Billabong is closed
Billabong Bar has closed.
Sorry -- this is kind of stale news. I've been swamped lately, and have a bunch of backlogged blogs.
Brian McComas and the other folks invoved with the Ryleigh's/Billabong/Taverna Corvino franchise decided to move the license from Billabong to the forthcoming Federales Cantina. It's right around the corner on South Charles Street (across from the market).
The building that housed Billbong needed tons of repairs, and McComas said he couldn't justify pouring a lot of money into the place.
(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
Now where will I host the 1st Annual Baltimore Knifey-Spooney contest?
Posted by: bryaninbrisbane | September 2, 2009 8:53 AM
Hey Sam, how about dialing this shadeball up and asking him when Federales is opening? Fed Hill is screaming for an alternative to the dogfood at No Way Jose.
Posted by: Frankie Sez | September 2, 2009 9:14 AM
Frankie,
Last time I talked to him, he said it would be in the next couple months -- if I remember correctly. Avery's Pearl has been put on hiatus.
Posted by: Sam Sessa | September 2, 2009 2:54 PM
Yeah, he couldn't justify pouring $$$ into the place? He NEVER did put any $$$ into it from the beginning. Paint, a name, and a weak-a$$ theme do not a bar make. He just wanted the license so he could move it around his fiefdom. No, I'm not a jaded former employee, or slighted business associate. Just sick of seeing people not living up to their end when it comes to delivering on promises. i.e. - TAPS comes to mind.
Posted by: Leonidas | September 2, 2009 10:59 PM
The building that housed Billbong needed someone who cared, McComas never did as Leonidas already pointed out. For the amount of money he put into the place he should have bought a pushcart.
Posted by: Stebbin | September 4, 2009 8:20 PM
Brain is a business owner and he has and is, improving the hood. Be happy that he is making change. Oh...... I forgot, the only person that likes change, is a baby. Keep going Brian!
Posted by: WT | September 4, 2009 10:40 PM
WT,
Congratulations! You make no sense. So if I don't like change, I'm an adult? What change has Brian done that improved the hood. Seriously, what has he done. Please don't say he runs a business or donates 10% of profits for one night's events. Also, I've seen many babies and/or children whose diaper has been changed and it wasn't for the better. Man, just look at that pic! Who in their right mind would say, "That place looks awesome! Let's try it! Oh I'm up for the dive bars but to paint poopstone blue and call it an Aussie bar is just plain insulting to the bar going public.
Stebbin,
Pushcart = Hi-larious.
Posted by: Leonidas | September 5, 2009 8:41 PM
Without a doubt, Brian has changed the food game in Federal Hill. I both live in the hood and have my office here as well. At least once a week I am taking clients there for lunch or dinner. So let's give a little credit where credit is due.
Billabong was nasty and not up to those standards. It also was never really busy. Any idea what they are gonna do with the building now?
Posted by: eCommerce Consultant | September 6, 2009 12:03 PM
Unless the law has changed, McComas' name can't be on a liquor license.
Btw, the "shadeball" description is too kind.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 13, 2009 12:26 PM