Ruski's Tavern

For the building in Belgrade, see Ruski car Tavern.

Ruski's Tavern
The bar in 2024
Restaurant information
Established	1981 (43 years ago) (1981)
Owner(s)	Josh Whaley Monica Whaley
Previous owner(s)	Steve Harris Rose Harris
Street address	212 Danforth Street
City	Portland
County	Cumberland County
State	Maine
Postal/ZIP Code	04102
Country	United States
Coordinates	43.64808°N 70.26418°W / 43.64808; -70.26418

Ruski's Tavern (sometimes sylized as Rūski's Tavern) is a dive bar located at 212 Danforth Street in the West End of Portland, Maine, United States.^[1] It is one of the city's few remaining neighborhood bars,^[2] and (having been established under its current name in 1981) one of its oldest. As of 2023, it is owned by Josh and Monica Whaley,^[3] who purchased it in 2005.^[4]

It is one of Portland's Class XI-licensed restaurants: ones that may not generate more than $50,000 in food sales and may serve only alcohol for part of the day.^[5]

History

The bar's interior (2018)

The property was built, originally as a home, in the 1860s. Around forty years later, it became a beer parlor, owned by Jesse McLinchy, a wealthy Irishman.

Between 1892 and around 1920, the building was also the home of Fickett and Thompson Apothecary.^[6]

In the 1920s, it became Hynes Dry Goods, while in the early 1930s it was, among other businesses, Spiller's Bakery.^[6]

In 1935, it became Elsmac Cafe, then, between 1937 and 1944, Slane's Cafe.

After World War II, it was purchased by Mary Mancini, during which time it became the White Eagle Cafe and the Red Eye. Between 1974 and 1980, the tavern was named Beacon II,^[6] then the Green & Gold.

In 1981, the bar was renamed for its previous owner Robert Russo, who was nicknamed Ruski by his successor, Frank Navarro. He used the phrase brewskis at Ruski's.^[6]

Steve and Rose Harris purchased the tavern in November 1985. (Rose is the namesake of Rosie's Restaurant & Pub at 330 Fore Street.^[6]) Steve died in 2009, aged 63, four years after he and his wife sold the pub to Josh and Monica Whaley, the current owners.^[4]

References

1. Volk, Briana (2019-12-17). "How to Eat and Drink in Portland, Maine, Like a Restaurant Industry Pro". Eater Boston. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
2. Pierce, Kathleen (2017-01-04). "After 42 years, this Portland bartender is leaving the business — maybe for Uber". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
3. Staff Report (2016-11-24). "At Ruski's, a tradition continues on Thanksgiving Day". Press Herald. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
4. Busby, Chris (2009-07-17). "Steve Harris: An appreciation". The Bollard. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
5. Goad, Meredith; Herald, Portland Press (2018-08-07). "Bon Appetit magazine names Portland its city of the year". Lewiston Sun Journal. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
6. "Ruski's Tavern, 1986". Businesses & Buildings - Portland Press Herald Still Film Negatives. 1986-02-15.

External links