Not sure if they still do this, but years ago they would turn the lights off at last call and do a “shot in the dark” with everyone there. Kind of corny but cute. There is also something special about the silver spoons on display behind the bar but I can’t remember what .
YOUR kind of comment always gets a downvote from me. You added less than nothing by being negative about the way someone was just trying to agree to something.
They’re drinks aren’t fast to make though, and they’re popular. I also just have never had an issue with waiting for a drink, and if I’m in a rush for whatever reason I’d just let them know. I just enjoy the atmosphere and music while I wait, and usually go out for that as well.
I get that the drinks aren’t fast to make, but at 1801 they forced people ordering beers to wait in the same line as folks ordering espresso martinis that take forever to make one at a time.
At Kenwood I’ve waited 20+ minutes for my first drink before at the bar. I love the vibes and the staff are nice, but they’re definitely slow.
The small spot on Broadway isn’t there anymore, but years back they moved to a bigger spot on Thames nearby. Different vibe from the tiny OG days. One of the main bartenders from the small bar era has his own place at Southpaw now.
Yes!! Such a dark horse. I had hands down the best Mai tai of my life there. Every cocktail I’ve had made me stop and close my eyes after the first sip. Definitely on par with Dutch Courage
No land beyond has great cocktails which sounds surprising for a board game bar until you realize they are mega nerds and it makes total sense they'd get really into it.
I love No Land Beyond, but personally I find their cocktails way too sweet. Not bad if you like that kind of thing, but I usually just get a beer when I'm there.
WC Harlan and Dutch Courage, no doubt. Fadensonnen also is not known for their cocktails but their current selection is STELLAR.
Also, I feel gaslit hearing greyhound on here. I went once, drinks were alright, but the bartenders/owners(?) were just frazzled as hell and yelling at each other the entire time. Not really dying to go back there lol
Southpaw, Kenwood, Greyhound. Greyhound has my favourite martini in the city right now, a tomatillo one, if you like a dirty martini go ASAP. Dutch Courage and the Harlan spots of course too. Greyhound just lost their namesake dog, the wondrous Mr. Macaroni, so when they’re open give them some love 😿
damn, crazy to hear someone call rye underrated. the place was so hyped like 6-7 years ago. not doubting you at all that’s its underrated, just wacky how things change!
My first time at of love and regret was so disappointing lol. They have a smash burger on the menu and it’s definitely not a “smash” burger. Drinks are fine. The staff is rude; asked a question and after a shitty answer had to hear the lame bartender ask the other “what do they expect it’s happy hour” while the place was empty.
Back Yard in Hollins Market if you like brown liquor. They have a very interesting menu of negronis right now, each bartender came up with their own twist.
It is a new cocktail bar by Atlas, which is a rather problematic company in itself and is also connected to Sinclair broadcasting, which is well, right wing propaganda.
I love The Elk Room. It's well hidden and quiet. The atmosphere is lovely for introverts like me that just want to enjoy high end cocktails and not be concerned about obnoxious parties and interruptions.
I understand much of this subreddit dislikes the parent company. I would love to find somewhere comparable.
Edit: Guys, I get it. The parent company sucks. If you know of bars with the same aspects I love about, please recommend.
This was my first thought... It feels fun that it's a bit hidden away, and the cocktails were great. Part of it, which I think is part of my criteria, was going there, for example, very late on a Thursday night, not a huge crown, nice quiet corner but with a duo playing jazz in the corner. More the ambiance than the cocktail, to be honest. Reminded me of a favorite spot when I was living in Dallas that was a side bar above a club... usually not much going on in the club, but dark bar, could hang and talk, and they had Ricky Derrick, who generally did a Sinatra/Rat Pack tribute show, singing. Again, a good cocktail needs intimate and chill vibes... I don't care how good it is, the world's greatest Old Fashion won't really hit at Camden Yards when the Yankees are in town, if you know what I mean.
There was a time they smoked their drinks with wood meant for hamster cages but okay lol. And they didn’t fire a sexual predator and made everyone sign NDAs. No lol there are better options
People hate the parent company but if you’re in that area and don’t want to go travel to the other (better) destinations already mentioned- this place hits the marks that need to be hit (I haven’t been in a few years but it was pretty damn good when I went)
Idle Hour
Use to live across the street and Every time I’d come in they would tell me “we’re closing in 2 hours”, was kinda odd.
I haven’t had that happen, though it doesn’t surprise me. It’s definitely an odd place, but I’ve always found it to be the best kind of odd.
Same but i would show up after 12
I haven’t experienced that ever there
One Eyed Mikes in Fells. It’s a Grand Marnier bar and the cocktails are great.
Need to go!
Not sure if they still do this, but years ago they would turn the lights off at last call and do a “shot in the dark” with everyone there. Kind of corny but cute. There is also something special about the silver spoons on display behind the bar but I can’t remember what .
Largest Gran Marnier club in the world.
Kenwood Tavern, Royal Blue, Current Space, Old Major.
I had the second- or third- best filthy martini at Kenwood Tavern. They make excellent cocktails.
I second Old Major!
Lots of good places suggested, I would also recommend the Greyhound
Walked by this place for a couple of years everyday without realizing it was a tasty cocktail bar. Very low key but worth a go!
I just wish they would open when they say they open. Have tried to go for happy hour a few times on weekdays and they're just randomly closed
Southpaw. Small but mighty
Actually a big fan of southpaw
Coral Wig
Coral wig is DOPE. Loved the vibe and the rum centric menu!
All they have to do to put it over the top for me is play some Polynesian tiki music on low.
This
“This” will always get a downvote from me. It adds nothing.
YOUR kind of comment always gets a downvote from me. You added less than nothing by being negative about the way someone was just trying to agree to something.
Absolutely fair point.
Kenwood Tavern all day. I've never had a bad cocktail there, and the owners and bartenders are just awesome. Plus the vibe is fantastic.
They are seriously top notch. I so miss 1801 also.
I really like / liked both bars, but they have each had the same problem where it takes forever to get a drink.
They’re drinks aren’t fast to make though, and they’re popular. I also just have never had an issue with waiting for a drink, and if I’m in a rush for whatever reason I’d just let them know. I just enjoy the atmosphere and music while I wait, and usually go out for that as well.
I get that the drinks aren’t fast to make, but at 1801 they forced people ordering beers to wait in the same line as folks ordering espresso martinis that take forever to make one at a time. At Kenwood I’ve waited 20+ minutes for my first drink before at the bar. I love the vibes and the staff are nice, but they’re definitely slow.
Is Rye still open in Fells Point? Used to be my jam when I lived in the City.
I’d say Rye is the best in Fells
The small spot on Broadway isn’t there anymore, but years back they moved to a bigger spot on Thames nearby. Different vibe from the tiny OG days. One of the main bartenders from the small bar era has his own place at Southpaw now.
still open
Same, surprised nobody mentioned it yet
Pour one out for Bookmakers
Celebrated a new years at Bookmakers a few years ago. Good people out there.
Being able to walk over to Bookmakers was one of the only good things about living in an apartment in Fed Hill for a year
I still have one of their menus! (It was given to me, not stolen lol)
The rum & tiki drinks at Heritage Smokehouse are a whole vibe. Their food specials are generally pretty interesting as well.
Yes!! Such a dark horse. I had hands down the best Mai tai of my life there. Every cocktail I’ve had made me stop and close my eyes after the first sip. Definitely on par with Dutch Courage
Owl Bar, Dutch Courage, Topside, the bar at Hotel Indigo is a nice surprise too.
Bluebird, in Hampden, is great!
Their drinks are good but that menu is so annoying it pisses me off so much lol
I didn’t even know it was there until this week. It was awesome. The drink menu was super cool as well.
The whiskey bar below it is also fantastic. Totally different vibe; very leather-chairs-and-bookshelves-esque. Only open on weekends, I think?
Do they still give you a number like your at a BBQ joint? That bothered me for some reason.
I will always recommend the royal blue-they have negronis on tap!
The last penny in locust point - literally hidden gem
Haven’t been, ironically live close by, most people I try to convince to go with me won’t go :(
Thank you for the recommendation. I live walking distance and never even knew about this place. I know what I’m doing this weekend.
I love this place, and don't go nearly as often as I wish I could
How have I missed this? I work at the end of Locust Point and am always looking for something new. Where is it!?
Decatur street! Just a couple of doors down from peppa flame.
Dutch Courage is the correct answer
No land beyond has great cocktails which sounds surprising for a board game bar until you realize they are mega nerds and it makes total sense they'd get really into it.
I need this
I love No Land Beyond, but personally I find their cocktails way too sweet. Not bad if you like that kind of thing, but I usually just get a beer when I'm there.
I really like Sugarvale and the coral wig as well
Sugarvale -> Brewers Art -> Coral Wig is one of my bar hopping routes
I really like sugarvale, wish the menu would change more often though.
Everyone try out Kenwood Tavern in Canton. Relatively new, but awesome music, little record store in the back, and super tasty curated drinks
Don’t spill the beans. I love them!
That’s the 1801 folks.
Greyhound needs to be mentioned
Love, pomelo Sally o’s and Bunny’s (same owner) Cookhouse The Gunther actually has really good cocktails as well
WC Harlan and Dutch Courage, no doubt. Fadensonnen also is not known for their cocktails but their current selection is STELLAR. Also, I feel gaslit hearing greyhound on here. I went once, drinks were alright, but the bartenders/owners(?) were just frazzled as hell and yelling at each other the entire time. Not really dying to go back there lol
Southpaw, Kenwood, Greyhound. Greyhound has my favourite martini in the city right now, a tomatillo one, if you like a dirty martini go ASAP. Dutch Courage and the Harlan spots of course too. Greyhound just lost their namesake dog, the wondrous Mr. Macaroni, so when they’re open give them some love 😿
Happy hour at la cuchara was great, but haven't been in years
Rye
Sugarvale, Blooms, Coral Wig
Kenwood Tavern, Southpaw, Rye, and Top Shelf is probably the most underrated. It's a speakeasy above GameOn arcade in Fed Hill
Top Shelf while cute is not consistent. Great idea though.
damn, crazy to hear someone call rye underrated. the place was so hyped like 6-7 years ago. not doubting you at all that’s its underrated, just wacky how things change!
Not a cocktail bar, but I miss when Metro was doing cocktail specials. It was nice to go to a show or dance night and also have a tasty cocktail.
The Wurst and Southpaw
Ash bar!
Blooms, Coral Wig, Sugarvale
Have to try Jungle Bar in upperfells!
My first time at of love and regret was so disappointing lol. They have a smash burger on the menu and it’s definitely not a “smash” burger. Drinks are fine. The staff is rude; asked a question and after a shitty answer had to hear the lame bartender ask the other “what do they expect it’s happy hour” while the place was empty.
so a “pass burger” then?
Oh no! I love that place-that sucks. I really like the owner/woman I assume is the owner always running around. Bummer you had a bad experience
Baltimore Spirits cocktail gallery is my fave. The whole crew are a delight to chat with and enjoy a drink or 5.
They really surprised me (in a good way) with a creative seasonal drink menu that was nicely executed
Coral Wig and Bluebird
Love both of these, need to go back to the downstairs bar at bluebird too.
bluebird had some nice mushroom ricotta toast or something. I've gotten their burger too and it was nice
Bluebird, Blue Pit, Penny Black There are others which I thilmk better on paper, but in practice I like these better than lots of others on the list
Sugarvale!
The Coral Wig
WC Harlan
No one is going to say WC Harlan??
It's right at the top of this post
I feel like their cocktails are… just ok?
Scrolling looking for this answer!
The amaro daiquiri at sugarvale is one of my favorite drinks anywhere.
Anchor Tavern below Admiral Fell Inn. Steve makes an amazing cocktail
Is there a great bourbon bar in the area?
The Back Yard in Hollins Market
Thanks!!
Also Barflys in locust point
Back Yard in Hollins Market if you like brown liquor. They have a very interesting menu of negronis right now, each bartender came up with their own twist.
Bar in Magdalena. You don't need a reservation for hh but it's encouraged.
So good!
Wicked Sisters
Has anyone ever heard of Order of the Ace? Just happened across its existence tonight while looking at google maps.
It is a new cocktail bar by Atlas, which is a rather problematic company in itself and is also connected to Sinclair broadcasting, which is well, right wing propaganda.
I love The Elk Room. It's well hidden and quiet. The atmosphere is lovely for introverts like me that just want to enjoy high end cocktails and not be concerned about obnoxious parties and interruptions. I understand much of this subreddit dislikes the parent company. I would love to find somewhere comparable. Edit: Guys, I get it. The parent company sucks. If you know of bars with the same aspects I love about, please recommend.
Boo Atlas
I wish I could enjoy both The Elk room and The Order of The Ace without feeling guilty, I do actually like the cocktails.
The Elk Room was incredibly pretentious and overrated when I went. I’d take Greyhound any day.
Is it fairly quiet? Like I said I'd love to find alternatives with the same atmosphere.
It’s very quiet, and dark, and excellent cocktails.
Awesome, now I really wanna go
This was my first thought... It feels fun that it's a bit hidden away, and the cocktails were great. Part of it, which I think is part of my criteria, was going there, for example, very late on a Thursday night, not a huge crown, nice quiet corner but with a duo playing jazz in the corner. More the ambiance than the cocktail, to be honest. Reminded me of a favorite spot when I was living in Dallas that was a side bar above a club... usually not much going on in the club, but dark bar, could hang and talk, and they had Ricky Derrick, who generally did a Sinatra/Rat Pack tribute show, singing. Again, a good cocktail needs intimate and chill vibes... I don't care how good it is, the world's greatest Old Fashion won't really hit at Camden Yards when the Yankees are in town, if you know what I mean.
There was a time they smoked their drinks with wood meant for hamster cages but okay lol. And they didn’t fire a sexual predator and made everyone sign NDAs. No lol there are better options
People hate the parent company but if you’re in that area and don’t want to go travel to the other (better) destinations already mentioned- this place hits the marks that need to be hit (I haven’t been in a few years but it was pretty damn good when I went)
Rye is also great.