Project Social in Bar Harbor
Project Social opened in 2016 with a short runway and a clear idea. Cody Gordon and his team launched in a building they knew would be torn down within a year, calling it “Project Social” because it was, quite literally, a temporary project. That constraint shaped the early energy of the place. “We wanted it to be a place for other staff members to come,” Gordon says, describing late nights, small plates, and a bar program that didn’t yet exist in Bar Harbor.
What started as 42 seats inside a hotel grows into something much larger. By 2021, Project Social moves to its current home on Main Street, expanding to 120 seats and leaning into both indoor and outdoor dining. The space is now defined as much by its setting as its menu. Tucked behind a fence, with the sound of water nearby and café-style tables under open air, it feels removed from the pace of downtown without leaving it.
The food evolves alongside the space. Gordon describes the menu as a collaboration between himself, his wife Pavlina, and their chef. “A lot of the food was based on travel,” he says, pointing to Mediterranean influences and dishes inspired by time spent in Hawaii. Some items stay constant. “The crab cakes haven’t changed since the beginning. It’s fresh Maine crab, no filler.” Others, like the Kale and Brussels salad, arrive later and quickly become staples.
Behind the scenes, Pavlina runs the operational core of the business, handling everything from payroll to hiring. Gordon stays close to the floor and the team, stepping in wherever needed. “I’ve worked every aspect of the restaurant,” he says.
Ask what they are known for, and Gordon does not point to a single dish or drink. “It’s the experience,” he says. “When you walk in, we want you to feel like you don’t have anything else to worry about.”
Famous for:
A tucked-away garden setting paired with a strong cocktail program and a small plates menu that pulls from travel, all anchored by a focus on the full dining experience.
278 Main St, Bar Harbor, ME / socialbarharbor.com
photos by Peter Logue
