Bar Harbor Says It Seeks Flexibility — and Fairness — in Live Music Permits.

Bar Harbor Says It Seeks Flexibility — and Fairness — in Live Music Permits.

Carrie Jones Feb 23, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Paradis Ace Hardware. BAR HARBOR—”It’s important for folks to understand—and we’ve gotten almost as bad as Fox News said that we were a town that hated Christmas. That we’re a council that hates music has been out there,” Bar Harbor Town Councilor Earl Brechlin said during a February 17 meeting about potential changes … Continue reading Bar Harbor Says It Seeks Flexibility — and Fairness — in Live Music Permits.

Town Workshops Draft Changes to Music and Entertainment Permits Bar Harbor Takes a Look at Noise, Music, and Community Impact

Town Workshops Draft Changes to Music and Entertainment Permits

Bar Harbor Takes a Look at Noise, Music, and Community Impact Carrie Jones Feb 04, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by The Witham Family Hotels Charitable Fund. BAR HARBOR—It’s a draft. Nothing is solid, and the public will have a time to weigh in, Bar Harbor Town Manager James Smith stressed, February 3, as he introduced a “pure draft” of a potential new … Continue reading Town Workshops Draft Changes to Music and Entertainment Permits

Turning Up the Volume on Kindness: Side Street Café’s ‘Amplify Good’ Debuts Friday Good Food, Great Tunes, Even Better Deeds: Side Street Café Launches ‘Amplify Good’

Turning Up the Volume on Kindness: Side Street Café’s ‘Amplify Good’ Debuts Friday

Good Food, Great Tunes, Even Better Deeds: Side Street Café Launches ‘Amplify Good’ Carrie Jones Nov 11, 2025 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by The 1932 Criterion Theatre. BAR HARBOR—As the temperatures drop and Main Street grows quieter, Side Street Café is turning up the warmth. The downtown restaurant known for bright energy is launching a new way to keep the community connected this … Continue reading Turning Up the Volume on Kindness: Side Street Café’s ‘Amplify Good’ Debuts Friday

Tremont Select Board Declines Town Noise Ordinance Proposal

Wants to work on existing special amusement permit instead Shaun Farrar Oct 23, 2025 TREMONT—At its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, October 20, the Tremont Select Board heard public comment and discussed a possible noise ordinance for the town. The board did not back the proposal. “This is a working commercial community. We will not support any noise ordinance whatsoever,” select board member Eric Eaton … Continue reading Tremont Select Board Declines Town Noise Ordinance Proposal

No Outdoor Amplified Music Allowed at Terramor, but Okayed at Sassafras Cafe

No Outdoor Amplified Music Allowed at Terramor, but Okayed at Sassafras Cafe

Carrie Jones and Shaun Farrar Oct 23, 2025 BAR HARBOR—The Bar Harbor Town Council denied an outdoor amusement permit for Terramor Resort during its council meeting, Tuesday night, while also approving the same permit for Sassafras Cafe. Both permits allow for outdoor amplified music that cannot go over 71 decibels. The music, Terramor Outdoor Resort General Manager Russ Gibbons explained Tuesday night, is for wedding parties. Back … Continue reading No Outdoor Amplified Music Allowed at Terramor, but Okayed at Sassafras Cafe

Music Harbor Comes Back Bigger and Better Than Ever!

Carrie Jones Oct 16, 2025 MOUNT DESERT ISLAND—There will be music throughout Mount Desert Island this weekend, live music by working musicians in venue after venue. That means there will be 100 hours of live music to groove to. One hundred hours of live music to sing to. One hundred hours of live music for people to close their eyes to and really, truly hear. … Continue reading Music Harbor Comes Back Bigger and Better Than Ever!

Archie's Lobster Comes Under Fire As Apparent Driver Of Citizen Request For A Noise Ordinance In Tremont

Archie’s Lobster Comes Under Fire As Apparent Driver Of Citizen Request For A Noise Ordinance In Tremont

Shaun Farrar Oct 16, 2025 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by The Witham Family Hotels Charitable Fund. TREMONT—A request by Tremont resident Paul Beatley to discuss a potential ordinance amendment that would include language to address noise levels in town was honored at the Tremont Planning Board meeting on Tuesday night, October 14. Approximately 33 members of the public, many with differing views on … Continue reading Archie’s Lobster Comes Under Fire As Apparent Driver Of Citizen Request For A Noise Ordinance In Tremont

Musicians Worry Over Potential Trend in Live Music Permit Rejections

Musicians Worry Over Potential Trend in Live Music Permit Rejections

Carrie Jones and  Shaun Farrar Jul 31, 2025 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Ironbound Restaurant – Inn – Gatherings. BAR HARBOR—The Bar Harbor Town Council’s recent denials of two special amusement permits that would allow outdoor amplified music for a small number of musicians performing has worried some independent musicians who play at venues in the town. The permit denials have also been lauded … Continue reading Musicians Worry Over Potential Trend in Live Music Permit Rejections

Town Council Denies The Links Pub's Amplified Music Application Pub is at Kebo Valley Golf Course

Town Council Denies The Links Pub’s Amplified Music Application

Pub is at Kebo Valley Golf Course Carrie Jones Jul 16, 2025 Share The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Swan Agency Real Estate. BAR HARBOR—Live music was up for discussion again in Bar Harbor this week. This time it focused around a golf club that has hosted events since the 1900s, particularly for the social elite of the Jazz Age and into modern times. … Continue reading Town Council Denies The Links Pub’s Amplified Music Application

Finback Alehouse Warned: One More Noise Violation Could Silence the Music

Finback Alehouse Warned: One More Noise Violation Could Silence the Music

Carrie Jones Jun 20, 2025 Share The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Acadia Shops. BAR HARBOR—The Bar Harbor Town Council renewed the special amusement permits of one of the main establishments that has consistently provided live music to Bar Harbor, but that renewal came with a warning to the Finback Alehouse. “It’s Bar Harbor. You’re going to have music,” partner Dale Stockburger said. “We’re … Continue reading Finback Alehouse Warned: One More Noise Violation Could Silence the Music