Miss Irene's is closed
I've heard from a couple sources that Miss Irene's in Fells Point has closed.
The bistro at Thames and South Ann streets has signs on it, which say a new spot called "Poe Boys" is coming soon, according to Alexander D. Mitchell IV.
The signs indicate there will be new ownership/management, but there are no liquor board license transfer notices on the windows, he said.
Miss Irene's has only been open for less than a year, according to Dining@Large.
(Baltimore Sun archive photo)
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
Too bad. They were just featured in Baltimore Magazine's 25 best bars.
Posted by: Mark Twain | November 25, 2009 7:09 AM
Wow! Gone in a year! i think Fells Point is very challenging territory for restaurants.. especially ones that try to present more upscale food (outside of the Kali's Mezze, etc. owned group).not so much for the basic bars with live music ..
i wish the next opening there more success..
Posted by: SushiGirl aka Lisa | November 25, 2009 8:07 AM
Also, probably one of the best possible spots in Fells (and Baltimore) should one be in a 'septic' emergency...especially during Fells Fest where there is nothing but overcrowded bars and Porto Johns...hopefully Poe Boys will keep the facilities situation the same.
It would definitely be featured on George Costanza's "iToilet" app on the Curb season finale/Seinfeld reunion.
Posted by: Costanza | November 25, 2009 8:59 AM
Good riddance. The bartenders were awful. And the food was mediocre, at best.
Posted by: Ryan | November 25, 2009 10:35 AM
Kind of surprised by this. Went to Miss Irene's for the first time on Friday, coincidentally, and they mentioned they were closing, but only for a week. No one said anything about a name/ownership change.
Posted by: Katie | November 25, 2009 11:00 AM
There was no way they could stay open. Their rent was 16K a month. They opened a year late and went 1M over budget.
So much for the "recession proof" concept.
Posted by: Not Now | November 25, 2009 11:07 AM
The owner just built a comic book store in Fells. He should have invested in his restaurant.
Posted by: WT | November 25, 2009 12:06 PM
I heard the food was good. I only went in there one time to meet a friend and was shocked to find out they charge over $7 for the SMALLEST White Russian drinks. And the drinks weren't even that good.
Posted by: Siana | November 25, 2009 1:58 PM
Actually, Miss Irene's closed years ago.
Posted by: Mary | November 25, 2009 2:22 PM
I hear they're just re-doing the first floor and should re-open soon.
Posted by: stephanie | November 25, 2009 2:30 PM
Let's hope the new joint keeps the croque-madame.
Posted by: WilliamKH | November 25, 2009 3:04 PM
Mary hit the nail on the head. The REAL "Miss Irene's" has been gone for years. It was one of the best dive bars in Fell's POINT, or in all of Baltimore for that matter. Surly bartenders, and if you wanted food, you ordered out!
Posted by: pgp | November 25, 2009 9:29 PM
Dumb question. How did they get the name Miss Irene? Is Irene related to the waitress who used to work at Mei Jung Low's?
Posted by: Josh | November 27, 2009 10:10 AM
I thought I was the only one who remembered Irene at Mei Jung Low's. Now that was a dive, in the very best sense. I can still conjure up that certain septic smell in the stairwell.
Posted by: Tommy | November 29, 2009 10:58 AM
Big surprise here - it was consistently the emptiest bar on Thames St on Friday & Saturday nights. Charging $7 for draft beer can do that!
Posted by: Dave the wave | November 30, 2009 12:08 PM