This Ogunquit Bar Started as a Gay Men’s Hangout. 40 Years Later, It's Everyone's "Happy Place"

Ogunquit has become a "three-season" town in recent years.

The Front Porch is a big reason why.

Started in 1980 exclusively as a gay men's bar, The Front Porch has become an all-inclusive restaurant, piano bar, and attraction for the half a million people who descend upon the tiny seaside town every summer.

From the famous upstairs bar, longtime bartender Petey Tomes and current owner Scotty Vogel join host Troy Farkas for a wide-ranging discussion about the history of the Porch, favorite stories from 45 years of the Porch, Ogunquit's quest to become attractive year-round, mind-blowing stats about the amount of espresso martinis they serve, how the restaurant is on the front lines of change in the industry, and more.

To support the restaurant, you can follow them on Instagram @frontporchogt.

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CHAPTERS:

• Come to Seacoast Stories LIVE! on 10/13 (00:00)
• The evolution of The Front Porch & Ogunquit (02:40)
• The Porch's beginnings as a gay men's bar (11:44)
• The magic of the piano bar (15:35)
• Stories from 45 years of the Porch (20:23)
• Secure your SWTHZ Portsmouth⁠⁠⁠⁠ founding membership here (24:52)
• Custom blinds, shades and shutters with Budget Blinds of the Seacoast (25:56)
• Why Vogel purchased The Front Porch (27:10)
• How Ogunquit is building toward the future (31:52)
• How the restaurant is leading the charge for change in the industry (39:52)
• Visit The Iron Cactus in Kingston, N.H.! (43:15)
• The Front Porch's most popular drink order (44:30)
• How special it is to work at the Porch (52:20)