For the first time ever (and with the help of Sun staffer Carla), I have established an official Facebook event for the Midnight Sun Social.
In case you've been living in a cave for the past few months, the Social is this Thursday (Oct. 29) at Bad Decisions (1928 Fleet St.) in Fells Point. Here is a link to the event page. Anybody who's on Facebook can RSVP to the event. Hope to see you there!
Last week, I had an interesting discussion with local bar owner Jason Zink about bouncers.
Big, burly bouncers who sit or stand outside bars checking IDs aren't the way to go, he said. They can be imposing, and are often unnecessary. Zink doesn't have bouncers at No Idea or Don't Know Tavern. But if he did, they'd be female ...
Continue reading "Behind the scenes bar stories: How about female bouncers?" »
Today, Duda's Tavern (1600 Thames St.) is celebrating its 60th anniversary. The Fells Point corner pub has been open since 1949. In honor of the occasion, owners Antoinette and John Flury are throwing a birthday bash today.
The party, which starts at noon, will feature $.60 Miller and Pabst drafts, as well as various rotating beer specials over the course of the afternoon. Nice!
I called Antoinette (her parents opened the place) and talked to her about what the bar and the neighborhood were like back in the day ...
Has anybody been to the new VIP Hookah Bar & Cafe in Little Italy?
Wait -- maybe I should rephrase that: Did anybody go to the hookah bar in Little Italy?
It might be closed already.
I'm not sure when this place opened. But apparently, the owner thought it was a good idea to bring a hookah bar to the heart of Little Italy without doing his homework -- or even meeting his neighbors.
Here are the details, courtesy of this article by Peter Hermann ...
Continue reading "Behind the scenes bar stories: Permits? Who needs permits?" »
Red Square, the Russian-themed restaurant and bar in the basement of the Belvedere, finally came before the liquor board yesterday.
They were cited for illegally serving customers twice in the past eight months, and were being protested by the neighborhood. The neighborhood dispute was dropped, but the liquor board did stick Red Square with a $2,250 fine and suspended their license for 60 days, without a stay, according to chairman Stephan Fogleman and this Sun article by Brent Jones.
It's about time.
In today's paper, Peter Hermann had a great article about how city police are looking into padlocking Suite Ultralounge, the troubled bottle club in the basement of The Belvedere (backstory here and here). They've scheduled a hearing for Nov. 16 at police headquarters ...
Continue reading "Suite Ultralounge could get padlocked after all" »
"Don't these people have jobs?"
That was the first thing that crossed my mind when I stopped by No Rule.
The free Monday night dance party, which has been at the Metro Gallery for a couple months now, doesn't really heat up until 11 p.m. or midnight. On a Monday.
After hitting up No Rule twice in the last month, I have to say: It's Baltimore's best Monday night dance party. Not that it has a lot of competition. But still ...
Continue reading "Check out No Rule at the Metro Gallery tonight" »
Hot spots come and hot spots go.
For years, Fells Point was the No. 1 nightlife destination in Baltimore, hands down. When county folks, tourists and yes, even city dwellers were looking to throw down, Fells Point is where they went.
Now, I'm beginning to wonder: Has Fells Point lost some of its mojo?
In the past several years, Federal Hill, Power Plant Live, Harbor East and Canton have really comes into their own. It seems like there are more bars and clubs in Federal Hill and Canton than ever before.
Fells Point on the other hand, feels like it's in a bit of a slump ...
Here at Midnight Sun, we spend a lot of time discussing bars and clubs from the patron's point of view.
But I don't think we dig too deeply into the business side of the entertainment industry. I'm going to try and change that in the next couple weeks.
Let's start with an interesting factoid that, if you don't own a bar, you probably aren't aware of: Bars have to purchase all their booze from a licensed state distributor.
If a bar owner runs out of Pabst Blue Ribbon (which should never be a problem), the manager can't just run to the nearest liquor store and buy some more. If they get caught doing it, bad things happen.
Take, for example, the case of the AIG Lounge, at 291 S. Pulaski St.
Talk about a bar with an unfortunate name, by the way. Back in January, liquor board inspectors paid a visit to AIG Lounge, where they discovered that none of the booze behind the bar came from a licensed distributor.
Uh oh ...
Continue reading "Behind-the-scenes bar stories: I'll take that!" »
Yesterday, Consuming Interests blogger Liz Kay sent me a heads up about this list of a few mustache-inspired drinks.
I've always been pro-facial hair (on men), and got a kick out of the drinks. We have the Bandit, the Magnum, the Flanders and the Burgundy. Each one starts with a base of Canadian Club Whisky ...
Baltimore Sun contributor Lisa Wiseman recently set out to sample seven (7) orange crushes from various Baltimore bars.
It was an ambitious, acidic task, and I hope she brought a roll of Tums with her. Here's a link to the roundup.
The orange crush pictured here is actually a delicious-sounding mango strawberry crush, which can be found at FiVe Martini Bar.
Lisa describes it as such:
Naturally, this cocktail will remind some of a strawberry daiquiri, except that this one is made with vodka, not rum, and is not frozen.
While its bright red color is a little alarming, this drink is a nice alternative to other fruity, girly drinks like the aforementioned daiquiri or a strawberry margarita. Plus, it comes in a manly pint glass, so dudes can order without fear of having their man cards revoked.
Manly, eh? I just might have to try one myself.
(Baltimore Sun photo by Lisa Wiseman)
Today, In a couple weeks, Red Square, the Russian-themed restaurant and bar in the Belvedere Hotel, will come before the liquor board to discuss all kinds of violations.
UPDATE: The hearing has been pushed back two weeks to Oct. 29 (coincidentally, the date of the Midnight Sun Social).
First (and perhaps most importantly), it looks like Red Square has run afoul of the community association. That's never a good thing -- especially since this is license renewal time.
Then there's the charge that Red Square served alcohol past 2 a.m. And to top off the list, Red Square has some unpaid taxes.
Ouch ...
Tonight, the Baltimore Sun is throwing a lovely little party over at the Metro Gallery (pictured), at 1700 N. Charles St.
They're going to be giving awards to the winners of the Mobbie Awards (for outstanding local blogs).
The shindig gets started at 7 p.m.
I'll be there. So should you. Come on down and meet some of the area's best and brightest bloggers.
(Photo by Emily Hunter)
Fletcher's may be down, but it's not out.
Co-owners Craig Boarman and Evan Tanner, who planned on opening a Latin/sushi spot on the first level, are no longer involved with Fletcher's. Building owner Bryan Burkert has taken over the Fells Point live music club, which he is currently rehabbing, he said.
Fletcher's could reopen as a bar and live music venue sometime in November -- but that's just a guess, Burkert said. He has to hire new staff and have the liquor license transferred back to his name.
Burkert, who also owns nearby music store Sound Garden, ran Fletcher's for several years. About 18 months ago, he transferred ownership of Fletcher's to Boarman and Tanner. Now, it's back in Burkert's hands.
"We'll see what happens," he said. "There's a lot of things you don't want to be doing, but sometimes you wake up and you're doing them. No matter what, I've got to put the business back in order."
Midnight Sun tipster jmgiordano just drove by Fletcher's, and said the long-standing Fells Point live music club looked down for the count. Brown paper was taped to the windows -- a bad sign.
I'll see what else I can find out today. I've called co-owner Craig Boarman a couple times, but he hasn't called me back. The club's Web site isn't working, either. Stay tuned.
UPDATE: Fletcher's has changed owners can could reopen as early as next month. More info here.
I couldn't help but chuckle when I read this piece by Sun reporter Brent Jones. The article takes a look at how the liquor board has started cracking down on Baltimore bars and clubs. Here's an interesting little snippet:
The board has issued more than $94,000 in fines this year, and $325,000 since January 2008. It has also revoked five liquor licenses dating to 2007, a move rarely used in the past and generally reserved for clubs and restaurants with long records of serious misconduct. The previous panel revoked just two licenses.
I've been writing about nightlife for just about four years now. I didn't get involved on the legal side (liquor license revoking, etc.) until the past couple years.
But I've kept an eye on the liquor board hearings and the punishments doled out to bars who break the law for a while.
I have to say, I think on the whole, the liquor board is doing all right. If anything, they should have cracked down even more on some of these spots (namely, Suite Ultralounge) ...
Continue reading "Is the liquor board getting too tough on bars?" »
When the B&O American Brasserie announced its new fall drink menu yesterday, I was excited to see if some of the drinks lived up to their lip-smacking menu descriptions.
After having a couple cocktails there last night, I'm still not sure.
You see, the B&O American Brasserie's new fall drink menu doesn't actually come out until today, our bartender told us.
All the ingredients arrive today, and the staff's formal training on how to make the new drinks starts today. Somebody jumped the gun in announcing the menu, it seems.
Oops ...
Continue reading "Half-sampling the new fall drinks at B&O American Brasserie" »
Nudge nudge. Hey buddy, did you hear? The Midnight Sun Social is only a couple weeks away.
In a world where everybody and their brother is using social media to encourage get-togethers, I just wanted to issue a warm, personal reminder that if you don't come to the Midnight Sun Social (it's Thursday, Oct. 29 at Bad Decisions), I will reach through your computer screen and ever so gently slap you in the mouth ...
Baltimore doesn't have many places with well thought out, seasonal cocktail menus.
That's why I was pleased to get a copy of B&O American Brasserie's new fall drink list. Here it is Monday morning and I'm already drooling over some of the menu's wintery mixes.
I like the sound of Washington's Nightcap, a $12 cocktail made with Madeira wine, Drambuie liqueur and warm apple cider and garnished with roasted nuts. Mmm.
Here are some of the other highlights ...
Continue reading "I'm digging B&O American Brasserie's fall cocktail menu" »
South Baltimore's newest bar, The Reserve (1542 Light St.), is throwing down hard today.
They're shutting down an entire block, setting up tents and a stage, wheeling up a beer truck and roasting a pig, according to co-owner Andrew Dunlap.
"It'll be a good time," Dunlap said.
The block party starts at 11 a.m. and runs until around 7 p.m., Dunlap said. Two bands, The Stimulus Package Band and Can't Hang, will perform for free.
They'll be pouring drafts of Bud Light ($3), Shock Top ($4) and Stella Artois ($5).
"From now on out, things are only going to get better," Dunlap said.
(Photo by me sobojosie. For some reason, I thought I took it. Oops! Sorry, sobojosie! This is also the photo they use on the bar's Facebook page, without giving me credit. I just think it's funny they haven't stood outside their own bar and taken a better one themselves.)
The other day, I spotted a bottle of Choya Umeshu in my local liquor store.
Ever seen this stuff? After some intense Internet research (Googling, mostly), I discovered that Choya is Japanese plum liqueur.
In fact, this particular bottle of Choya had little round thingys floating in the bottom of it. They must have been plums.
So my question is: Have you ever tried this stuff? What's it like?
It's not that expensive. I'm tempted to try some.
(Photo by me)
Azul 17, a new Mexican restaurant and lounge specializing in upscale cocktails, is celebrating its grand opening this weekend.
The odd part? Azul 17 is at 9400 Snowden River Parkway Suite 127 in Columbia.
Do you think Columbia is ready for something like this?
Owners Julio and Lily Soto do. They've lived in Columbia for 15-odd years, according to Amber Drenner, Azul 17's general manager.
"They're residents here and feel like this is something Columbia needed," Drenner said. "It's gorgeous."
From the way Drenner describes it, Azul 17 sounds sharp ...
Continue reading "Azul 17 has its grand opening this weekend" »
Suds lovers unite! The first (and hopefully annual) Baltimore Beer Week kicks off with a cask-tapping by Boog Powell himself tonight in the Inner Harbor.
All in all, the organizers did a fantastic job organizing hundreds of events over the course of 10 days to celebrate all kinds of ales, lagers and the like.
The Web site with all the info is right here.
Happy Drinker Rob Kasper is all over Baltimore Beer Week. So is b writer Michael Cook.
(Photo courtesy of baltimorebeerweek.com)
Last week, when I found out that Green Cilantro was closed for repairs, I speculated the Fells Point joint could be closed indefinitely.
Turns out, I was wrong.
Earlier today, I saw a tip from commenter Heather that Green Cilantro was open for last weekend's Fells Point Fun Festival.
I called down to the bar, and found out they really were closed for repairs, according to general manager Mario Ruiz.
Green Cilantro had a gas leak, and shut down for a week to repair it and make sure there weren't any other potential problems, Ruiz said.
"It's fixed now," he said.
Welcome back, Green Cilantro!
(Photo by Alexander D. Mitchell IV)
Got a tip yesterday that a new spot called Little Phil's has opened in the South Broadway space that used to be La Marsa (and before La Marsa, Wee Pete's).
Little Phil's has a six-day liquor license, which means it will be open until 1 a.m. and closed on Sundays. No food yet, my tipster tells me, but food is in the works. I'll keep you posted.
Porter's, the restaurant and bar on Riverside Avenue in Federal Hill, is closed for the near future, according to land owner Dave Cowell.
That's about all Cowell knows at the moment, he said.
"As a property owner, a lot of times, you're the last one to know," he said.
Cowell said Joe Fonte, who owned the business, had been looking to sell for some time.
"I don't know how much more desire he had to run a restaurant," Cowell said ...
Thanks for all the suggestions, everybody.
Yesterday, I got to show freelancer and videographer Benji Lanyado a night on the town.
Benji was filming a video which will (hopefully) pop up on the Web site of the Guardian sometime in the semi-near future.
Where did we go? A little bit of everywhere, actually.
We hit up the Sidebar Tavern first -- just in time to watch the suit-wearing crowd mingle with the hardcore punks. Solid stuff.
Then we dropped by the Pratt Street Ale House for a brief chat with brewer Steve Jones, who happens to be from overseas himself ...
Continue reading "OK, so, here's where I took the out-of-towner last night" »
So, if you got a call from a videographer from an overseas newspaper who wanted you to take him on a tour of colorful Baltimore bars tonight, where would you go?
I'm planning on hitting up No Rule at the Metro Gallery, the Sidebar Tavern (pictured), Bad Decisions, Brewer's Art, Joe Squared, Idle Hour, maybe Eden's Lounge and the Five Seasons.
It's tough, because tonight is, well, a Monday night, and there's not tons of wild and crazy stuff going on.
Any recommendations?
(Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney, Jr.)
El Rancho Grande, the cafe and live music venue in Hampden, has been closed for the past several weeks due to an unpaid utility bill, according to owner Peter Schmader.
"We've got power issues," he said.
Since it opened in February of 2008, El Rancho Grande has never been about making money, Schmader said ...
Continue reading "Unpaid utility bill shutters El Rancho Grande" »
This post might just put a permanent dent in my manliness. But that's OK.
Last week, Amie saw an ad for Michaelob Ultra Pomegranate Raspberry beer (think they could have made the name any longer?).
When she asked me to pick her up a six-pack at the local liquor store, I cringed to myself.
I figured she would try one, not like it, and I'd be stuck drinking the other five bottles of fruit-tastic beer.
Oh boy!
Turns out, it's not actually that bad ...
Continue reading "Sipping Michelob Ultra Pomegranate Raspberry beer" »
Yesterday, Midnight Sun reader Tyler sent me this e-mail:
Hey Sam - Do you know of any bars in Fed Hill that don't have DirecTV? I'm trying to find a place to watch the Caps hockey game and DirecTV isn't carrying the game because of their feud with Versus.
If you know of any bars, let me know.
Thanks,
Tyler
Tyler, I'm not sure I have a good answer to that question. So I'm turning it over to the Midnight Sun crew. Got anything for him, gang?
I have a most excellent bar concept I would like to share with you, dear readers.
Dig it: Instead of the ultra-lame "Canton Arts and Entertainment," the folks who opened the new Boston Street spot should have names it Canton Arts and Entertainment Corp. Then, everything inside would be just like corporate offices were in the 1980s ...
Continue reading "What they should have done with Canton Arts and Entertainment" »
I know, I know, I should have blogged about Babalu Grill closing when it actually happened, which was weeks ago.
For the record, the Power Plant Live restaurant/bar closed Sept. 6, according to its Web site. There have just been so many closings lately, it's hard to keep up with them all.
Why did Babalu close? According to this post on Dining@Large, the lease was up, and Babalu's owners wanted out.
And that, dear readers, is that.
I went to Babalu a couple times in the past several years, but it wasn't really my scene. Babalu had a reputation for great mojitos, but I tried two a couple years ago and wasn't that impressed.
Oh well.
(Baltimore Sun photo by Karl Merton Ferron)
Poolside lounge Aqua is just about wrapped up for the season, and starting tonight, local event promoters the Good Life Boys are moving the regular rager to Mosaic in Power Plant Live.
DJ Scene will spin tonight, and each week will feature a different DJ. The cover is $10, but if you RSVP here, you can get in free before 11 p.m. Now, where did I put my Red Bull & Vodka? Oh, here it is. Cheers!
I've often started longingly into the dregs of a can of Natty Ice, wondering if I could see my future in them.
The only thing I accurately predicted was a ripe hangover, rot gut and a plump little potbelly.
Guest poster (and whiskey psychic) Paul "Scoop" Vivari to the rescue! Here's Scoop with a look at your future, based on what kind of beer you drink:
Predicting how the events of your day will unfold based on when your birthday falls has always been a laughable enterprise.
The ability to see into the future lies not in the secrets of the lunar calendar; rather, and quite obviously, it lies in our beer preference.
"You are what you drink," Plato may or may not have said, and if you have ever been curious to know what your day will be like before it even begins, simply find your beer of choice below, clear your mind, and be washed away by the suds of prophecy ...
This isn't good: Green Cilantro, the Fells Point bar which replaced the Whistling Oyster several months ago, is closed.
A sign on the front door says the bar is closed for repairs and will reopen soon.
But after writing about bar openings and closings for a few years, I can tell you -- this usually means the end is near.
I called Green Cilantro's main number, but no one answered.
Maybe Green Cilantro really is closed for repairs. Maybe, like its namesake, the bar will be back in the spring.
Only time will tell.
(Photo by jmgiordano)
Yesterday afternoon, I heard a rumor that Porter's, the popular neighborhood bar on Riverside Avenue, was closed. I called the place, got the answering machine, but thought nothing of it.
That is, until last night, when I was driving by Porter's and saw the lights out and the blinds drawn. Anybody know what's going on there?
Is it closed? If so, is it closed temporarily or permanently?
Sorry I didn't post earlier today. Our ancient blog software had one of its semi-regular meltdowns.
This just in: The grand opening of the new club mist (which replaced Iguana Cantina), is this weekend. Here are the details, according to an e-mail sent out by the JetSetMafia ...
Continue reading "The grand opening of mist is this weekend" »
Yesterday, I traded e-mails with a reader named Charlotte, who saw Bruce Springsteen at the Capital Centre in 1980. She was even able to find her old ticket stub.
Can you believe it only cost $11 for floor seats? If you want to get floor seats for Springsteen's Nov. 20 show at 1st Mariner, they're going to run you $100.
I asked Charlotte what she remembers from the show, and she sent me this:
I was working at McDonald's making about $2.90-$3.05/hr. and going to school at Villa Julie College (now Stevenson University) in the Medical Technician program. One of my classmates either gave me the ticket or sold it to me ...
Continue reading "Seen Springsteen before? How was the show?" »
Last week, City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake sent a letter to the city police commissioner asking him to padlock Suite Ultralounge, the Belvedere bottle club that's been linked to several violent episodes.
No word on whether or not the police are considering padlocking the club. But it makes you wonder -- why ask Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III to padlock Suite now? Why not, say, a month ago, when Circuit Court Judge Kaye Allison ruled the liquor board acted improperly when it yanked Suite's license? ...
Lounges are, like, soooo yesterday. Ultralounges are the hip new party spots.
Sam Sessa rages it in Ultralounges.
Sam Sessa is so hip he speaks in third person (when he's raging it in Ultralounges).
What, you ask, makes an Ultralounge so much better than a boring, lowly lounge? (This actually was a question posted by Corey on Dining@Large).
If you poke a lounge in its shoulder with an awesome needle and inject a shot of excellence, it becomes an Ultralounge. Oh yeah, baby.
Everything is newer, shinier, swankier, harder, faster, stronger and ... loungier ... in an Ultralounge.
Red Maple is just a lounge. Pur, on the other hand, is an Ultralounge. The difference? Pur has twice the cover charge. Zink! ...
Continue reading "What's the difference between a lounge and an Ultralounge?" »
Are you ready for some awesome party action, Midnight Sun style? I know I am. And the date is locked in -- Thursday, Oct. 29 at Bad Decisions. I'm still not sure what time yet, but it will probably start at something like 6:30 p.m.
Costumes are cool, but they're certainly not required. Also, since parking can be scarce in that part of town, I'm thinking about hiring a troupe of oompa loompas to valet. Thoughts?
Ask and ye shall receive.
Well, we asked for a sports bar in Mount Vernon, and lo and behold, we got one.
After visiting the new Turp's (1317 N. Charles St.), I have to say -- overall, I'm pleased with Mount Vernon's one and only sports bar.
Sports bars are the comfort food of the nightlife scene. You want to know what you're getting: Flat screen TVs, buffalo wings and decent beer prices.
I didn't try the buffalo wings, but Turp's came through on the other two. ...
Here's a question you don't get asked enough: If you could pick what kind of bar you'd like to see open in Upper Fells Point, what would you say?
Would you want an intimate, low key spot like a Liam's Pint-Size Pub or an Idle Hour? Or would you rather have a sports bar with a few flat screens? Or something in between? Here's a chance to have a say in what a new bar looks and feels like ...
Continue reading "What would you want in a new upper Fells Point bar?" »
A couple days ago, Nancy (of Read Street fame) handed me a pile of drinking- and music-related books. Thanks, Nancy!
Unfortunately, these books were quickly absorbed into the mountain of miscellany that is my desk (I also call it my plunder pile).
But now, I have unearthed the books, and actually read a couple pages of one of them.*
It's called "The Book of Beer Pong: The Official Guide to the Sport of Champions." You can buy it on Amazon for $10.85.
On a quick side note, why do all books have to have such long titles these days? Whatever happened to quick-hitters like "Moby Dick" or "War and Peace?"
Anyway, "The Book of Beer Pong" clocks in at a whopping 200 pages, give or take. 200 pages! On a drinking game! ...
Everyone, please give a warm welcome to guest blogger Michael Cook. You may remember him from such blogs as Beer & Old Bay on Metromix, and his stints as an employee of Metropolitan in South Baltimore.
Well, Michael has offered to write about beer and zombies for us, and who am I to deny him? Take it away, M.C.:
If there's one thing that makes me thirstier than the advent of autumn, it's the thought of dealing with the newly resurrected dead.
Fall is beer drinking time. Unfortunately, Halloween reminds us of the constant, often ignored, threat of slow-walking, brain-hungry zombies. You would cry too if it happened to you.
Finally, FINALLY, there is a beer company willing to face this morbid possibility with a new seasonal variety pack of suds.
Magic Hat's new offering is aptly called Night of the Living Dead, and contains their famous #9, their Circus Boy wheat beer, Roxy Rolles hoppy amber, and Odd Notion, a limited edition Belgian chocolate stout.
Since the wise folk at Magic Hat saw fit to send me a sample, here are my thoughts on the new beers ...
Continue reading "Sampling Magic Hat's new Night of the Living Dead seasonal variety pack" »
Something's strange at Canton Station (1028 S. Conkling St.), and I don't know what.
Who am I gonna call?
Them. Problem is, the line is disconnected.
I got this e-mail from Midnight Sunner Jay:
Do you know what's up with Canton Station? First they were closed for remodeling, now opening under new management? But the Canton Station/Natty Boh Lounge sign is covered up... any word on this?
Sounds like something is certainly afoot ...
Continue reading "Anybody know what's going on at Canton Station?" »
It was midnight on Wednesday in Locust Point, and we were thirsty. No worries, we told ourselves -- we'd have several options for a pint of ice cold, lip-smackin' suds.
Our first stop: The new Banners on Decatur Street. But as we walked up to the front of the building, two women strolled up from the side and told us they'd just closed the place for the night. Business was slow, they said. Business was slow before we got there, we told them. We offered to drink them dry, but they refused to open back up for us. Drat, we thought. ...
Will someone please define "soft opening" for me?
Maybe there isn't a set definition. It seems to vary from owner to owner. For years, I thought a soft-opening was where a bar owner quietly starts serving drinks to friends, family and whoever happens to wander by. That way, the staff can work out the kinks.
I used to like to drop by bars and restaurants for a sneak preview during soft openings. But I've been turned away from the past two soft openings I've been to ...
Snicker snicker.
Got this receipt at Turp's last night. I'll write more about Turp's later.
For now, enjoy this receipt.
Lord knows how this came to be. But it's pretty funny.
I wonder if the server (who was female) knew about it?
I don't know if I really want to give this one away, guys. I don't know if you deserve it.
Oh snap!
I have discovered what is undoubtedly the best draft beer deal in Baltimore City. Wanna know what it is? All right, fine, I'll tell ya -- but only 'cause I love ya ...
The Rowhouse Grille, South Baltimore's newest restaurant and bar, is just about ready to open.
According to co-owner Patrick Dahlgren, The Rowhouse, which replaced the Light Street Station at 1400 Light St., could have a soft opening as early as two weeks from now.
Don't hold your breath, though. That schedule depends on city inspections, permits, etc. all happening on time. And those kinds of things rarely go as planned.
Dahlgren gave me a tour of the building, which is pretty impressive. If you ever went to the Light Street Station, you'd never recognize it now ...
Continue reading "The Rowhouse Grille will (hopefully) open soon" »
This isn't exactly fresh news, but it still packs a wallop.
At about 7 p.m. Sept. 6 (the Sunday before Labor Day), a man drove a large van into the side of Miss Irene's (1738 Thames St.) that faces South Ann Street.
There were no injuries -- no passengers in the van or pedestrians on the sidewalk, according to hostess Emma Wagner.
"He came screeching around the corner, plowed through a parked car and hit the building," she said. "There was no one sitting there, but I was taking a family to a table right next to it. That was kind of scary." ...
For years, Lucky and Veronika Singh wanted to open a nice, clean sports bar with really good food.
Several months ago, the Singhs, who own Hopkins Deli, finally found what they thought would be the perfect space: Kolpers.
It wasn't until after they signed the contract that they found out about the double stabbing (which resulted in one death) which occurred there in March.
"I was thinking, 'Oh my gosh, oh no, what did I get myself into?'" Veronika Singh said.
"Needless to say, we don't want anything of this nature happening with us." ...
Continue reading "Hopkins Deli owners buy, reopen Kolpers" »
One of the (many) things I'd like to improve about Midnight Sun is our county coverage. This blog is, a lot of times, too focused on Baltimore City.
On that note, I got an e-mail from Robert, who needs a suggestion of a Towson-area bar with the college football package ...
Continue reading "Know of a good Towson spot to watch college football?" »
Iguana Cantina, the large-scale downtown club at Lombard Street and Market Place which closed in early July, will reopen as mist in the near future, organizers said.
The space is being renovated and re-themed right now. mist (the "m" is intentionally lowercase) will have new tiling, a paint job and a new dance floor, according to consultant Jim Temple, who owns Bourbon Street.
Temple said the building is getting "a real, real big face lift," aimed at attracting a crowd that's slightly older than Iguana Cantina's. ...
If you get most of your worldly knowledge from watching movies, you'll be surprised to learn that most alcoholics are nothing like the jolly, bumbling fatties with bulbous noses you see on the silver screen.
Yes, you might see some puffy red schnozes in real life, but a large number of hardcore alcoholics are skinny skinny thin thin. Why? Well, it's because they don't eat. They'd rather drink, you see.
As a result, many alcoholics have frail, withering bodies slowly rotting from the inside out.*
The best thing to do would be to stop drinking altogether. The second best thing? To knock back beverages with at least some nutritional value.
Baltimore Unsigned producer Nick Jackson and I have come up with a few semi-healthy options along these lines. Here they are, in no particular order ...
Continue reading "Let's make a list of semi-nutritional drinks" »
Cameras on the street? OK.
Cameras in the workplace? OK.
Cameras at the intersection? OK.
But cameras in the corner bar? Hmm ...
According to this piece by Sun crime writer Peter Hermann, police will be getting live feeds from new surveillance cameras inside Shirley's Honey Hole on East Oliver Street.
In recent months, Shirley's Honey Hole has been linked to violence and drug dealing. To keep the city from padlocking her bar, owner Shirley Barner struck a deal with the cops: She would hire a security guard and set up surveillance cameras inside and outside her bar.
In return, Shirley's Honey Hole stays open ...
Continue reading "Smile! The Baltimore police are watching you sip that beer." »
Saturday morning, I found myself where Fells Point meets Canton, with some extra time on my hands.
Isn't there some old saying about idle hands?
I decided to slip inside Ale Mary's, and on my way in, saw $5 margaritas advertised on the chalkboard. Score! I sidled up to the bar and asked for one of their finest $5 margaritas.
When the bartender typed it into the touchscreen, she realized the margaritas were only $4.
Double score!
"I've got to change the board," she said ...
Continue reading "Sipping a $4 morning margarita at Ale Mary's" »
This is almost too bizarre to be true. Almost.
Yesterday, the liquor board had a hearing to determine the fate of the Greektown bar Azteca de Oro (4901 Eastern Ave.), which had a series of wild, unruly incidents this summer.
Liquor board inspectors paid two visits to Azteca de Oro this summer -- first on July 25 and again Aug. 25. The first time, the inspector walked in and saw a nearly naked woman being fondled by several men ...
Continue reading "Greektown bar punished for unlicensed adult activity, public urination" »
Elizabeth Large sent me a great idea for a blog: What Baltimore (and county) bars happen to be in either historic or just cool/weird buildings?
I believe Mad River in South Baltimore was once a bank of some sort. And I know Ron Furman, the owner of Max's Taphouse, has cannibalized the ruins of Baltimore institutions and incorporated them into the Fells Point bar.
What else ya got for me?
OK gang, I've got a question: How much alcohol do you consume on the average weeknight? And what kind of alcohol?
Granted, this varies, depending on what you're doing. If you're at a restaurant, you might drink a little more, because, well, you're out and about.
Personally, I tend to drink less if I'm out to dinner on a Tuesday night (unless it's a special occasion), because it costs so much.
But if I'm chilling at home on a Tuesday night, I'll have a beer. Maybe two beers. Or a glass of wine. In the summer, I like a gin and tonic before bed (extra lime, of course). Tonight, I'm planning on having a cigar, which means I'll probably have a glass of scotch.
The reason I ask all this is, I consider a beer or two (even if it's a high-test beer like Clipper City IPA) to be "moderate drinking."
Now, when I go out on Friday nights and down an entire bottle of Courvoisier in 27 minutes -- I call that "heavy drinking."* ...
Pro athletes play fantasy football, too.
Sunday evening, a ton of New York Yankees dropped by ESPN Zone in the Inner Harbor to conduct their fantasy football draft in a private room.
"The whole team was there -- Jeter, A-Rod, Teixeira, Joba, etc.," ESPN Zone publicist Kat Kirsch wrote in an e-mail.
I wonder who got Ray Lewis?
(AP photo)
Billabong Bar has closed.
Sorry -- this is kind of stale news. I've been swamped lately, and have a bunch of backlogged blogs.
Brian McComas and the other folks invoved with the Ryleigh's/Billabong/Taverna Corvino franchise decided to move the license from Billabong to the forthcoming Federales Cantina. It's right around the corner on South Charles Street (across from the market).
The building that housed Billbong needed tons of repairs, and McComas said he couldn't justify pouring a lot of money into the place.
(Photo by me)
Hi, Banners!
Welcome to Locust Point. Sorry I took such a crappy cell phone photo of you. I know it doesn't do you justice.
Do you like your new digs at 1401 Decatur Street? Have the locals been kind to ya?
Maybe I'll drop by tonight and say hi.
Maybe I won't.
MINDFREAK!
(Photo by me)
With all this news of high-end restaurants like the Brass Elephant closing, it got me thinking: What bar would you miss the most, if it closed today? And why?
A colleague, Jacques Kelly, once encouraged me to patronize my favorite restaurants and bars, because even institutions (like the Brass Elephant and, say, Max's) aren't going to be here forever. And what's that old Cinderella tune about not knowing what you've got until it's gone? Or was that Joni Mitchell? Hee hee.
Seriously though, think about it -- what spot(s) would you miss the most?
The other day, I happened to be in the snack aisle of the Rite Aid at Baltimore and Calvert streets when I noticed the beer section.
Wait a minute: The beer section?
Yes, the beer section.
That particular Rite Aid happens to have a liquor license. Though the selection isn't amazing, the Rite Aid stocks a pretty comprehensive collection of domestics and standard imports. There is also wine, and I believe, spirits.
I'm sure it's quite convenient for folks who either live in the neighborhood or are passing through on their way home from work or to The Block.
That got me thinking -- what other city convenience stores also happen to have liquor licenses? ...
Continue reading "What city convenience stores have liquor licenses?" »
A couple weeks ago, during the Phish Merriweather show, I needed to use the restroom.
During intermission, I got my chance. Even though Merriweather recently tripled the size of the restrooms, it was a sold-out show, and the line for the men's room was super long.
The "gentleman" in front of me, who appeared to be in his late 20s or early 30s, had his own theory for how to get the line to move faster:
"USE THE SINK! GO IN THE SINK! THE SINK! USE THE SINK!"...
After some renovations, BAR in Fells Point is back in business, one of my spies reports.
"New floor, but same smell," the tipster wrote.
Hee hee.
Welcome back, BAR!
(Photo by me)
Longtime readers of Midnight Sun know I've got something of a bathroom fetish.
Maybe "fetish" is too strong a word. Lemme try that again.
Longtime readers of Midnight Sun know I've got a keen interest in bathrooms and bathroom accessories.
The only hand dryers I'll use are the XLerators, which are so strong they almost blow the skin off your hand.
That said, I've never seen something quite like the urinals at The Reserve (1542 Light St.). They're oval-shaped and inset into the wall. But the oddest part is, they don't flush ...
It's a good question. And as of right now, I don't have the answer.
Back when I blogged about Huckas closing late last year, the word on the street was Brian Pettit was trying to open a new joint there called Canton Arts & Entertainment.
I've walked past Canton Arts & Entertainment and seen people doing work inside.
Yes, I know, we should add Canton Arts & Entertainment to the list of Baltimore's Worst Named Bars.
Come to think of it, I don't have an official list going. Let's fix that. I officially nominate Turp's, 13.5% and NcDevin's.
Any others come to mind?
(Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.)
There is a larger, more important issue with the whole Suite Ultralounge saga: It shouldn't have gone this far in the first place.
It shouldn't have come down to the liquor board revoking the license, or a judge ruling over whether or not the liquor board had the proper authority to shutter the club.
Louis V. Wood, Suite's owner, should have stopped this violence as soon as it started -- whether it was inside or outside his bar ...
Continue reading "A bar owner's responsibility shouldn't stop at the sidewalk" »
The long-awaited ruling from Baltimore Circuit Court judge Kaye A. Allison is in, and the embattled Suite Ultralounge can keep its license -- for now.
The Baltimore liquor board didn't have the proper policies in place when it revoked Suite's license last November, Allison ruled.
The liquor board is holding a hearing Sept. 24 to introduce new regulations which officials hope would solve the problem. But it could be as late as November before the city's only bottle club loses its license.
Many violent episodes have been linked to the bottle club in the basement of the Belvedere. And it's unbelievable the club still has its license.
"What a mess," said Councilman William H. Cole IV, who represents the area.
"I'm concerned about the delay, but we don't have another choice. Now we just have to hope the liquor board acts swiftly and we'll move from there."
In the meantime, the violence has continued ...
Continue reading "Suite Ultralounge will stay open -- for now" »
Governor Martin O'Malley hit up J. Patrick's (1371 Andre St.) for a pint late last week, my spies report.
From the glass, it appears he quaffed Guinness. Heh. Quaffed.
According to my spy:
He was there for a while. It was a pretty decent crowd there last night for the advanced irish jam session, much better than the previous weeks.
Believe it or not, their Irish jams are pretty cool -- especially the advanced ones.
I've heard through the grapevine that J. Patrick's has hit on some hard financial times lately. So if you're in the area, be sure to drop by and have a pint or two.
Sun food queen Elizabeth Large tackled an interesting tale of cloaked drink prices and tall glass orders a couple days ago.
If you haven't seen the piece, definitely check it out.
I've always had a problem with bars and restaurants that don't list the price of their drinks. Correct me if I'm wrong here, but I think I know what their thought process is: If you're coming to such a fancy spot, price shouldn't be a worry. You should just be able to pay for whatever we charge you.
I don't think so.
When I'm at a lounge or a club -- no matter how fancy it is -- and I see their drink menu, I want to know how much stuff costs. To me, price and menu go hand-in-hand.
If I'm really not worried about price, I'll just order something off the cuff, say, a Bombay and tonic or a bottle of Dom Perignon.
But if I ask to see the drink menu, or if there is one just chilling on the table, I want to know how much things cost ...
Continue reading "Should bars list prices on their fancy cocktail menus?" »
Basketball star Shaquille O'Neal hit up Red Star Tavern for dinner and Bourbon Street for "drinks" Friday night.
Shaq was in town to race Michael Phelps for an episode of his TV show "Shaq Vs."
On Friday, Former Roommate Patchen called me and said he spotted Shaq going into Red Star. He said he saw a towering monster of a man chilling outside Red Star. When he looked closer, he realized it was Shaq.
Then, Bourbon Street manager Sam Chaney sent me an e-mail about Shaq's appearance at Bourbon Street's Rooftop Terrace ...
Continue reading "Shaq drops by Bourbon Street, Red Star" »
I can't tell you how many times people have asked me for good spots to see live jazz and blues in the Baltimore area. The truth is, there aren't many.
So I'm glad to announce that Micho's Restaurant in Reisterstown is now regularly hosting regional and national jazz and blues artists.
"There was nothing around the area for jazz or blues," said owner Micho Issa (pictured).
"Everybody had to go to Washington," he said. I figured, 'I'll do this venue to bring in people from around the area." ...
Continue reading "Micho's brings live jazz and blues to Reisterstown" »
This is a first for Midnight Sun: Commenter ryan97ou sat inside Turp's last night and reviewed the new Mount Vernon sports bar on the spot. Kids these days with their iPhones and such. If you missed his comments, I have copied them here ...
It wasn't as good as I thought it would be.
It wasn't smooth enough! I could still taste too much of the liquor -- even after muddling half a lime and two teaspoons of sugar.
Also, there was something to the liquor that reminded me of tequila. I can't quite put my finger on it. The smell, maybe? Either way, that was kind of a turnoff, too.
Of course, this didn't stop me from drinking my homemade caipirinha.
In hindsight, I should have put more lime in it. That might have helped soften the liquor's bite ...
For some weird reason, I don't think I ever blogged about my awesome experience as a celebrity guest panelist on Quiz-A-Ma-Jig at Max's a couple months ago.
Quiz-A-Ma-Jig is held on Thursdays on the second floor of Max's Taphouse (737 S. Broadway), a space called the Mobtown Lounge. The next event is tonight.
As you can see, we don't have any photos of Quiz-A-Ma-Jig in our archives. So I found the next best thing.
Ron Furman, who owns the place, usually claims all of the high-backed leather cushioned chairs and sets them around his table in the far corner, where he holds court with his cronies. It's not fair, but he's the boss.
I have only been to one Quiz-A-Ma-Jig before – years ago, and that was by accident. I was looking for a quiet place to chill out and smoke a cigar, and I stumbled upon Quiz-A-Ma-Jig. Before the smoking ban went into effect, a curtain of cigar smoke would hang in the upstairs lounge when it was full. Yuck. Needless to say, I like being able to breathe, so I like the new, smoke-free upstairs lounge.
If you plan on hitting up Quiz-A-Ma-Jig, get there at least 20 minutes before the games begin. My wife Amie, my pal Crazy Joe and I arrived about 15 minutes beforehand and nabbed one of the last remaining tables. ...
Happy birthday, Sidebar Tavern!
If you haven't heard, the Sidebar Tavern (218 E. Lexington St.) turns 11 this month. To celebrate, the basement dive is throwing an indoor/outdoor festival Friday and Saturday. More info here.
In true Sidebar fashion, this is the first time they've ever celebrated a birthday.
I did a profile of the Sidebar, which ran in today's paper. This spot has the weirdest happy hour scene in the city.
Since it's close to city hall, they get all these government employees in suits and ties. But since it's also a punk bar, they get a bunch of hardcore kids too. Oddly enough, everybody seems to get along ...
Continue reading "The Sidebar Tavern: Home to the city's strangest happy hour scene" »
I must admit -- until recently, I knew nothing about cachaca.
This little blue bottle of the Brazilian sugar cane liquor (pictured) was a wedding favor from one of my friends. It came with a recipe to make a caipirinha, a popular mixed drink made with cachaca.
To make a caipirinha, I'm supposed to muddle half a lime (!) with two teaspoons of sugar or simple syrup, add ice, dump in the cachaca and mix it all together. I like that there's no mint or other such mumbo jumbo -- just lime, sugar and liquor.
Apparently, they drink a ton of cachaca in Brazil -- something like 1.5 billion liters a year, according to Wikipedia. Geez.
Last night, I decided to sneak a sip of the stuff -- just a taste, to see what raw cachaca was all about. Bad decision ...
Oh snap! Alexander D. Mitchell IV just threw the glove down. He thinks this new beer from Brooklyn Brewery might be better than all the bacon stuff (gummy bacon, bacon vodka, etc.) I've blogged about.
I actually kind of agree with him -- it just might. We shall see.
Thoughts?
When I first heard of the Cilantro Martini at the new Green Cilanto in Fells Point, I knew I had to try it.
Mint makes regular appearances in mixed drinks like the mojito and, of course, the mint julep.
But cilantro? In a cocktail?
The menu lists the Cilantro Martini at $10, but the two times I've been there, the servers have insisted it's $6.75. That makes it one of the cheaper martinis in the city.
Not being one to knock a discount (I'm pretty sure they didn't know I was reviewing the drink), I didn't quibble about the price.
The martini is made with citron vodka, a splash of gin and cilantro and limes muddled in sugar. It's served in a stemless martini glass -- a non-traditional way to serve a non-traditional drink ...
Continue reading "Sipping a cilantro martini at Green Cilantro" »
Months ago, ryan97ou and I openly wished for a sports bar in Mount Vernon. When we heard a sports bar was actually going to open there we were overjoyed.
Now, after realizing what the place is going to be called, we're reconsidering. We didn't think it would have such an awful name.
How awful is it? It's so awful, it might actually discourage people from going. Wanna know what it is? Are you sure you're ready? ...
Continue reading "The new Mount Vernon sports bar has a terrible name" »
Can't say I didn't see this coming.
According to a piece by my coworker Don Markus, cops made 31 arrests at Saturday's Phish show at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia.
Jeffrey S. Tatum of Fort Collins and three of his friends -- Robert Kennamer Duncan, 32, also of Fort Collins; William James Leonard, 29, of Burlington, Vt.. and Jerald Griffin Irving, 26, of Brooklyn, N.Y. -- were among 31 people arrested by Howard County police. ...
Continue reading "Drug busts at the Merriweather Phish show" »
I haven't had the chance to check out the new B&O American Brasserie, but thankfully Midnight Sun poster Paul got there. Here are his thoughts on the Wednesday night half-priced drink specials:
Turns out happy hour isn't half-price drinks across the board.
Instead, one beer, a couple wines and one house cocktail are on special. Everything else is regular price, which for most drinks means double digit prices.
My friend and I sat in the little lounge area because the bar was full, and I was afraid we were in no man's land. But the service was excellent. Alison, who used to work at Ixia, was our waitress and knew everything about the menu, despite the place being so new ...
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make it to the happy hour/tattoo party at the Pratt Street Ale House Wednesday night (I was at WTMD taping an episode of Baltimore Unsigned until late).
So I missed seeing brewer Steve Jones get his 3 Lions tattoo.
Thankfully, Jones was able to send me a couple photos, and a short recap of the event:
The tattoo is everything I'd hoped it would be. I can't wait to see it when it's fully healed ... as I said before I'll wear it with pride ...
it links my English heritage to my work as a brewer and my place in the Baltimore beer scene. I'm extremely proud of my beer, especially the 3 Lions so it's a very personal tattoo for me!
I'm thankful that a great crowd showed up to support the event so it was a very special night for me. If you get a chance come by and try the Oak Aged 3 Lions on cask .. it's a wonderful, bold beer!
Here are a couple photos of the tattoo, courtesy of Steve ...
Continue reading "A look at brewer Steve Jones' new tattoo" »
To celebrate the re-branding of its in-house brews, the Pratt Street Ale House (pictured) is throwing a 3 Lions Tattoo Party tonight.
On or about 8 p.m., Oliver Ales brewer Steve Jones will unveil a kilderkin (a 21.6 gallon cask) of oak-aged 3 Lions Strong Brown Ale.
To show his support for the ale, and the symbol of the three lions, Jones is having the logo tattooed on his right forearm tonight at the bar, courtesy of Art With a Pulse.
"I shall be wearing it with pride," Jones said ...
Continue reading "Tonight: Watch a brewer get tatooed, drink cheap beer" »
I think I have Restaurant/Bar Stockholm Syndrome -- if there is such a thing.
In yesterday's post about the service horror story to end all service horror stories, I mentioned how I keep going back to the restaurant that treated us so poorly. It's like I'm in an abusive relationship.
Sure, the restaurant treats me bad -- but I love it. It means to do better, it really does.
You just don't understand.
Hee hee.
I ran this by a coworker, Maryann, who said she too has Restaurant/Bar Stockholm Syndrome with a spot near her house ...
Continue reading "I think I have Restaurant/Bar Stockholm Syndrome" »
For a couple weeks now, I've been meaning to post a list of the bars and clubs that won awards in Baltimore Magazine's Best of Baltimore 2009 issue. Sorry it's taken so long. Let me know if I missed any.
Here goes the link fest:
For libations: Pazo won Best Scene, The Wine Market won Best Wine List, V-NO won Wino Heaven, Annabel Lee Tavern won Best Bar For Grown-Ups, Max's Taphouse (obviously) won Best Beer Selection (I mean, what other Baltimore bar can compete?).
The Metro Gallery took home Best New Bar, the Cat's Eye Pub won Best Live Music Bar, City Cafe won Best Happy Hour (hmm ...) and City Limits won Best Sports Bar ...
Continue reading "Baltimore Magazine's 2009 list of award-winning watering holes" »
From time to time, I'll get grumpy and blog about how terrible service can be in this city.
But this story, I think, takes the cake.
I'm not naming names. And I think enough time has passed since it happened. So without further adieu, here it is -- the service horror story to end all service horror stories.
It was New Year's Day 2007, and we wanted to get some brunch. Amie, me and our two friends from out of town decided to head to a restaurant (which shall remain nameless).
When we got there, the place was slammed, and a bunch of people were waiting for tables. We decided to stick it out.
One of our friends from out of town has type 1 diabetes. While we stood there waiting for a table, his hands began to shake. It looked like he was going into diabetic shock, which can be prevented by a quick infusion of sugar, from, say, a glass of orange juice (pictured) ...
Continue reading "The service horror story to end all service horror stories" »
Edie needs your help.
She's waaay out on the west coast, and trying to plan her friend's bachelorette party in Baltimore. She writes:
Can you suggest any hotels that are centrally located in Baltimore I can book as a main camp? Also, any really good/cool night club suggestions? Her last night as a free women needs to be a good one
Edie, I can't help you too much on the hotel part, but maybe some of my commenters can.
As for the bars and clubs? I'd say the most popular spot for Baltimore bachelorette parties seems to be Power Plant Live (they did, after all, win the Best of the Best of the Best award for "Best Place To Get Molested By A Bachelorette Party" ...
Continue reading "Help Edie plan her friend's bachelorette party" »
How was everyone's weekend? I made the rounds Friday, sampling some drinks for a piece about cocktails with weird herbs in them. More on that later. Then I hit up the Beach House/Celebration show at the Metro Gallery (review here) and closed out the night at the Idle Hour (201 E. Fort Ave.). Busy night ...
I've probably walked past this a hundred times, but only noticed it for the first time this morning.
On the front of McFaul's Pub (the Ropewalk Tavern expansion), there is a knee-high door labeled "Leprechaun Entrance."
There's even a little lantern light by it.
Is it gimmicky? Cheesy? Tacky?
All of the above. And I couldn't help but chuckle at its cheesygimimickytacky awesomeness.
(Photo by me)
Happy Drinker Rob had a nice piece the paper about Delaware breweries, including Dogfish Head, Evolution and 16 Mile Brewing Co.
(Baltimore Sun photo by Algerina Perna)
After wondering about the new Suite 18, I heard from marketing coordinator Danielle Lewis, who had the scoop on the new lounge.
It opened June 20 in the space that was formerly Gordon's Nightclub. The new management made a few cosmetic changes, but left the place largely the same, she said.
"It's geared towards young professionals who want to hang out," she said.
Suite 18 is 21+. Here are the specials, broken down by day, according to Lewis ...
A co-owner of the South Baltimore bar Taps was hospitalized and charged with assault after allegedly scuffling with several bouncers from the nearby Mother's Federal Hill Grille, according to a police report. A bouncer from Mother's was also charged with assault.
Here is the play-by-play, according to the report: At 1:30 a.m. June 27, police responded to a report of an assault at Mother's. There, they found David Holter, a co-owner of Taps, with a "busted eye" and a cut on the back of his head, and Holter's friend Luke Litchenberger, as well as several Mother's bouncers ...
I love the sound of this.
Check it: From noon-4 p.m. Saturday Sept. 19, the Clipper City Brewery is throwing a Beer & Bacon Fest, complete with "Pyrates, Pigs & Pints."
We're talking more than 15 kinds of bacon, more than 10 kinds of beer, more than 10 restaurants and even some live music. All you can eat and drink is only $40. Details here.
These are a few of my favorite things ...
I thought I'd blogged about this already, but when I went back and looked, I realized I hadn't.
Illusions Magic Bar (1025 S. Charles St.), the swanky South Baltimore lounge with regular live magic shows by Spencer Horsman (pictured), was recently recognized by CNN.com.
The news Web site listed Illusions as one of nine places to "party like it's 1929."
Here's a link to the list. And here's the blurb CNN did on Illusions:
With custom-made chandeliers above the cherry wood bar and jazz and swing played on the piano, Illusions gives the impression of being like any other roaring '20s-themed jazz club. Not so on Friday and Saturday evenings, when the stage -- cut into the middle of the bar -- hosts a one-hour vaudeville-style magic show ($5 cover). House magician Spencer Horsman escapes from a straitjacket while hanging upside down from the ceiling, a feat best appreciated while sipping a multilayered "magic" martini of Hpnotiq liqueur, Stoli raspberry vodka, pineapple juice and Chambord ($12). The low-key second-floor lounge has leather sofas and retro magician posters that go nicely with Magic Hat beers ($3).
I must confess, I haven't been back to Illusions since I first reviewed it in April 2007 ...
A couple days ago, Former Roommate Patchen sent me a link to this massive list of suds, courtesy of a Web site called Beer Me!.
The list has almost 25,000 beers, from almost 11,000 breweries. The cool part is, you can sort them by brewery, beer, style, location and score.
According to the list, "20" is a perfect score.
If you sort by score, the worst beers aren't even scored -- the merciful folks behind the site seem to have stopped scoring any beer below a "3".
Patchen had a good idea:
for a fun exercise, sort by score, then use your computer's find command to find the maryland beers. Some interesting ones come up high.
The list is also a good resource if you're looking for brews from a specific region.
(Baltimore Sun archive photo)
Does anybody know what, exactly, is going on at Club Orpheus (pictured) these days?
The scruffy little club on the outskirts of Little Italy has been hosting goth parties for years.
But as of mid-August, two of the club's biggest events won't be there anymore.
Rapture, the alt-electro night, moved to the Depot back in May, according to Bmore Electro. And Ascension is ending Aug. 7.
I posed this same question about a year and a half ago, and an organizer of Ascension assured me that the club was still open.
I'm not so sure about it this time.
Can somebody fill me in?
Thanks to Patrick for the link. And if someone from Bmore Electro happens to read this post, please give me credit if and when you use my photos. Crappy as they are, they are still my photos.
(Photo by me)
