Why it's called Mother's
Mother's Federal Hill Grille (which is the topic of this week's nightlife column, by the way), isn't an homage to owner Dave Rather's mom.
The bar/restaurant is actually named after him.
His nickname is Mother Dave.
Curious as to how he got it?
Allow me ...
Rather earned the nickname Mother Dave in college. Back then, he was always the one who would plan parties and group events.
He also had a side business called Mom's Social Club, which he used to organize trips to New Orleans and New Year's eve parties. There is also a Mom's Ball in New Orleans, Rather said.
"It takes a little bit of my nickname and a little bit of New Orleans flair, which is near and dear to our hearts," he said.
Rather is a nice guy. But he also likes a little mischief now and then. I had lunch with him once (at Mother's, and yes, I paid for my sandwich), and we sat by a window looking out on South Charles Street.
Halfway through lunch, we spotted a homeless man emerge from an alleyway across the street. The homeless man took off his shirt and his shorts (he wasn't wearing boxers) and proceeded to dance naked on the sidewalk.
Rather whipped out his cell phone camera and started snapping away.
"Only in Baltimore baby!," he said.
(Photo by Gene Sweeney, Jr./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
Mother's isn't such a bad bar, as long as you go on an off night.
Posted by: Drew from Greektown | June 11, 2008 8:38 AM
I am really looking forward to some Purple Patio...
Posted by: TS | June 11, 2008 9:22 AM
Saw similar the last time I walked past the Hippodrome. A derelict came out of the alley with a fifth of liquor and proceeded to drop trou and hose down the front of the theatre while tourists obliviously snapped photos of themselves next to the show poster. I laughed just about as hard as the crazy homeless guy was laughing.
Posted by: bryaninTimonium | June 11, 2008 3:59 PM
Only in Baltimore indeed. Another man -- maybe it was the same guy -- was spotted unrobing and walking as naked as a jaybird Saturday at the corner of Franklin and Park.
Posted by: maryann | June 11, 2008 4:22 PM
Baltimore needs Mother Dave to get back into the music business! Back when he owned the Funkbox, we we're consistently getting top bands (not surprisingly, tons of NOLA bands)...the current 8x10 is a shell of its former self.
Posted by: Jeff | June 12, 2008 10:17 AM