When Brandon Allegue secured 8 Exchange Street as the location for The Teal Duck—his new cocktail lounge and charcuterie bar—he knew he had hit gold. In the heart of the Old Port, it’s where the city’s highest foot traffic frequents the most legendary restaurants.

"Exchange Street is the premier retail location in the entire state of Maine,” agrees Andre Rossignol, Associate Vice President at CORE who leased the space to Brandon.

“They will be well positioned to be successful here due to the strong layout of the space. The concept is unique to the area, and they are the team to do it. Brandon's experience working in major markets gives them a real edge.”

The Teal Duck pays tribute to the art and history of the classic cocktail.

“I wanted to make a nice, high-end cocktail lounge that doesn’t take itself too seriously,” explains Brandon. “I can’t stand that whole hipster mixologist thing! I believe you can find a great cocktail by using handmade ingredients and classic recipes.”

A sense of history pervades this location. The Teal Duck occupies a 19th century brick building and a space that at one point was a movie theater. The original marquee still hangs outside, now with the words “Cocktails & Charcuterie” lit up.

When you walk inside, you’ll find an intimate bar with teal lighting down its entire length, candlelight, and a movie screen on the back wall playing black and white movies. The place seeps with nostalgia.

“That’s one of the things I love about the name, The Teal Duck,” says Brandon. “It sounds like it’s been here for 30 years.”

Brandon, who is originally from Long Island, NY, is something of a bar industry insider. His father was a piano player and singer, and his mother was a bartender. “I grew up in bars,” he shares.

Bartending was his continual part-time job and by the age of 24, he moved to Florida and became general manager of a bar in West Palm Beach.

“Eventually I decided to open my own place,” he says. “And I wanted to move north. I took a vacation to Portland and that was it.”

The Teal Duck opened to the public on August 28, 2026.

“This bar is suited for locals,” says Brandon. “It’s a cozy place with a living room vibe and is definitely a place to come during the winter months.”

He also stresses the food element of the venue, and the locally sourced meats and cheeses on offer.  “When you come to this bar, it’s not just about drinking; it’s about hanging out with friends,” he says. “We offer charcuterie boards as a way for a group to order food together. Humanity has always bonded over drinks and plates of food.”

The Teal Duck is Monday-Saturday from 3pm-11pm. More info at www.thetealduck.com