
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 "
simulated sex with a potted palm tree." Before The Sun, he was a reporter at the Miami New Times. He's also written for Miami magazine, the Orlando Sentinel, the Sarasota Herald Tribune and the Gainesville Sun. Got tips? Gripes? Pitches? He's reachable at
erik.maza@baltsun.com. Click
here to keep up with the dumb music he's listening to.
Midnight Sun covers Baltimore music, live entertainment, and nightlife news. On the blog, you'll find, among other things, concert announcements, breaking news, bars closings and openings, up-to-date coverage of crime in nightlife, new music, round-the-clock coverage of Virgin Mobile FreeFest, handy guides on bars staying open past 2 a.m. on New Year's Eve and those that carry Natty Boh on draft. Recurring features include seven-day nightlife guides, Concert News, guest reviews of bars and concerts, Wednesday Corkboard, and photo galleries, as well as reader-submitted photos. Thanks for reading.
Comments
Slainte-Fells Pt.
The Still-York Rd.
Posted by: Kari | November 7, 2007 9:33 AM
Go to Slainte on Thames St for brunch and soccer matches on Saturday and you can't deny that it's one of B-more's top 5 Irish pubs.
Posted by: Greg S | November 7, 2007 9:33 AM
You have to include Patrick's of Pratt Street! Patrick's, which was established in 1847, is the oldest Irish Pub in America. They have great food (the shepherd's pie is awesome!) and the people are friendly.
Posted by: Lori | November 7, 2007 9:44 AM
While Maggie Moore's is a great space as an Irish pub it leaves a LOT to be desired.
I will also add my vote for The Still in Timonium and also mention Ryan's Daughter up at Belvedere Square.
Posted by: Paul | November 7, 2007 10:24 AM
J. Patrick's - The best by far.
Dougherty's
Mick O'Shea's
Can't think of anymore right now, my mind is too busy wishing it had a Guiness.
Posted by: Jamie | November 7, 2007 10:46 AM
Slainte is a great Irish pub with a wonderful atmosphere for friends and family.
Our specials are.... I mean they're specials are Gunniess, and wonderful food and football.
Posted by: J.M. Giordano | November 7, 2007 3:21 PM
No and No to Slainte and the Still. Clearly no one there has been to a pub in Ireland. The best in town are Mike McGovern's, J. Patrick's, Patrick's of Pratt St., Maggie Moore's, and Mick O'Sheas.
Posted by: F. Pants McFadden | November 8, 2007 10:12 AM
At least Maggie Moore's is actually run by an Irishwoman.
Mick O'Shea's is a good choice. I like Ryan's Daughter for aesethics and menu but not so much for atmosphere. It looks most like an Irish pub, however.
Posted by: LB | November 8, 2007 10:30 AM
I rather like Maggie Moore's (as well as a few of the others that folks have listed), though the last time I visited, I was disappointed that Maggie's had taken bangers and mash off of their menu of "Irish Favorites". Sort of like a good Italian restaurant ditching their pasta.
Posted by: William P. Tandy | November 8, 2007 12:17 PM
Clearly no one has a better opinion than Mr. McFadden. As long as the bartender can draw a shamrock in the head of my Guinness, I'll be back again and again. I also appreciate plasma TVs rather than LCD, and you can't go wrong with shepherds pie.
Posted by: Rich Gabai | November 8, 2007 1:32 PM
J. Patrick's and O'Shea's get my vote.
Posted by: Mary Y | November 8, 2007 3:33 PM
The James Joyce is one of the best in town for a family night, I think. Ryan's Daughter in Towson is great, they've opened early for the soccer crowd once or twice and their food is amazing.
Slainte's the best soccer pub in town, no doubt...Saturday mornings, the place gets packed with football aficionados.
I live very close to Mick O'Sheas and have been there often. Once you get past the tightly-packed and extremely-smoky front bar area, the restaurant area is very nice and the food is some of the best.
Posted by: Damien | November 8, 2007 4:13 PM