New bar The Park Bench opens in South Baltimore, replacing Boomer's
South Baltimore has a new bar called the Park Bench.
The place where Boomer's on the Hill used to be officially re-opened November 6 without much fanfare or even a sign.
It had been under renovation for a year.
Owner Stephen Gronowski, who's also a manager at Don't Know Tavern, said he hopes the place will become "a nice little neighborhood spot."
The bar carries a small beer selection and sits about 40 people, Gronowski said.
Boomer's, which was well known for its Wii, closed in November 2009. Gronowski took over a couple of months later.
Park Bench has 8 beers on tap - including Heavy Seas and Guinness. Gronowski said he wants to have ten bottled beers soon. He also plans to add food early next year.
Alcohol is moderately priced. Calls are $6 and drafts are in the $4-$5.50 range, Grownoski sai.
There's still work to be done: a sign hasn't yet been posted outside, and the name is still somewhat undecided on; Gronowski has gone back and forth between The Park Bench and just Park Bench. (He also doesn't know if or when there will be a grand opening; this is his busy season at Don't Know.)
But "there's definitely room for growth," the owner said.
Grownowski spent a year renovating the space with a couple of friends, as he worked his day job at Don't Know.
Though he was business partners with Jason Zink of No Idea and Don't Know, for a year and a half, it's his first solo project.
"I was looking to do something on my own," he said.
The Park Bench is at 1749 Belt St. It is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m.
Photo: Sam Sessa
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
Another new bar in the neighborhood? Thanks for the info!
Posted by: Renee | November 19, 2010 1:33 PM
Ahh....nice to have a corner spot back.
Posted by: Sturmy | November 19, 2010 1:48 PM
Park Bench was the name of a legendary bar in the Cleveland Park neighborhood of Washington DC. Maybe they should think of a more original name.
Posted by: RomanTotale3d | November 19, 2010 3:57 PM
@Roman- "was" is the key term and it closed in 2006. Are you kidding me with that atrocious comment. It seems to me that the Park Bench in Riverside is located near Riverside PARK, hence the name. I am sure that there millions of Park Bench Pubs out there, but none in Baltimore City, to my knowledge. It's a friggin name, why don't you stop by and check it out, or better yet, leave my new hangout alone.
Posted by: belt street neighbor. | November 19, 2010 9:39 PM
@Roman- "was" is the key term and it closed in 2006. Are you kidding me with that atrocious comment. It seems to me that the Park Bench in Riverside is located near Riverside PARK, hence the name. I am sure that there millions of Park Bench Pubs out there, but none in Baltimore City, to my knowledge. It's a friggin name, why don't you stop by and check it out, or better yet, leave my new hangout alone.
Posted by: belt street neighbor. | November 19, 2010 9:41 PM
although my second home, boomers has been gone for a bit, the park bench with Steve and Mike has been a breath of fresh air. Plus its also been great seeing all my neighbors hang out together again, especially after the long year without our corner bar.
Posted by: the real belt street | December 1, 2010 2:29 AM
@roman..ur an idiot, your comment doesnt even make a bit of sense...r u just one of those people who lack optimism? or just miserable enough to put ur sense in..just because? go back to cleveland you idiot
Posted by: the one and only short guy | December 1, 2010 12:50 PM