Reveler Dev. welcomes Mayhem to Bayside

Portland, ME Reveler has leased 65 Hanover St. to Mayhem. The brainchild of small business owner Paul Taylor, Mayhem is the only “rage room” venue in Southern Maine. Mayhem has signed a five-year lease for the 3,128 s/f space, which is scheduled to open this fall.

Mayhem will open this fall. Port Property will be managing the property and tenancy.

Taylor acted on his idea and built a business plan. He ran the business plan by the Maine Small Business Development Center and received encouragement to forge ahead.

“Rage rooms have been on the rise in the United States in recent years,” said Taylor. “Most major cities have at least a couple, and I’ve always thought it would be interesting to have one in Portland.”

With his background studying criminal justice at the University of New Haven, then roles in global security operations for Alexion Pharmaceuticals, an analyst with Willis Towers Watson and BlackHawk Network, as well as time spent as a camp counselor, he has the skills for the field. Mayhem has been designed for families and those wanting a fun, indoors activity. “We’re offering an adrenaline-based experience,” said Taylor. “Many rage rooms focus on the danger and the grit and it being just an angry space—and it is that for some people. But Mayhem is a place for people to come and have a permission structure to just be a little messy, be a little crazy, and get the adrenaline going.”

When it opens this fall, the site will offer three rage rooms on its ground floor where participants can smash all manner of items for fun and catharsis. The top floor is dedicated to art-related activities and is designed for both children and adults to unleash their creativity without the worry of mess at home. “This will be a place for people to bring their kids,” said Taylor. “I have a three-year-old and we’re very much entering the mess phase.”

Safety will be a top priority throughout the facility, with a long list of protective measures in place, such as participants receiving personal protective equipment, multiple cameras, limited capacity, and more to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.

“We’re excited to see Paul and his team activate this space in the coming months,” said John Laliberte, CEO of Reveler Development.

Mayhem is set to open within Hanover Works, a retail and dining destination that includes tenants such as the Hearts of Pine team store and Argenta Brewing. Centrally located in the West Bayside neighborhood of Portland, 65 Hanover St. offers mixed-use space with ample parking and pedestrian access.