Introducing Gameday Warehouse, a new Ravens bar
Ravens pre- and post-gamers now have a new hangout that's much closer to M&T Bank Stadium than anything in Federal Hill.
Gameday Warehouse, a 2,500-square foot bar with a capacity of 750, opened for last week's preseason game at 1400 B Warner St.
Gameday Warehouse, which is being run by CBS Radio, will be open for every home Ravens game. After getting a sneak peek at the new space, I think Gameday Warehouse was a brilliant idea ...
Instead of buying a liquor license and going through that whole rigmarole, organizers applied for single day liquor licenses for each of the home game days. Even if the Ravens tear it up in the playoffs, Gameday Warehouse will only be open a dozen days, at most.
Inside, Gameday Warehouse has wood paneled walls, four bars, several purple booths and lots of standing room. They're leasing the building from the neighboring Second Chance, and salvaged much of the bar's decor from leftover antiques and scrap materials.
The bars are made from oak doors (you can still see the mail slots), and are topped with old pine. A statue of Cecil Calvert stands near one corner, draped in a purple cape with a raven on his right shoulder. And a sign for the old Chug-A-Lug Bar & Grill rests on the other side of the room.
While Gameday Warehouse is a buck or two more expensive than most of the bars in Federal Hill (and exponentially pricier than bringing your own cooler), it's much cheaper than drinking inside the stadium.
Miller Lites and Coors Lights are $4, Yuengling is $5 and bottled water is $2. Shots or cocktails made with name brand liquors like Maker's Mark and Jameson are $9, bombs (Jager, cherry, etc.) are $7 each. The warehouse has food, too: A jumbo lump crab cake is $11, pulled pork sandwiches are $8 and a cheeseburger is $7.
Gameday Warehouse doesn't have a website yet, but they're working it, organizers said. It will be open next for the Ravens-Giants game Aug. 28.
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 agree. Inspired.
Posted by: Josh | August 16, 2010 1:30 PM
That's cool!
However, Google Maps was unable to find "1400 Warren St" in Baltimore.
Posted by: CalicoGal | August 16, 2010 1:35 PM
It's Warner St, not Warren St, right? Warren St is in Federal Hill, 1400 Warner is warehouse space right near the stadium.
Posted by: FHT | August 16, 2010 1:41 PM
Absolute genius, should take some of the pressure off of surrounding neighborhoods on gameday.
(cue owners complaining about business being stolen on game day)
Posted by: Evan | August 16, 2010 1:48 PM
It is indeed Warner Street. Fixed!
Posted by: Sam Sessa | August 16, 2010 1:58 PM
I still prefer to pregame in a parking lot but this is a great idea and I hope it draws a crowd. Any plans for entertainment? Hey, maybe the CBS pregame show broadcast from there one weekend.
Posted by: TS | August 16, 2010 2:15 PM
In comparison to the Purple Patio, the prices at The Warehouse are on par. I will stil stick with Lot H on gameday since it's the most fun and more cost effective.
Posted by: HIM | August 16, 2010 2:34 PM
Someone please explain to me how this article is different from a press release, and why Sam Sessa is paid by the Sun, and not some PR company, to write promotional literature for CBS.
Posted by: Harvey Duncan | August 16, 2010 2:41 PM
Genuis.
Posted by: But For Serious.... | August 16, 2010 3:08 PM
very nice, brilliant idea. Are they hiring?
Posted by: jason z | August 16, 2010 3:26 PM
Sam, needed this post a week ago. My step-mom AND a co-worker were both very smug about scooping me on this new spot. haha. I will definitely stop in on one of my tailgate tours.
Posted by: kateebee | August 16, 2010 5:04 PM
What happens to this place after football season?
Posted by: BaltBabs | August 16, 2010 6:58 PM
@kateebee Do you have a purple Flabongo? Please share...
Posted by: eCommerce Consultant | August 16, 2010 11:27 PM
@BaltBabs -- Presumably, they close it until next year. I'll bet the rent's not that much, and neither are the single day drinking permits. They're probably going to make a mint off this place. Oh, and something I didn't put in the post -- I can see it siphoning business from the Purple Patio at Mothers. How much? We'll have to wait and see.
Posted by: Sam Sessa | August 17, 2010 9:04 AM
I thought the single day hings only entailed beer and wine. And you can rent like an entire warehouse down ther fo $1500 a month. I wanted to start my own version of fight club- with Baltimore rats.
Posted by: Tif | August 17, 2010 9:27 AM
I believe this building is part of the Gateway South development, which is, not surprisingly, stalled.
What a great idea to make some use of those buildings though...If anyone's ever been to Gilette in Foxboro, Kraft basically has a half million sqft of retail space to suck more dough out of NFL fans. Here in Baltimore, we have abandoned warehouses. I think this type of venture represents what's cool about Baltimore though...anti-Dave and Busters, but instead a (bit of a) grimy-arse warehouse where you can snort back a few (or, knowing Raisins fans, eight or nine) tallboy brews and hang with some friends and not spend a small fortune.
Over/under on fights during Browns/Stillers/occasional Eagles games?
Posted by: Frankie Sez | August 17, 2010 10:00 AM
This looks like a great concept.
@Frankie Sez - The Gateway South development is all but dead due to this location being the selected site for the City slots parlor...which is stalled.
Posted by: Gamevens | August 17, 2010 10:43 AM
@eCommerce not yet, but I will definitely have at least one in my possession by the start of the regular season. the flabongos are the only reason i get invited places, haha.
Posted by: kateebee | August 17, 2010 11:31 AM
Honestly, I think this is a rediculous idea. Maybe I am missing something, but with a space this big in the city and to only be open just for the games... they are losing out on a lot of opportunity to capitalize on a huge sports bar that could be extremely profitable.
Posted by: Ashlee | September 2, 2010 8:53 PM
This only seems useful if you live nearby, or are going to the game anyway, as there is no dedicated parking.
Posted by: ColumbiaBill | September 26, 2010 2:04 PM
This only seems useful if you live nearby, or are going to the game anyway, as there is no dedicated parking.
Posted by: ColumbiaBill | September 26, 2010 2:05 PM
@ColumbiaBill- It's only open during Raven's home games-duh! There is plenty of stadium parking. Just gotta pay $40 to park. Ouch!
Posted by: anon;) | September 26, 2010 5:32 PM
GET RID OF THE LIVE MUSIC...
NEED A D/J TO PUMP FANS!!!
Posted by: ROD CRIST | October 28, 2010 12:52 PM