I drink alone
Well, only sometimes. But this post on Dining@Large got me thinking about drinking alone.
What bars do you hit up when you want to drink alone?
There's a perception that people who drink alone are alcoholics or just plain pathetic, and I think that's bogus. I read once that even actor Ralph Fiennes likes to drink alone. So there!
Heck, I can think of a few reasons why I like to drink alone from time to time -- and not just because I can't sucker somebody into joining me for a nightlife column ...
First off, there are plenty of places with welcoming regulars and chatty bartenders, if you feel like talking to somebody. And tons of bars have live music you can sit and watch.
But I also like sitting at the end of a bar by myself. It helps me brainstorm, or just relax. And the best bartenders can sense when you want to be alone, and leave you with your drink.
Some of the places I like to hit up when I'm by myself are Bad Decisions in Fells Point, Idle Hour in Federal Hill, One World Cafe by Hopkins, the Laughing Pint, Joe Squared and the Windup Space, among others. These are just the first few that came to mind.
You got a few for me?
(Photo of the Knotty Pine, another place I think would be welcoming to solo drinkers, by Sun photographer Algerina Perna)
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
"Drinking alone is a telltale sign that you know better than to put up with anybody's bull(droppings)."
-The Onion
Posted by: JD | January 29, 2009 2:16 PM
*cough* i think sam needs some suggestions on where to drink alone since he will be all by his lonesome for the entire month of february. midnightsun, give him places to go and things to do!
Posted by: a | January 29, 2009 2:24 PM
For me they are three different "drinking alone" categories. The first is when you go out to your regular place alone, but you're bound to run in to someone you know. You might, technically be drinking alone, but not for long.
The second is when you just want to relax and unwind with a good bartender who can keep a drink full and not talk.
The third is what I call Satre drinking. It is when hell is other people and you want to get drunk and not see any of the reasons you're drinking.
Each requires a different bar.
Posted by: Ted | January 29, 2009 2:40 PM
I like Henningers in my neighborhood (Fells) because you can go there and see all of your friends and have great conversation OR you can take a book and sit at the bar while drinking a few to get away from the masses...
Posted by: Don | January 29, 2009 4:03 PM
When it comes to solo drinking, I like Porters and Metropolitan (both in Fed Hill) and Ale Mary's in Fells.
Or for a very different type of drinking "alone," there's always Scores.
Posted by: BA | January 29, 2009 4:17 PM
Well there is always my sofa. But drinking alone while "out" is kind of hard when you are a regular so many place.
I like Patrick's in Locus Point, Mums, Mount Royal Tavern, or Idle Hour.
If I really don't want to run into anyone, I head down to the Bernie and find a chain restaurant like Bill Batmans or Bennigans.
I drank a bottle of wine for company. It was Chateau Margaux. It was pleasant to be drinking slowly and to be tasting the wine and to be drinking alone. A bottle of wine was good company.
Ernest Hemingway
Posted by: Otter | January 30, 2009 10:19 AM
I would totally eat at Bill Batman's
Posted by: Evan | January 30, 2009 10:57 AM
No, Evan, Bill Bateman's would totally eat at you.
Posted by: Sam Sessa | January 30, 2009 12:41 PM
I actually like going to Dog Pub (which will always be Thirsty Dog to me) on Cross Street alone on weeknights. The staff is so friendly! I never feel like a loser there. Plus, of course, the beer is great. Peach, specifically.
Posted by: Jessica | January 30, 2009 4:22 PM
When I want to drink alone, I head over to Leon's. I always feel young and pretty there. :-)
Posted by: Angela Channing | February 2, 2009 6:10 AM
i hate u all..drinking alone is only for bada$# motherf$#@@ get bent
Posted by: koolkidkramer | April 27, 2010 3:53 PM
I always liked Tyson's for drinking alone. Nice conversation, always interesting.
The ideal drinking alone bar has three elements combined: social if you'd like, hide in a corner if you need, and an acquaintance to warn you when one of your good reasons just walked into the bar.
Koolkidkramer, please step away from the computer until you get an interlock device on it.
Posted by: Meekrat | April 28, 2010 9:42 AM