The scary side room at O'Ryan's Pub
Last week, on a whim, a couple of us went into O'Ryan's Pub, an Irish bar across the street from Port in a Storm.
From the outside, we couldn't tell if it was open or closed. I pulled the metal handle on the front door, but it didn't open. Then I realized I had to turn the knob and then pull the handle. Tricky, that.
Inside, O'Ryan's was unexpectedly large, with a higher-than-normal ceiling and a tiled floor.
The bartender, a pleasant, pleasantly plump fellow, cheerfully served us a few Bud Light bottles, which cost about $2 each.
There were only a handful of other people in the bar -- probably because most of the regulars were at the Polish Festival, the bartender said.
I decided to do a little snooping, which is when I discovered the freaky side room ...
It's another whole rowhouse, from the looks of it, with a long, deserted counter and piles of random stuff. It was deadly quiet, with the only noise coming from a flickering light inside a cooler.
Bzzt. Zzzt. Bzzt. Zzzt.
I suddenly got the feeling I was in a horror movie. I hoped like heck I was one of the main characters -- too important to die, you know. But I felt like I was probably one of the movie's first victims.
I could see the headlines in the next day's newspaper:
Veteran bar blogger and D-list local celebrity Sam Sessa disappears in Highlandtown/Greektown bar. His last drink? A bottle of Bud Light.
Shiver.
In real life, I slowly backed out of the room, and went back to my Bud Light, lucky to be alive.
(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
No editor would let a headline that long into a newspaper.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 14, 2010 1:59 PM
Still not as scary as Sid's.
Posted by: The Baltimore Chop | June 14, 2010 2:08 PM
Call me!
Posted by: Kupkake | June 14, 2010 3:38 PM
Sam-
What are your boundaries of bars you decide to enter/not enter?
Posted by: Chris | June 14, 2010 4:50 PM
I have been there and know what you mean, but I am laughing after readiding your blog!!!
Posted by: DaveS | June 14, 2010 9:41 PM
Chris,
I really don't have any boundaries. I've gotten plenty of stink-eyes over the years, but, believe it or not, rarely do I feel unsafe going out in Baltimore. Of course, now that I've written this, I'm going to get karate chopped the next time I go out.
Posted by: Sam Sessa | June 16, 2010 11:06 AM
Sam,
New monthly feature: "Hidden-Cam Sam". Readers vote on a bar they are too afraid to explore. You are equipped with a hidden cam and explore the voted upon bar. BAM! - "Hidden-Cam Sam". Approved or Denied by The Sun legal Dept?
Posted by: Chris | June 16, 2010 1:00 PM
D-list is a little optimistic, I think.
Posted by: Dave | June 16, 2010 1:55 PM
no kidding dave. i was wondering if anyone was going to address that. i wasnt going to waste the time gratify it with a response, but im glad someone finally did.
Posted by: areyoufinished | June 17, 2010 1:22 PM
Alright Sessa...when are you going to get brave enough to venture to our side of town and check out the B&O Tavern and Opposite Sidewalk Saloon?
Can you say $0.75 beer, and day-hookers?
Posted by: BC | June 17, 2010 2:04 PM
$0.75 beer? I'm in.
Posted by: kateebee | June 17, 2010 2:59 PM