What bar would you miss the most?
With all this news of high-end restaurants like the Brass Elephant closing, it got me thinking: What bar would you miss the most, if it closed today? And why?
A colleague, Jacques Kelly, once encouraged me to patronize my favorite restaurants and bars, because even institutions (like the Brass Elephant and, say, Max's) aren't going to be here forever. And what's that old Cinderella tune about not knowing what you've got until it's gone? Or was that Joni Mitchell? Hee hee.
Seriously though, think about it -- what spot(s) would you miss the most?
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
By comparison, I already miss the Wharf Rat on Pratt. Someone needs to remove about 1/3 of the new TV's, and smoke about 1 case of pungent cigars to restore it to the former glory.
I'd really miss Brewer's, though. If the worst was to happen.
Posted by: chw | August 28, 2009 9:03 AM
The Hard Yacht Cafe
Posted by: shankman | August 28, 2009 9:09 AM
1. The Wharf Rat in Fells Point
2. The Mount Royal Tavern
3. The Mount Vernon Stable and Saloon
4. The Brewers Art
5. The Horse You Came In On
Posted by: Joe C. | August 28, 2009 9:17 AM
Mother's.
Posted by: JTK | August 28, 2009 9:32 AM
The Dizz. Aside from being one of the best neighborhood bars in the city, I'd really miss not having a great bar within 2 blocks from me.
Posted by: Allan | August 28, 2009 9:37 AM
Brewer's art. By far my favorite place.
Posted by: Pat | August 28, 2009 9:39 AM
Friends, by far.
Posted by: Meekrat | August 28, 2009 10:10 AM
Windup, Brewer's, Metro, Idle Hour
Posted by: One Mini Egg Too Many | August 28, 2009 11:13 AM
God this is going to wrack my brain all day long. I would most certainly miss Idle Hour supremely though.
Posted by: Evan | August 28, 2009 11:43 AM
The Dizz, for sure. The place is just great.
Posted by: gimmefiction | August 28, 2009 11:45 AM
Wharf Rat Brewers Art
Posted by: John Busteed | August 28, 2009 11:56 AM
Elliott's Pourhouse and Waterfront
Posted by: Gus | August 28, 2009 12:29 PM
the mount royal tavern--it's the last real bar in baltimore, hon...
Posted by: kim tyson | August 28, 2009 12:33 PM
BA - No DOubt.
Posted by: Anonymous | August 28, 2009 12:41 PM
Bad Decisions, Muggsy's, Mothers, Metropolitan, Corks bar
Posted by: Brian Niels | August 28, 2009 12:44 PM
Max's... nothing comes close as far as beer selection and beer-related special events. Definitely are other bars that would be missed, but I feel could be replaced.
Posted by: PaulMac | August 28, 2009 12:45 PM
I miss The Vine. The Wednesday night wine tasting was the best.
I would miss Brewer's Art and Little Havana.
Posted by: AC-M | August 28, 2009 12:45 PM
Without a doubt, Sherry's Show Bar on Pulaski Highway.
Posted by: AngelaChanning | August 28, 2009 12:48 PM
Angel's Rock Bar, Little Havana, Aqua, Velvet Rope, Gossips, Club Choices, Suite Ultra Lounge, Cancun Cantina,
Posted by: J.M. Giordano | August 28, 2009 12:58 PM
"Without a doubt, Sherry's Show Bar on Pulaski Highway." right on, Angela. Right on...
Posted by: J.M. Giordano | August 28, 2009 1:01 PM
Little Havana.
Posted by: TS | August 28, 2009 1:24 PM
Brewer's Art, hands down.
Posted by: KPohl | August 28, 2009 1:26 PM
I vote for Brewer's Art, but there are a lot of bars I'd really, really miss -- Idle Hour, Wharf Rat, Bertha's, Nevins, Pub Dog...
BTW, where are the 6 million Bad Decision shills today? I mean, it's only the greatest bar in the history of bars.
Posted by: BA | August 28, 2009 2:27 PM
brewer's. a year without a glass of their res would be a sad year indeed.
Posted by: ryan97ou | August 28, 2009 2:54 PM
Ottobar and Fletcher's... THE best places to see live music and get a drink.
Posted by: darthtater | August 28, 2009 3:37 PM
Pub Dog
Posted by: JD | August 28, 2009 3:41 PM
Catseye Pub would be a huge loss. Also Bertha's and J. Patrick's. The old school pilgrimage shrines cannot be replaced once they have passed on...
Posted by: Shamus | August 28, 2009 3:52 PM
Nothing will ever beat the two signs Sherry's used to have out front: "We got fat chicks" and "Fat Chicks & Cold Beer"
Posted by: Abject Disaster | August 28, 2009 4:59 PM
Sliders
Posted by: Chris G | August 28, 2009 8:22 PM
Slainte in Fells Point.
Posted by: Ideen | August 29, 2009 7:09 PM
1.) Brewers Art
2.) Little Havana
3.) 13th Floor
4.) Dionysus
5.) Mums
Posted by: SRP | August 29, 2009 7:51 PM
I agree with Angela. No doubt -- Sherrie's Show Bar. My others are:
1. Haven Place
2. Ponca Bird
3. Shirley's Honey Hole
Posted by: Greg | August 30, 2009 8:22 PM
I think Shirley's Honey Hole was already shut down due to the number of "incidents" that took place both in and outside of the place.
Posted by: AngelaChanning | August 31, 2009 7:07 AM
J. Patricks's...best kept secret in Baltimore for years...nothing says great bar like falling in ceiling and local college pennants.
Posted by: baltojd | August 31, 2009 8:52 AM
A lot of you may be missing Little Havana sooner than you realize. Sam, didn't you mention a while back that their lease wasn't going to be renewed?
Posted by: Dave the wave | August 31, 2009 11:59 AM
I can't think of a bar I'd miss. You can miss people and things you once owned maybe, but how can you miss a bar? It's a building with stools and alcohol. What's there to miss? Just go someplace else. It's the same people everywhere anyway.
Posted by: johnnycat | August 31, 2009 7:13 PM
Ok, that's not funny. Whoever made that last post as me had better knock it off.
Posted by: johnnycat | September 1, 2009 8:55 AM
1)Mum's
2)Hamilton Tavern
3)Joe Squared
Posted by: bonnie | September 1, 2009 9:28 AM
1) Brewer's Art
2) The Laughing Pint
3) Mahaffey's
Oh...and maybe
4) Venice Tavern
Posted by: Shawn | September 1, 2009 1:09 PM
Oh boy. Johnnycat is laying out threats. Be careful, you may run into him at a club and beat you down with his flip flops.
Posted by: Him | September 1, 2009 4:21 PM
dave the wave -
the issue with little havana was that they own a piece of property and wish to relocate to it, but the city isn't allowing them. currently they aren't necessarily in any danger of losing the lease to their present location (last time i heard).
Posted by: Evan | September 1, 2009 6:38 PM
Him, if I ever saw you out on the town, I can assure you that there'd only be two sounds, me hitting you, and you hitting the floor. And if someone called the cops, that's all the better, as I know plenty of them personally.
Posted by: johnnycat | September 2, 2009 8:58 AM
I know it's not a bar- but as I was driving through scenic Brooklyn Park yesterday and I had a panic attack at the thought of El Salto closing. How would I live? I hope it never happens in my lifetime.
sidenote- I actually stopped posting this comment to text two friends to see if we could go today!
Mmmm.
Posted by: queen_colleen | September 2, 2009 11:16 AM
johnnycat, someone else pee in your litter box? You're so hostile today.
Posted by: Cardwell | September 2, 2009 11:46 AM
Oh Johnny, look at you? Threatning people on Sam's blog and boasting that you are friends with the cops. Well I'm a very lucky man since I normally only wear flip flops, that means I won't roll into you at the more sophisticated clubs. I may never go out again becuase you and all the people you know sound very tough.
Posted by: HIM | September 2, 2009 11:49 AM
Him, that's because you could probably only afford flip-flops. My shoes are made from hand tooled Italian leather, and probably cost more than you make in 6 months. So yes, I'll be glad to see you cowering in your dank tv filled bar, watching some sports game, like every other peon there.
Posted by: johnnycat | September 2, 2009 1:29 PM
Slainte in Fells Point is right on. They run their bar the way all Irish pubs should be run! If only they had another floor so they could have music too...
Posted by: baltimoregal | September 2, 2009 1:30 PM
All quotes added to johnnycat.txt for posterity
Posted by: Evan | September 2, 2009 1:39 PM
AGAIN WITH THE INSULTS? Someone needs to teach you some manners. You need to bring you and your fine italian leather shoes so you can be taught some manners. If you are a real man, we can settle this tonight. Go to 1 WEST EAGER STREET @ 10pm so you can be taught some respect. Don't worry, this place respects finely tooled shoes. Let's see if you are man enough to show up. My guess is you will enjoy your education.
Posted by: HIM | September 2, 2009 3:21 PM
Aahahahahahahaha Him you are awesome
Posted by: Evan | September 2, 2009 3:47 PM
Actually, Him, I am gay. But don't worry, I'm way more man than you could ever take. The Hippo is a wonderful establishment, with a great and fantastically loyal patron base. Are you gay-bashing now? Because if so, I know a couple of my friends there could give YOU quite the education.
Posted by: johnnycat | September 2, 2009 3:58 PM
God this thread has gotten weird. I'm considering ending it.
Posted by: Sam Sessa | September 2, 2009 4:04 PM
OK, let's recap:
kitty litter is....
1. a cyberbully
2. knows lots of crooked cops
3. wears expensive shoes
4. hates flip flops
5. claims to make alot of money
6. still hates television
7. likes men
8. has smart friends
i think we're caught up now. thanks johnnycat. i think we're all better for reading your posts.
Posted by: Cardwell | September 2, 2009 4:14 PM
Allow me to end it Sam. The fine tooled shoes causes no doubt. Thus the Hippo address. I'm straight and have been to the Hippo and everyone I've ever met in the gay community has been welcoming and has never threatened me. So please don't pull the gay bashing card.
You are one of the few people I know on this blog, gay or otherwise, that continually insults peoples opinions on this board and offers nothing really positive. You are one of the few angry gay men I've ever encountered that has hated everything from Baltimore to flip flops.
The point of these emails is to elicit a laugh or two and push your buttons which I have obviously done. Lighten up buddy, life is short. And for everyone's sake, don't threaten people on a blog.
To Sam: I apologize if this has caused you any trouble. That was not my goal. I'm out!
Posted by: HIM | September 2, 2009 4:49 PM
Hi,
I will miss The Brewers Art. It's so cozy and I feel like being in Haven. Thanks for sharing this article.
Posted by: accessoires telephonie | October 1, 2009 12:35 AM