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Yesterday was the last day for Rafters as we know it, according to Sun crime reporter Peter Hermann.
The South Baltimore bar, famous for having Formstone inside and out, had a closing celebration last night, Hermann said. Rafters could be re-purposed and re-opened in the coming weeks.
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 "simulated sex with a potted palm tree." Before The Sun, he was a reporter at the Miami New Times. He's also written for Miami magazine, the Orlando Sentinel, the Sarasota Herald Tribune and the Gainesville Sun. Got tips? Gripes? Pitches? He's reachable at erik.maza@baltsun.com. Click here to keep up with the dumb music he's listening to.
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Comments
Crud. Bummer.
Posted by: Evan | August 30, 2010 3:30 PM
south baltimore steelers fans need a place to watch games!
jason...?
Posted by: steelers fan | August 30, 2010 3:49 PM
That's too bad. Enjoyed this place when I did go. I guess I didn't enjoy it enough. Great fried food.
Posted by: TS | August 30, 2010 3:53 PM
south baltimore steelers fans can go watch steelers game in the middle of the beltway during rush hour.
Posted by: not a steelers fan | August 30, 2010 3:59 PM
to not a steelers fan,
does that mean they can watch amongst standstill traffic? that would actually be pretty safe.
Posted by: bill | August 30, 2010 10:43 PM
@steelers fan - both bars welcome all fans of all teams. We have every game on every Sunday. Feel free to bring all your friends to try to take the place over.
Hopefully the guys at Rafters got their price, they had a nice local following. I wish them the best. Once again, every place has it's price and everything is for sale.
Posted by: jason z | August 30, 2010 11:38 PM
Rafters is being turned into Red Hill Tavern and should be open this weekend: http://exm.nr/cEaERR
Posted by: Renee | August 31, 2010 9:29 AM
Prediction based on names alone:
Red Hill Tavern - lobster mac n' cheese, $5 drafts
Barracuda's - more like Truman's than Luca's, possibly inbetween, like Banners or something
*if i'm right i get a cookie
Posted by: Evan | August 31, 2010 9:57 AM
Sam- who's this Renee Libby? There's only one bar reporter in all of Baltimore and that is The Sam Sessa!!!
We will drive her out like Tim Lumber!
hahahahahaha!!
Posted by: anon;) | August 31, 2010 9:57 AM
Chocolate chip?
Posted by: Sam Sessa | August 31, 2010 9:58 AM
So... incredibly... disappointed
Posted by: Cody | August 31, 2010 11:26 AM
Evan, Red Hill Tavern is too small for lobster mac n cheese- I see it staying pretty much the same way- minus formstone, but with good food.
Barracudas- I think that you are right with that one. I just hope that they don't bring in the Malibu and Red Strip surfboards and try to make it a beach club with Malibu fishbowls!
$3.50 Miller Lite drafts and $4.50 Heavy Seas at both places. I don't forsee any price gauging on Fort Avenue. Nobody is that dumb. Sorry Nasu Blanca!!!
Posted by: anon;) | August 31, 2010 12:29 PM
@anon;) Hmm, not very nice, but no worries - I have no plans to pursue nightlife writing. Not my bit.
Posted by: Renee | September 2, 2010 4:07 PM
Any word on whatever happened to Rafters? Are they open, close, sold?
Posted by: anon;) | September 20, 2010 11:54 AM
They are closed and presently for sale.
Posted by: LGood | September 21, 2010 9:50 AM
Wow. That makes Rafters, Lagers, Tysons, Shortys, Crossroads, L.P Steamers, and Club Choices all for sale. What does that tell you? Don't PLURALIZE your name!
Posted by: Rube Goldberg | September 21, 2010 11:28 AM
Lagers is for sale? Didn't that just get new ownership recently?
I know "every" bar is for sale ... but damn
Posted by: Anonymous | September 21, 2010 1:44 PM
Lagers brought in the manager from Hummers, not a new owner. Same posted about it in Jan. They have had the bar listed for quite some time.
Posted by: intheloop | September 21, 2010 2:23 PM
Sorry, meant Sam not same
Posted by: intheloop | September 21, 2010 2:26 PM
I missed a few: Spirits Tavern, Nadias, Pearl's, Brennan's Pub, and Birches. For the 'urban pioneers' there's Rare Soul, the Lava Lounge and last but not least, the Star-lite lounge. Or you could buy the place that was Chav and rene's (which isn't open) The guy bought it, renovated it and is selling it. Not trying to be a mr. know-it-all, just trying to inform.
Posted by: Rube Goldberg | September 21, 2010 2:42 PM
@Rube- it's not being a know-it-all, it just means that you have access to a computer and you can look up businesses that are for say.
Tough business, every wants a deal or a hook up.
Posted by: anon;) | September 21, 2010 5:39 PM