The frustrations of being a nightlife critic
Let me tell you about last Friday night.
I had heard that Club Phantom (2314 Boston St.) was finally open for business, so my pal Crazy Joe and I went to check it out.
We put on semi-nice clothes (from the outside, Club Phantom looks like it might have a dress code) and hit up the club.
It was closed. Nobody was there and the place was dark.
Then I remembered Coburn's Tavern (2921 O'Donnell St., pictured) had recently closed and reopened under new management. So Crazy Joe and I went to check it out.
Nothing had changed.
At least, nothing significant ...
Then I remembered a new bar/lounge called Clutch was supposed to be replacing Tiburzi's. So Crazy Joe and I went to check it out.
It wasn't open yet.
Believe it or not, this happens on a fairly regular basis in the world of Baltimore bars and clubs. For whatever reason, it is infinitely easier to get a hold of restaurant owners than bar owners.
Restaurants usually have Web sites/regular hours/a listed phone number. Bars and clubs increasingly do not, which makes me increasingly annoyed.
We ended up at Mahaffey's Pub (2706 Dillon St.), where we had a great time. But I can't just publish a review for the sake of publishing a review. There has to be something new or at least different about the place. In journo-speak, it's called a "peg."
As far as I could tell, there was no peg for a Mahaffey's review. And that, dear readers, is why there will be no nightlife column this week.
(Top photo by Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun. Bottom photo from Sun archives.)
I've been The Baltimore Sun's nightlife and local entertainment reporter for a couple years, and it's surprising how much the scene has grown in that time. Most of Baltimore's bars and clubs are unpretentious places with fairly cheap drinks and plenty of character. I like dancing and think this city needs more clubs, but nothing beats having a cold, locally brewed beer with friends in a comfortably full corner bar.
Comments
Mahaffey's has like the biggest frigging hamburgers in the world. They're enormous. For that I like them, but their beers are pretty expensive.
Posted by: Evan | April 8, 2009 9:56 AM
I understand your frustration, but I think you should be grateful that you weren't subject to Club Phantom (or Phatom, according to some poorly spelled signs).
Posted by: KB | April 8, 2009 10:05 AM
when in doubt - people always seem to end up at Mahaffey's
Posted by: ed | April 8, 2009 10:13 AM
Tough life.
Posted by: Jay in Fells Point | April 8, 2009 10:24 AM
Look at the bright side: You got to drink on the Sun's dime (I hope you're expensing your mileage as well) and don't have to write anything.
Posted by: Elizabeth the Restaurant Critic | April 8, 2009 10:37 AM
*cough* would you like some cheese with that.....
=)
Posted by: amie | April 8, 2009 11:02 AM
Life is hard!
Posted by: JTK | April 8, 2009 12:03 PM
Maheffey's did just get new windows! PEG!
Posted by: Mike W. | April 8, 2009 12:31 PM
"...but their beers are pretty expensive."
considering the rarity/quality of beers that they serve, mahaff's is damn cheap... and that's before you factor in the 3 beers for $4 happy hours.
Posted by: dave | April 8, 2009 1:29 PM
Yeah, I'm a total cheapskate, and I think Mahaffey's is a deal, especially during HH.
Although it's less of a deal when you factor in the cost of drinking to the point of clumsiness and dropping your fancy new phone in the ladies' toilet. Sigh.
Posted by: pomme de terre | April 8, 2009 4:41 PM
Since the thread is now about Mahaffey's, their 3 for 4(.25) 10-oz mugs happy hour is the best deal around. Shame I never get over there.....
Posted by: LiquorBoarding | April 8, 2009 8:56 PM
An amazing happy hour, to be sure. I was referring to the $4.50 Harp I received in a plastic cup the last time I was there. Granted that's probably not the standard but it left an impression.i
Posted by: Evan | April 8, 2009 9:02 PM
Mr. F.,
Evan likes his 3 for $5 14-oz glasses happy hour over the otherside of the pond. If I may speak on the behalf of Evan. You are more than welcome to stop by sometime. It's a shame you never get over here ;)
Posted by: jason | April 8, 2009 11:38 PM
Sounds like maybe you've found your peg? The fact that so many bars are run by shady operators?
Posted by: Whoa | April 10, 2009 12:52 PM