Where to take the parents out in Baltimore
Midnight Sun guest poster Brian Ryder compiled this list of his favorite spots to take parents out in Baltimore:
A fun place for to take your parents out to isn’t always easy to find.
After hosting several annual family outings over the years, I’ve come up with a list of nightspots to take your parents in Baltimore. Most are causal places, in different city neighborhoods and have a very distinct feel. Hopefully your folks will leave with a good impression of the city you call home ...
Dead End Saloon – Fells Point
Atmosphere: A classic Baltimore bar with room to stretch out and enjoy a good dinner.
For You: Great drink prices and a menu for everyone.
For Parents: Let's just say they will not feel like they are the oldest patrons.
Ryleigh's Oyster – Federal Hill
Atmosphere: A well polished tavern on a nice setting on Cross Street.
For You: Fun neighborhood, with a lot of after dinner options.
For Parents: Maybe on the busy side of bars, but a good place to people watch.
Shuckers – Fells Point
Atmosphere: Perfect for the 'main family event' -- birthdays, etc…
For You: Show them you can pick a great place for an important occasion.
For Parents: Plan ahead and get a row of tables along the windows on the water. They’ll love it.
Laughing Pint (pictured) – Highlandtown
Atmosphere: Happiest bar in Baltimore; thoroughly enjoyable.
For You: Great for small get-togethers with the folks for either drinks, dinner or both.
For Parents: Excellent specialty drinks, good draft selection and background music to permit conversation (if that is deemed desirable).
Coburns Tavern – Canton
Atmosphere: A bright, inviting place on O'Donnell Square with a bit fancier fare for the square.
For You: Enjoy a bar setting in a restaurant context.
For Parents: Enjoy a bar setting in a restaurant context.
(Sun archive photo)
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
Illusions in Fed Hill is entertaining and a good atmosphere...i think they do magic shows at 10pm on fridays and saturday nites...ive been to one and it was good. crowd was older (read: mature) than the rest of the bars around there...
Posted by: Daniel Jacks | May 26, 2009 10:45 AM
My folks always like going to Kooper's and Slainte when they come downtown to visit.
Posted by: oneeyedcarmen | May 26, 2009 12:25 PM
How does Illusions work? Can you just walk in and have a drink or do you pay admission/cover charge? I have always walked past this place and never thought of it as a place to grab a qucik drink.
Posted by: Chris | May 26, 2009 1:30 PM
Can't wait for my "parents night out"!
Posted by: themom | May 27, 2009 8:51 AM
I've been once. There was no cover, place was packed during the act, and we just stood near the front corner of the bar and had a few beers...magician was really talented, quite a surprise.
Posted by: daniel jacks | May 28, 2009 2:49 PM
Next, you should compile a list of places to take out the sisters!!
Posted by: Em! | May 28, 2009 4:41 PM
Jack's Bistro is my fav. Great food and cozy atmosphere, a beer list to rival all the other reputable beer bars, an unexpectedly respectable wine list, with wine and beer enthusiast employees and music that's vibey and at a decible where you can actually carry a converstation
Posted by: steveketch | May 30, 2009 4:54 AM
I've enjoyed all the places Brian has taken us. Laughing Pint was great, soup and salad to die for.
Posted by: Susan Ryder | June 4, 2009 5:15 PM