Barfly's Pub, the new Rafters, is reviewed
We've been keeping a close eye on Barfly's Pub since owner Mike Leeds first mentioned it. It's finally open, and reviewed in today's paper.
Here's an excerpt:
"[Rafters] has been remade as a casual neighborhood bar with an ample beer menu and several wine options. Already, it's drawing small crowds, even on the Monday night I went.
Owner Michael Leeds bills it as an "upscale dive bar," but Barfly's still needs some time to develop the personality of a dive and spruce itself up to be "upscale."
This might be a question of time, and since the project is clearly a work of love for Leeds, Barfly's could eventually reach that goal."
The rest of the review is here.
Photo: Barfly's Pub (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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
It's a fair review, given time I think it'll flourish based on the neighborhood cred and the "ping pong" effect of traversing to and from Larry's like folks did with Rafters.
Posted by: Evan | June 24, 2011 1:48 PM
lol @ opening a bar with the first four letters of the name making BARF.
Posted by: rick | June 24, 2011 2:50 PM
I just relocated to Fort Ave, and am looking forward to checking it out this weekend.
Posted by: Federal Schwill | June 24, 2011 4:55 PM
I know this place just opened, and so right now it's probably a bit early to make any observations about the place...
As this article points out, that part of Fort St. is already brimming with bars and/or watering holes. So it would seem fairly obvious that in order to succeed this place will have to do something to set itself apart from the rest of the pack ("something special and/or memorable"). At least based on this article, my inital impression is that Barfly's will be just another neighborhood bar in an area already teeming with neighborhood bars. Maybe if it was a 5 minute walk from my house I'd go there, but otherwise I can't imagine why I'd go to Barfly's as opposed to Captain Larry's, Slyfox or Hogan's.
Again, it just opened, so maybe things will improve over time. However, considering what Mike and Ken used to have on offer beer-wise over at the old Sean Bolan's, I confess my over-riding reaction so far is "is this all there is?"
Posted by: JohnM. | June 27, 2011 12:04 PM
I heard a rumor that this place has Matthews pizza. If that is true, then the two paper plates would be exactly how they should be served. Plus, who cares?
Posted by: DDM3721 | June 28, 2011 2:17 PM
Wow maza another great review of a new bar?
1 Barflies is not the new Rafters if it was they wouldn't have changed the name.
2 Captain Larry's and Sly Fox dive bars? Just because the don't have bottle service or popped collars?
3 Give a new place a chance!
Posted by: another bad review | June 28, 2011 8:05 PM