Fab Five Friday
And now, it's time for Fab Five Friday: Destination Dundalk.
Oh, yes indeed.
Using a mix of your recommendations and my own personal prowess, I have compiled the five best bars in Dundalk.
Let me preface this list by saying that no FFF is the end-all be-all of anything. So don't take this too seriously, folks.
But I'm always down for a good debate.
So here goes ...
1. Dicks Famous Dock Bar (pictured). 601 Wise Ave., Dundalk
Nestled down where a windy road meets the water, Dick's is undeniably my favorite Dundalk bar. Growing up, I worked at marinas and have always enjoyed crazy boaters. And what better place to study the Art of the Hawaiian Shirt than on a colorfully painted wooden dock bar with a live band playing?
2. Hops Inn, 7002 Railway Drive, Dundalk
Pitchers of Michelob Amberbock are only $6, most of the male patrons have facial hair, and black-and-white portraits of every president since George Washington hang on the wood-paneled walls. Awesome.
3. Howard's, 7312 Holabird Ave.
I don't like the new paint job, but Howard's continues to dominate Dundalk's nightlife scene -- and for good reason. The bartenders are quite pleasant and the patrons can party.
4. Pops Tavern, 4343 North Point Blvd.
Give me live country or give me death!
5. Costa's Inn, 4100 North Point Blvd.
As TotalVicky says: They have karaoke + beer, which = retirees from Bethlehem Steele with hard-core Bawlmer accents reminscing about the Colts and singing frank Sinatra :-) For that reason alone ... if they qualify as a bar then they get my vote. And the crabs ain't too bad either, hon :-)
(Photo courtesy of Dicks)
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
Did Dick's used to be called Mariner's Landing?
Posted by: Hal Laurent, VoR, EotW | May 30, 2008 2:31 PM
Wow, this is the second time that you have quoted me. I suppose I should start utilizing the spell check function on my posts? I am flattered. But if you do it a third time, then you will owe me lunch, LOL! Feel free to just ask JeanHee at Nina's to make me a spicey chicken (extra spicey) and I will call it even :-) I'm surprised that I have never met you there? Nearly everyone at the paper is a regular. Its where I usually make a mid-day escape from my little cell in the depths of the most corrupt and scandal ridden agency in Maryland. Oh the stories I could tell ...
Posted by: TotalVicky | May 30, 2008 3:00 PM
Sam, you are taking your life in your hands if you go into Pops.
Posted by: Drew from Greektown | May 30, 2008 3:01 PM
check out the Hard Yacht Cafe sometime...on the water...near Pennisula Expwy
Posted by: Peachy | May 30, 2008 3:46 PM
sam, dick's is a favorite of mine, too... especially if you can get there by boat (which i was lucky enough to do one summer thanks to invites from wonderful boating owning friends). boy, i really wish those friends would visit more often... i enjoyed costas, too, for the crabs (but mr. bill's still has my heart and vote for best crabs and pretty good bar scene).
Posted by: dan thanh | May 30, 2008 4:35 PM
Hal, I'm not sure. Possibly.
Vicky, you work for the Maryland Transit Authority? I never knew.
Drew, why hold the dice if you're not gonna roll 'em?
Posted by: Sam Sessa | June 2, 2008 11:34 AM
Dundalk hasn't sunken into the bay yet?
Posted by: TS | June 2, 2008 11:42 AM
Alas, I wish that I worked for the MTA and enjoyed the luxuries that come with being a "real" State employee. Sadly, I work at one of only 3 or 4 agencies in the State of Maryland where ALL of the employees are deemed "special appointees" who may be terminated at any time for any reason.
You may recognize the agency if I mentioned that we made the press a fews years back when an infamous political operative who liked to refer to himself as the "Grim Reaper" did a brief stint here compiling lists of employees to be terminated based on political party affiliation.
Sadly, he was quite harmless compared to the far more neafarious goings on within the belly of this beast which have yet to see the light of day :-) Hence, I need to pass the BAR this summer to escape my predicament and begin a more refined and honorable career as a litigator, LOL! Yeah, it is really that bad ... :-)
Posted by: TotalVicky | June 2, 2008 4:18 PM
Thanks again for the kind words about "Hops Inn". I am the fourth generation owner of Hops, yes its been in the family since the 40s. Our motto is "Where good friends meet" and we intend to keep the Suds and atmosphere the same as when my 2X Great Grandfather intended, cheap and fun! One thing the artical didn't mention was our daytime happy hour, Bud, Coors, Miller Lite, (domestic beer), bottles and cans are only $1.25 which is the cheapest in Dundalk. Thanks again and hope to see you at Hops,
Posted by: Lee Martin | June 27, 2008 9:40 AM