The Portland Zoo: Where Match Day Begins in Portland, Maine
- Kate Curcio
- 20 hours ago
- 3 min read
If you’re heading to a Hearts of Pine match in Portland, there’s one thing you need to know.....match day doesn’t start at the stadium. It starts at The Portland Zoo.
I had the chance share a beer and interview co-owner Mark Miller, who runs the bar alongside Chris Blake, and it’s clear this place is so much more than just a bar.
What started as Portland’s only true soccer bar has grown into a full-blown institution.
They were the ones opening their doors at 7am for early matches when no one else would. That kind of dedication built something special and when the Hearts of Pine came to town, The Zoo naturally became the official home base for fans.
Walking in on match day, the vibe is instant. Electric, welcoming, and full of people who are just genuinely excited to be there.
Scarves line the walls. Banners hang everywhere. Conversations spark between strangers like they’ve known each other for years. It’s one of those rare places where you feel like part of something the second you walk in.
And the crowd? Not just locals. We ended up sitting with people from New Hampshire who clearly make this a regular stop. That tells you everything you need to know.
Before the interview, I grabbed a Backyard Boogie and trust me, this is going to be my summer beer. It's a dry-hopped pale ale brewed by the Zoo team themselves, and it’s already a fan favorite. Food was provided by Oga Suya nigerian BBQ and it smelt delicious!
The name comes from their outdoor courtyard—aka “the backyard”—which honestly feels exactly like hanging at a friend’s house with all your favorite people.
The inside of the bar is cozy, but the backyard is where it really opens up:
TVs set up for game watching
Plenty of tables
Dog-friendly (major bonus)
And that laid-back, community feel you can’t fake
Even better? You can grab Backyard Boogie outside the bar at spots like Barking Dawg Market and Perks Beer and Beverage. I’ll definitely be stocking up.
One of the best parts of my visit was talking with Mark. You can tell immediately how much this place means to him. The Portland Zoo isn’t just a business, it’s something they’ve built with the community.
That commitment shows up in a big way through their nonprofit, Raising the Game. Their mission is simple but powerful: making sure every kid in Portland has access to soccer.
They help provide:
Financial aid for leagues and camps
Equipment for players
Opportunities for kids who might not otherwise have access
It’s about growing the game—and the community around it.
Heading to the game, I’ll be honest, part of me didn’t even want to leave the bar. I knew I could’ve stayed and had just as much fun watching it there.
At the stadium, The Zoo energy carries over into the supporters section literally called “The Zoo.” That’s where the Dirigo Union bring the chants, the energy, and where the Valentine Band keeps the rhythm going all game long.
It’s loud. It’s positive. It’s contagious.
And it all starts back at The Portland Zoo.
I went in excited for a game and left feeling like I found a community.
Whether you’re a die-hard soccer fan or someone like me who only got into it recently thanks to the Hearts of Pine, this is a place you need to experience.
The Portland Zoo is welcoming, high-energy, and just plain fun.
I already know I’ll be back this summer, probably in the backyard, drink in hand, watching a match with a group of people who won’t feel like strangers for long.
If you’re looking to support Raising the Game, we’re currently selling Dirigo Union t-shirts on the Maine Scuttlebutt website with all profits going directly to the charity.
Because that’s what this is all about: community, connection, and making the game accessible for everyone.
Kate
The Portland Zoo 41 Fox St, Portland, ME
Raising the Game
Photos by Greta Tucker