Though difficult to find in the world of the Internet and Google, the Point 5 Lounge has been open since about 2006. Sharing space with the nationally recognized culinary delight that is Five Fifty-Five restaurant, this lounge reminds locals and tourists that Maine is not all backwoods and laid-back brewpubs.

In fact, our food and drink scene rivals some of the most sought-after urban epicenters. And it’s not just because we have more bars per capita than 99.9 percent of the cities in the United States.

Point 5 Lounge shares its entrance with Five Fifty-Five, so you are immediately greeted by a smiling face and asked where you would like to be seated. The hosting station is located in the lounge itself, so once you know where you are going, there you are.

At once, you will notice the very posh setting of dark wooden fixtures and deep warm accents. The bar, with its near-black stone top, seats about 10 patrons in tall wooden seats. There are also a handful of tables spaced comfortably in the space around the bar, and a little wall/ledge with seats nestled in one corner.

It is no surprise that Point 5 Lounge’s wine selection is impeccable. The lounge has been lauded with the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence distinction for the past seven consecutive years, so you are guaranteed to find something you will like.

It’s one of the few bars I have found in Portland that offers wine not only by the glass ($7 to $14) and bottle, but also by the half-glass ($4 to $8) to allow patrons an opportunity to sample a few different wines without making a spectacle of themselves.

Mixed drinks are constantly evolving and changing, as Point 5 Lounge relies heavily on fresh local ingredients.

In the spirit of summer, I asked bartender Josh Caron to choose for me from the Sazerac ($6) and the Maine Mead Lemonade ($7). A few important personal taste questions later, I had a delicious Maine Mead Lemonade sitting in front of me (house lemonade and Maine Honey Mead).

Caron explained that the most popular drinks are usually martinis ($8 to $12, depending on mixer and liquor selections), as people will meet up for one before a show or event in the arts district.

Simply put, you would be a fool not to try some of the food offerings available on the specially created bar menu. For my adventure, I ordered the stuffed fried olives ($2.95, bleu cheese and pepper-stuffed green olives, breaded and fried), because I am a sucker for a gourmet olive dish. I was not disappointed.

I realize that this particular culinary delight is not a favorite for many, but rest assured, there is much more on the menu.

I have heard great things about the cheese plate, which is offered with a wine pairing ($9) to fulfill the tasting experience.

Even with the higher-end feel and lengthy wine and liquor menu of the Point 5 Lounge, you will not feel like a subpar drinking citizen if you want to order a beer with your mac and cheese ($9.95).

Five beers on draft ($5) and those by the bottle ($3 to $9) range from Budweiser and Miller Lite to Peaks seasonal and Stella. There also are a few ringers such as Allagash Curieux, a personal favorite.

When you are looking for that perfect upscale lounge to show off to out-of-town guests, a starting point for a special night out or simply a good place to experience the height of Portland’s bar scene, make sure to add the Point 5 Lounge to your plans. 

Elisa Doucette is a freelance writer who lives in Portland.