Boiler Room more than fun and games in Federal Hill
Back in 2004, four friends opened Barcade, a marriage between vintage video games and craft beer in Brooklyn, N.Y.'s Williamsburg neighborhood. Since then, Barcade has expanded to New Jersey and...
View ArticleWoodberry Kitchen's bar is worthy of praise, too
The diner to my left, mouth slightly agape, fixed her eyes on the bartender, whose hands became blurs as she vigorously shook a couple silver shakers. Once, she shot a glance my way as if to say, "Are...
View ArticleFor Penny Black in Fells Point, a return to basics
In Baltimore, you can go home again, especially if home is a bar. Charles "Chuck" Doering and his family proved it last July, when they finished renovations on the former John Steven Ltd., a corner...
View ArticleBrunch cocktails at Canton's Iron Rooster deliver
Recently, I told a friend in Canton my plans to check out the all-day breakfast spot Iron Rooster. "Good luck," she responded, without hesitation. "It's always crazy packed there on weekends." In...
View ArticleAt West Madison Craft Beer & Wine Bar, focus shifts to bar
Let's begin with an obvious truth: Longevity is hard to come by in the bar business. For every rock-solid establishment with decades under its belt, there are many more nascent concepts hoping to...
View ArticleLB Skybar: Finally, a true rooftop bar in Baltimore
Call it little-brother syndrome, but at times, many of us go to great lengths to avoid giving Washington credit - of any kind. But one area in which D.C. has Baltimore beat, undeniably, is its...
View ArticleCosima's bar reflects its confidence
There are much easier restaurants to find in Baltimore than Cosima, the Southern Italian eatery whose entrance requires a winding descent along a steep driveway. Even with the aid of GPS, you could...
View ArticleThe Food Market still stands out in Hampden
Aside from geography, the shops and restaurants on West 36th Street in Hampden have little in common. On the strip better known as The Avenue, you can get a haircut, browse sex toys, eat a gyro, sip...
View ArticleLoch Bar showcases posh vibes, classic cocktails in Harbor East
With the Japanese-themed Azumi and the Mediterranean eatery Ouzo Bay, the local Atlas Restaurant Group has proved to have the quality and style to meet Harbor East's high-end expectations. While its...
View ArticleWet City, a Mount Vernon beer bar, succeeds because of bold choices
The space on West Chase Street had been a classic Irish bar named Dougherty's Pub since it opened in 1994. When I stopped by on one of its last days in December, Sherry Dougherty mentioned the new...
View ArticleLa Cuchara bar's delight is in its details
Sitting at the 40-seat, steel-top bar at La Cuchara on a recent weeknight, a couple cocktails in, I wondered: Does it get much better than this? It's a thought I've had more than once at this gem of a...
View ArticleGnocco offers an intimate experience at the bar
In June, chef-owner Brian Lavin opened Gnocco, a love letter to his time not long ago studying abroad - and eating and drinking - through Italy and Spain as a University of Maryland, College Park...
View ArticleGunther & Co.'s bar is whimsical and well-balanced
Chatting recently with Shaun Stewart of Gunther & Co., I asked the mind behind the bar program of the Brewers Hill restaurant to describe his approach to the cocktail menu. "'Innovative' is always...
View ArticleWits End Saloon in Timonium takes whiskey seriously
The first three years after brothers Marc and Andrew Unger opened their Timonium comedy club - Magooby's Joke House - inside the former Lorenzo's Dinner Theatre, the old dressing room space sat empty....
View ArticleR. Bar at R. House is crowded, and it's easy to see why
On a recent Friday night, I nearly rubbed my eyes in disbelief. Could it be - two vacant chairs at R. Bar? In the bustling atmosphere of the Remington food hall R. House, spotting a couple of empty...
View ArticleLee's Pint & Shell an effective rebrand in Canton
Opened in Canton in 2008, Saute never seemed to truly know itself. The corner establishment served likeable pub fare in a prime location, but the vibe inside felt stuffy and drab. Was it a sit-down...
View ArticleDebated for years, Crossbar der Biergarten impresses in Federal Hill
For about seven years, Crossbar der Biergarten was just an ambitious megabar concept, a "coming soon" social media account and a lightning rod of a topic among Federal Hill residents. To many...
View ArticleHightopps Backstage Grille sustains success with breezy atmosphere, attentive...
Those visiting Hightopps Backstage Grille for the first time will likely notice the Timonium mega sports bar's popularity before even exiting the car. It's the type of place that requires staffing...
View ArticleRevived Baltimore Eagle leather bar pulsates with good energy
When the Baltimore Eagle closed at the end of 2012, the city lost a storied establishment that was more than just a place to socialize and dance. It was an open-minded, safe space for all visitors,...
View ArticlePaulie Gee's back bar graduates from best-kept secret status
You'd be forgiven for overlooking the back bar at Paulie Gee's. With a couple of eye-catching, wood-burning ovens located in the center of the Hampden restaurant, acting as its beating heart, it's...
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