me wish I lived in Portland.
(4)
Shelby Y.
Two words: Raw wings. Seriously...my husband bit into a sweet chili wing only to spit out frozen raw meat. Gross. The waitress didn't even apologize when we told her. And nothing was removed from the check. Bad food + unacceptable service to compensate = we will not be returning.
(1)
Katie P.
The two stars are for the lovely service and great draft list. The food was very subpar. My burger had a long hair in it and the sweet chili wings were far too sweet, tough, and full of cartilage. The food is relatively expensive for a sports bar and far below typical sports bar levels of deliciousness. They did have a lot of TVs, so maybe a good place for a great beer and a good game, but don't plan on eating here.
(2)
Chris E.
Ryan Flaherty, who grew up in Portland, was starting today for the Orioles in the ALDS, in a game where the Orioles could take the series. 30 minutes before game time and Rivalries is unable to commit to putting the game on at all. not for a clinching game in post season baseball. not even to support a local boy. Disappointed as we were trying to go to a sports bar and see something that should matter to Portland. Instead, football games thousands of miles away played by no one from Portland took precedence. the food is sports bar food. better than average I guess. Just zero home town pride.
(1)
Bob A.
Very good sports bar and restaurant. The buffalo chile boneless wings are really great. Not your typical buffalo wings but sweet and spicy at the same time. I think they are really popular here. I love them as an appetizer in the wrap they offer and in the salad. If I don't get those the I usually get the crab cakes or one of their daily specials. The staff is friendly and the prices are reasonable. Good location for anything going on at Cumberland County Civic Center. Just down the street.
(4)
Marc W.
Came here solely based on the recommendation of the sweet chili boneless chicken tenders by other yelp users. Although it is Friday night, it is not too busy. The tenders are definitely worth it albeit a bit pricey. Good service good atmosphere. I would definitely return for the sweet chili chicken tenders.
(4)
Kelli L.
Food was just ok. We ordered the French Onion Soup, Chicken Pesto Pizza, & the Chicken Fingers in their "famous" sauce. The soup was lacking, pizza not good at all as the chicken was so over cooked it was hard as a rock...but the sauce on the chicken was delicious. So like I said - food was ok. Nothing to write home about but not terrible either. (2 stars for food) Atmosphere was very nice though. We went to watch a game and there were TV's everywhere and a chill vibe. (4 stars for atmosphere) But the best of all was our waitress and bartender! They were both super nice! Sorry, I don't remember their names..but they were attentive and fun and didn't make us feel bad for closing the place down to see the end of the game. It was our first time in Maine ever and our server was even kind enough to write out a whole list of things we should see/do on our visit there. Super sweet girls that seemed to like their jobs! (5 stars for service)
(3)
Tracey Lynn N.
Researched Yelp for a decent sports bar in the Portland area while we were away for the weekend (to watch the Celtics in the Playoffs!), and was REALLY glad we decided on Rivalries. This place had everything I wanted in a good sports restaurant-full bar, big menu, great service, lots of tvs, and yummy food. I can honestly say we had no complaints after visiting Rivalries. We started off with the nachos topped with chili, and I'm pretty sure every chip was covered in something. Dave had a burger that he raved about and looked pretty good, and I had an awesome, fresh lobster roll. The fries were excellent, but the lobster roll was so good and so big, I had no need for them. Portions were right on, as were the prices and we were served promptly with friendly service. I can't wait to go back to Portland, and will surely add a visit to Rivalries to our agenda!
(5)
Hillary S.
I'd give the food 5 stars (except the artichoke dip which was terrible). The fish and chips (add sweet potato fries) are excellent! Lots of tvs too! However, the waitresses are universally Terrible! They don't make eye contact, they don't check on their tables, and are just generally inattentive.
(3)
Erin M.
I told the boyfriend he could pick the restaurant for his birthday dinner on our overnight trip to Portland. He's not a very high maintenance guy, so this was his pick. I kind of raised an eyebrow when he picked a sports bar for his dinner, as I wouldn't have minded taking him somewhere a little more upscale, but I'm glad he picked it! We started with the wings, which had a really awesome sweet and spicy sauce. For my entree, I ordered the butternut squash ravioli with maple cream sauce. It was not exactly something I'd expect to find on a sports bar menu, but it was really really good! Sports on TV, good beer, delicious food, and all at a reasonable price! Good choice, Boyfriend!
(4)
Brian M.
We had one night in Portland and far too many places to choose from when it came time to decide on what was for dinner. In the end we went to Rivalries because the menu sounded pretty good and our suitcase was packed more for a sports bar than for a fancy night out on the town. I think we made the right choice. Plenty of windows let in the great sunny evening and tvs on nearly every surface played a variety of games, mostly baseball. There's also an upstairs area, but I didn't get a look at that. There are only two unisex bathroom stalls so that might get a little hectic when the night is getting on and bladders are becoming full. The menu proclaimed that their sweet chili buffalo wings were famous so that was the obvious cohice to start the meal. Sure, no menu will ever say that their buffalo wings are "only average", but we've been on a bit of a buffalo kick lately and I'm a pretty easy sell to begin with. They were certainly different, that's for sure. The sauce was a great mix between sweet and spicey. A true buffalo purist may turn their nose at them, but we thought they were great. The beer selection isn't huge, but there are several quality and local options on tap. I'm a sucker for trying a town's local beer so we filled up on Allagash, Shipyard, and Gritty's. The entree section is where this place departs from the typical sports pubs. They do have the typical burgers and such, but not too many sports bars are going to pull off a butternut squash ravioli with maple cream sauce or a pesto chicken personal pizza. Those are the two things we went with and we liked them a lot. We'd go back even if it was just for the wings and a few beers.
(4)
Simpson S.
I've been here twice, and twice it's been during a barcrawl. Twice I've stumbled in and made my way to a stool at one of the tables, blindly looked thru the menu, only to disregard the menu choices and order a few beers, wings, and nachos. Each time I've been thoroughly satisfied with what I ordered ..from what I can remember.. :) The only thing I can say about the place is that it hits the spot when your drunk, on a barcrawl, and need sustenance to make it through to the end of the night. I definitely will be looking for this place again next time I'm up there.
(4)
John S.
Rivalries gets a bonus star for the "Only Game In Town" Factor. My mission was to find the Boston College-Kent State football game on television and be able to eat food while watching it. Ri Ra was playing the Sox. Fore Play Sports Pub had pool tables and many televisions, but no food to be seen. Thanks to some quick Yelping on my Palm Centro, I was able to find Rivalries, a sufficiently good sports bar on Cotton Street. Not only was the BC/KS game on, but every other game I could possibly want to watch was as well. There were at least fifteen flatscreens in there (just on the first floor), and probably six or seven games played on them at any given time. The food was good (filling, cheap and not burned). The service was, unfortunately, horrendous, due to (best I can tell) a waitress being called in last minute to sub in for someone else. But hey, they came through in the clutch for me, and slow service means I'm rarely bothered during the Boston College's penalty and turnover free 21-0 beating of Kent State.
(4)
NiNi M.
My first time in Portland, rainy night, cold, windy... hungry..... Plug in the GPS... Food... All... Rivalries... GO.... I down a dark street and spot some lights on, the rain is coming down sideways, I'm starving, cold, and am in one of those leave me alone moods.... I trudge across the street, open the door and it's like I'm at home, local bar, the smells of homemade food fills the air. I seat myself at a tall table and a waitress promptly comes over with a menu, there's also a huge chalk board on the wall with daily specials.. I spot "homemade corn chowder" I'm IN! A bowl of that please and some chicken "fingers" this is one of the items they are known for... When that food arrived.. I was ecstatic.. my bowl of chowder was a massive bowl filled with potatoes, corn, spices, and all around deliciousness! It was so creamy and I couldn't get enough! Then the chicken fingers arrived... woah... these were HUGE! I could barely dive into half of them! The batter was just right and the bbq sauce was so good. I would defiantly recommend Rivalries the next time you are in Portland, ME. It's a taste of home cooking in an "everyone knows your name" setting. Cheers to you Rivalries, NiNi. M
(4)
Ridge Y.
Love Rivalries! Has been my "go to" Sports Bar in Portland for years! Almost every Sunday afternoon during football season you'll find me and a group of friends enjoying the food, cold beer and atmosphere. There are a few other good sports bars in Portland, but this place has a great feel to it with the exposed Brick & Wood Beams and tons of televisons. A classic Old Port location. And If you can't find parking on the street there is a HUGE parking lot in front of Rivalries. The owners of the lot are nice enough to leave the gate open when unattended so you can usually park for free! Ridge York, RE/MAX By The Bay Portland, Maine
(5)
David L.
A solid 5 stars. Nicely set up, great bar, excellent food and shitload of TV's...that pretty much equals perfect for me. The staff was great, the service very fast and the patrons were...better than the rest of Portland. Seemed to be totally normal folks here until the "Yea, Dude"s and Sex in the City girls came in around 9, but it's to be expected since it's one of the few normal bars in the city. I'll be back again someday.
(5)
N K.
Went here after getting advice from friend. We went twice in two days and liked the food and staff. Place has more potential as floor plan is oddly not utilized. Wait staff were very nice and food was pretty good for bar/pub food. The Chicken tenders with sweet chili sauce were awesome. Drink specials and good atmosphere for watching games puts it over the top.
(5)
Eric W.
Surprisingly not very crowded for a Sunday night football game (11/8) with Dallas on, but people were trickling in after the start. I sat at the bar, had great service from the bartender, ordered the meatloaf dinner and it was great. Grilled veggies, mashed taters, mushroom and onions on the kickin sauce. Very good overall, and right close to my hotel. If I wasn't here for just 5 days and wanting to try more of the food in the area, I'd be back just for the meatloaf. Lots of TV around to watch the games, Guinness on tap, full bar. Seems like a good place to go to me.
(4)
Erin B.
Was in portland for work and was looking for a bar that also had good food. The veggie burger was delicious, and I highly suggest paying a little extra for the sweet potato fries. The boston bruins game was on and everyone in the bar was friendly to talk to. The bar was also within walking distance of many attractions .
(5)
Bella and Aleksey R.
This has all the staple foods that go into a great burger place but done much better than in your average burger place. Good fries... They also have a great selection of wraps. I had their French onion soup which was really good. I was impressed by the fact that the bread in the soup was fried in some special way. We came here before a hockey game and the service was pretty fast.
(4)
T.H. J.
Above average food for a sports bar.
(3)
Chris H.
Great sports bar! Lot's of TV's, a lot of natural light in a restored building. Short walk to the Civic Center for the Pirates game. Good food, cold beer, friendly and attentive waitresses.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Loud Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Shane L.
Sports Bars are usually a dime a dozen in the cities that I have been to with only a few of them really standing out. The ones that popped were ones with a TON of taps for draft beer and really good and fresh food in general and then to top it all off the best bars are ones with lots of TV's to watch sports and hang out with friends. Rivalries has a few of these wrapped up. 1. The TV selection is a little deceiving with there only being 2 TV's or so above the bar downstairs but once you can meander upstairs, you will find a plethora of televisions including a large screen viewer. The upstairs also has picnic table type seating and a lot of room to spread out with larger groups. 2. They have a pretty good selection of beers but with the amount of local breweries and brewhauses around the area, you would think that there would be a ton of different types of beers on tap or on the ready. 3. The only item of food that is really worth anything here are the chicken wings (boneless or bone in) with the sweet chili sauce where you can get some sweet with a kick of hot to them also. Our most recent visit to this establishment the place was super packed due to a playoff game going on so we were waiting for a very long time but the hospitality was there and the beer was cold and refreshing while waiting in line. The food is where is lost it's luster this evening after waiting for so long. We got the calamari with rhode island style peppers that were rubbery and really not that good and were all rings and no actual squid like a lot of other establishments serve in the area. We then got the bone in sweet chili wings and they were very good. At the table there was an order for a bacon cheeseburger that was both dry and not as hearty as the price would have you believe that is was going to be. There is an outside deck for the warmer months that you can eat at and you can also reserve the upstairs area whenever you have a larger party which is a very nice touch. I also enjoyed the fact that they are very attentive to the emails that are sent through the website making reservations and answering any questions that I had with speed and thoroughness (don't even know if that is a word) So, to sum this review up, we have never had a BAD experience and since it is one of the only sports bars that I would go to watch the game before heading out to the meat market in South Portland with Buffalo Wild Wings or the difficult parking at Binga Stadium. So, clean sports bar, caters to big parties, and average food and an ok selection of beers on tap, I would not get expectations extremely high but would say .. give it a try!
(3)Nicole B.
1. Draft beer. 2. Televisions everywhere. 3. Sports, lots of sports. If graded on these things alone, Rivalries would get an A+. The service on this particular visit was uncharacteristically good (I've been here in the past and it takes over an hour to get lunch-- not particularly convenient during the work day). The standard pub food is comparable to your local Applebee's, barely. Eat somewhere else and then come here.
(3)Josh M.
Cool spot. Plenty of menu options and a cool downtown location. Food came out timely and tasted good. I'm not so into sports but if I were this would be the place I'd come to watch the game. Our servers name was Jen and she was very attentive and nice.
(4)Jeremy N.
Rivalries is a nice sports bar with outside patio. I went during lunch so it wasn't very busy. The place isn't large so I imagine it gets packed in the evenings. The food was good and the staff were friendly. I wouldn't say there is anything special that stands out about this place but it seems like a good hang out spot to watch a game and have some food.
(3)Jasper H.
Food is good, decent beer special for football games, but how does a sports bar have only one toilet in the men's room? $5.50 for a mini picture of Bud Light. Wings are good.
(3)Kylie D.
First, I have to say that four stars might be a little generous for Rivalries, but because it's one of the only decent spots in the city where you can watch all the NFL games and because they've always been willing to put the Ravens on for me, I'm going up a star. I found Rivalries on the recommendation of a friend and I have to say that I feel a little misled. Rivalries is a perfectly nice, respectable sports bar - so not at all what I was expecting. There aren't a lot of rowdy fans, on game day, only about half of the patrons wear NFL jerseys. There are no painted faces. Everyone is seated politely at tables. There's no swearing (except for me). To most people, this would sound terrific, but I would love to see a little more rivalry at Rivalries. Get up out of your seats, people (so I don't have to be the only one)!! Servers are super friendly and attentive and the menu is above average for a sports bar. There are TV's everywhere plus a projection TV upstairs that usually has the feed from all the games on one giant screen. The bar area is small but there's usually table seating on Sundays if you get there early. Sunday football at Rivalries would be perfect if they would add a few brunch items to their menu. Maybe a nice omelette or BLT? They'd go nicely with the mimosa special! The only negative comment I can make about Rivalries is based on an experience that a friend had one Sunday. She and her husband arrived about 5 minutes into the second quarter and they were seated upstairs. They asked if management could put the Steelers game on one of the TV's near where they were sitting and management refused, saying that no one else wanted to see that game and they should have arrived earlier if they wanted it put on. I get it, you want to put on the most popular game, but there are a million TV's at Rivalries - it seems like one per table. I think that management could easily have asked the other patrons around them if they would mind switching one of the TV's (I doubt anyone would have said no) but that was never offered. Next time, maybe just ask. You never know, that Patriots fan might have Big Ben as his fantasy QB!
(4)Peter T.
Spacious, two-level sports bar with plenty of tables, clean floor, and decent food. They have sooo many tv's. I was even able to watch the 49er game. The drinks were moderately strong, and the food was fair. I guess its like, two-notches above a tgi fridays. I also liked how people weren't screaming, yelling, and cursing. The crowd seemed refreshingly older, which was great.
(4)Derick L.
Exactly what I want it to be and nothing more.
(4)Monica L.
Went recently to watch a hockey game. Service was good, especially considering we had a large table, but the food was terrible. My personal pizza was disgusting. The crust was clearly frozen, making it a soggy piece of cardboard with cheese. Literally, the crust was WET. Oh and only one style of wings. I'll be going to Bingas next time for sure.
(2)Valerie N.
We came here to watch the UGA/USC game on a Saturday. The big screens were great and had our game on. While the wine selection was a bit sparse (including a "Mangria" from Adam Corolla), the beer was delicious. We also ordered wings - we got the thai flavored wings instead of the buffalo wings - that were super good. I'd highly recommend this spot for watching a game.
(4)Margaret M.
This is a good, solid sports bar. Nothing too special - but a good option for a spot to watch the game and grab so bar food & a beer. The menu is pretty extensive, and the food is good - again, not excellent, but good and is aligned with what I would expect at a sports bar. We all shared the nachos, wings & potato skins and each had a few beers. I do with that they had more draft options as well as some good specialty drinks - don't get me wrong, I love me some beer and greasy food...but a girl has to have some options. I also was hoping for a better crowd and vibe - we can in on Sunday for the games and the scene was pretty dead and quiet. There were people watching the games but they all seemed to be pretty subdued. Part of the fun of watching a game at a sports bar is the crowd cheering and getting into the games and it just wasn't here. Maybe it was an off day? Anyway...we will probably be back to give it a second chance. Parking was easy and the service was friendly & fast so hopefully next time it will be a better vibe!
(3)Jason B.
Rivalries is just about the best place you could ask for in a spot to watch a Sunday football game. Rivalries is located in a spacious, two-story building with tons of natural light, owing to a big skylight that bathes the room in sunshine on a bright day - offers a much better mood than some dank basement. Service is quick and cheerful, and throughout our stay, we wanted for nothing. The first floor has a short bar and several high-tops, where we posted up. Pitcher specials and wings are de rigeur, and their wings do not disappoint - a tangy chili bbq sauce is spicy and sweet, and quenching the fire with a Roundabout ale is just the thing. Did I mention football? Because: football. There's a big Buffalo Bills contingency here, cheering their home team, but the Patriots game will always be on the big screen. Nevertheless, whatever your game, you can find a screen for it here. The second floor has larger tables, and most of the TVs are tuned to the home game, but you can still catch any action you need. Were I a richer man, I'd stay for the late games too! We needed a hand truck to roll my fat ass out of there after the 1pm games as it was. Definitely will be back to Portland, and we'll definitely stop by here.
(5)Doug B.
Went for the first time after a staff shake up at my usual stop ForePlay. I wanted to watch the Ravins game. The hostess took me round to all the TVs, 40 of them I think. No game. She explained to me that people get there early and "claim" a TV. They then high it for four hours! Of all the TVs in the wall I saw only 3 different games being broadcast. This isn't a sports bar it's a club and you have to be an exclusive member. Nice decor, for what that's worth.
(2)David G.
Finally a place in Maine that makes a decent hot wing. As opposed to the breaded, wango tango Caribbean jerk sweet honeysuckle key lime mess passed off as wings, they stuck with getting the basic one right. Hot sauce and butter shaken onto plain wings from the fryer. Done balls. The bar was busy and loud on a Friday and the server was very prompt and courteous. Definitely a good choice to catch a game
(4)Benjamin C.
Rivalries is a nice sports bar. Plenty of seating, above-average bar food, drink specials, and many televisions. I think this is my 5th time there and probably not the last! My wife and I stopped in to catch the last quarter of the 1pm NFL games on Sunday. No problem finding a table and they turned the tv to our game of choice. Had our first fall beer of the season, a chicken tender salad, and a bowl of chili. All very tasty! The chicken is advertised as "sweet chili," but I actually prefer the regular buffalo sauce. This is abnormal, so be quite specific if you also prefer it...as it doesn't seem like anyone else does! The chili had some nice flavor and comes with a few sprigs of cheese on it. I recommend adding sour cream. Total price for everything was about $25...not bad for a two person lunch! Definitely worth grabbing a bite or beer if you are in the area and want to catch you game.
(4)Joanna R.
Great place for easy pub food and watching multiple screens of sports :) It usually has a lively crowd, but nothing too obnoxious or out of control. The food was fine, nothing that will draw TV Cameras and celebrities. I do love the way they cook the chicken wings. Tender and crispy :) My favorite was the sweet chili. It was sweet with a little heat. Service was fast and pleasant. Downstairs for smaller parties and the ability to accommodate larger parties upstairs. They take reservations, which is nice, even during Pats games. They had a decent selection of beers, draft and bottle. Local drafts on tap usually have me coming back. Another place that makes me wish I lived in Portland.
(4)Shelby Y.
Two words: Raw wings. Seriously...my husband bit into a sweet chili wing only to spit out frozen raw meat. Gross. The waitress didn't even apologize when we told her. And nothing was removed from the check. Bad food + unacceptable service to compensate = we will not be returning.
(1)Katie P.
The two stars are for the lovely service and great draft list. The food was very subpar. My burger had a long hair in it and the sweet chili wings were far too sweet, tough, and full of cartilage. The food is relatively expensive for a sports bar and far below typical sports bar levels of deliciousness. They did have a lot of TVs, so maybe a good place for a great beer and a good game, but don't plan on eating here.
(2)Chris E.
Ryan Flaherty, who grew up in Portland, was starting today for the Orioles in the ALDS, in a game where the Orioles could take the series. 30 minutes before game time and Rivalries is unable to commit to putting the game on at all. not for a clinching game in post season baseball. not even to support a local boy. Disappointed as we were trying to go to a sports bar and see something that should matter to Portland. Instead, football games thousands of miles away played by no one from Portland took precedence. the food is sports bar food. better than average I guess. Just zero home town pride.
(1)Bob A.
Very good sports bar and restaurant. The buffalo chile boneless wings are really great. Not your typical buffalo wings but sweet and spicy at the same time. I think they are really popular here. I love them as an appetizer in the wrap they offer and in the salad. If I don't get those the I usually get the crab cakes or one of their daily specials. The staff is friendly and the prices are reasonable. Good location for anything going on at Cumberland County Civic Center. Just down the street.
(4)Marc W.
Came here solely based on the recommendation of the sweet chili boneless chicken tenders by other yelp users. Although it is Friday night, it is not too busy. The tenders are definitely worth it albeit a bit pricey. Good service good atmosphere. I would definitely return for the sweet chili chicken tenders.
(4)Kelli L.
Food was just ok. We ordered the French Onion Soup, Chicken Pesto Pizza, & the Chicken Fingers in their "famous" sauce. The soup was lacking, pizza not good at all as the chicken was so over cooked it was hard as a rock...but the sauce on the chicken was delicious. So like I said - food was ok. Nothing to write home about but not terrible either. (2 stars for food) Atmosphere was very nice though. We went to watch a game and there were TV's everywhere and a chill vibe. (4 stars for atmosphere) But the best of all was our waitress and bartender! They were both super nice! Sorry, I don't remember their names..but they were attentive and fun and didn't make us feel bad for closing the place down to see the end of the game. It was our first time in Maine ever and our server was even kind enough to write out a whole list of things we should see/do on our visit there. Super sweet girls that seemed to like their jobs! (5 stars for service)
(3)Tracey Lynn N.
Researched Yelp for a decent sports bar in the Portland area while we were away for the weekend (to watch the Celtics in the Playoffs!), and was REALLY glad we decided on Rivalries. This place had everything I wanted in a good sports restaurant-full bar, big menu, great service, lots of tvs, and yummy food. I can honestly say we had no complaints after visiting Rivalries. We started off with the nachos topped with chili, and I'm pretty sure every chip was covered in something. Dave had a burger that he raved about and looked pretty good, and I had an awesome, fresh lobster roll. The fries were excellent, but the lobster roll was so good and so big, I had no need for them. Portions were right on, as were the prices and we were served promptly with friendly service. I can't wait to go back to Portland, and will surely add a visit to Rivalries to our agenda!
(5)Hillary S.
I'd give the food 5 stars (except the artichoke dip which was terrible). The fish and chips (add sweet potato fries) are excellent! Lots of tvs too! However, the waitresses are universally Terrible! They don't make eye contact, they don't check on their tables, and are just generally inattentive.
(3)Erin M.
I told the boyfriend he could pick the restaurant for his birthday dinner on our overnight trip to Portland. He's not a very high maintenance guy, so this was his pick. I kind of raised an eyebrow when he picked a sports bar for his dinner, as I wouldn't have minded taking him somewhere a little more upscale, but I'm glad he picked it! We started with the wings, which had a really awesome sweet and spicy sauce. For my entree, I ordered the butternut squash ravioli with maple cream sauce. It was not exactly something I'd expect to find on a sports bar menu, but it was really really good! Sports on TV, good beer, delicious food, and all at a reasonable price! Good choice, Boyfriend!
(4)Brian M.
We had one night in Portland and far too many places to choose from when it came time to decide on what was for dinner. In the end we went to Rivalries because the menu sounded pretty good and our suitcase was packed more for a sports bar than for a fancy night out on the town. I think we made the right choice. Plenty of windows let in the great sunny evening and tvs on nearly every surface played a variety of games, mostly baseball. There's also an upstairs area, but I didn't get a look at that. There are only two unisex bathroom stalls so that might get a little hectic when the night is getting on and bladders are becoming full. The menu proclaimed that their sweet chili buffalo wings were famous so that was the obvious cohice to start the meal. Sure, no menu will ever say that their buffalo wings are "only average", but we've been on a bit of a buffalo kick lately and I'm a pretty easy sell to begin with. They were certainly different, that's for sure. The sauce was a great mix between sweet and spicey. A true buffalo purist may turn their nose at them, but we thought they were great. The beer selection isn't huge, but there are several quality and local options on tap. I'm a sucker for trying a town's local beer so we filled up on Allagash, Shipyard, and Gritty's. The entree section is where this place departs from the typical sports pubs. They do have the typical burgers and such, but not too many sports bars are going to pull off a butternut squash ravioli with maple cream sauce or a pesto chicken personal pizza. Those are the two things we went with and we liked them a lot. We'd go back even if it was just for the wings and a few beers.
(4)Simpson S.
I've been here twice, and twice it's been during a barcrawl. Twice I've stumbled in and made my way to a stool at one of the tables, blindly looked thru the menu, only to disregard the menu choices and order a few beers, wings, and nachos. Each time I've been thoroughly satisfied with what I ordered ..from what I can remember.. :) The only thing I can say about the place is that it hits the spot when your drunk, on a barcrawl, and need sustenance to make it through to the end of the night. I definitely will be looking for this place again next time I'm up there.
(4)John S.
Rivalries gets a bonus star for the "Only Game In Town" Factor. My mission was to find the Boston College-Kent State football game on television and be able to eat food while watching it. Ri Ra was playing the Sox. Fore Play Sports Pub had pool tables and many televisions, but no food to be seen. Thanks to some quick Yelping on my Palm Centro, I was able to find Rivalries, a sufficiently good sports bar on Cotton Street. Not only was the BC/KS game on, but every other game I could possibly want to watch was as well. There were at least fifteen flatscreens in there (just on the first floor), and probably six or seven games played on them at any given time. The food was good (filling, cheap and not burned). The service was, unfortunately, horrendous, due to (best I can tell) a waitress being called in last minute to sub in for someone else. But hey, they came through in the clutch for me, and slow service means I'm rarely bothered during the Boston College's penalty and turnover free 21-0 beating of Kent State.
(4)NiNi M.
My first time in Portland, rainy night, cold, windy... hungry..... Plug in the GPS... Food... All... Rivalries... GO.... I down a dark street and spot some lights on, the rain is coming down sideways, I'm starving, cold, and am in one of those leave me alone moods.... I trudge across the street, open the door and it's like I'm at home, local bar, the smells of homemade food fills the air. I seat myself at a tall table and a waitress promptly comes over with a menu, there's also a huge chalk board on the wall with daily specials.. I spot "homemade corn chowder" I'm IN! A bowl of that please and some chicken "fingers" this is one of the items they are known for... When that food arrived.. I was ecstatic.. my bowl of chowder was a massive bowl filled with potatoes, corn, spices, and all around deliciousness! It was so creamy and I couldn't get enough! Then the chicken fingers arrived... woah... these were HUGE! I could barely dive into half of them! The batter was just right and the bbq sauce was so good. I would defiantly recommend Rivalries the next time you are in Portland, ME. It's a taste of home cooking in an "everyone knows your name" setting. Cheers to you Rivalries, NiNi. M
(4)Ridge Y.
Love Rivalries! Has been my "go to" Sports Bar in Portland for years! Almost every Sunday afternoon during football season you'll find me and a group of friends enjoying the food, cold beer and atmosphere. There are a few other good sports bars in Portland, but this place has a great feel to it with the exposed Brick & Wood Beams and tons of televisons. A classic Old Port location. And If you can't find parking on the street there is a HUGE parking lot in front of Rivalries. The owners of the lot are nice enough to leave the gate open when unattended so you can usually park for free! Ridge York, RE/MAX By The Bay Portland, Maine
(5)David L.
A solid 5 stars. Nicely set up, great bar, excellent food and shitload of TV's...that pretty much equals perfect for me. The staff was great, the service very fast and the patrons were...better than the rest of Portland. Seemed to be totally normal folks here until the "Yea, Dude"s and Sex in the City girls came in around 9, but it's to be expected since it's one of the few normal bars in the city. I'll be back again someday.
(5)N K.
Went here after getting advice from friend. We went twice in two days and liked the food and staff. Place has more potential as floor plan is oddly not utilized. Wait staff were very nice and food was pretty good for bar/pub food. The Chicken tenders with sweet chili sauce were awesome. Drink specials and good atmosphere for watching games puts it over the top.
(5)Eric W.
Surprisingly not very crowded for a Sunday night football game (11/8) with Dallas on, but people were trickling in after the start. I sat at the bar, had great service from the bartender, ordered the meatloaf dinner and it was great. Grilled veggies, mashed taters, mushroom and onions on the kickin sauce. Very good overall, and right close to my hotel. If I wasn't here for just 5 days and wanting to try more of the food in the area, I'd be back just for the meatloaf. Lots of TV around to watch the games, Guinness on tap, full bar. Seems like a good place to go to me.
(4)Erin B.
Was in portland for work and was looking for a bar that also had good food. The veggie burger was delicious, and I highly suggest paying a little extra for the sweet potato fries. The boston bruins game was on and everyone in the bar was friendly to talk to. The bar was also within walking distance of many attractions .
(5)Bella and Aleksey R.
This has all the staple foods that go into a great burger place but done much better than in your average burger place. Good fries... They also have a great selection of wraps. I had their French onion soup which was really good. I was impressed by the fact that the bread in the soup was fried in some special way. We came here before a hockey game and the service was pretty fast.
(4)T.H. J.
Above average food for a sports bar.
(3)Chris H.
Great sports bar! Lot's of TV's, a lot of natural light in a restored building. Short walk to the Civic Center for the Pirates game. Good food, cold beer, friendly and attentive waitresses.
(5)