Portland landmarks Roma Cafe and Bramhall are set to close their doors permanently on November 21.
The announcement, shared via social media, marks the end of an era for two historic Congress Street properties. According to The Portland Press Herald, the businesses released the news on Wednesday, confirming their final day of operations will be Saturday, November 21.
“It’s hard to find the words for this, but after so many years of good food, strong drinks, familiar faces and nights that turned into mornings, Bramhall and Roma will be closing their doors on November 21st,” a post on Roma’s Instagram page read, as reported by The Portland Press Herald.
While the announcement signals a significant loss for the local dining and nightlife scene, no specific reason was provided for the closure, Kool AM reported. The properties are owned by restaurateur Michael Fraser, who could not be reached immediately for details regarding the decision.
The closure is particularly poignant given the deep roots these establishments have in the city. Roma Cafe first opened its doors in 1924 at 489 Congress St. before relocating to its current site at 769 Congress St. in 1935, The Portland Press Herald reported.
Before its previous closure in 2009, the cafe was recognized as one of Portland’s premier destinations for romantic, special-occasion dining. The business has experienced a cycle of revival before; Kool AM noted that while it appeared to close permanently in 2008 after more than 80 years of service, it was brought back to life in 2017.
That 2017 reopening was led by Michael Fraser alongside partners Guy Streitburger and Anders Tallberg. The revival aimed to honor the original cafe’s legacy while introducing new energy to the historic location.
Bramhall, located in the basement beneath Roma Cafe, shares a similarly storied past. The space originally served as a speakeasy during the 1920s. It later operated as Bramhall Pub before closing in 2009, only to be reopened by Fraser in 2014, The Portland Press Herald reported.
The departure of these two venues highlights the precarious nature of the hospitality industry, where even institutions with significant name recognition and prime locations face challenges. As Kool AM observed, there is no exact script for operating a successful venue in Portland, as success can depend on anything from a signature dish to the perfect atmosphere.
The loss of such spaces often impacts the social fabric of a neighborhood. For many, these were not just places to eat or drink, but community hubs where “nights turned into mornings.”
| Establishment | Original Era | Key Reopening Year |
|---|---|---|
| Roma Cafe | 1924 | 2017 |
| Bramhall | 1920s | 2014 |
Both the Roma Cafe and Bramhall staff have extended an invitation to longtime patrons to visit one last time before the lights are turned off for good on November 21.
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