Independent Ice Co. on Wharf Street was recently named among Whisky Advocate magazine’s top 150 whiskey bars in the country. (Courtesy of Independent Ice Co.)Whisky Advocate magazine included Portland’s Independent Ice Co. on its list of the top 150 whiskey bars in America for 2025. The Wharf Street venue, launched in 2018, is the only Maine whiskey bar to make the list, and one of only six total in New England. The magazine’s Top Whisky Bars program “honors the places where exceptional whisky, true hospitality, and atmosphere converge,” according to the magazine’s website. “Each featured bar reflects the artistry of its beverage program, the warmth of its service, and the authenticity of its setting.”“We’ve received national ‘best whiskey/bourbon bar’ accolades before, but coming from the country’s premiere whiskey magazine, we feel this one is special,” said the bar’s co-owner Brian Hanson.

Source: CNN January 05, 2026 15:49 UTC