There's an old saying that goes, "Some days, you get to bite the dog, and some days the dog gets to bite you." At least, I think that's how it goes.

Either way, here's Owl Meat with a guest column on the intriguing history and science behind another old saying, "the hair of the dog."

We've all heard the expression "hair of the dog," meaning taking a drink to cure a hangover. The whole phrase is "the hair of the dog that bit you." It has an interesting history.

As a hangover cure, the hair of the dog metaphor dates back to Shakespeare's time. The original literal usage referred a very ill-conceived cure for rabies.

From the  Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898): "In Scotland it is a popular belief that a few hairs of the dog that bit you applied to the wound will prevent evil consequences.

Applied to drinks, it means, if overnight you have indulged too freely, take a glass of the same wine next morning to soothe the nerves. 'If this dog do you bite, soon as out of your bed, take a hair of the tail in the morning.'" ...

Continue reading "Owl Meat's Tipsy Tuesdays: The hair of the dog" »

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If I had to make a new year's nightlife resolution, it would be to try more specialty drinks. I have a weakness for good beer, and too often end up swilling suds. Midnight Sun guest columnist Teresa Wiltshire has a few resolutions of her own:

The typical new year's resolutions are so boring: "lose weight," "stop smoking," and "break up with my cheating girlfriend."

Why stick to these goals you only keep until mid-February (if you're lucky)? Skip the ice cream and don't think about lighting that cigarette. Gross. Oh, and tell that girl to get over herself.

It's time for a few nightlife resolutions -- because I know I am in need of some myself. ...

Continue reading "Your 2010 nightlife resolutions" »

Posted by Sam Sessa at 8:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

When he's not listening to new music and shaping the play lists at WTMD, Tyler Laporte enjoys a cold beverage in Annapolis. Maybe two cold beverages. Take it away, Tyler:

This past summer, I received some unsettling news: I would have to leave my Federal Hill roof  deck behind and trade it in for a room in my sister's townhouse in Annapolis.

I was sad to be leaving the noise of MTA buses, BCPD helicopter spotlights and a coveted two-block walk to my favorite haunt, The Idle Hour.

Baltimore had become my home, and I was nervous that I wouldn't fit into the shiny, polished, affluent Annapolis scene. But as the months moved forward, I had some really enjoyable moments in the watering holes of our state's capitol.

Now, as I am about to return to the city in the next few weeks, taking up residence in Hampden, I wanted to reflect on some of those moments ...

Continue reading "Sipping in the shadow of the State House" »

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Here's guest blogger Peter Hermann on an unfortunate side efect to this weekend's snowstorm:

A sad occurrence the day after the big storm:

    The neighborhood bar has tapped out of beer.

    After suffering through a snowy, paralyzing Saturday, the folks in South Baltimore put away their shovels and headed for the taverns along Fort Avenue.

    The owner of Rafters, Paul Hartman, lost count of patrons that packed his rowhouse establishment, which straddles the world of old-time South Baltimore and the gentrified who started moving in at the onset of the housing boom. This bar boasts Winter Bourbon Belgian Cask Ale on tap, and has Formstone on the inside.

    Some people count snow inches. Hartman counts kegs. And by lunchtime Sunday, he'd blown through six kegs. Customers, before they could even shed their parkas and gloves, were met with plastic cups covering the taps, the universal sign that the beer is no more.

     No more Bud Light. No more Pabst. That makes the old-timer's stomach sink.

     No more Cask Ale. No more Kona Fire Rock Pale Ale (this reporter tried that one, but the keg ran dry before a half-inch of beer hit the glass). No more Dogfish Head 60-minute IPA.

    The only beer on tap that was left was Yuengling and Shock Top Belgian White, which is just fine but not quite the hearty winter ale that warms the body in a deep snow, and after having walked a maze of narrow, icy, tree-laden trails cut through the snow.

    So many people packed Rafters on Saturday that when Hartman turned on the juke box Sunday, he discovered 68 songs in queue that people had paid to hear but didn't play  by the 2 a.m. closing time.

    Another hit at the tavern: the special of the day was homemade tomato soup and grill cheese, the comfort food of kids everywhere coming in from playing in the snow.

    Super Bowl Sunday is not usually a big night for neighborhood bars, with most people heading out to private parties. And Hartman had enough beer – Miller Lite in bottles is still one of his best sellers.

   The next beer shipment is expected Tuesday — if it can beat the next storm.

Posted by baltimoresun.com at 10:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

In today's column, guest poster Owl Meat lashes out against the V-Day industry. Give in to your anger, Owl Meat:

Romance and love are great, but Valentine's Day is fake and should be scorned.

All Hallmark holidays should be mocked, dishonored and set on fire. In that spirit, I invite everyone to submit any events or places that are having anything like an anti-Valentine's Day event, promotion, or inclination.

I got the idea at Bad Decisions during Zombie Survival Happy Hour recently when someone proposed it, but I don't know if the idea got any traction. Hint, hint. ...

Continue reading "The anti-Valentine's Day post" »

Posted by Sam Sessa at 8:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

Splice Today editor Zach Kaufmann was kind enough to share a conversation he recently had with Small Sur. Here's Zach:

Since their debut full length, "We Live in Houses Made of Wood," came out in the summer of 2008, Baltimore folkies Small Sur have caused quite a buzz, earning reviews from blogs like Tiny Mix Tapes to the music gliteratti over at NPR.

Back from a cross-country tour and with their beautiful Daytrotter session recently posted, I talked to frontman Bob Keal about the Baltimore music scene ...

Continue reading "Checking in with Small Sur" »

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I can't get enough of bacon. Baconbaconbaconbacon. We've discussed it quite a bit on Midnight Sun. Now, let's discuss it some more. Here's Owl Meat with a roundup of several scrumptious-sounding bacon delights.

When did bacon become a religion? Bacon vodka, bacon ice cream, bacon chocolate, bacon chewing gum. Bacon bacon bacon.

Bakon Vodka has some recipes that sound a little perverse but a little awesome too. Bakon vodka in a bloody Mary sounds good. Bakon vodka and scotch? That sounds good too. A bacon vodka chocolate martini? Yeah! 

In other bacon news, this bacon kills terrorists.

If only bacon could drive you to the liquor store. Your wish has been granted. Here's an article about a car that runs on bacon grease ...

Continue reading "We <3 bacon" »

Posted by Sam Sessa at 9:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

I had no idea Midnight Sun commenter Tif was so tied into the local hip-hop scene. Either that or he's a compulsive liar. You decide.

In this multi-part series, Tif will talk about some of his encounters with hip-hop icons. Today, it's hip-hop pioneer KRS-One. Take it away, Tif:

Though I toured the country performing a "Hip-Hop is Dead" piece, I am, despite the rumors, a fan of hip-hop.

I am not a fan of rap and since that's enough fodder for a thesis, we won't go that route.

My fondest memories are hosting shows with my partner DJ P-Funk. He would headline with artists, open the stage for local artists, and include all the elements of hip-hop in his shows.

There would be plywood outside for graffiti artists, breakers and dancers on the floor, he would be spinning on the tables, beat boxers would be on stage and of cource the emcees.  We did these shows at The Ottobar, Fletchers, and Sonar. ...

Continue reading "Tif's tales: Rapping with KRS-One" »

Posted by Sam Sessa at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

When Midnight Sun reader Aaron Bush offered to write a guest column about Baltimore's burlesque scene, I couldn't resist. Here goes:

A few weeks ago, Alexis and I dragged our friend Bill to his first burlesque show.

Bill bartends in Fells and the three of us had been drinking all day and were pretty much hammered at that point.  He didn't want to go but it was a choice between drinking by himself or pasties. Pasties won.

Almost no one goes to a burlesque show for the first time without being dragged. I don’t know why. I was bribed with the lure of a trip to the pub afterward and a covered tab.

From what I recall, I was expecting a high-school talent show put on by a drunk phys ed teacher crossed with a college production of the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

It's not like that.

Except when it is, and then it's hysterical -- unless you paid to get in ...

Continue reading "A peek into Baltimore's burlesque scene" »

Posted by Sam Sessa at 8:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

I've always been torn over the little paper umbrellas that come in South of the Border drinks. They look nice and all, but it's hard to drink around them, and I'm never sure what to do with them after I pluck them out of my drink. I tried eating one once but that didn't go down well.

In this guest column, Owl Meat has some pretty wild ideas about cocktail accessories. Dig it:

Once, I was at a quirky bar in Tucson that had some inventive drinks. One of them was called a Choking Hazard. It had a small plastic toy in it.

Another one had Lego candy in it. Lego candy? Do kids need more incentives to eat their toys? Talk about a choking hazard.

I remember candy coins being popular when I was young. Also a sketchy idea, but nothing beats candy cigarettes for pernicious influence.

I don't think they make candy cigarettes anymore, but there is still some demand. Consider the incredibly stupid fad of kids "smoking" Smarties candies. They crush the candy into dust and roll it up into a big fattie, inhaling and puffing out the dust that resembles smoke.

This place in Arizona was clearly trying to maximize the hipster cred vibe, but I wonder if drinks aren't getting a little too precious? Or maybe not enough? What is the weirdest drink accessory you have seen? ...

Continue reading "Cocktails with toys and other odd drink accessories" »

Posted by Sam Sessa at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)
        

We've heard about the bullet holes in the ceiling and Joe the parrot.

In this week's column, Capt. Larry Gross, the former owner and namesake of Captain Larry's, dishes about the ultimate drunk tank. The helm is yours, Captain:

We had a cage near the pole in the center of the bar, made out of stainless steel. It was about three foot by three foot by about eight foot tall. It was made out of stainless steel. It was a rectifier cage.

Now, a rectifier cage in the Navy is something they would have in a radio room where they would put equipment in they didn't want anybody to touch, and lock it up. ...

Continue reading "The Captain's Corner: Taking the cage" »

Posted by Sam Sessa at 8:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

I knew Midnight Sunner Evan was a classy fellow -- but this classy? As it turns out, Evan is quite the jet-setter, sipping cocktails at a swanky event at the Pratt. On with the tale, Evan!

Despite the rather foul weather this past Saturday, the Pratt Contemporaries hosted their 3rd anniversary celebration at the Enoch Pratt Free Library (400 Cathedral St.) with a highfalutin masquerade.

For a mere $45 the celebration included complimentary masks, open bar, catered hors d'oeuvres, a silent auction and a DJ spinning dance tunes.

Needless to say, with Black & White attire required, everyone was looking fantastic. ...

Continue reading "In search of swanky spots" »

Posted by Sam Sessa at 2:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
        

Here at Midnight Sun, we spend a lot of time being critical of Baltimore bars. That's why I asked guest columnist Patti to write a post defending Baltimore bars. Take it away, Patti:

About two years ago, I went to the Mt. Royal Tavern. When I returned one Sunday last November, three of the four strangers who had been in the bar during my previous trip were sitting in the same seats (probably drinking the same drink).

Sad? Maybe a little, given that it was before noon on both occasions. But mostly just charming in that odd, slightly disturbing way that Baltimore does so well.

I've lived in Chicago and spent more than my share of 20-dollar bills on quasi-martinis in Manhattan. I've sampled some of the finest artisanal cocktails that San Francisco and Portland Oregon have to offer. I've downed beer from boots in Madison and let les bons temps roulez in New Orleans.

In short, I consider myself something of a bar connoisseur, at least in the continental U.S. And yet, I can state without any equivocation that Baltimore is hands down the best bar town ...

Continue reading "In defense of Baltimore bars" »

Posted by Sam Sessa at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)
        

In what can only be described as an awesome achievement (if I do say so myself), I swindled Bad Decisions owner John Reusing (pictured) into sharing some of the recipes to his best and worst cocktails. Heeeeere's Johnny:

I've always liked variety.

Generally, I never have the same drink twice in an evening -- much to the annoyance of my bartender. I always am interested in trying that new vodka or the bottle in the back corner of the liquor store I've never seen before.

I don't see the attraction of getting the same drink each time. Naturally, this is why I became interested in mixology.

Finding an interesting liquor or a great mixer is just the beginning of making a great drink. Owning a bar has given me the opportunity to get my hands on some of the more rare ingredients I could never convince other bars to carry ...

Continue reading "1 percent inspiration, 99 percent distillation" »

Posted by Sam Sessa at 8:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)