Portland's The End Expands on Congress Street Into New Space

The End of Portland is leveling up, and honestly, it’s exactly the kind of move that just makes sense for the spot. They’re expanding into the former Cocktail Mary space at 229 Congress Street, and the goal is pretty simple, keep the same energy people already love, just with more room to enjoy it.

The plan is to connect the two storefronts into one larger space, which will bring in a wraparound bar right in the center, plus booth seating, more window spots, and even a pool table. There’s also talk of a seasonal outdoor patio along Congress Street, which is going to be huge once the weather warms up. It feels like they’re not trying to reinvent anything, just build on what’s already working and make it better.

Owner Benbazi said he’s “stoked” about the expansion, and that energy really comes through. He mentioned missing Cocktail Mary’s and the vibe they brought to the block, and it sounds like he’s aiming to carry that forward while still doing their own thing. It’s less about replacing something and more about continuing the momentum.

Renovations are set to start soon, with a goal of opening the new space around June. If you’ve been to The End before, you already know the vibe, and if you haven’t, this expansion might be the perfect excuse.