Film -- Portland still has downtown movie houses, enabling travelers in the mood for a flick to avoid the disheartening slog out to the boxy, could-be-anywhere mall octoplexes. Nickelodeon Cinemas, 1 Temple St. (tel. 207/772-9751), has six screens and offers an eclectic mix of first- and second-run films at slightly lower prices than you'll find at the malls. The Movies, 10 Exchange St. (tel. 207/772-9600), is a compact art-film showcase in the heart of the Old Port, featuring a line-up of foreign and independent films of recent and historic vintage.
Music -- Portland is usually lively in the evenings, especially on summer weekends when the testosterone levels in the Old Port seems to rocket into the stratosphere, with young men and women prowling dozens of bars and spilling out onto the streets. As is common in cities with more venues than attendees, clubs come and go, sometimes rapidly. Check one of the two free weekly newspapers, the Casco Bay Weekly or the Portland Phoenix, for current venues, performers, and showtimes.
Among the Old Port bars favored by locals are Three-Dollar Dewey's, at the corner of Commercial and Union streets (the popcorn is free), Gritty McDuff's Brew Pub, on Fore Street near the foot of Exchange Street, and Brian Ború, on Center Street. All three bars are casual and pubby, with guests sharing long tables with new companions.
Performing Arts -- Portland has a growing creative corps of performing artists. Theater companies typically take the summer off, but it doesn't hurt to call or check the local papers for special performances.
