Two restaurants in Portland’s Old Port closing as owners regroup

Photo / Bar Futo Bar Futo is a Japanese-inspired restaurant at 425 Exchange St. in Portland.

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Two restaurants in Portland are closing their doors, but the owners say they’re planning to regroup.

Bar Futo, a Japanese-inspired restaurant at 425 Exchange St., that opened in 2022, has announced it will close on Nov. 1.

Bar Futo is owned by Jordan and Marisa Rubin, who also own and operate Mr. Tuna on Middle Street and co-own Crispy Gai on Exchange Street, both award-winning restaurants in the Old Port.

Jordan Rubin said in a prepared release that he is not finished with the space, but it will no longer operate as Bar Futo. He said he will have more to announce later this winter.

“We want to thank everyone who has supported Bar Futo — you’re the reason we love our jobs," said Rubin. "We are taking good care of our staff and focusing on our other restaurants in the Old Port and our next chapter at the 425 Fore St. location. Bar Futo will be open for a few more weeks and would love to raise a Whisky Highball with you in the meantime.”

Another closure

Low Stakes Lodge, a steakhouse at 106 Exchange St., announced on Monday via social media its upcoming closure.

The restaurant opened in June 2024.

The owners — Andy Gerry, Baxter Key and Peter Bissell — have not set a specific date for the closure but said in an Instagram post that it's expected in coming weeks.

The post says they plan to shut down the space for a few months for renovations and reopen as an extension of their other property, Highroller Lobster Co., which is located next door. The Low Stakes location is expected to serve as event space for Highroller.

"After an unforgettable run, Low Stakes Lodge is riding off into the sunset," said the owners in the post. "Thanks for every steak, every song, every bloomin' onion and dice roll you shared with us at the Lodge. We’re riding this party out for a few more weeks, so come on down and saddle up for one last ride."