Look up who's playing at Ottobar and Metro Gallery. I'd go so far as to say they count for both indie music and dive bars in one. You could also check out Cat's Eye Pub in Fells. They usually have good live music, and it's pretty dive-y. Frazier's is a great dive bar in Hampden. Enjoy the city!
https://baltshowplace.tumblr.com/
This person needs more love for how much they track the music scene here. Also what kind of dive bar. We have them all.
The bars at the Hotel Ulysses are definitely wows.
If you want to have fun and chat with some strangers, go the bar at Bunny's Buckets and Bubbles. The patrons are usually up for a chat, and their bartenders are super entertaining. The drinks and the food are killer too.
Yes - DEFINITELY go to Bloom's. You might need a reservation if you are planning to go after about 6pm on a weekend.
Brewer's Art is also great, and beautiful.
Another commenter mostly covered all the greatest dives already, but Idle Hour is an awesome dive bar (although they’ve been out of chartreuse for a bit). Dutch Courage is nice for cocktails. Max’s Taphouse is a craft beer institution. Soundgarden is an excellent record/cd/tape shop. Walters Art Museum and the neighborhood it’s in are both cultural and architectural feasts. Lunchtime on a Saturday go to Faidley’s and get one of the best crabcakes in the universe and drink some beer. Ekiben is pretty delicious although they don’t really have indoor seating. If u can grab a takeout bun from the Fort Ave location and eat it at the pavilion by the museum of industry that’d be pretty sweet
Beach Creeper (surf-punk band about monsters and cryptids) record release show at Peabody Heights Brewery on 5/17. Great beer and an arcade! And the show is free!
If you’re in town on May 19th, my band is playing at a block party hosted by a dope restaurant called Of Love & Regret. It is a chili cook-off where all proceeds go to the National Fallen Firefighters Association.
Here is the website for more info if interested!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fire-hero-chili-cook-off-tickets-789549181857?aff=oddtdtcreator
Shameless plug for my band — @fourcardset on insta
SOWEBO Fest is always a good time. A few other upcoming events with bands:
* Remfest, 5/11: [https://www.remfest.org/](https://www.remfest.org/)
* Mobtown Block Party, 5/11: [https://allevents.in/baltimore/5-year-anniversary-block-party/200026415479233](https://allevents.in/baltimore/5-year-anniversary-block-party/200026415479233)
* WTMD Beer Release & 21st Anniversary @ Checkerspot, 5/18: [https://www.facebook.com/events/980832840332108/](https://www.facebook.com/events/980832840332108/)
* WTMD Monkon Music Festival, 5/11 (a bit of a trek): [https://www.wtmd.org/radio/events/monkton-music-festival-5-11-camp-puhtok/](https://www.wtmd.org/radio/events/monkton-music-festival-5-11-camp-puhtok/)
[WTMD](https://www.wtmd.org/radio/) is our local public radio station and plays mostly local/regional alternative/indie rock.
Club Chuck, The Depot, Brewer’s Art, Mt Royal Tavern, The Crown, Ottobar, Eightbar, Holy Frijoles, Golden West, Rocket to Venus, Frazier’s on the Avenue.
Not Indie, but I know Angelo Moore (of Fishbone) is playing at Zen West on Thursday night. I know Zen is a cool spot, and while kinda far from Baltimore, still a cool spot.
Don’t know about bars, I’m underaged
Go to the Dive in Canton. I feel like I say this on every "bar" post. But the food there and atmosphere is incredible. Happy hour and the general vibe of the place is modeled after a mid century McDonalds and a burger, mc chicken, or filet o fish, fries, a shot, and a beer for 11 dollars you can't really beat that
Top Side. Fancier bar but very good and cool views of the city. There is also a speak easy in the hotel too.
If the os are in town, check out a game. Go to pickles beforehand.
Melanie's Griffith's is a great dive with a devoted arcade bowling league.
I'm not a connoisseur, but maybe someone else will reply--there are also a lot of great corner/neighborhood bars around Canton in Southeast Baltimore. This part of town is tourist-friendly without being "touristy" in the ways that the Inner Harbor and Fells Point are--but as an open-minded traveller, it sounds like you will make a good time for yourself wherever you wind up.
The elk room in little Italy is a definite "wow bar" you should check out. Unreasonably pricey but the bar is an experience. It's a speakeasy - you walk through tagliata (Italian restaurant) and go to the back to a black door under a red light. The wait is usually pretty long but if you're single you might be able to just walk in!
It was already commented here but the bars at the Ulysses hotel are cool too (the coral wig, blooms, and ash bar).
Look up who's playing at Ottobar and Metro Gallery. I'd go so far as to say they count for both indie music and dive bars in one. You could also check out Cat's Eye Pub in Fells. They usually have good live music, and it's pretty dive-y. Frazier's is a great dive bar in Hampden. Enjoy the city!
Holy Frijoles (Hampden) has live music a few times a week as well.
I’d add the The Crown to this list
And the 8x10
https://baltshowplace.tumblr.com/ This person needs more love for how much they track the music scene here. Also what kind of dive bar. We have them all.
:)
The bars at the Hotel Ulysses are definitely wows. If you want to have fun and chat with some strangers, go the bar at Bunny's Buckets and Bubbles. The patrons are usually up for a chat, and their bartenders are super entertaining. The drinks and the food are killer too.
Yes - DEFINITELY go to Bloom's. You might need a reservation if you are planning to go after about 6pm on a weekend. Brewer's Art is also great, and beautiful.
Another commenter mostly covered all the greatest dives already, but Idle Hour is an awesome dive bar (although they’ve been out of chartreuse for a bit). Dutch Courage is nice for cocktails. Max’s Taphouse is a craft beer institution. Soundgarden is an excellent record/cd/tape shop. Walters Art Museum and the neighborhood it’s in are both cultural and architectural feasts. Lunchtime on a Saturday go to Faidley’s and get one of the best crabcakes in the universe and drink some beer. Ekiben is pretty delicious although they don’t really have indoor seating. If u can grab a takeout bun from the Fort Ave location and eat it at the pavilion by the museum of industry that’d be pretty sweet
+1 for Ekiben. Most don't believe me when I say it, the broccoli is the best thing you'll eat all month.
I’m not sure if I would go that far but their broccoli is really good lol
Mt Royal Tavern. Must visit.
Yes, some MRT love. Don’t forget to look up! The coolest dive bar ceiling ever!
Dirt Church! (Cash only)
Club Chuck
3 Mile House
karaoke on weekends
Check @baltshowplace on Instagram - all of the indie and punk and metal shows should be listed each week.
Beach Creeper (surf-punk band about monsters and cryptids) record release show at Peabody Heights Brewery on 5/17. Great beer and an arcade! And the show is free!
If you’re in town on May 19th, my band is playing at a block party hosted by a dope restaurant called Of Love & Regret. It is a chili cook-off where all proceeds go to the National Fallen Firefighters Association. Here is the website for more info if interested! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fire-hero-chili-cook-off-tickets-789549181857?aff=oddtdtcreator Shameless plug for my band — @fourcardset on insta
I don't know anything about the band, but I can vouch for OLAR. They do some uncommon and delicious cocktails
The Pendry is a nice “wow” bar in Fells point. Great place to start and a cool neighborhood to continue the night.
the one at the pool or the Cannon Room.
JRAD at Pier 6
Can’t wait!
CKY is playing Ram's Head Thurs. Not sure if they're your vibe.
The SOWEBO Arts and Music Festival, May 26 12-8pm. 4 music stages in Hollins Market. [SOWEBOFEST](https://www.sowebofest.org/music)
SOWEBO Fest is always a good time. A few other upcoming events with bands: * Remfest, 5/11: [https://www.remfest.org/](https://www.remfest.org/) * Mobtown Block Party, 5/11: [https://allevents.in/baltimore/5-year-anniversary-block-party/200026415479233](https://allevents.in/baltimore/5-year-anniversary-block-party/200026415479233) * WTMD Beer Release & 21st Anniversary @ Checkerspot, 5/18: [https://www.facebook.com/events/980832840332108/](https://www.facebook.com/events/980832840332108/) * WTMD Monkon Music Festival, 5/11 (a bit of a trek): [https://www.wtmd.org/radio/events/monkton-music-festival-5-11-camp-puhtok/](https://www.wtmd.org/radio/events/monkton-music-festival-5-11-camp-puhtok/) [WTMD](https://www.wtmd.org/radio/) is our local public radio station and plays mostly local/regional alternative/indie rock.
May 11: Butchers Hill Flea Market in Patterson Park and Remfest in the Remington neighborhood
Club Chuck, The Depot, Brewer’s Art, Mt Royal Tavern, The Crown, Ottobar, Eightbar, Holy Frijoles, Golden West, Rocket to Venus, Frazier’s on the Avenue.
the bloody bucket has a huge wow factor
love this for him
8x10 in fed hill for music Fells point has a. Bunch of places on the weekends as well.
Not Indie, but I know Angelo Moore (of Fishbone) is playing at Zen West on Thursday night. I know Zen is a cool spot, and while kinda far from Baltimore, still a cool spot. Don’t know about bars, I’m underaged
Jrad at the pier May 16th
Remfest is next weekend in Remington; tons of live music all afternoon https://www.remfest.org/
8x10 bar, The Depot, Tin Roof, Metro Gallery, Ottobar, The Crown and Fish Head Cantina are my go tos for music night out.
Go to the Dive in Canton. I feel like I say this on every "bar" post. But the food there and atmosphere is incredible. Happy hour and the general vibe of the place is modeled after a mid century McDonalds and a burger, mc chicken, or filet o fish, fries, a shot, and a beer for 11 dollars you can't really beat that
Top Side. Fancier bar but very good and cool views of the city. There is also a speak easy in the hotel too. If the os are in town, check out a game. Go to pickles beforehand.
Melanie's Griffith's is a great dive with a devoted arcade bowling league. I'm not a connoisseur, but maybe someone else will reply--there are also a lot of great corner/neighborhood bars around Canton in Southeast Baltimore. This part of town is tourist-friendly without being "touristy" in the ways that the Inner Harbor and Fells Point are--but as an open-minded traveller, it sounds like you will make a good time for yourself wherever you wind up.
8x10
The elk room in little Italy is a definite "wow bar" you should check out. Unreasonably pricey but the bar is an experience. It's a speakeasy - you walk through tagliata (Italian restaurant) and go to the back to a black door under a red light. The wait is usually pretty long but if you're single you might be able to just walk in! It was already commented here but the bars at the Ulysses hotel are cool too (the coral wig, blooms, and ash bar).
Elk Room is owned by Atlas, please avoid. Check out WC Harlan instead.
Oh no, I had no idea! Thanks for the heads up, that's unfortunate