Top Ten Restaurants With Live Entertainment
Thanks to Alan for suggesting this week's Top Ten. I thought I would have trouble coming up with ten. But there are more out there than I thought, and I bet readers will come up with even more.
Under another post, Kevin pointed out the problem with including Irish pubs -- there are so many that have live entertainment and good food. I ended up picking one that offered a lot more than just traditional Irish music. (I also wanted to include at least one restaurant north of the city.) I'm not making the case it's the best Irish pub in the area. For that we'll have to wait till March.
Here's my list: ...
* An Poitin Stil in Timonium. I was told the music is "hardly ever Irish" and is usually bands. Sometimes it's rock, sometimes jazz, sometimes blues. Monday is open mic night so there might be three or four performers.
* Austin Grill in Canton. Go for the grilled wings and margaritas, stay for live music many Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from bluegrass to jazz to contemporary.
* Cazbar downtown. Neither Orchard Market & Cafe nor Lebanese Taverna has belly dancers anymore. But you can find them at this Turkish tavern Fridays at 9 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 p.m. Stick to the kebabs and mezze and you'll be fine.
* Della Notte in Little Italy. Good and fairly pricey Italian food is not the only draw. There's live piano (pop, jazz, blues) nightly. Sunday brunch features a jazz trio, and Sunday night is Broadway night, when the pianist sings show tunes.
* Domenica's in Annapolis. This well-regarded upscale Italian has serious live entertainment -- mostly local musicians who provide smooth jazz, r & b and torch songs six nights a week. The schedule is posted on its Web site.
* Joe Squared on North Avenue. The live entertainment schedule at this popular pizza place is fairly fluid, but there is regularly some kind of music, from dinnertime jazz to rock 'n' roll that starts later in the evening.
* Sascha's 527 in Mount Vernon. This arty New American restaurant that specializes in inventive small plates has live jazz 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursdays and 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays.
* Waterfront Hotel in Fells Point. I checked and the same chef (Kenny Plant) is still there who was there when I had a pretty good meal a couple of years ago. There is live music every night, usually local acts ranging from top 40 to slightly country to folk.
* Ze Mean Bean in Fells Point. The menu includes both Eastern European comfort food and New American dishes. Friday and Saturday nights feature a classical pianist or guitarist playing soft mood music; for Sunday brunch there's a jazz trio.
(Elizabeth Malby/Sun photographer)
Comments
How could you leave out the "13th Floor" located at the Belvedere Hotel? Hands down the best place in Baltimore to see live music and enjoy a cocktail.
It's not a restaurant. I promised Midnight Sun Sam I wouldn't encroach on his territory. (Of course, you can eat at the Owl Bar first.)
Posted by: Bob | January 22, 2008 7:17 AM
The picture looks like the Rusty Scupper on Key Highway.
Sotta Sopra used to have opera night one night a week. Don't know if they still do.
it is, good going, but an old photo. The opera isn't live, is it?
Posted by: Hal Laurent | January 22, 2008 7:36 AM
Just had dinner with a friend (no, not Book, but a living, breathing person) at Sotta Sopra, Sunday evening. Opera night is the third Sunday of each month. Yes the singing is very much live. The fun begins around 5.30 and goes till 9 or so (at least that was Sunday's schedule.) The food was wonderful, too. Best of the six course meal on offer was the scallops, rissoto and lobster bisque (as sauce).
My only complaint was the canned music played when the singers were not on (during eating time of each course): it was anything but classical, which was both jarring and an odd choice since those there were there for the opera (btw, arias and duets, not a whole opera.)
The place was sold out, save one table, which serendipitously was available when we walked in off the street. The lesson: book your table early.
Bummer. I should definitely have included them. If you can come with nine more I missed, I'll make it a Top Ten Thursday.
Posted by: Robert (the Single One) | January 22, 2008 8:50 AM
You can't leave out Baldwin's Station and its folk music. See www.baldwinsstation.com and click on Concerts & Theatre for info.
I'm delighted to have another one north of the city.
Posted by: AlisaBS | January 22, 2008 9:29 AM
Oh, would that there were nine more places that offer classical music with dinner.
Posted by: Robert (the Single One) | January 22, 2008 9:45 AM
How could you leave out Robert Oliver's Seafood Restaurant across the street from the Meyerhoff? The restaurant features the Dave Tucker Big Band once a month in a Sunday concert. There aren't many places where you can eat and enjoy the roar of a full big band anymore, so I was disappointed you left that once off the list. If you haven't checked it out, stop by on February 17th , as that is the next opportunity to experience this now rare event.
Posted by: Dave | January 22, 2008 11:09 AM
Amer's Cafe on Bel Air Road (Bel Air Beltway Plaza) does having belly dancing on Friday and Saturday evenings. It's great fun to watch or join in. And the food is good too. Guarenteed the owner will remember you on every consecutive visit.
Posted by: Jen | January 22, 2008 11:58 AM
Are there any venues in Baltimore and Central MD (even possibly Montgomery County) for real jazz, including Dixieland? The Horse You Came In On in Columbia had a Dixieland band on Sundays a few years ago. Don'r know if it's still extant.
Posted by: Jack Eddinger | January 22, 2008 12:18 PM
Jesse Wong's Asian Bistro usually has live music, and outstanding food as well.
Posted by: Jason | January 22, 2008 12:40 PM
Are there any venues in Baltimore and Central MD (even possibly Montgomery County) for real jazz, including Dixieland?
Bertha's in Fells Point has a dixieland band every other Wednesday, but it's in the bar, not the dining room.
Oh, and Baldwin Station (in Sykesville) is more west of the city than north.
Posted by: Hal Laurent | January 22, 2008 12:52 PM
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Posted by: Ryan | January 22, 2008 1:45 PM
To Jack Eddinger who asked about "real jazz" venues in Baltimore:
The Haven Lounge (now called the "New Haven Lounge") is one of the best around. It consistently wins the City Paper's designation as the best place to hear live Jazz in Baltimore.
The Haven is located in a strip mall off of Loch Raven Blvd & Argonne Drive in the Original Northwood area of Baltimore City, not far from Morgan State University.
It doesn't look like much from the outside, but then again, a book shouldn't be judged by it's cover. Just be careful if you go b/c it's certainly not the best neighborhood in the city.
Posted by: Donny B | January 22, 2008 3:56 PM
The Hon Bar on the avenue in Hampden has Jazz every Thursday and music most nights. Its a smoke free bar with the best beer on tap too.
Posted by: Michael Lightchaser | January 22, 2008 7:28 PM
Tabrizi's have live music if I may add. Tuesday-Piano, Thursdays a Jazz Trio!
Posted by: Nina | January 23, 2008 12:30 AM
How about Caton Castle? That's where you can hear some real Jazz in the city. It's a secret, so don't tell anyone. 20 South Caton Ave. Baltimore, Maryland 21229 Phone: 410-566-7086
Posted by: Michael Lightchaser | January 23, 2008 5:31 PM
The Hon Bar on the avenue in Hampden has Jazz every Thursday and music most nights. Its a smoke free bar with the best beer on tap too.
Posted by: Michael Lightchaser | January 23, 2008 5:31 PM
Best kept secret in Baltimore: Sammy's Trattoria (Biddle and Charles; my fave Italian place) hosts a "Post-Show Cabaret" every six weeks or so on a Sunday. This show features local singers and actors performing songs from their repertoire as well as local community theatres presenting scenes/numbers from their current or upcoming productions. Proceeds go to one of the many non-pro theatres in the City. The next show is February 24; $10 cover; doors open at 5, show at 6 and out by 8. Menu and bar service available. We have a lot of fun each night. (Sorry for the plug, but I could do a couple more ...)
Posted by: Rob | January 24, 2008 9:31 AM
The Cat's Eye in Fells Point has jazz on Mondays with the Phil Cunneff group.
Bertha's in Fells Point has jazz on Tuesdays with the Paul Wingo group. I think they might still also have a Dixieland band every other week.
Posted by: JoAnne | January 25, 2008 8:02 PM
The Cat's Eye in Fells Point has jazz on Mondays with the Phil Cunneff group.
Yes, but the Cat's Eye is not a restaurant.
Bertha's in Fells Point has jazz on Tuesdays with the Paul Wingo group. I think they might still also have a Dixieland band every other week.
The music at Bertha's is in the bar, not the dining room.
Posted by: Hal Laurent | January 26, 2008 10:58 AM