Are you a non-smoker and a pet owner?

Do you want to raise money to build a dog park in Locust Point?

How thirsty are you?

How many more questions could I possibly ask before getting to the point?

The point is: Tonight from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. the Sly Fox Pub (554 E. Fort Ave.) is hosting a happy hour to benefit the Locust Point Dog Park.

Drinks are $3 and some of the menu items are half price.

Here is a blog post by my buddy (and desk neighbor) John Woestendiek on the subject. 

Oh, and, the Sly Fox is smoke-free. 

(Photo by Barbara Haddock Taylor/Sun Photographer) 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 3:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

As you know, the statewide smoking ban kicks in at midnight tonight.

Smokers are gathering at Mick O'Shea's (328 N. Charles St., pictured) starting at 8 tonight to puff up a storm before the ban takes effect.

The bar will be giving away free cigars and cigarettes, and complaining about the government, said co-owner Stephanie Niehenke.

(Photo by Kenneth K. Lam/Sun Photographer) 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 1:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
                    

Heard from Dave Holter this morning about the pending purchase of the Fort Charles Pub.

Holter said he and his business partner have been working on the deal since last fall, and hope to have it completed by March. 

But he can't give me any specific plans for the place until everything is finalized.

"Right now, we're still hashing out all the details," Holter said. "As you can imagine, it's quite a process."

Posted by Sam Sessa at 11:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

The Fort Charles Pub, at (you guessed it) Fort Avenue and South Charles Street in Federal Hill, has been sold, I'm told.

The new owner, Dave Holter, is a bartender in the Don't Know/No Idea family.

I've called Holter several times but have yet to hear back from him.

I hear he's toying with the idea of having live music upstairs, though. 

I'll post more as soon as I hear back from him.

(Photo by Elizabeth Malby/Sun Photographer) 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 9:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
                    

Lisa Chaplin Suit, the founder of the Baltimore Music Conference, and Chad Moore of northern Virginia-based Give Productions have partnered with Sonar (pictured) to book at least two shows a month at the warehouse venue on East Saratoga Street.

They will focus on electronic dance music and local acts, Suit said.

Lonnie Fisher and LG Concannon originally founded Sonar as an electronic dance space, but when the two split about five years ago, Fisher focused more on nationally touring indie rock and hip-hop acts.

Fisher left Sonar last June, and Dan McIntosh took over managing the club. 

Now, Suit wants to help bring back electronic music to the venue.

"It really did start that way, and that's why I want to make sure it stays there," Suit said.

(Photo by Kenneth K. Lam/Sun Photographer) 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 7:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

Camden Pub at 647 W. Pratt St. has $3.15 Miller Lite bottles and drafts on Super Sunday, according to this sign out front.

The sign doesn't make it clear whether you pay $3.15 for the beer or the buffet.

So I called them to ask.

The bartender didn't know about the sign, and told me she would go outside and have a look.

I waited on hold for 10 minutes, hung up and called back.

She still hadn't checked.

Finally she figured out that the beer was $3.15 -- not the buffet.

"Why $3.15? Why not just $3," I asked.

She didn't know.

And I didn't want to press her for an answer. Might have spent another 10 minutes on the phone. 

(Photo by me) 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 3:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
                    

Heard "London Bridge" by Fergie (pictured) a little while back, and it got me thinking about cuss words.

At first, I only ever heard the radio version of that song, with the "OH SNAP."

Then my girlfriend downloaded the original version on iTunes. Instead of "OH SNAP" it's "OH S---."

I don't like it as much.

Same with "Gold Digger" by Kanye West. The radio version ("But I ain't messin' with a broke, broke") sounds better than the original version. The words even come on different beats.

It kind of bothers me.

What do you think? 

(Photo by Getty Images) 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 1:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
                    

Anybody really, really want to go see the new Hannah Montana movie?

Are you having trouble getting tickets? 

One of my colleagues is working on a story and needs to talk to some people.

Email me at sam.sessa@baltsun.com and I'll pass you along.

(AP Photo) 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 11:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

Someone -- an arts foundation, the city, a new owner -- needs to renovate the old Parkway Theatre at 5 W. North Ave.

That's one of the best things that could happen to the surrounding Station North Arts and Entertainment District.

Turn it into a theater performance space or an art gallery or artists' studios.

With the right plans, it could turn that neighborhood around the same way the Hippodrome is helping revitalize Eutaw Street.  

(Photo by Amy Davis/Sun Photographer) 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 9:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

Lisa Chaplin Suit and Alex Crain are the new owners of Shorty's Martini Bar and Lounge (3301 Foster Ave., pictured) in Canton.

That will become official in the next few weeks, Suit said.

They plan to keep the musical lineup largely the same as it was under former owner Charles "DJ Feelgood" Fields.

DJs from different genres of the local electronic music scene will still spin live six or seven days a week.

"I wanted it to stay as [Fields] had started it out," Suit said.

"It's a haven -- a very chill spot." 

Suit said in the coming months, they may knock down a wall or two near the back of the bar and rearrange the furniture, DJ booth and pool table to open up some space.

Shorty's will stay open during the transition. 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 8:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Sun theater critic Mary Carole McCauley had an interesting piece in today's paper.

The company that manages the Hippodrome Theatre has been sold, which may mean changes are in store for the historic theater on Eutaw Street.

You can read the piece here. 

(Photo by Algerina Perna/Sun Photographer) 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 4:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

The Gold Depot (pictured), a long-shuttered bar at Fort Avenue and South Light Street, will be reborn as a 24-hour diner in the next year or two.

Jason Zink, co-owner of the Don't Know/No Idea franchise, said he is waiting on the building's owners to complete renovations.

"The owners are the nicest people in the world, but they have a lot on their plate," Zink said. "Whenever they're ready, I'm ready."

As long as the food is greasy good, I think an all-night diner would do well there. 

Wonder what he's going to name it?

My suggestion:

"Duh!" 

(Photo by me) 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 1:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

Volker Stewart from the Brewer's Art sent me a heads up about this potential tax increase on gas and alcohol.

His thoughts:

"I think this is patently unfair. Not only does it triple taxes on booze and wine, but it actually sextuples the beer tax. We need to raise awareness of this so that folks can take action." 

(Photo by Barbara Haddock Taylor/Sun Photographer) 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 11:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (11)
                    

Jason had a good point a couple days ago about Alexander's Tavern (710 S. Broadway) in Fells Point being a good winter bar nominee.

I knew that when it rains, all domestic draft beer is $1 at the bar.

But I didn't know if that special covered all kinds of precipitation.

Turns out, it does. 

"Rain, snow, sleet, freezing rain -- you name it," said manager/owner Charles Gjerde. 

So Alexander's qualifies. 

(Photo by Kim Hairston/Sun Photographer) 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

I asked you. You gave me. It's on.

This week's Fab Five Friday is about the best winter bars.

Who do you nominate?

And why?

(Photo by Jed Kirschbaum/Sun Photographer) 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 8:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (15)
                    

Had a couple people (including Pants McFadden) ask me where they could get the two soundtrack albums to The Wire.

Here is a link where you can order them from Amazon.

Or, if you'd rather support a local music store, Soundgarden (pictured) at 1616 Thames Street in Fells Point has both.

As of this afternoon, they have sold 34 copies of The Wire: And All the Pieces Matter and 13 of The Wire: Beyond Hamsterdam.

(Photo by Algerina Perna/Sun Photographer) 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 5:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
                    

I see signs like this and wonder: 

How many people actually go to a bar to use their wireless network?

It makes sense to set up a laptop in a coffee shop, where you can sit and drink coffee for a couple hours and get some work done.

But a bar?

Bar tables have sticky tops, tipsy patrons and greasy food.

I'm kind of wary of taking a $1,500 laptop into a place like that.

What do you think? 

(Photo by me) 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 2:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)
                    

The new Todd Conner's in Fells Point posted this list of drink specials on their window.

I like the Monday Game Night special:

To all those playing board games or reading books you get 25 percent off your tab.

Only problem is, the restaurant is closed on Mondays.

Heh.

Maybe next month.

Still, I'll take $5 Absolut martinis all day Fridays.

That's probably the best name brand martini deal you'll find in Fells.

(Photo by me) 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 12:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
                    

Dropped by Todd Conner's (pictured) yesterday to pick up a menu and drink specials list.

The bar and restaurant on the corner of Aliceanna Street and Broadway opened earlier this month.

If you remember, that's the building formerly occupied by Slammer's, and before that, Armadillo's Tex-Mex. 

I'll have some more info on the drink specials later today.

Also, Elizabeth Large (aka, the Tongue of The Sun), will post some menu items on her blog.

(Photo by me) 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 10:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

What makes a bar a good winter hangout?

I'm thinking about making this a Fab Five topic.

Your thoughts? 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 10:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)
                    

Yesterday, I told you I was working on big story for today's paper.

It was about a controversial art exhibit that is bringing up questions of artistic plagiarism.

It ran on today's front page with this picture of Cara Ober, one of the artists involved in the issue.

Here is a link to the story.

(Photo by Algerina Perna/Sun Photographer) 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 4:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
                    

After fielding a bunch of negative comments and a pretty funny phone call from Max's owner Ron Furman, I need to clear something up.

Longtime Midnight Sun readers will know that after a while, I retire bars from Fab Five Friday lists.

So, in this case, I purposely left out the Brewer's Art and Max's Taphouse -- because they're in a category of their own.

They're like the Beatles.

They're above lists.

I guess I didn't make it clear enough on today's Fab Five Friday list.

But I hope everybody understands now. 

(Photo of local indie rocker Jason Dove by Andre F. Chung/Sun Photographer) 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 2:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
                    

They don't make bars like they used to.

Wish I had one of these. 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 11:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)