
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
The biggest question is, are they serving Bitter & Twisted like Sean Bolan's used to (when the bartenders didn't take it home with them)?
Posted by: Michelle | March 1, 2008 3:44 PM
Okay, I'm apparently the only person who cares about this, but honestly the place hasn't been the same since Sean Bolan's closed.
Didn't you mention that Muggsy's does NOT want to be a place like the Cross Street hangouts, and want instead to be a neighborhood bar? Well, they seem to be very similar to the Cross Street hangouts, and not at all a neighborhood bar.
Very disappointing.
Oh, and no Bitter & Twisted. And now that the Vineyard has closed, I'm having trouble finding it anywhere. But hey, at least I'll be able to buy flip-flops.
Posted by: Michelle | March 3, 2008 5:52 PM
Personally, i thought that Mugsy's had a great atmosphere and vibe to it. They had a great draft selection and it was very comfortable inside. They are just starting out, give them a chance.
Posted by: j | March 4, 2008 2:25 AM
I was in there, i didnt get the vibe of the cross street bars at all. Good music playing with no dance music, great beers on draft (none of your normal miller and bud products!!). Pretty friendly staff. Their grand opening was pretty packed but any other time has been a pretty chill place to go, Michelle must have some sort of chip on her shoulder.
Posted by: Ian M | March 6, 2008 3:48 PM
She's bitter and twisted.
Posted by: Sam Sessa | March 6, 2008 3:51 PM
Sigh. My sources tell me that the Muggsy's bartenders ... all young, so maybe I'm just old and bitter ... didn't know what Bitter & Twisted is.
Posted by: Michelle | March 6, 2008 9:50 PM
I saw the bartenders (bar owners) having fun while they were working. The atmosphere was great and friendly. The owners are young with full of energy and still thin, they remind me of somebody I used to know three years ago. Good luck to the owners of Mugsy's, it's a great little place.
Posted by: jason | March 7, 2008 3:22 AM
I was there for the opening. It was a bit packed then but is generally relaxed and customers are able to sit, relax, listen to good music, enjoy good food, and drink a fairly wide of local draft beers. The owners are there all the time and genuinely want everyone to have a good time. It looks like they have a good time doing it too. The walls, lighting, and atmosphere remind me of a smaller, less crowded Ropewalk without the dancing room in the back or the fights up front.
All in all, a great switch from the packed and loud cross street bars while in the same neighborhood.
Posted by: Matt | March 14, 2008 12:33 PM
I went in there to try it out and no one was in there and now I know why I think the food was bad and thats being nice I don't see them being there much longer!
Posted by: Pat | May 14, 2009 4:51 PM
Nice fun place for all ages. Food is great. The owner I know (Danny) is cool and appreciates customer input. I wish them continued success.
Posted by: sue | July 19, 2009 11:25 AM