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Empire - Maine Tickets
- Location
- Maine | Empire Live (Portland) – Intimate Venue for Comedy, Bu
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The venue
About Empire - Maine
Empire Live, located at 575 Congress St, 2nd floor, Portland, ME 04101, is the intimate, upstairs hub for live entertainment in Portland’s Arts District. Formerly Empire Comedy Club, it rebranded to Empire Live in 2023 while continuing to host a dynamic slate of burlesque, comedy, and music performances. With a capacity of about 150 seated and 200 standing, the space emphasizes a close-up, immersive experience where you’re just a few feet from the stage. General admission is common for many shows, and seating is not always guaranteed. Secure your seats early to lock in your preferred view and time.
Empire Live sits above Empire Chinese Kitchen, creating a unique two-story evening out in downtown Portland. Parking is plentiful in nearby paid lots and garages, and on-street metered parking is often free after 6:00pm from Thursday through Saturday. The venue is easily reachable via local transit and bus routes within Portland’s Arts District. For visitors traveling from out of town, The Westin Portland Harborview at 157 High Street is a convenient nearby hotel, among other downtown options. Whether you’re catching a stand-up set, a burlesque show, or a live music performance, Empire Live offers a close, engaging atmosphere with a diverse lineup.
Good to know
Seating, Parking & Venue Information
- Location and address: Empire Comedy Club / Empire Live, 575 Congress St, 2nd floor, Portland, ME 04101.
- Venue type and history: intimate live-entertainment space above Empire Chinese Kitchen; previously Empire Comedy Club and rebranded to Empire Live in 2023.
- Capacity: about 150 seated and 200 standing (Empire Live capacity).
- Seating chart: no public seating chart published; most shows are general admission with seating not guaranteed.
- Parking: plenty of paid parking lots/garages nearby; on-street metered parking often free after 6:00pm (Thu–Sat).
- Transit: located in downtown Portland's Arts District; accessible via local transit and bus routes in the area.
- Nearby hotels: The Westin Portland Harborview at 157 High Street is nearby and commonly used by visitors.
- Notable events: Empire Live hosts burlesque, comedy, and music; events like Empire Comedy Lives (April 2023) illustrate the venue’s role in the local scene.
- Renamed/demolished status: the upstairs venue was renamed Empire Live in 2023 after operating as Empire Comedy Club; the older Empire Comedy Club era closed or evolved with the new brand.