Rí Rá Irish Pub & Restaurant

There's No Cure For Love Except To Marry

4.9

Praised by couples for:

Amenities

Helpful staff

Guests comfort

All I can say is “WOW”. We had the Welcome Dinner for 185 people using the entire upstairs space. To begin with, the communication with Tara was outstanding. She was quickly responsive, detail oriented, and her recommendations were spot on. The upstairs rooms shined with the view out into the harbor a special experience and furnishings simple and tasteful. The spacing of table, chairs, and food stations efficiently planned by Tara so the rooms easily accommodated this number of people. Most importantly, the food was excellent across the board. We had “heavy appetizers” with passed apps and stations. People raved about the bacon-wrapped scallops, steak crostini, crab cakes, sliders, and mezza board. There was never a long line for drinks. Tara made sure that food allergies were fully respected. Lastly, the service was impeccable. People were quick, friendly, and super helpful. The evening was perfect.

Kathleen C.

5.0

We recently hosted a welcome reception at Ri Ra in their space upstairs, and it was an absolutely fantastic experience from start to finish. The menu options were outstanding – there was something for everyone, and every single dish was delicious. We opted for the beer and wine package and everyone was very happy with the selection. A huge shoutout to Tara, who helped us coordinate everything. She was incredibly communicative, helpful, and just a pleasure to work with throughout the planning process. The staff on the day of the event were also very friendly, attentive, and professional. Everyone had a wonderful time, and we couldn’t have asked for a location to host our event. Highly recommend Ri Ra for any private event or just a great night out!

Victoria S.

5.0

Tara Levy

EVENTS DIRECTOR

Typically responds within 24h

Food and drink is at the heart of any Irish wedding and with our warm Irish hospitality, your wedding at Rí Rá will be an experience not to be missed. Whether it’s an intimate occasion or a larger event we can guarantee that your day will be special, memorable and unique. Born in Ireland and meticulously restored here in Portland, Maine, Rí Rá brings you an unrivalled authentic Irish experience that you and your guests will remember long after you leave Maine. Rí Rá offers a host of private banqueting choices. Our dedicated special event menus are inspired by the best in traditional Irish cuisine and classic bistro preparations. Whether your wedding plan is simply an hors d’oeuvres and cocktail reception or full course dining, we can tailor a menu to suit your needs!

25+ years in business

Speaks English

Just me

Amenities + details

Amenities

Handicap Accessible

Indoor Event Space

Liability Insurance

Reception Area

Wireless Internet

Ceremony Types

Civil Union

Commitment Ceremony

Elopement

Interfaith Ceremony

Non-Religious Ceremony

Religious Ceremony

Second Wedding

Vow Renewal Ceremony

Settings

Restaurant

Venue Service Offerings

Bar & Drinks

Cakes & Desserts

Destination Weddings

Food & Catering

Planning

Service Staff

Any questions?

Meet the team

Tara Levy

Events Director

Meet Tara Levy, our Sales & Event Manager! Tara has extensive experience in the event industry. She studied Sports, Entertainment and Event Management at Johnson & Wales University in Providence Rhode Island before managing a full-service bridal boutique and directing Weddings & Events at a Golf Club in Southern Maine. Tara joined the Ri Ra team in the Winter of 2023 and is excited to start planning your special event today. Reach out to Tara for more information on weddings on the waterfront in downtown Portland, Maine!

4.9

out of 5.0

15 reviews

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Review Summary

This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.

Ri Ra is a charming Old Port venue with a bright upstairs harbor-view space ideal for welcome dinners, rehearsals, and brunches. The event team is responsive and organized, and staff are friendly and attentive. Guests praised the diverse, delicious food and strong bar service, making events effortless and memorable.

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Kaylin T

Highlighted review.

My husband and I just celebrated our wedding at RiRa Irish Pub in Portland's Old Port, and I couldn't be more thrilled to share our incredible experience! From the moment we walked...

through their doors for our initial consultation, the staff made us feel like family. The atmosphere at RiRa is absolutely magical for a wedding celebration. It mixes traditional coastal/nautical decor with the warmth of an Irish pub. The floor to ceiling windows created the perfect backdrop for our special day. Our guests were enchanted by the genuine Irish hospitality and the venue's charming character. The upstairs private dining area was ideal for our reception, offering intimacy while still maintaining that lively pub spirit we fell in love with. The staff went above and beyond to make our day flawless. Tara the event coordinator was attentive to every detail, working closely with us during the planning process and ensuring everything ran smoothly on the wedding day. The servers were professional, friendly, and kept our guests' glasses full throughout the celebration. The food was outstanding! We opted for buffet style.. the SHORT RIBS & BRUSSEL SPROUTS were show stoppers. As were the oysters and seafood tower appetizers. The smoked mussels were a STAR. The bar service was exceptional too – their Guinness pours kept coming. What truly set RiRa apart was how they embraced our vision while adding their own special touches. They helped coordinate with our musicians for traditional Irish music and then a DJ for late night dancing. The location in the heart of Portland's Old Port was perfect for our out-of-town guests, with nearby hotels and easy access to the city's attractions. Many of our wedding party extended their weekend to explore Portland, making it a true destination celebration. RiRa Irish Pub gave us the wedding of our dreams – authentic, warm, delicious, and unforgettable. The staff's dedication and the venue's unique charm made our special day absolutely perfect. We couldn't recommend them more highly for couples seeking a distinctive and heartfelt wedding experience! Sláinte to the amazing team at RiRa! 🍀

Kathleen C

All I can say is “WOW”. We had the Welcome Dinner for 185 people using the entire upstairs space. To begin with, the communication with Tara was outstanding. She was quickly respon...

sive, detail oriented, and her recommendations were spot on. The upstairs rooms shined with the view out into the harbor a special experience and furnishings simple and tasteful. The spacing of table, chairs, and food stations efficiently planned by Tara so the rooms easily accommodated this number of people. Most importantly, the food was excellent across the board. We had “heavy appetizers” with passed apps and stations. People raved about the bacon-wrapped scallops, steak crostini, crab cakes, sliders, and mezza board. There was never a long line for drinks. Tara made sure that food allergies were fully respected. Lastly, the service was impeccable. People were quick, friendly, and super helpful. The evening was perfect.

Any questions?

Victoria S

We recently hosted a welcome reception at Ri Ra in their space upstairs, and it was an absolutely fantastic experience from start to finish. The menu options were outstanding – the...

re was something for everyone, and every single dish was delicious. We opted for the beer and wine package and everyone was very happy with the selection. A huge shoutout to Tara, who helped us coordinate everything. She was incredibly communicative, helpful, and just a pleasure to work with throughout the planning process. The staff on the day of the event were also very friendly, attentive, and professional. Everyone had a wonderful time, and we couldn’t have asked for a location to host our event. Highly recommend Ri Ra for any private event or just a great night out!

Molly O

Ri Ra was the perfect choice for our Sunday brunch send-off! The setting was great, offering a gorgeous view of the water that everyone enjoyed. All of our guests were from out of ...

town, so it was the perfect setting to show off the beauty of Portland! Everyone working with us to plan the brunch, and everyone working during the brunch, were beyond kind and accommodating, and couldn't have been easier to work with the team there! Thank you for providing such a memorable and delightful experience for our guests. It was the perfect ending to a perfect celebration!

Chelsey W

We had our rehearsal dinner and welcome party at RiRa’s upstairs this past weekend, and it was absolutely wonderful. Tara, RiRa’s Event Manager, was incredibly easy to work with. S...

he was responsive, on top of all the details, and over the top helpful. The food, drinks and service were flawless, especially the dessert platter which we are still getting compliments on. We could not recommend RiRa more!

Kate H

We held our 130 person wedding reception upstairs RiRa and it was the absolute best venue. It was a sit down family style dinner, and the best wedding food we’ve had. Our guests co...

uldn’t stop talking about how beautiful/perfect the venue was and how delicious the food was. Lacey was amazing to work with leading up to it, the whole staff was helpful and professional the night of. If we had to do it again, we wouldn’t change a single thing at RiRa!!

Alex F

We held our rehearsal dinner at RiRa’s in September 2021 and it exceeded our expectations. We decided to book the upstairs bar which was perfect for our occasion. We had about 35 g...

uests who got to mingle at high top tables, bars seats, and their couch area by the fireplace. Rebecca worked with us when we needed to revise our menu a few times. The staff was top notch and very professional. The food was delicious, there was plenty and it was affordable. I’d highly recommend Rebecca to help guide you through the process and RiRa as a venue to host any event.

Louise G

I held my daughter’s Bridal Shower at RiRa’s in May 2021 and it exceeded our expectations. Rebecca worked with me when we had to reschedule due to unforeseen circumstances and the...

day was wonderful. The servers were very courteous and helpful (gave me ideas on set up) and brought in an extra table I needed for games. The food was delicious, there was plenty and it was affordable. I’d highly recommend Rebecca to help guide you through the process!

Kaity M

We had our rehearsal dinner at Ri Ra in May. Ri Ra hosted us in the Harbor Room, it was a perfect intimate setting for our party of about 30 with beautiful water views. They were ...

easy to communicate with for planning purposes ahead of time and worked with our preferences for partial open bar for a set amount of time etc. Our servers were excellent, overall very happy we chose Ri Ra and would plan another gathering here in a heart beat!

Lindsey B

Absolutely perfect! You will be so happy with Ri Ra! We had 80 guests and the space was absolutely perfect for it. Our guests haven't stopped talking about how perfect it was ups...

tairs. They were all surprised at the size, modern decor, and perfection of the space upstairs! The rectangular tables in the main room were perfect, the mixed chair styles are modern and fun, and the views overlooking the water are perfection. The food was amazing, bar service was great, and the connection between the dance floor, dining room, and bar/parlor area was unique and absolutely perfect.

Suzan T

Amazing wedding reception location in the heart of the Old Port! The food was perfect and the staff were super friendly. Everyone had a great time. Thank you Rebecca for your help ...

organizing our venue details!!

DAWN

I give this place an A+ because they were great! Customer service was off the chain! The room we had reserved was so cute. Food was good, drinks kept flowin, we had our own pers...

onal bar and bar tender who was so very nice and social and patient. The staff was wonderful. They even let us extend for another hour (originally it was from 5-7pm) with no problems. Everyone had a great time there. No complaints.

beth b

As soon as we decided to get married in Portland, I knew I wanted to have our rehearsal at Ri Ra's so that we could invite all our guests to join us for drinks afterwards.....but, ...

the 2nd floor bar was booked. So we looked long & hard, at Grace, at Joe's Boathouse-a bunch of other locations, but none were perfect (on the water and within walking distance of everyone's hotels)--we lucked out when Ri Ra's had a cancellation on the space we wanted! It was absolutely perfect and our bartenders Ian & Evan were amazing-we'd been their patrons previously, but seeing them at work with a large dinner party and then dealing with all our friends when they rolled in was awesome! They made everything easy, food was great, apps for the welcome party were great-everyone was happy, in their cups and having a good time. They made the night and set the tone for an amazing weekend!

Monika L

We had our wedding rehearsal in the early afternoon, so we hosted our rehearsal cocktail hour immediately afterward at Ri Ra. We reserved the upstairs space, which has a great vie...

w of the water. It was great to have a private space. Audree helped us plan a great event. She helped us decide how much food we needed to order given our 65 guests. We discussed the layout of the space, linens, and she helped to stage an area for our DJ. We meet twice prior to the event, and we were in contact via email throughout the planning process. Audree was incredibly helpful. The Ri Ra staff were all wonderful. We offered open bar to our guests. The food was delicious; our guests raved about the crab cakes in particular. We were looking for a more informal rehearsal, hence why we went with a cocktail hour event; however, Ri Ra also offers a more formal sit-down dining option. We couldn't have asked for a better venue for our rehearsal.

Danielle S

Audree from Ri Ra's was super-easy to work with for our rehearsal dinner. We planned the entire thing by email, since we don't live locally. It was the largest space on the water...

we could find without spending thousands to rent out an entire restaurant. Everyone raved about the food, the views, the room, the whole place. It is perfect, and I would recommend it to anyone. Also know of some people who've used the space for receptions as well - you really can't go wrong: great food, great drinks, great service, great views.

Service area & Contact info

72 Commercial Street, Portland, ME

Open map

(207) 409-4908

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Rí Rá Irish Pub & Restaurant

About this venue

Review Summary

Service area & Contact info

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