The Great Lost Bear
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Founder | Dave Evans, Weslie Evans, Chip MacConnell |
| Headquarters | Portland, Maine , United States |
| Products | Draft craft beers, food (burgers, wings, nachos, vegetarian menu) |
The Great Lost Bear is a Portland, Maine-based bar and dining establishment that began operations in 1979, founded by Dave and Weslie Evans along with Chip MacConnell. It is widely recognized for its broad array of draft craft beers, establishing itself as a significant entity within the local hospitality sector.
History
Before becoming The Great Lost Bear, the location housed Bottoms Up rock club and Nappi's Bakery. The venue initially opened under the name The Grizzly Bear on June 18, 1979. Due to a trademark dispute with Grizzly Bear Pizza in Oregon, the name was changed to The Great Lost Bear in 1981; however, the original "Grizzly" signage remains on display.
In 2011, the Evans family took full control by buying out MacConnell’s interest, marking an important change in ownership structure. That same year, the bar was featured on the television program Drinking Made Easy, increasing its media presence.
The establishment has welcomed distinguished guests such as comedian Jerry Seinfeld. Furthermore, it has been immortalized in popular culture through John Connolly’s Charlie Parker novels, beginning with the 2009 book The Lovers, underscoring its cultural significance.
In May 2023, ownership transitioned to longtime staff members Mike and Mary "Bird" Dickson along with Andrew Pillsbury, who brought their extensive experience at the venue to continue its tradition.
During September 2023, the bar hosted a happy hour memorial event honoring David L. Geary, founder of D.L. Geary Brewing Company, demonstrating its commitment to fostering industry relationships and community involvement.
Menu
Boasting approximately seventy beer taps, the bar was honored as Maine’s Best Beer Bar by CraftBeer.com in 2018. Its culinary offerings include burgers, wings, nachos, and a vegetarian menu segment titled Carnivores Beware. In 2010, the restaurant took part in Maine Restaurant Week by featuring a vegetarian spanakopita dish.
An archived menu from 1982 held at the Portland Public Library lists items such as hamburgers priced at $3.65 and vegetarian Reuben sandwiches at $3.35.