Myrtle Street Tavern - Rockland, ME

The dive bar with a rich past and a bright future

In downtown Rockland sits a historic building housing the oldest bar in Rockland. It’s a storied piece of Rockland's maritime history, dating back to the late 19th century.

Originally constructed around 1875, the building was historically known as the Myrtle House. During Rockland’s peak as a major shipping and lime-producing port, the establishment served as a central hub for the sailors and dockworkers who frequented the "South End" of the city.

For much of its early history, the building and its surroundings were part of a district with a "rowdy" reputation. It was a primary stop for maritime workers arriving by sea or rail, and it became synonymous with the colorful, cosmopolitan, and often rough-and-tumble nightlife of old Rockland.

 It was a well-known hangout for sailors, often associated with heavy drinking and the "colorful" activities typical of 19th-century port towns.

The tavern’s history is famously acknowledged by its own self-deprecating motto, "Not just for Sailors and Whores Anymore," which was coined by the owner who worked to clean up the establishment's image while leaning into its gritty past.

We believe that in most towns, there is that one place that becomes home for the locals, a place that accepts all walks of life. The "Mryt" is that place.

 Leslie, the ever-present owner and almost motherly steward, is definitely the "Madam of Myrt" in that she knows everything and almost everyone who steps foot in her doors. She has brought the Myrtle Street Tavern up to a level where all walks of life can feel welcome, whether you’re the owner of a large company grabbing a quick lunch, or a Sternman needing a brew after a long, grueling day on the rough seas.

The bartending staff, led by Todd (numerous bartender of the year awards, and deserved everyone) handles crowds that vary from the Tuesday noon construction guys to the bus load of hammered wedding partiers belting karaoke with ease. As often as you can walk in there and know everyone in the place, you can also walk in and meet someone new (one of us did just recently!!)

 A pool table and an underused dart board round out the decor, but I must say you can’t trust the bumpers on the pool table- beware. Music is cranking nightly, whether it’s live music, open mic, karaoke, or simply the touch tunes blasting out the latest craving of fast passers (6 credits!).

Munchies is, however, about the food, and this is what may seem surprising: it’s really good.

Yes, it’s a dive bar through and through, but that’s what we love about it. Owner Leslie Speirs has done a fabulous job, adding all kinds of food to the already budget-friendly drink menu.

Normally, most people don’t go to a late-night focused dive bar for food, but hear us out!

Myrtle boasts a robust bar food menu, serving a wide variety of dishes from a compact one-person kitchen located at the back of the bar. They offer homemade soups and chili, outstanding wings, smash burgers, and typical fried options.

However, what truly sets this "dive" apart is its daily specials. This dedication to introducing new items for patrons, especially for regulars who may tire of the same offerings, is the kind of extra effort we truly appreciate. The chicken parmesan sub accompanied by fries (with three different options — I opted for sweet potato) was nearly perfect. Chicken Parm holds a special place in both our hearts, and I could enjoy this every time. A possible menu add, Myrt?!?

In addition to the specials, they serve brunch on the weekend, with a full brunch menu separate from their regular one. The biscuits and gravy were perfect, and we would absolutely go back for them. The sausage, egg, and cheese on an everything bagel came with a fresh addition of tomato and spinach, which simply made the sandwich. We were surprised to see them using the link sausages instead of a patty, and they did keep rolling out, but the taste was great, and that’s an easy fix. Eggs Benny over corned beef hash is another crowd favorite!

We were impressed by the brunch, and excited to see them open and inviting us in at 10am on Sunday.

As for the lunch, which starts at 11 am, 7 days a week, we loved the steak and cheese quesadilla, the well-made Italian sub, coconut shrimp, grilled cheese with bacon, and the much-raved-about homemade soup/chowder/chili.

Need a late-night bite at 11:30 PM? Myrtle is your only option, as everything else is closed. Many nights, after working late, I've relied on Myrtle (offering fryer items only until midnight), and the local hospitality community truly values it!

Overall, the Myrtle will easily scratch the pub food craving we all get from time to time, but we believe they will surprise you with the quality and diversity of items passed across the horseshoe bar in a no-fuss, let's eat manner. We will go again for many different reasons and look forward to trying even more items.

Side note: The community at 11am is quite different than at 11pm, so chose the time of your visit accordingly, based on the colorful patrons you hope to join.

Hornitos: YES

Bouncers every night: yes

Hours: 11 am - 1 am

Address: 12 Myrtle St. Rockland, ME