The Rowhouse Grille will (hopefully) open soon
The Rowhouse Grille, South Baltimore's newest restaurant and bar, is just about ready to open.
According to co-owner Patrick Dahlgren, The Rowhouse, which replaced the Light Street Station at 1400 Light St., could have a soft opening as early as two weeks from now.
Don't hold your breath, though. That schedule depends on city inspections, permits, etc. all happening on time. And those kinds of things rarely go as planned.
Dahlgren gave me a tour of the building, which is pretty impressive. If you ever went to the Light Street Station, you'd never recognize it now ...
The building itself has been completely gutted and redone -- from the new oak bar to the new cherry wood floorboards. The second floor, which will be opened later than the downstairs, has a lounge with a fireplace, chandelier and high ceiling.
"The upstairs is a lot different than any place around here," Dahlgren said. He's right.
Dahlgren and his business partner Joseph Flynn installed eight taps upstairs and down, as well as two flat screen TVs behind the downstairs bar. Neither Dahlgren or Flynn have worked much in the service business before -- they're both "first-timers," as Dahlgren said.
Since Dahlgren is the step-son of Baltimore brew guru Hugh Sisson (the man who founded the Clipper City empire), you can expect to see plenty of Clipper City beers on tap. That's fine by me.
Dahlgren promised to keep us posted with the soft- and grand-opening dates. Stay tuned.
(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
I live just around the corner from this new place and look forward to its opening. I just hope they controll all aspects of the bar. Do your neighbors right don't become a bad neighbor. Hope the food is not just bar style and the almostphire is family friendly. Good
luck.
Posted by: Melvin | September 16, 2009 4:07 PM
I live in Federal Hill and received a notice that someone bought the liq license from boomerangs and is planning on opening another mexican bar across from cross st market. Instead of wasting money on something fed hill doesnt need since there are 2 mexican bars already why not ask around and see what people think. I bet it closes within a year.
Posted by: Mike | September 17, 2009 10:13 AM
You must be mistaken, Boomerang's closed about 5-6 years ago and is now Mad River. The liquor license is being transferred from Billabong (the space that used to be Turner's)
I agree, Fedhill doesnt really need a 3rd mexican joint (4th if you include Elvis carryout) but this is being brought to you by the same group as Ryleighs/Taverna Corvino/Billabong...., its been in the works for several years and I see good things coming from it. Should have better, authentic Mexican than No Way and a more welcoming bar area than Blue Agave
Posted by: Anonymous | September 17, 2009 11:19 AM
not for nothing but i really really hope they avoid the "upscale pub" approach that is saturating the market right now. i'm pretty sick of that shtick.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 17, 2009 11:58 AM
I HAVE BEEN INSIDE TO SEE THE ROWHOUSE AND IT IS AMAZING LOOKING. DARK WOOD TRIM ON THE WALLS AND CEILING, MOSAIC TILE ON THE BAR, EVERYTHING NEW! THIS IS 1000X'S BETTER THAN THE OLD LIGHT STREET STATION! AS A NEIGHBOR, I AM SO EXCITED TO HAVE A NEW, CLEAN PLACE TO GO AND DRINK AND EAT. BICYCLE CLOSED AND NOW I DON'T HAVE TO HANG WITH A BUNCH OF DRUNK PEOPLE FROM MOTHER'S TO GO OUT IN FED HILL NOW. I CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS PLACE TO OPEN!
Posted by: totally anonymous | September 17, 2009 1:48 PM
woah.
Posted by: Sam Sessa | September 17, 2009 1:50 PM
I think I just saw an ambulance pull up to totally anonymous's house. Yep, they are wheeling him out on a stretcher with an IV of purple liquid. Is that Drank?
Posted by: Owl Meat GABA | September 17, 2009 1:58 PM
stop yelling, i'm too hungover too read that
Posted by: Anonymous | September 18, 2009 11:50 AM
I am going to go to the RowHouse until last call every single night. When they close, I am going to stand outside and scream "MELVIN!!!!" over and over.
MELVIN!!!
Posted by: Stink | September 19, 2009 12:58 PM
whose melvin
Posted by: Anonymous | September 19, 2009 1:44 PM
Whose Melvin is a very good question. I have heard that people have been leaving their Melvins outside bars all over town and it's hard to tell who they belong to anymore.
Posted by: Scurvy Emu | September 21, 2009 1:42 PM
Hey Melvin- why did you ever buy a home near a bar in the first place....it seems to me that you're the "bad neighbor".....everybody else is looking for a really good time thus the idea of having bars at walking distance....
respectfully,
last call (and then some)
Posted by: ANONYMOUS | September 21, 2009 4:34 PM
Scurvy Emu you have me cracking up with your answer, thank you for that.
It's unrelated to the post, but since it's been brought up...I thought Federales was supposed to run the self proclaimed upscale route?
I saw the banner above the door with the lame, stereotypical poncho wearing drunk on it, what gives?
Posted by: Neighbor | September 22, 2009 11:03 AM
I like RowHouses....This one is special because Dahlgren is my first grandson...and he is very special. Nana.
Posted by: Joan Marconi | September 23, 2009 11:01 PM
Good Luck to the RowHouse. I've heard the food is going to be excellent. I live further south. Idle Hour is great for drinks and atomosphere, but i could use a bar with great food that isn't around the cross st bustle.
Posted by: Jim Flavor | September 26, 2009 12:55 PM
According to the signs on the door, Rowhouse will be open today. Looking forward to checking it out.
Posted by: CD | October 22, 2009 9:32 AM
I'll be stopping by tonight for a cold one............good luck Row Houe Grille!
Posted by: BJL | October 22, 2009 1:26 PM
Light Street Bar Crawl anyone?
good luck
Posted by: jason z | October 22, 2009 1:43 PM
We went to the Rowhouse the other night and liked it a lot. We are also neighbors from around the corner, and imagine we will be spending a good amount of time and casual nights out there. I agree whole-heartedly with Melvin - good luck to the Rowhouse and be good neighbors. The owners seem like good people, I am sure they know that having support from local residents will contribute to greater success since we will be frequent patrons. We look forward to having dinner when the food menu comes out. Welcome to the neighborhood!
Posted by: another neighbor | October 24, 2009 4:02 PM
Another neighbor ~
Thanks for the feedback.. do you know when they will be serving food, and what kind?
Thanks..
Posted by: Lisa | October 25, 2009 6:48 PM
I also stopped in on Saturday and enjoyed talking to the new owners. They did a tremendous job with the rehab--everything looks top notch. Very nice crowd Saturday night.
As for food, I was told that they will have a limited cold menu beginning today for the next few weeks. I got to look at two sample menus and they were very unique--think adventurous entrees as opposed to bar food, although they will apparently be serving the basic staples too.
So far, a welcome addition to the neighborhood.
Posted by: CD | October 26, 2009 9:49 AM
thanks for the support this weekend..the eclectic cold menu will start today..chef damon opened chili peppers in the outerbanks and has been sous chef at roy's and nick's fish house..the menu for the next month or so should consist of gtranny smith apple gazpacho, tuna wrapped cucumber with wasabi aoli..four gourmet salads along with multiple paninis. paninis include a barbaque chicken apple and blue cheese panini, pastrami smoked salmon with a dill sauce etc......4-6 weeks the full menu will be ready along with the lounge bar on the second floor....
Posted by: | October 26, 2009 1:04 PM