Aaaand I'm back!
At least for a week or two. Then it's off to the honeymoon, when you'll be subjected to more guest posts. But for now, Sam Sessa is back in action.
I see at least one person missed me while I was gone. Even though the rest of you didn't comment about missing me, I'm sure you all cried yourselves to sleep every night. Right?
While I was away, Midnight Sun commenter Jay Trucker e-mailed me about Kelly's (2108 Eastern Ave.). He went there this past Saturday, and saw a sign on the door that said "Kelly's will be closed until further notice."
That's usually the kiss of death for a bar/restaurant ...
I called the place, but the phone kept ringing. I'll try calling again this afternoon. Anybody know more?
I always meant to get to Kelly's, but never had the pleasure. I know commenter jmgiordano was a fan of the place. jmgiordano, do you know anything about it closing? Jay Trucker also liked Kelly's. In his e-mail, he wrote:
I am hopeful that they will re-open because Kelly's, thoughy dive-y and redneck-y in many ways, was also a fun and inexpensive place to drink and sing karaoke on the weekends. The place had lots of character.
Who can tell me what's going on?
(Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.)
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
SAM!!!
I AM SO HAPPY YOUR BACK. It has not been great around here. But my life has been terrific. This weekend I went to Bertucci's with Max and we watched the Ghost Rider movie on television. Just my sort of weekend!! How was Kellyys?
SUE
Posted by: Sue Hopper | May 6, 2009 11:27 AM
Welcome back Sam. I think you should ride a horse everywhere in town.
Posted by: Owl Meat Gravy | May 6, 2009 11:30 AM
Congrats and welcome back Sam!
Posted by: Sturmy | May 6, 2009 11:54 AM
Sue you are awesome.
I went to Kelly's just before I went on vacation last week and belted out some super awesome Bad Company - we tried to go there last Friday again but it was closed. I'm pretty bummed out, Kelly's is/was definitely in my top three favorite karaoke joints.
Posted by: Evan | May 6, 2009 1:52 PM
I once sang (screeched?) "Sweet Child O' Mine" at Kelly's, Well, at least until they just shut off the music half-way through in order to get me to stop. I was just trying to show off my Axl swagger/dance. I was going to go for "Don't Cry" next, just to see if I could still hold that last note all the way through (I used to be abel to when the album first came out), but alas, they wouldn't allow me an encore.
Fun time though...
Posted by: TheBeav | May 6, 2009 2:11 PM
Shame. Kelly's was a key stop on any dive/drunken karaoke crawl through B'more. It was the perfect end to night of Kisling's wings and Patterson "boh -ling" (byo!).
Posted by: 21224 | May 6, 2009 3:18 PM
Evan, what are the other bars in your top 3 for karaoke list? Have a replacement for Kelly's?
Oh yeah, welcome back Sam!
Posted by: Dave the wave | May 6, 2009 3:58 PM
Hey Sam. Thanks posting this for me. I am glad that there are others out there who also have good memories of Kelly's.
Sorry to be emailing you about karaoke bars on your wedding day. I had no idea you would be riding elephants while I was pining over PBR and instrumental versions of "Every Rose."
Has anyone out there talked to Rich or Kelly (who coincidentally bought the bar that shares her name) about the closing?
Posted by: Jay in Fells Point | May 6, 2009 8:34 PM
On a different topic (but one that was discussed here at length a while back), Red House Tavern has officially closed its doors for good. Last Thursday was the last night, where everything was offered for $2.
Posted by: Janet | May 7, 2009 9:10 AM
Janet, I tried calling them yesterday, and didn't get an answer, so I figured they had closed. I'll post about it asap.
Posted by: Sam Sessa | May 7, 2009 11:13 AM
Dave,
other top two are Walt's Inn and Nevin's, until further notice.
Posted by: Evan | May 7, 2009 11:14 AM
Really, Evan? No mention of Paul's? I'm a little hurt.
Posted by: BA | May 7, 2009 12:17 PM
OH DIP BA!!! MY BAD!!!
I'll expand the list to five, Paul's comes in fourth. (coz i've only been there once for karaoke)
Posted by: Evan | May 7, 2009 2:25 PM
Welcome back, Sam. I think I almost singlehandedly killed your blog with my guest post.
Posted by: Ryan Graham | May 7, 2009 2:26 PM
Ryan Graham, hey, if the blog survived Tim Lumber, you couldn't possibly do any serious damage ;)
Posted by: Stebbin | May 7, 2009 9:56 PM
Evan,
Do you know there is a karaoke version of the Rocky Horror Picture Show soundtrack?
The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Sing It!
(The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Minus The Lead Vocals) [KARAOKE]
http://www.amazon.com/Rocky-Horror-Picture-Show-Soundtrack/dp/B0000033NO/ref=pd_sim_m_47
Posted by: GDA | May 7, 2009 10:22 PM
I may be completely wrong with this, but through a higher source the city will suspend or negate the opportunity to renew your liquor license when back taxes are not paid. Apparently they were to be paid and licenses renewed by April 30th.(Red House coincidentally closed on 4/30) This could be the reason for closure of some of these establishments and perhaps once they are paid we may see these joints reopen.
Posted by: Dominic Cantalupo | May 8, 2009 12:50 PM
Passed Kelly's today and saw signs for a property/fixtures/license auction in Sept.
Posted by: Heather | August 15, 2009 12:36 PM
September 9 at 11 AM you can have a chance to own Kelly's bar! 250,000 is the buy in.
Posted by: Fat kids are harder 2 kidnap | August 25, 2009 9:22 PM
Just an FYI, Kelly's should be reopening in the early part of 2010 under a new name w/ new ownership, management and with a new staff, beer/wine list, menu (predominantly artisan/neapolitan style pizza) and with new decor. The bar itself is wonderful and we hope to re-introduce it as another neighborhood favorite for years to come. We'll also be changing the solid door and glassblock windows out for something a bit more inviting as well as improving the fascia and side brick. The new owners of the building will also be renovating the apartments upstairs or 2106 and 2108 Eastern Ave as rentals. We hope to see everyone swing thru! - Rich
Posted by: Rich Pugh | December 13, 2009 4:56 PM
p.s., If we are approved for the 'Live Entertainment' license/permit, we will also be carrying on the Karaoke tradition :)
Posted by: Rich Pugh | December 13, 2009 4:58 PM