About
A high-end beer bar in our humble town
A long-time dream of opening a proper beer bar in Bangor, made real. We are not pretentious. We are not beer snobs. We are adventurers.
A note from the proprietor
We want to be up front with you about our offerings. We know some may question our selection. We call that focus. In a world where chain restaurants try to be everything to everybody, we hope you’ll find comfort in the simpler side of things. We limit what we do because we want to be the best at what we do. Our guests’ experience is what matters, and it lets us concentrate on what’s really important: you. So thanks for coming to visit. We truly appreciate your patronage, and we’re quite confident you’ll enjoy your time with us. Cheers.
Gene Beck, Proprietor
Welcome to Nocturnem
Our mission is to serve our guests the finest beers from Maine, the US and abroad, paired with artisan-style, simply prepared, locally sourced food. We are a collection of many walks of life, seeking better enjoyment out of our beverages, striving to find better offerings than are mass marketed to us every day. Above all, we are a place where everyone feels comfortable: a place where sharing, discussion and tasting are encouraged, and where you can broaden your horizons into the realm of the beer world.
More about Nocturnem
Our name
The owner’s heritage is German and French. The name Nocturnem comes from the Armorem Nocturnem, meaning “coat of arms of the night.” Nocturnem is Latin for “of the night.” Draft Haus sums up our focus. We hope to meet your expectations.
Our food
We create delicious, simple food without the headaches of running a full-blown restaurant. We use locally supplied, locally grown, Made-in-Maine food whenever possible. It won’t always be the case, but our ingredients come from responsible, quality suppliers committed to hormone- and antibiotic-free products. Our plates are built from artisan cheeses, meats, seafoods, produce and breads.
Our drink list
We like to take bartending back to simpler times, when a Martini was just that, and Manhattans and Old Fashioneds were all the rage. We pour quality spirits meant to be enjoyed on the rocks or neat, and keep a limited stock of mixers if that’s your desire. If you don’t see something you love, be adventurous. Try something new, or something old.
Our wine & mead
Not that there’s anything wrong with wine, but beer is our passion. We offer a selection of handpicked quality wines, and you should find a favorite among them. For the more adventuresome, we stock a selection of mead as well.
Recognized around town
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Best Burgers in BangorRestaurant Guru · 2026
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Recommended BarRestaurantji · 2025
Come see for yourself
We’re at 56 Main St in downtown Bangor. Pull up a stool, order a flight, and stay a while.