An Outdoor Lobster Pound Made for Long Summer Nights

Apr 21

For eight years, the Bar Harbor Lobster Pound sat closed.

Aaron and Krista Jackson reopened it without a background in restaurants, approaching it the way Aaron had approached every business he’d built before. “I was a business owner for almost 20 years,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s customer service. The rest, I could figure out.”

The property came with history. The lobster pound had been part of the area since the 1980s, but when the Jacksons found it, it had been sitting untouched for years. What started as a real estate opportunity quickly became something else. “I thought, why not bring it back to life,” Aaron said.

Now in its third season, the growth has been steady and, at times, unexpected. They exceeded projections in year one, doubled them in year two, and continued that pace into this season. Much of that has come from word of mouth, along with a menu that doesn’t follow a single lane.

You’ll find the Maine standards here—lobster dinners, fried seafood, hot and cold rolls—but also dishes like lobster tacos and nachos, which have taken on a life of their own. “Everywhere you go, it’s hot or cold lobster,” Aaron said. “I just wanted to make it a little more fun.”

The Jacksons also source directly from fishermen through their own wharves Downeast, bringing in a consistent supply of lobster throughout the season. It’s a level of control that shows up in the final product, but it’s only part of what draws people in.

The setting does the rest. Nearly 50 picnic tables stretch across the property, many tucked into the trees. Lights are strung overhead. Families spread out, kids move between games set up on the lawn, and most nights, the outdoor seating fills first.

“I tried to set it up how I’d want it if I came here with my family,” Aaron said.

It’s a simple idea, but one that’s clearly resonated.

Famous for:
Lobster nachos, house special lobster rolls, and a family-friendly backyard dining setup.

414 ME-3 in Bar Harbor, ME | barharborlobsterpound.com