Get thee to the Hamilton Tavern
The new Hamilton Tavern (5517 Harford Road) is a smashing success.
At 11 p.m. last Thursday there was not an empty seat inside the place -- a testament to owner Tom Creegan.
Creegan's one of the co-owners of Brewer's Art. And the Brewer's Art crew knows how to run a bar. Just look at the Annabel Lee Tavern.
The Hamilton Tavern has a turn-of-the-century farm feel. A wooden scythe handle is bolted to the door, and saws, rakes and even an old-fashioned oyster digger are inside.
There were two beers on tap the other night -- Resurrection and Troegs. Mmmm. But I especially liked the bathrooms ...
There are pages from old books torn out and lacquered onto the walls! Gives you something to look at, ya know. Creegan said his wife Felicia Carter came up with the idea.
The Hamilton Tavern has high ceilings and smells like freshly lacquered wood. It's dark inside -- as most bars should be -- and has plenty of character.
Even though the Hamilton Tavern has only been open for a couple weeks, it's easy to see that Creegan has a hit on his hands.
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
"But I especially liked the bathrooms ...
There are pages from old books torn out and lacquered onto the walls! Gives you something to look at, ya know."
Sounds like you spend way too much in the gents if are interested/appreciative that there are things on the wall to look at/inspect.
Posted by: GDA | September 8, 2008 11:55 AM
I think I was there at the same time you were on Thursday....
Yes, it is a very cool place. The food is also great, especially the onion rings. Plus, it's stumbling distance from my house! Hamilton seems to be experiencing a bit of a renaissance lately. Clementine recently opened down the street and it's also pretty amazing. And supposedly there's a 50s diner opening where the Golden Key used to be?
Posted by: Ryan Graham | September 9, 2008 5:35 PM