You're in Baltimore for the first time. Where do you go out?
I recently found myself in the lobby of the Tremont Plaza Hotel, where I spotted this touch-screen Interactive City Guide marquee.
Ever seen these things? This was the first time I came across one. I fooled around with it a bit, and it gave me a list of the city's top hot spots for nightlife.
City-wide lists like this one are rarely up to date. And sure enough, there were a couple spots (The Spy Club, for one) that are closed.
Update: The Spy Club is not closed. It just has scaled back hours. And there is no longer a sign on the front of the building advertising it. My apologies for the confusion.
Overall, I thought it wasn't a bad list, considering.
I'd like to see more under-the-radar spots on it. Then again, they wouldn't be under-the-radar spots anymore if they were on the list.
I wonder -- are these podiums at any other city hotels.
(Photo by me)
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
Peters Inn, thats where I would have my First and Last Meal
Posted by: Mike from OC | May 8, 2009 8:11 AM
So what does it list as the city's top hot spots for nightlife?
Posted by: TJ | May 8, 2009 8:51 AM
Brewers, Grand Cru (on a warm evening), 13th Floor, Max's Tap House, or Ropewalk
Those are the usual crowd favorites for out of town guests. And to top off the evening pizza from BOP.
Posted by: Matthew | May 8, 2009 8:52 AM
I would go straight to Fells and sit on the water. Perhaps Duclaws for dinner and then Waterfront or maybe Max's.
Perhaps Little Havana, as well... Gotta get some harbor face time.
Posted by: duffster | May 8, 2009 9:49 AM
I heard from a bartender at the Midtown Yacht Club that the Spy Club still opens on Friday nights
Posted by: Dave the wave | May 8, 2009 9:50 AM
I agree with Matthew on Brewer's Art or Grand Cru. I'd add Hamilton Tavern, Joe Squared, and maybe a Charles-Metro Gallery meander if there's a good movie or a show.
Posted by: bonnie | May 8, 2009 9:53 AM
baltimore coffee and tea. in the morning.
Posted by: howie | May 8, 2009 10:14 AM
As long as you're at the Hamilton Tavern, you could stop in at The Shamrock, or The Holiday House. Two old school Hamilton bars that haven't changed in 30 years. Also your best chance for a John Waters sighting.
Posted by: RayRay | May 8, 2009 10:15 AM
Yeah, Spy Club is most definitely not closed. It just has irregular weekend hours. Perhaps you should have taken a walk down the street or picked up a phone before you proclaimed it dead.
Posted by: Maria | May 8, 2009 10:46 AM
Hey guys, sorry for the confusion, I updated the post about the Spy Club.
Posted by: Sam Sessa | May 8, 2009 10:54 AM
Why oh why would a bar have irregular hours on the weekends? My CSI sense is tingling. Another bar DOA? Kelly's... The Spy club... Rumor Alert?
Posted by: Eeyore | May 8, 2009 12:55 PM
JDs to blackout
Posted by: Justin | May 8, 2009 3:14 PM
Spy Club is just the second floor of the Midtown Yacht Club,, not really a separate bar. They open it on the weekends there's a big enough crowd downstairs to warrant it.
Posted by: Maria | May 8, 2009 3:16 PM
You "recently found yourself" in the Tremont Plaza Hotel? I wonder how that could have happened.... :o)
Posted by: amie | May 9, 2009 12:30 PM