Field House: Power Plant meets Canton
For the record, I haven't been to the Field House, Canton's newest watering hole. But Midnight Sun guest columnist (and Baltimore Orioles Examiner) Jay Trucker has. Here are his thoughts on the large new addition to the Baltimore bar scene:
Field House Baltimore, the new restaurant and bar on Boston St. that replaced the old Ray Lewis's Full Moon Barbecue, aims to be many things to many people. Cheap is not one of those things.
Billed as an "upscale sports bar," Field House hosts karaoke on Tuesdays, a DJ dance party on Fridays, and live music on Saturdays.
On Saturdays, Field House charges $10 for entrance after 8 p.m., a steep price considering live music doesn't begin until 10 p.m. and features mostly cover bands. ...
The best thing about Field House is that their bartenders are fast and friendly. Unfortunately, 16 oz Yuengling drafts cost $5, and mine was so cold, chunks of ice floated to the top of the glass.
When the music finally started, the band was put in an awkward position -- looking out from the corner of the 2nd floor loft, they were playing to the crowd 25 feet below and too far removed to make much of an impression. Meanwhile, patrons who decided to pack themselves onto the 2nd floor were treated to the band members' profiles for most of their set.
To further confuse matters, the band, Burnt Sienna, can best be described as The Temptations of cover bands. For those of you with better things to do than pay attention to the membership of a Delaware cover band, what I mean is, the Burnt Sienna that played Field House on Saturday night does not feature a single member from the Burnt Sienna I used to enjoy during my days in Newark, Delaware.
Every time the singer of the group exclaimed, “we’re Burnt Sienna!” my fiancée, a Delaware native, responded, "No you're not!"
That's why I love her.
Anyway, if you are looking to pay a $10 cover and $5 a beer to crane your neck at one of two giant projection televisions or stare from afar at an unfamiliar cover band masquerading as a band you used to enjoy in college, then Field House, the closest Canton comes to The Power Plant, is for you.
If not, then stick to your square of choice.
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 don't believe i paying covers, you can see good cover bands at The Waterfront in Fells 7 nights a week for free.
Posted by: drunk richard | February 10, 2010 12:21 PM
A cover charge in Baltimore? Give me a break. Their days are already numbered.
Posted by: Chris S. | February 10, 2010 12:37 PM
When Aqua came to Canton and found a niche, the Field House must be trying to emulate them. $10 covers, and expensive drinks are seeping its ways into B-more nightlife. (i.e. Mosaic, Aqua)
It may do alright during the winter, but when summer rolls around there are too many options.
http://barfood.wordpress.com
Posted by: Patrick Graham | February 10, 2010 12:57 PM
Two comments- beers are umm at least 5 bucks. And didn't they close the place next door because they didn't want parties or dj's or bands in that area???
Posted by: Tif | February 10, 2010 1:06 PM
Spot on...Beautiful place with with ample seating. Food is awful. I can not stress that enough. In a town where we have so many good bar options, this will hurt them if they don't fix the issues.
Posted by: Pablo | February 10, 2010 2:52 PM
Don't forget the $12.95 burger..walk to the square to Looney's or Mamma's and have a much better time,and better food.
Posted by: Anonymous | February 10, 2010 2:59 PM
Sounds awful.
Posted by: hon | February 10, 2010 8:08 PM
Wow my head hurts just reading about it. I wonder how many months it will be there.
Posted by: Johnnycat | February 11, 2010 5:47 PM
So, Jeffe or Heffe or whatever his name is, is no longer the lead singer of Burnt Sienna?
They were my 2nd favorite coverband behind Mr. Greengenes back in my UD days.
Posted by: Bruce | February 12, 2010 5:13 PM
Hi Bruce,
Jeffe is gone and so is everyone else! The band is completely unrecognizable. So strange.
Jay
Posted by: Jay Trucker | February 12, 2010 9:05 PM
FH sucks!
Posted by: PW | February 15, 2010 11:07 AM
I went to Field House on their Grand Opening night... it was the worst! It was so crowded I couldn't even move! I decided to give it another shot on another night, but it was the same way!
Because of the xtreme crowds, I assume people like it, but over-priced drinks and a bunch of d-bags just aren't for me!
Posted by: Baltimel | February 15, 2010 2:40 PM
I went there for both of the Ravens playoff games, and it was a good atmosphere. Not sure I would hang out there on any old regular night though.
Posted by: Mike | February 17, 2010 12:10 PM
The front page of the Field House website is enough to preclude me from ever visiting...yikes.
Posted by: The Great Danton | February 17, 2010 2:21 PM
I like Field House- thier chipotle chicken sanwich is the bomb- and feel like the higher drink prices weed out the younger crowd and the rift raft- if you don't like big crowds check it out sun-wed Tues. karioki is awesome.
Posted by: johnny | February 21, 2010 7:50 PM
I agree with johnny. Ive been to Field House multiple times and have had a great time every time. The hummus is the best in baltimore IMO. You cant judge a place or food solely on money. If that was the case then Cindy Wolfe's restaurants would have never made it. I heard another lady say it seemed like a "Pazo Sport" and I agree. I wish the Field House the best.
Posted by: jamie | February 23, 2010 11:10 AM