Review: Funky Buddha and other basement bars
In yesterday's paper, I reviewed Funky Buddha, the cool little basement bar which replaced Liam's Pint-Size Pub in Kumari's basement.
The happy hour prices stunned me and jmgiordano, who met me there. Between the two of us, we ordered three appetizers, two Heavy Seas Pale Ales (which tasted like they'd been sitting there a little while and lost some fizz) and two stiff Skyy Vodka and cranberries. The bill -- with tip -- was about $30.
Shazam!
By itself, Funky Buddha is nothing special. But manager Bonnie Roberts' warm, steady presence there pulls the bar together ...
I chuckled at the sandwich sign in the window, which spelled it Funky Budda, and the rinky-dink outdoor table and chairs. But hey, one table and chairs is better than nothing.
Funky Buddha got me thinking about other great basement bars in and around Baltimore. I couldn't think of more than a handful, and profiled three of my favorites: Dionysus, Venice Tavern and Quarry House.
What am I missing? There have got to be more than four or five. Brewer's Art counts, but we write about that place all the time. Can you think of any others?
(Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. Lam)
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
One of the best basement bars, but in Annapolis is the Sly Fox Pub. I think that there was a basement restaurant in Fells Point but I forget the name right now, It was a high end restaurant called something...ugh
Posted by: jason z | September 4, 2010 1:13 PM
I nominate the ORIGINAL Ram's Head Tavern in Annapolis--before they went 1) brewpub and 2) entertainment-complex...... That basement bar was one of THE original "beer bars" with a wide, world-ranging selection of top-notch beers, and a "beer club" passport program.....
Posted by: Alexander D. Mitchell IV | September 4, 2010 2:57 PM
Brewer's Art!
Posted by: JTK | September 7, 2010 9:35 AM
PJ's Pub in Charles Village.
Posted by: JackInEC | September 7, 2010 9:54 AM
Buddha is my spot and stay away from my outdoor table! Sidebar?
Posted by: Tif | September 7, 2010 12:37 PM