
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
Little Havana -- Nothing better than a Spring Brunch sitting out on their patio...
Posted by: TS | April 22, 2008 12:16 PM
my stoop
Posted by: jm giordano | April 22, 2008 12:53 PM
Bay Cafe, hands down.
Posted by: Drew from Greektown | April 22, 2008 1:06 PM
Nick's Fish House's deck.
Posted by: Trouble | April 22, 2008 1:16 PM
Sam,
What do you mean you don't worry about food?
Remember "Free Makes Everthing Better"
Posted by: GDA | April 22, 2008 1:29 PM
Nick's Fish House...enjoying a few cold ones and playing a little ring toss
Posted by: cs | April 22, 2008 1:33 PM
Ok, ok, free happy hour buffets count too.
FMEB ho!
Posted by: Sam Sessa | April 22, 2008 1:36 PM
While it is common knowledge that there are not enough places to eat and drink outside in Baltimore - we have an even worse time of it in Towson. Case and point: Vin's 'the Grove'. It's really nice - comfortable seats, outstanding food but throw in its bafflingly slow and not knowledgable bar tenders and way-too-loud house music. I find myself always sitting as far away from the speakers as I can when I got. Why do I go? Beacuse the only other option is Charles VIllage Pub, but witnessing fights is only fun so many times...
Posted by: bryanintimonium | April 22, 2008 3:09 PM
I am so happy you chose this topic, because while there is a shortage of good places to eat outside, there are even less places to simply DRINK outside.
Mex has a full bar on their front deck and a pretty amazing (read: cheap) margarita special for happy hour (one of the only tolerable times to frequent PPL).
I've had some fun times drinking on the deck of ESPN Zone/Hard Rock.
Woody's in Fells.
Looking forward to the list and hopefully some more suggestions!
Posted by: AC | April 22, 2008 3:42 PM
I second the vote for Nick's. Bay Cafe has a great view, but that's about all it has going for it.
Posted by: Greg S | April 22, 2008 3:57 PM
bryanintimonium - Those are fighting words! I think we should fight out behind CVP! You choose the weapons. I will be the 19 year old with the pink polo with the popped collar and Bud Select. I should stand out admirably.
Posted by: JTK | April 22, 2008 4:50 PM
Shuckers and DuClaws in Fells Point are bar/restaurants that have outside seating. Bay Cafe, Austin Grill, Looney's (albeit only 3-4 tables), Mama's on a Half Shell, and Three...in the Canton Area are restaurant/bars with outside seating. Nick's Fish House, ESPNZone/Hard Rock at the harbor and Little Havana's on Key Highway also have outside seating. About 2 summers ago I went to an outside bar opening at Bo Brooks in Canton. I'm not sure if it's still open or if that is considered Bo Brooks. And there's Mex at the Power Plant that does have a very good margarita happy hour special. It just depends which bartender is making the margarita!!
Posted by: Cardwell | April 23, 2008 11:16 AM
While technically not legal, the bocce courts in Little Italy are a nice place to have a drink.
Posted by: Ted | April 23, 2008 11:21 AM
Todd Conners in Fells Point has outside seating as well. Good amount of tables as well, about 8 or so
Posted by: James | April 23, 2008 1:00 PM
Busting out of the city limits ... Hightopps in Timonium has a really nice deck for summer dining/drinking
Posted by: JD | April 23, 2008 1:36 PM
p.s. bacon vodka returns friday.
Posted by: abigail | April 24, 2008 3:37 PM
If I had three votes I'd say Havana's, Shucker's, and Woody's.
Rub and the Mother's purple patio are pretty cool too but obviously you're looking at the street instead of a water view.
Posted by: locust point man | April 24, 2008 4:16 PM