Awkward moment at the Skybox Bar
About a year ago, a couple of friends and I were doing the Fort Avenue bar crawl.
One of the stops on the way was the Skybox Bar and Grill, which is just west of the shopping center. I'd seen a pretty rough-looking crowd chilling outside the place before, but never been inside.
We opened the door, walked in, and stopped dead in our tracks.
It was like someone had rounded up every trashy young South Baltimore native and stuck them in the Skybox. They looked fierce.
And as soon as we stepped in, just about everybody in the place stopped their conversations and turned and stared at us. It was something straight from a movie. We were not welcome there. We didn't even order a beer. We peaced out. Quick.
I've never been back. I don't plan to. I've been in hundreds of Baltimore bars, and that was the only time that happened to me.
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
Comments
I believe Skybox is shutting down this week. It may have already closed. The Sly Fox pub is taking over the space. Not sure what effect this will have on your awkward moments.
Posted by: BA | August 22, 2007 12:01 PM
A few things:
1. why are you blogging about an experience at this bar from over a year ago? If you intended it in the context of your latest Fab Five Friday topic, it is a mystery to me how it is tied in.
2. I am no regular, but I have been to skybox a few times, and I am completely surprised to hear you describe the place or its crowd as "trashy" or "fierce" (which is pretty harsh despite your experience, by the way). In fact, what you said was the opposite of what I expected you to say about Skybox. Are you sure it was the skybox on ft ave? If anything, the place always seemed too flashy and "bourgie" for a bar in locust point. In my opinion, that's why it probably went out of business. Which brings me to my next point.
3. BA already mentioned it, but there is now a Sly Fox pub sign in the window of the former Skybox. Even though you were not planning on returning, it looks like you won't ever have to. Why don’t you blog about that? What is happening to the old Sly Fox Pub, just a couple blocks away? Will there be 2 now? Is the old Sly Fox changing hands? Etc, etc..
Posted by: Kyle B | August 22, 2007 2:07 PM
I was at sly fox 15 minutes after the owner told the bartenders that they were going to be moving. they said that they were going to keep the old slyfox but make like smoothies and stuff there...
a saturday afternoon locust point to fed hill bar crawl is a great thing when college football is on
Posted by: locust point man | August 22, 2007 2:26 PM
Dude, I couldn't agree with you more about Skybox. That is the only place I have seen a knock-down-drag-out girl fight.
I guess luckily I'm friends with alot of those "fierce" lookin folks so walkin in there didn't bother me. But I agree with you, that place was intimidating. It's a shame too, cuz they had a great happy hour. Not that I dislike Sly Fox (My fiance and I had our first date at the one in Nap town), but I doubt they'll be charging any less than 3 bucks for a beer.
Posted by: Zicka | August 24, 2007 8:11 AM
and don't come back yuppie! Ruin'in our 'hood withcher jogging and [deleted]
Posted by: J.M. Giordano | August 24, 2007 2:09 PM
Would you like to try a "Big Boy"? SlyFox is now running a special where it is buy 6 beers and get your next beer at full price.
Finally my prayers have been answered and there is now a bar where yuppies from Bethesda, MD can gather, proudly displaying their burgundy and gold jersey's tucked into their Stain-guard docker chinos and Sperry boat shoes.
Fist pumping, stock tip trading, chest bumping Redskin fans sitting in a circle ... around a Joe Gibbs poster ordering beer with names they can't even pronounce but love because they are 12 bucks a piece and think pricey beer makes them look stylish and intriguing.
I'd rather hang out with the "fierce" guys and get stabbed with a shiv one of them made out of a bucket handle in the bathroom then step one foot in the newly decorated ... SLYFOX
Posted by: Pete | August 27, 2007 4:45 PM
Rob, been to any PUB's lately? Lovely, state-run drinking facilities aren't they?
Posted by: Rob is a toolbox | September 21, 2007 10:42 AM
I have to say that I am quite offended at the blog you have posted. Being that I lived the past 5 years in South Baltimore and that a majority of my family also live in the area I take offense at the "It was like someone had rounded up every trashy young South Baltimore native and stuck them in the Skybox. They looked fierce."
If you are not from the area then you need not make comments. Many of these " South Baltimore Natives" have lived 30 + years and have seen their way of life changed. I never knew what a "yuppie " was until I moved into the city with my husband. I am not saying "yuppies " are bad but from first hand experience many come into the city without any regards to the ones that actually live there. Show some respect
Posted by: Cathy Shiflett | September 25, 2007 3:24 PM
GEE THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU TAKE AWAY THE OLD SOUTH BALTIMORE THE BEST PLACE TO HAVE A FAMILY AND GREAT NEIGHBORS THAT STUCK TOGETHER TO HELP WHEN SOMEONE NEEDED HELP NEIGHBORS WAS LIKE FAMILY I WAS BORN AND RAISE IN SOUTH BALTIMORE I WILL BE 62 YES WE HAD THE COLTS BUT WHEN WE LOST THEM AND HAD NO TEAM FOR YEARS I WENT WITH THE REDSKINS AND BEING A TRUE FAN I WILL STICK WITH THEM BUT I LOVE THE RAVENS I LOVE DALLAS BUT I LOOK AT THE GAMES THE WAY THEY PLAY I DONT TAKE AWAY A GOOD GAME AND PUT THEM DOWN BECAUSE THE TEAMS NOT MINE IT MEANS I WAS OUT PLAYED SO THERE IS ALWAYS NEXT WEEK BUT THE TRUTH OF IT IS THE PEOPLE NOT THE SPORT GOD BLESS AMERICA
Posted by: DONNIE FINK | September 26, 2007 8:29 PM