Baltimore Magazine's 2009 list of award-winning watering holes
For a couple weeks now, I've been meaning to post a list of the bars and clubs that won awards in Baltimore Magazine's Best of Baltimore 2009 issue. Sorry it's taken so long. Let me know if I missed any.
Here goes the link fest:
For libations: Pazo won Best Scene, The Wine Market won Best Wine List, V-NO won Wino Heaven, Annabel Lee Tavern won Best Bar For Grown-Ups, Max's Taphouse (obviously) won Best Beer Selection (I mean, what other Baltimore bar can compete?).
The Metro Gallery took home Best New Bar, the Cat's Eye Pub won Best Live Music Bar, City Cafe won Best Happy Hour (hmm ...) and City Limits won Best Sports Bar ...
Also: Taylors Stoneleigh Bowling Alley won Best Bowling Alley (after reading about it, I've got to get to this place), Victoria Gastro Pub won Best 'Burbs Bar, the Kitty Kat Bar won Best Dive Bar (read this), Don't Know Tavern won Best Game Night, Zodiac's DJ John Eaton won Best Dance Party, Club Charles (rightfully) won Best Jukebox, Classic Animal Hipster Karaoke won Best Karaoke.
And I think it's worth noting: The Jewel of Russia, which, at $18.50, might just be the most expensive martini in Baltimore, won a Splurge! award. Served at the Prime Rib (pictured), the martini was described by B-Mag as "the most seamless tasting vodka you'll ever sip." At almost $20, I'd certainly hope so.
(Photo by Brendan Cavanaugh/P3 Imaging Inc.)
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
I love me some City Cafe! They do have a pretty decent HH, 2 for 1. They have good specials during the week too.
Posted by: BaltBabs | August 10, 2009 2:15 PM
Babs,
Maybe I'm wrong -- I haven't been to CC in a while. But the last few times I've been there, I've marveled at how steep the prices are. It seems to me that 2 for 1 there = regular prices everywhere else.
Posted by: Sam Sessa | August 10, 2009 2:26 PM
Sam -- I haven't been since March/April myself. I think their cocktail prices are comparable, but wine by the glass is above average. I do think some of their entree prices a little high, but I've never had a bad meal there!
Posted by: Anonymous | August 10, 2009 2:33 PM
All of these awards pale in comparison to the winners of the "Best of the Best of the Best".
Posted by: Sturmy | August 10, 2009 3:23 PM
The rankings seem bogus to me for some of the awards...how does Attman's not win for best deli...Fredas?
Posted by: Anonymous | August 11, 2009 12:14 AM
I can't see paying anything for a vodka martini. They're supposed to be made of gin, dagnabit.
Posted by: Jon Parker | August 11, 2009 3:55 PM