I'm particularly proud of this early MS post about the stench on Cross Street.

And since it's summertime, Saturday and Sunday mornings can be almost unbearable.

Have a look ... 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 10:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (23)
                    

I should really still do tour diaries.

I used to do them semi-regularly when MS was in its infancy. But it just seemed like nobody cared. So I stopped doing them.

Here's a link where you can read the dozen-odd ones on the blog. There are some pretty hilarious/gross/weird stories on there.

If I started doing them again, would you read them? Is it worth it? Or would my efforts go unappreciated?

(Stock photo of Victoria Vox) 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 1:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
                    

The days might be numbered for LP Docks (1476 Reynolds St.).

The Locust Point corner bar sits in the middle of a rapidly changing neighborhood. When Silo Point goes online it probably won't be long before the place shuts down.

Heck, it's barely open now. Look at the hours posted on the door.

It's a shame, considering LP Docks has the certifiably smallest men's bathroom in all of Baltimore. You couldn't fit a coffin inside.

But change has to come sooner or later, I guess.

(Photo by me) 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 10:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)
                    

Let's do a little poll.

What's better: An ice cold mojito or an ice cold sangria?

I've always thought of the mojito as the trendy upstart in the summer drink family. The punk kid, if you will. Sangria on the other hand is more of a classic drink -- at least in my mind.

Anybody know what came first?

Personally, I'd rather have a mojito. I love how crisp and refreshing they are. Sangrias are too sweet for my taste.

Posted by Sam Sessa at 2:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)
                    

Ladies and gentlemen ... I'd like to introduce what may be the newest bar in South Baltimore:

Boomer's on the Hill, at 1749 Belt St.

Thank you, thank you.

Not sure when it opened. Haven't been inside either. Have you?

What's the deal?

(Photo by me) 

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

So our first Baltimore Unsigned taping in front of a live audience (at The 8x10 on Memorial Day afternoon) was a smashing success.

Didn't run into bouncer and MS commenter Bowling Ben though. Not sure what that kid is up to lately.

Are you still there Ben? We're worried about you buddy. 

Here's a video from it, of Fools and Horses doing their nbew song "Anna Was the Enemy." 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 12:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
                    

Midnight Sun has evolved a lot in the year since it started.

We've got a whole new squad of commenters since the early days. And I'd like to take another look at some posts from months past.  

Looking back through the archives, I hit upon one of the most popular topics on Midnight Sun: the ages-old discussion of whether to call the classic college drinking game beer pong or Beirut.

Here's a link to the original post.

What do you guys think?

Is it a regional thing?

A class thing?

(Photo by Kim Hairston/Sun Photographer) 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 3:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)
                    

Aloha Toyko, the Japanese restaurant/bar at 1120 E. Fort Ave., advertises its karaoke with big signs outside.

But is it really any good there?

I see this place as more of a restaurant than a karaoke spot.

Have any of you been there and sang karaoke? 

(Photo by Kenneth K. Lam/Sun Photographer) 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 2:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
                    

Since I'm lounging on sandy beaches right now, I just can't be bothered to do a Fab Five Friday list this week.

Instead, I'm going to present the topic today and give you two weeks to list your suggestions.

We have already done a list of the best fake band names. Now, I want to do a list of the best fake bar names.

If you opened a bar, what would you name it? I already know JMGiordano would call his sports bar Fumbles. And bryanintimonium would be the proprietor of Ful. What about the rest of you? Ante up.

Posted by Sam Sessa at 10:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (11)
                    

We're doing something right!

I'm referring, of course, to the royal "We." Today, Midnight Sun has its first partially sponsored ad (look near the top of your screen). It's for Bedrock. Big deal, right? Actually, it kind of is.

That means enough people are reading this bloggy that the Advertising Gods sold (suckered) someone into paying money for little old Midnight Sun.

I'd pat myself on the back, but my shoulders are so swoll it's hard to reach. 

Now if only I could get Chipotle to endorse either this blog or my radio show. Come on Ad Gods! Shower me with steak burritos!

(Photo of me by me. My, what a lovely thumb I have.)  

Posted by Sam Sessa at 11:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
                    

I think it's about time I hit the old dusty trail.

Exit, stage left.

My departure should look something like this ... 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 4:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

When I was coming up with my list of the five most ideal beers to have on tap, I kept closing my eyes like I was actually dreaming.

It was weird, but rewarding.

You guys had some great lists of your own, too.

I think the one you mentioned most often topped my own list. Coincidence? There are no coincidences, kids.

Either way, it wasn't easy drawing up a list of only five beers I'd love to have on tap at all times.

But by gosh I did it.

I tried to keep it a well-rounded list. But since I'm no big fan of porters or stouts, I gave ales and lagers first dibs.

Voila ... 

1. Brewer's Art Resurrection

Delicious. Delicious. Delicious. Delicious. Delicious.

2. Clipper City McHenry

Rumored to be made with the original Natty Boh Premium recipe, McHenry is a must-have in my dream bar. 

3. Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale

I have to check myself when this beer's on tap -- it's kind of addictive.

4. Sam Adams Oktoberfest

Nothing says fall like a cold Oktoberfest, and Sam Adams makes one of my personal favorites.  

5. Yuengling Lager

My standard fallback beer. Call me crazy, but I kinda like it better out of bottles. Still, having Yuengling on tap is like having fries with your burger. Yum.

(Photo by Kenneth K. Lam/Sun Photographer) 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 7:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (14)
                    

I had a beer at a recently renovated corner bar called The Montford last week.

At least, that's what the bartender said it was called. I've also seen it called The Montford Stag Bar, which I like better than just the plain old Montford. ...

There's not much to The Montford, actually.

It's a single story, narrow rowhouse bar with a pool table in back. The bar itself was redone as part of the renovations, although the bar back is the same, the bartender said.

Posted by Sam Sessa at 11:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

Walked by Nutty Pub (3520 Chestnut Ave. in Hampden) the other week and saw where they scaled back their hours.

Anybody know why?

I mean, I never saw many people in the place, even on a Friday or Saturday night. So that in itself might be the reason.

But if there's something else, I'd like to know.

(Photo by me) 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 1:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

Soon I must leave you, Midnight Sunnites.

Starting Friday, I will be on a glorious vacation. I won't get back until July 1.

And for once, I'm sure as heck not checking this blog on vacation. 

Not gonna happen. My wonderful editor Meredith will approve your comments in the meantime.

So I'm going to be posting less frequently for a little while. And I would love love love some topics from you guys. Maybe a good FFF idea? Maybe just a random thought?

Holler at me.

(AP Photo)  

Posted by Sam Sessa at 10:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (13)
                    

Consuming Interests blogger Liz Kay sent me an email with a link to this post.

It's about how some restaurants are charging more for beers served in smaller glasses.

Have any of you noticed this around town?  

Posted by Sam Sessa at 3:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)
                    

If you could walk into a bar and have five beers of your choice on tap, what would they be?

That's this week's Fab Five Friday.

Mmmm ... my mouth is watering at the sight of the cold, frothy cups in this photo.

Think about it: cinco cervesas (That's Spanish!).

I'll list mine in just a few days. 

(AP Photo) 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 11:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (18)
                    

Please allow me to apologize for the momentary lapse in posting yesterday afternoon.

I was under the gun to turn around a centerpiece for the Today section on large scale music festivals.

See?

I talked to Seth Hurwitz, who booked Virgin Mobile Festival, MS poster ryan97ou and some industry folks for the piece.

Seth didn't think the new All Points West Music & Arts Festival will compete with the Virgin Mobile Festival. What do you think?

(Photo by Kenneth K. Lam/Sun Photographer) 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 9:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
                    

Heyo!

How was everyone's weekend? Do anything wild?

Saturday, I went to the The Quarry House Tavern in Silver Spring. Man oh man. Have any of you folks been there? ...

I had a blast. It's a really cool space -- made cooler by the fact that there are almost no other cool bars in Silver Spring.

The Quarry House was extra dark inside (which I love), with old school wood paneling, tons of delicious bottled and draft beer and a live rockabilly band. 

It also had one of the best jukeboxes I've ever seen -- everything from Iggy's Raw Power by Iggy Pop to a Bill Withers greatest hits CD (I put on "Use Me" but never heard it play).

Next time I'm out in Silver Spring, the Quarry House is definitely a destination. I gotta do a nightlife column on it.

Posted by Sam Sessa at 10:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (19)
                    

I drove by a place called Silks on Hudson Street the other day and wondered what it was.

It kind of looks like a sports bar.

But I tried to find it the other night when we were out and about and didn't see any lit signs.

That makes me think it's a sports apparel store that's not open late.

Anybody know?

(Photo by me) 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 8:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (13)
                    

Swoll isn't just limited to muscles.

Heads can get swoll too.

Observe:

Posted by Sam Sessa at 9:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

Hung out at a little corner bar called Hooper's the other night.

It's right by Saute (2844 Hudson St.), but I can't find anything about it online -- which makes me like it even more ...

My buddy Fenton and I were the only ones there besides the bartender, who sat on a stool and watched The Perfect Storm on a big flat screen TV.

The TV, much like the beer prices, were way out of place. A bottle of Yuengling (none of the taps work) cost $3! But a game of pool was only 50 cents. Hmmm ...

I liked the wood paneling on the walls. Even though the smoking ban started months ago, the place still had a lingering odor of ciggys.

If the beer was cheaper I'd drop by the next time I'm in the area. But Saute is only a block over, and a draft of Clipper City McHenry was about $4 there. So I'll take a bigger selection of better beer for a buck more.

Posted by Sam Sessa at 1:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
                    

Good morning kids.

It's time for the five best gay- or gay-friendly bars in Baltimore.

This was a tough list for me, because my list of MS reader suggestions was rather ... limited.

But, being the brave leader that I am, I have decided to go ahead with the list. Here it is ... 

1. The Hippo, 1 W. Eager St.

Hippo knows how to party.  

2. Grand Central (pictured), 1001 N. Charles St.

Central is huge, and the service can be slow at times, but I like the atmosphere and decor.

3. The Rowan Tree, 1633 S. Charles St.

j wrote:  Long Live JOHNNY MAURO!!!! Queen is right in the respect that Rowan Tree deserves top honors with an asterik for Mr. Mauro.

4. Coconuts, 309 W. Madison St.

Lots of nearby parking, and a wild and crazy crowd. I'm down with Coconuts.

5. Crossroads, 3328 Foster Ave.

Read this story. Kupkake lives! 

(Photo from Sun archives) 

Posted by Sam Sessa at 9:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)