Minibar to close on Marginal Way in Portland
Minibar sports bar on Marginal Way to close after just one year in business
Portland, Maine – The 15‑000‑square‑foot Minibar, the city’s newest sports‑bar hybrid that featured an 18‑hole indoor mini‑golf course, will shutter its doors on Sunday, November 1. The announcement came in an Instagram post from co‑owner Kevin Moschella, who said the business had “largely met its goals” of spreading “fun, flavor and joy” to the community and visitors, but “financial reality…made it so I’m unable to continue to achieve that mission.”
Minibar opened its doors in October 2024 at 265 Marginal Way, a location that had once been a warehouse. Moschella and his wife, Jamie, invested in the extensive buildout, which reportedly cost more and took longer than expected. “The buildout of the space cost more and took longer than expected, so it kind of put it behind from the jump a little bit,” Moschella told the outlet on Friday by phone.
The bar offered a unique mix of American‑style cuisine, craft beers and cocktails, and a full‑size indoor mini‑golf course that drew local patrons looking for a family‑friendly outing. Despite the popularity of the novel concept, the Moschelhas struggled to keep the operation profitable. “We’re certainly open to doing that,” Moschella added. “People like the space and what we brought here. Unfortunately, in our financial position, we just weren’t able to continue it.” He also noted that he has been in talks with potential buyers who might be interested in acquiring the property and continuing the venture.
“Since opening last October, minibar’s primary goal has been to spread fun, flavor and joy to the community and visitors of Portland, ME,” Moschella said in the Instagram post. “While I feel like we largely met those goals, financial reality has unfortunately made it so I’m unable to continue to achieve that mission.”
The closure will leave a gap in Portland’s nightlife and dining scene, especially for those who enjoyed the indoor mini‑golf experience. City officials and local business owners have expressed regret over the loss. “Minibar was a bold addition to the downtown area,” said a spokesperson for the Portland Business Association. “We’ll miss the energy and innovation it brought to the neighborhood.”
Minibar’s owners have not announced a timeline for potential sale of the facility, and no new operator has been named. Customers can still visit the bar until the final day, after which the space will be available for new tenants.
The restaurant’s closure comes at a time when many urban venues are grappling with rising rents, supply‑chain disruptions, and changing consumer habits. As the local hospitality industry continues to adjust, the loss of Minibar will be felt by patrons who enjoyed the bar’s combination of dining, sports viewing, and mini‑golf.
