Processing Your Payment

Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.

Updated: October 17, 2025

Friday Food Insider: New mini-golf sports bar is anything but par

Burger at minbar in Portland. Photo / Alexis Wells Minibar, a new sports bar in Portland with a twist, offers sandwiches including the Bogey Burger, an 8-ounce patty with cheddar, American cheese and a signature sauce on a brioche bun.
By Alexis Wells

A new Portland restaurant is serving upscale comfort food — like warm pretzels with beer cheese and bacon jam — alongside seared yellowfin and paired with boozy milkshakes, all while being surrounded by a mini-golf course.

Minibar (with a lowercase "m"), an indoor mini-golf course and sports bar, has opened its doors in Portland, combining casual competition with food and drinks under one roof.

Owner Kevin Moschella has built out an 18-hole mini-golf course, restaurant space and course-side bar in 15,000 square feet at 270 Marginal Way in Portland's East Bayside. The space was formerly occupied by World Gym.

Photo / Alexis Wells
Owner Kevin Moschella has filled the minibar space with Maine sport team memorabilia.

Moschella told Mainebiz during a preview that the idea for the space came to him a couple of years ago when he, his wife and son were playing mini-golf. 

"It was a busy summer day, and between holes, we had a 10-minute wait, and we're just like this would be way better if we had a drink in our hand or could watch the game," said Moschella.

He chose the site because of its easy access to I-295, ample parking and all the breweries and distilleries in the area — Rising Tide, Austin Street, Apres, Freedom's Edge Cider, Lone Pine, Three of Strong Spirits.

"People are always looking for other indoor activities," said Moschella. "There are a lot of bowling alleys in the area, but not something like this."

Minibar is decorated with sports artifacts, including a Maine Mariners goalie statue, a Maine Celtics-themed section, tributes to the Portland Sea Dogs and Hearts of Pine.

"We have always been huge sports fans and have a bunch of sports memorabilia, so adding the sports bar component was something I was really excited to do," Moschella said. 

At full staff, minibar will have 50 to 70 employees.

Moschella says expansion to northern Maine or Kittery is a possibility. 

Mini-golf and more

Moschella said he envisions minbar as a place where people can watch televised sports on some 30 screens and grab a meal or play mini-golf. The space is for all ages and family-friendly, but on certain nights it will host 18-plus events. 

Plans call for hosting mini-golf leagues and tournaments as well as private events, trivia nights, singles nights, work events and other happenings. 

About the menu

Photo / Alexis Wells
Pictured is the Chubb's Tuna, which is sesame and citrus crusted seared yellowfin with a ponzu dipping sauce.

The kitchen is led by chef Tim Goddu, who followed the golf theme. Goddu said he was trying to keep the menu simple, relatable and happy comfort food, but elevated to a little bit of a bar scene. He said he is trying to make the "menu as cohesive as possible, but also trying to keep it fresh and local."

"We’ve got our Caddie Dogs, which are pigs in a blanket, and Mac n’ Tees Bites — our take on mac and cheese bites," said Goddu. "There’s the Bogey Burger, an 8 oz patty with cheddar, American cheese and our signature Mini Sauce on a brioche bun. We also have a peanut butter and grape jelly burger, a pesto chicken sandwich and our version of the North Shore roast beef, which we call the Par 3."

Photo / Alexis Wells
Menu items include a burger with peanut butter and grape jelly on a brioche bun.

Minibar will also serve desserts like Sea Dog biscuits and donut holes from the Holy Donut.

In a few months, Goddu says he plans to add more items, including a new make-your-own quinoa bowl, as well as specialty nights like a spaghetti dinner for the community and a French dip sandwich and prime rib night. 

Goddu isn't new to Maine's food scene. He has had roles at Dara Bistro in Cumberland, the former Bird Dog Roadhouse in Cape Elizabeth and Bread + Butter in Portland.

Reader Feedback

What new restaurants in other parts of the state should be on our radar? The Mainebiz Food Insider wants to hear from you! Contact Alexis Wells at awells@mainebiz.biz.

Sign up for Enews

Mainebiz web partners

Most Recent

Most Recent

0 Comments

Order a PDF