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About Blind Tiger Portland Danforth

Blind Tiger Danforth is set in an 1823 Federal-style mansion on Danforth Street, in Portland, Maine’s famed West End neighborhood. The home once operated as a speakeasy during Prohibition, and that history still shapes its character today. The design draws on the city’s spirit of entrepreneurship and creativity, with gathering spaces rich in texture and color, built for hosting friends or settling in for the afternoon.

Danforth is a house built for staying in as much as going out. An on-site innkeeper is on hand for recommendations and guest needs throughout your stay, and the common spaces are designed for lingering: a billiard room, game library, and the Heirloomerie retail shop all under one roof, alongside a complimentary pantry for guests to enjoy. 

Portland is extremely walkable, and Blind Tiger Danforth gives you access to the city’s art, music, food, and shopping. When you stay with us, you’ll feel like you’re staying with a well-connected friend, inspired to explore everything that makes Portland one of New England’s most spirited cities.

A Baxter brochure and key card on a unique wooden table at Blind Tiger Portland, ME
Blind Tiger Portland, ME gathering space
Blind Tiger Danfoth Amenities

Blind Tiger Danforth Amenities

  • Limited paid parking available at $25 a night, one spot per room available. Large vehicles may not be accommodated. This can be added during the booking process, or email/call the hotel to apply to an existing reservation. See parking map here. 
  • Free high-speed WiFi
  • Picnic blankets and baskets to borrow for your own adventure
  • Bath amenities from First Hand Supply and Apotheke Wffle kimono robes
  • Room essentials, such as wine glasses, corkscrews, irons, hairdryers, and more
  • Fireplaces 
  • Complimentary toast bar with house-made bread, yogurt, butter, ricotta and seasonal toppings
  • Open Pantry Access for locally sourced snacks and beverages (including espresso, tea, and homemade snacks)
  • Historic speakeasy turned billiard room in the lower level and attic cupola overlooking the Portland Harbor
  • Peloton Studio 
  • Library of books, games, and puzzles
  • LED Smart TVs
  • Complimentary coffee and tea are available 24/7 in the dining room 
  • Personalized concierge services 
  • Located in Portland’s West End with stunning historic architecture
  • Steps from the Western Promenade, known for scenic views and a peaceful escape 
  • Short walk to Old Port for waterfront dining, boutique shopping, and city life

History

The original location of Blind Tiger on Danforth Street was built in 1823 by Joseph Holt Ingraham, using funds inherited from his distant Russian uncle. The home’s second occupants, the Thomas family, expanded the original footprint to better accommodate lavish gatherings and host many guests, with an addition designed by noted Portland architect John Calvin Stevens. To the neighborhood, the building became known as “Social Corners,” even as Prohibition forced the festivities to a secret room in the basement. 

Leading up to national Prohibition, Maine was the first state to pass laws that banned the sale of alcohol. But illicit establishments (including a private club housed in our own building’s cellar) continued to offer places for people to gather over a drink. A “blind tiger” was, in that era, common slang for an illegal spot where you could find a stiff drink. Today, Blind Tiger honors this spirit with a unique take on the urban guesthouse and plenty of space to gather and celebrate in your own way.

The stately building has been meticulously maintained for nearly 200 years. It was briefly the home of a private school, then a rectory and church office, and began its life as a Portland, Maine inn in 1993. The interior underwent a complete renovation in 2020. Original features—like the rooftop cupola that offers panoramic views of the skyline and harbor, or the hidden billiards room in the basement—have been preserved for our guests’ enjoyment.

History
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