History

Looking for a cozy corner with a bit of Bar Harbor history? Galyn’s was established in 1986, but the building dates back to the 1890s when it was constructed as a boarding house for local seafarers. Old-timers tell us it has a colorful past. An illegal speakeasy occupied the downstairs during the prohibition era, and some say there was a gambling casino as well.

Original architectural details include window and door trim, and an exceptional pressed tin ceiling. The curved wooden bar was once a teller’s counter at the First National Bank, and the diamond windows came from a Rockefeller estate that was being torn down. The Galley Lounge is constructed with paneled doors and other materials salvaged from local estates. At Galyn’s, we are dedicated to preserving this classic Maine building.