Waterfront Hotel to switch management, sources say
The Waterfront Hotel will switch management next year, two people with knowledge of the situation said.
It's not clear right now who the managers will be, but here's what I've found out so far.
After a reader wrote this morning the tavern might close, I called them up.
An employee who declined to be named said that's not the case. But that new management would take it over in January.
A representative for Red Star Land Holdings, LLC - whose owners are involved with Waterfront, according to property records - confirmed that new management would take over the bar at the end of January.
The reason is that the current lease, held by Benjamin Greene, is up.
Red Star's owners would not be involved after that, the person said. "It will be run by entirely new management," the person said.
The representative is not authorized to speak on the record on the company's business.
No one else at Red Star could be reached for comment. Benjamin Greene could also not be reached for clarification on what happened to his lease.
I'll update this post as soon as I hear from them.
The bar will close in January, but it will only be on January 3 and 4 for a previously scheduled cleaning.
The person at Red Star also confirmed that the bar will keep its name after January.
"It would be a shame if it didn't because it's one of the popular bars in Fells Point," the bar's employee commented.
Waterfront is most well known for its appearances in the TV show "Homicide." It was 29 on our list of the best Baltimore bars.
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
Just spoke with my own sources. Maza is correct. Ben's out. I won't speak to why, but suffice to say, he's out and won't be back in.
The property owners are taking back over. Their goal is a seamless transition, with minimal current staff turnover, but of course, this is the bar business, and new management equals turnover. They also don't want to keep the same business model that has brought them success to this point.
They'll be back up on Jan 3rd.
Posted by: Trouble | December 22, 2010 1:30 PM
Sorry... typo: should have been they also don't want to change the same business model that has brought them success to this point.
Posted by: Trouble | December 22, 2010 1:37 PM
Don't I recall Peter Gerety of H:LOTS being involved with The Waterfront?
Posted by: bryanintowson | December 22, 2010 2:04 PM
Let's hope its not under the same management as Red Star -- which could not save Lemongrass and opened & closed Diablita Cantina in about a years time!
Posted by: WTF Fan | December 22, 2010 2:10 PM
Here's an idea for success. Stop charging astronomical prices for booze, hire a friendly staff, and offer good food. Also, bring back the band with the chubby drummer.
Posted by: Him | December 22, 2010 2:52 PM
What!? A place in Fells Point that isn't going to be taken over by Patrick Russell and Bill Irvin? Preposterous!
Posted by: That Guy | December 22, 2010 3:08 PM
@Him I've always had good food at waterfront and I always get great service though I do tip really well.
As for drink prices yeah they're a bit high but it's live music every night with NO COVER + it keeps out the college kids and po' folk who need to go to quarter bottles at Rodas.
Posted by: Foo | December 22, 2010 4:16 PM
I second Foo. I've been surprisingly impressed by their food. The drink prices are on the high side for B-more, but that seems to be the norm for anywhere near the water these days, plus the place has a nice atmosphere and often live music.
Posted by: monty_burns | December 22, 2010 10:35 PM
The reason being that the current lease, held by Benjamin Greene, is up.
"The reason being?" Not good writing!! And that's not even a complete sentence.
Posted by: good eating | December 23, 2010 9:17 AM
I went to Diablita on their last night and our server told us that Diablita's management will be taking over the Waterfront. A lot of the staff from the former will be moving there as well. She also made it sound like there were already plans for something else to open up in Diablita's place.
Posted by: B | December 23, 2010 9:29 AM
I went to Diablita on their last night and our server told us that Diablita's management will be taking over the Waterfront. A lot of the staff from the former will be moving there as well. She also made it sound like there were already plans for something else to open up in Diablita's place.
Posted by: B | December 23, 2010 9:30 AM
I've always liked the Waterfront. It's def one of the nicer bars in Fells, along with Slainte. Not many good Fells bars anymore since the Horse was taken over by the jersey shore and the Cup went under
Posted by: Melissa | December 23, 2010 9:39 AM
My own sources tell me that the team that was running Diablita so well will be taking over management of Waterfront, and another out of town group is taking over Diablita.
Posted by: LGood | December 23, 2010 9:47 AM
It will be shut down for January 3rd and 4th for cleaning and minor renovations. It will open back up on January 5th with the current staff and some new faces and an all new menu.
Posted by: Fells Point Local | December 23, 2010 10:33 AM
So, not a huge fan of either the Waterfront or Red Star, but what has the Red Star group done other than the Red Star. I know they own a lot of property but they failed with Lemongrass and Diabolita. Maybe its just the location but I guess we will see.
Posted by: James | December 23, 2010 11:29 AM
@James it's the location combined with the fact that Mustang Alley's food in very good.
Posted by: Foo | December 23, 2010 12:18 PM
Location Location Location!! The Food, Management & Staff were top notch. I am looking forward to the future of waterfront!
Posted by: BeefLiver | December 24, 2010 1:32 PM
@BeefLiver- do you think the Waterfront had a bad location? I don't go to Fells that much but I always thought that the location was top notch.
Trust me- I know a thing or two about bad locations, ha!
Posted by: jason z | December 24, 2010 2:59 PM
I agree, the food and most of the staff of the Waterfront are Excellent except a couple of female Saturday night downstairs bartenders, they aren't very friendly. I hope they keep Sunday Brunch the same, that's my favorite brunch in town and it's very reasonably priced.
Posted by: John | December 24, 2010 8:33 PM
I hope they have more success with WTF than with Lemongrass or Diablita.
Posted by: Baltilover | December 27, 2010 9:47 AM
Not many good bars left in Fells Point? You should get out more. As for the cup, that was OK if you liked people so coked up they babbled like idiots.
Posted by: Billzappa | December 30, 2010 11:00 AM