Fab Five Friday
In hindsight, I probably should have broken down this week's Fab Five Friday: Best Bars of the 'Burbs' into three or four FFFs by county.
But here at Midnight Sun, we've never played by the rules.
So, using your ideas, I compiled the five best suburban bars in Greater Baltimore.
Ready?
Here goes ...
1. Shark's Tooth Bar and Grill, 6-10 Crain Highway, Glen Burnie
From TotalVicky: They literally have a shark's head coming out of the front of the building. Much like its counterparts inside the city limits further north up route 2 (your neck of the woods) you will always find an eclectic crowd ranging from toothless old men to Towson State students. Its a funny spot to visit.
2. Della Rose's, 8153 Honeygo Blvd., White Marsh (pictured)
From David Sturgill: The best place to watch the ravens or terps (Tony Dellarose himself on the bar with his speeches).
3. Pub Dog, 8865 Stanford Blvd., Columbia
Yes, the Dog Pub in Federal Hill has been retired from FFF lists. But I can still rank its sister location in Columbia. Sneaky, huh? Besides, it's one of the only non-chain bars in Columbia.
4. Padonia Station, 63 E. Padonia Road, Timonium
5. The Charred Rib, 12 W. Ridgley Road, Lutherville
According to Allan: If you're up towards Cockeysville/Timonium, then the Chared Rib is your best bet. ... Also, if it's a pay Friday, you might as well get sauced, sing karaoke and eat a rack of amazing ribs at the Chared Rib. You really can't beat it.
(Photo by Algerina Perna/Sun Photographer)
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 like most of these bars.
I do have to chime in though about Dellaroses in White Marsh. Tony D is okay, but the amount of meatheads in that bar on a Friday is incredible. Put your pink polo on or you are not welcome.
(Speaking of Dellaroses, anyone else heard that the Canton location will be closing within the next few months? I was out with a friend last night and they had inside information that the Canton location isn't making any money at all)
Posted by: Drew from Greektown | May 23, 2008 7:57 AM
Been hearing that for a few months DfG. But, in this business, you hear all sorts of rumors. For example, Baja was supposedly closing in 2004...took another four years.
I haven't heard enough to make me believe yet.
Posted by: Trouble | May 23, 2008 8:49 AM
Without a doubt yoou should put Looney's Pub North on top of your list..a big wig of one of the two big beer/liq companies said..outside ocean city..Looney's Pub North is the #1 spot volume wise..just go up there..Every night there is a crowd..and most Fri and sat there is a line to get in..and thats with a capacity of 600+..great bands, service is on time, and well over 100 tvs..its has def revitilized Bel Air..The food is awesome, the specials are awesome and they get the Best bands that rival seacrets at the beach..go check it out for yourself
Posted by: pat McCarthy | May 23, 2008 9:57 AM
Allen - P.S. the Charred Rib is not in either Timonium or Cockeysville. IT IS IN LUTHERVILLE. It really annoys me that many places mentioned that are north of Towson are said to be in Timonium/Cockeysville when in fact many of them are in Lutherville (a far superior place to Timonium / Cockeysville or Hunt Valley).
Posted by: Kitkat | May 23, 2008 9:59 AM
Kitkat - you must be an ardent Lutheran.
Regardless, LUTHERVILLE REPRESENT!
Lutherville rules.
Posted by: JTK | May 23, 2008 1:36 PM
The Charred Rib has some of the most friendly and professional bartenders in the Baltimore area. Old school.
and JTK and KitKat - just because your town is named for the founder of a branch of Christianity mine is named after a character in a Shakespeare play. Timon of Athens Forever!
Posted by: bryaninTimonium | May 23, 2008 4:10 PM
"Speaking of Dellaroses, anyone else heard that the Canton location will be closing within the next few months? I was out with a friend last night and they had inside information that the Canton location isn't making any money at all"
I don't think you need inside information to be able to tell that that location isn't too successful - it's hardly ever crowded. Why would you want to go to a bar across a busy street in the basement of an office building when you have dozens of better choices in your own neighborhood?
Posted by: dave | May 27, 2008 9:50 AM
Maybe so Pat McC, but who wants to go to Bel Air?!
Posted by: Greg S | May 27, 2008 10:39 AM
I must concur that Harford County is just not in the Greater Baltimore area. Rather it is, well it is just Harford County. And, if I were going to reccomend a Harford County bar then it would not be any of the places I have visited in sterile, cookie cutter Bel Air. If I were to suggest that anyone take a drive up 95 then I would have to steer my freinds to either Coakley's or McGregors ... both in Havre de Grace. Although Coakley's has grown from the littel dive that I will always know it as ... both spots possess a welcoming, home grown local flavor along with a colorful, diverse clientele.
Posted by: TotalVicky | May 27, 2008 12:23 PM