Peter Van Allen
The Dry Dock's new outdoor seating area can accommodate up to 160 diners.
2 hours ago
Portland waterfront restaurant set to reopen with new crew and fresh look
Peter Van Allen
The Dry Dock, at 84 Commercial St. in Portland, will reopen July 26 after an extensive makeover.
After being closed for seven years, Dry Dock will reopen this Saturday as a modern seafood restaurant.
The Dry Dock, formerly known as the Dry Dock Restaurant and Tavern, located at 84 Commercial St. in the Old Port, which opened in 1983, has been closed since 2018. Last year, the owners of Luke’s Lobster signed the lease on the space and, over the past 10 months, have collaborated with general manager Matt Ginn to renovate and expand the restaurant. Ginn was previously with the Prentice Hospitality Group.
The team has more than doubled the size of the two existing outdoor decks, now offering seating for up to 160 guests outside. A new addition has been made alongside the original brick building, housing the kitchen, restrooms and storage, which allows for more interior seating.
Inside the 5,800-square-foot space, the restaurant features two large custom bars, handcrafted furniture, wood paneling and restored millwork.
“Restoring this historic building has been a massive undertaking involving many stakeholders," said Bryan Holden, president of Luke’s Lobster, citing the building owner, Steve Goodrich; Optimum Construction, of South Portland; Archetype Architects, of Portland, and the in-house team.
“We’re incredibly thankful to be part of it," Holden added. "There are so many iconic elements of the Dry Dock building, and we put a lot of emphasis on restoring those while making thoughtful updates to stay true to the seafood tavern aesthetic for which it was known and loved.”
More about the restaurant
The kitchen will be led by chef Mike Carney, who joins the team from Evo in Portland. Carney earned his culinary degree from Le Cordon Bleu in Cambridge, Mass., and began his career at Catalyst Restaurant in Cambridge. He moved to Maine in 2019 and began working with Evo's Ginn.
“Matt and I have worked alongside each other for years, and I was excited to join him again for this highly anticipated re-opening," said Carney. The updated space is perfect for grabbing a drink or bite with friends, or dinner with the whole family.”
The menu will feature a variety of Maine coastal favorites, including lobster rolls, chowder, lobster dinners, steak frites, and more.
Dry Dock will be open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and will initially operate on a walk-in-only basis.
“This is our first concept outside the traditional Luke’s Lobster brand, and we feel incredibly fortunate to have Matt and Mike leading the reopening," said Luke Holden, founder and CEO of Luke's Lobster.
"We always wanted to keep the name and iconic branding of the Dry Dock — it’s the essence of the Old Port and this refreshed version of Dry Dock will showcase the best of Maine’s seafood and be a welcoming spot once again for longtime regulars and new generations in Maine.”
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