{"id":11900,"date":"2016-09-29T17:06:13","date_gmt":"2016-09-29T21:06:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/?p=11900"},"modified":"2016-10-13T14:10:23","modified_gmt":"2016-10-13T18:10:23","slug":"mixing-business-with-pleasure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/mixing-business-with-pleasure\/","title":{"rendered":"Mixing Business with Pleasure"},"content":{"rendered":"

October 2016 | view this story as a .pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re working after hours, why not<\/em> make it somewhere special? <\/span>
\n<\/strong><\/span>Discover the best places in the city to seal a deal over a drink.<\/span><\/h3>\n

By Karen Hofreiter<\/span><\/p>\n

\"after-dark-oct16\"It\u2019s said that the most important business is conducted on the golf course, not in the office. But when the weather turns chilly, you\u2019ve got to bring your A-game indoors. Luckily, Portland is home to a host of savvy restaurants and bars perfectly suited for mixing cocktails and contracts or dinner and deals. <\/span><\/p>\n

Where the Closers Go<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

No one knows the best places to woo clients better than Portland\u2019s top professionals. For John Hatcher, owner of The Hatcher Group of Keller Williams Realty, the Cumberland Club<\/strong> means a done deal. \u201cThe Cumberland Club is one of Portland\u2019s undiscovered jewels where I can meet with clients in a discrete location in the heart of downtown. The food is outstanding\u2013the lobster BLT is the best lobster sandwich in Portland\u2013as well as the craft cocktails and signature drinks. The staff knows every member\u2019s name, and my guests are always made to feel special.\u201d From the Club\u2019s impressive white-columned entrance to its stately Victorian-style dining room and bar (complete with chandeliers, fireplace, and crown molding), one can smell sweet success. The Club offers private meeting rooms, three cozy living rooms, and the \u201cChamberlain Bar\u201d named for Joshua Chamberlain who was a member of the club.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nicole Olivier, author and owner of the literary events company BookSpeak, likes to keep it casual and low-key. \u201cIt\u2019s fun to talk books with an author at the Hunt + Alpine Club<\/strong>, with its crisp, Scandinavian atmosphere and cleverly crafted bartending. Their cocktails also honor the \u201950s with a twist, not to mention their windows on Tommy\u2019s Park and people-watching if you sit at the counter, waiting for your guest to arrive. For a quiet, cozy neighborhood feel, definitely [head to] the Treehouse Cafe and Lounge<\/strong>.\u201d Olivier recently met with Ann Beattie<\/strong> (The State We\u2019re In<\/em>) at Pai Men<\/strong> Miyake<\/strong> on Longfellow Square.<\/span><\/p>\n

Small, quiet and a bit off the main drag\u201d is how Tom Landry, broker\/owner of Benchmark Real Estate, describes his favorite places to charm clients. \u201cFor a quick meeting with drinks and apps, it\u2019s Lolita<\/strong> in the East End. It has a great local beer selection and inventive cocktails (clients love the Boss Lady II). The staff knows me and is always polite, helpful, casual, and welcoming\u2013a rare blend. If I really want to impress and have time for dinner, it\u2019s off to my new absolute favorite: the Drifter\u2019s Wife<\/strong>. Owners Peter and Orenda Hale and the staff are among the most knowledgeable of food and beverage of anywhere we\u2019ve dined. Clients are always impressed by the simple, ingredient-centric dishes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Other favorites for sophisticated schmoozing include the Top of the East<\/strong>, with its spectacular panoramic city views and decor that reminds us of a hotel in Reykjavik, so it may be the perfect spot to negotiate with our Eimskip friends; the indigo-hued, modern and airy Glass Lounge<\/strong>; and the sleek and studious Inkwell <\/strong>(pictured previous page), where contracts are certain to get, well, inked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Toast of the Town<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

If it\u2019s potential clients, partners, or just like-minded industry folks you are looking to meet, Portland\u2019s numerous lively networking events are the way to go. Events hosted by the Maine Women\u2019s Network <\/strong>are a great example of what can be expected: top locations (e.g., Portland Country Club, Top of the East), light hors d\u2019oeuvres, and a large crowd of all ages representing a wide range of industries (corporate, healthcare, education). \u201cOur organization is about women supporting women to grow their professional and leadership skills through networking and education. Attendees have really enjoyed the speakers we feature and love the open networking event. It\u2019s an opportunity to create collaborations,\u201d says Kris McCrea, Chair of the Portland Chapter MWN. <\/span><\/p>\n

Many networking groups are tailored to certain interests; for example, Greendrinks<\/strong> is for those with an interest in sustainability and the environment, while Think Local <\/strong>is especially for individuals and small businesses and spotlights local non-profits. Young professionals will want to check out PROPEL<\/strong>, which hosts themed events including \u201cWelcome to Maine\u201d for newcomers; \u201cPortland Eats!\u201d for foodies; and \u201cLive from the C-Suite\u201d for picking the brains of the top execs in town. Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce<\/strong> events are key to getting to know the movers and shakers in the local business community.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hunt and Alpine Club:<\/a><\/strong> 75 Market Street, <\/span>
\n<\/span>Portland, 747-4754
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Treehouse Cafe and Lounge:<\/a> <\/strong>484 Stevens Avenue, Portland, 874-0706<\/span><\/p>\n

Lolita:<\/a> <\/strong>90 Congress Street, 775-5652, <\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

The Drifter\u2019s Wife:<\/strong><\/a> 63 Washington Avenue, 805-1336
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Top of the East:<\/a> <\/strong>Westin Portland <\/span>Harborview Hotel, 157 High Street, <\/span>
\n<\/span>207-775-5411
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Glass Lounge:<\/a> <\/strong>Hyatt Place Portland, <\/span>
\n<\/span>433 Fore Street, 207-775-1000<\/span><\/p>\n

Inkwell:<\/strong><\/a> 119 Exchange Street, Press Hotel, 207-808-8800<\/span><\/p>\n

Maine Women\u2019s Network:<\/a> <\/strong>open networking evening events the 3rd Thursday of <\/span>
\n<\/span>every month.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Greendrinks<\/strong>: <\/a>second Tuesday of every month, 5:30 p.m.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Think Local:<\/a> <\/strong>Business Mixers.<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

PROPEL:<\/a> <\/strong>After Hours events.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Portland Regional Chamber of Business:<\/a> <\/strong>\u201cBusiness After Five\u201d events. <\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

October 2016
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The Cumberland Club:<\/a><\/strong> 116 High Street, Portland, 773-6402, membership required<\/span><\/p>\n