Things To Do
YOU MAY HAVE ALREADY CLOCKED IT. Lately, there’s been a lot of focus on our weeknight routines—or as TikTok has coined them, our “5 to 9 after our 9 to 5.” Yes, nightlife is still a thing, but evening life, especially during the work week, is coming on strong.
The timing makes sense. Emotional burnout is at an all-time high, which has many of us partying less, dining out earlier, and prioritizing sleep and self-care—young people included. In some cases, this means going straight home after logging off. Vloggers have gone viral for documenting their regimented evenings in-the-life, with time-stamped scenes of commuting home, exercising, meal prepping, checking off chores, and completing multi-step skin treatments before hopping into bed at 9:30. But while the influencers score points for productivity, there are plenty of us who want to have fun in our free time and get home at a reasonable hour.
Luckily, we live in the right city for doing just that. Baltimore offers more variety than ever for anyone looking to add excitement to their post-work life.
Instead of punching out and getting stuck in the weeknight loop—which, admittedly, once involved a fair amount of doomscrolling and binge-watching mixed with a bit of dread about doing it all over again tomorrow—a growing number of us are also picking up hobbies, joining social clubs, or simply finding ways to enjoy the season’s extended sunlight. Because in this age of digital divide and post-pandemic loneliness, we want more than just the daily grind—we’re craving meaningful connections.
To that end, we’ve created a guide to help you refresh your own after-work agenda. We’re not just talking happy hours, trivia, and social sports (although we highlight those, too), but everything from live concerts and craft nights to competitive karaoke and even book-swap cruises.
The lesson here is that going out on the town should be energizing, not exhausting. And as we come out of hibernation after a harsh winter, there’s no better time to try something new, even if it’s only one or two nights a week.
It’s called a work-life balance for a reason. So go ahead, Baltimore, live it up.
No matter what your 5 to 9 looks like, mealtime is a major component. Mix up your regular happy hours with a few unexpected stops for eats and drinks.
FARMERS MARKET
Kenilworth Farmers Market
Browsing a local farmers market is often thought of as a weekend activity, but if you aren’t an early bird, weeknights are ideal for shopping Maryland-grown ingredients. One local favorite is the Kenilworth Farmers Market, set up under the parking deck at The Shops at Kenilworth in Towson on Tuesdays from 3-6 p.m. From April 28 through Thanksgiving, fill your totes with seasonal produce from White Hall’s One Straw Farm, beautiful blooms from Baldwin’s Celadon Hill Flower Farm, and nature’s candy from Pennsylvania’s Three Springs Fruit Farm. The family-friendly markets (a fun stop on the way home from school pickup) often offer live acoustic performers, plus grocery staples such as Andy’s Eggs, Dimitri Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, and BowBread sourdough.
SEE ALSO: AgriHood Farmers Market at Druid Hill Park (Wed.) • Govans Farmers Market (Wed.) • Pikesville Farmers Market (Tues.) • Rotunda Farmers Market (Tues.)
DRINKS WITH A TWIST
Analogue After Dark
We all have those workdays that leave us feeling like we want to throw our devices into the harbor and never see a notification again. That’s one of the reasons we’re grateful for the folks behind Mobtown Ballroom in Station North, whose many events, including their monthly no-phones nights (typically Tuesdays), provide much-needed IRL connection. When you arrive, slap on a nametag, turn in your phone to be safely checked behind the bar (we promise, you can do it), and start a tab to sip cocktails categorized by classics, signatures, low-ABV, and NA. If you’re peckish, add on a stellar shrimp po’boy or sourdough grilled cheese. From there, roam around stations set up for sketching, board games, book swaps, puzzles, crafting, or simply socializing without the screen—just like your ancestors once did.
SEE ALSO: That ’70s Hour at The Dive • Profs and Pints (Times and venues vary) • R&B Mondays at Yeiboh Kitchen
HAPPY HOUR
Aperitivo Hour at Love, Pomelo
Don’t feel like waiting until 8 p.m. to enjoy a full-course meal? Indulge fashionably early (trust us, it’s a thing—just ask comedian Amy Poehler, who recently said on her Good Hang podcast that 6 p.m. is her go-to dinnertime these days) with the 5 to 7 p.m. aperitivo hour available in the downstairs dining room at Love, Pomelo in Canton. Tuesdays through Saturdays, commune with co-workers or friends over a variety of discounted drinks and small plates that take inspiration from Italy’s time-tested postwork ritual. Pomelo’s seasonal selections often include a charcuterie plate, rosemary potato focaccia, split tinned seafood, and Calabrian chile-honey pork ribs. Among the highlighted sips are spritzes and some of the best negronis in the city. And if you want to have something heftier, go on Wednesdays when house-made pasta dishes are a steal at $20.
SEE ALSO: Cellar Raid Tuesdays at Cinghiale • Happy Hour at Mama Koko’s • $2 happy hour oysters at True Chesapeake
—Photography by Rachel Cooper/Courtesy of Farmers Market Supper Club
SUPPER CLUB
Farmers Market Supper Club
If you’re a home cook who likes to test recipes and support local growers, a new social scene awaits at this weeknight supper club. Founded by home cook—and farmers market regular—Charlie Urrutia, the potluck-style events (which pop up at different locations like breweries, wineries, and farms around town) encourage participants to bring a scratch-made dish featuring at least one ingredient purchased from a local farmers market. The result is a colorfully curated spread that inspires deep connection and conversation among multigenerational dinner companions who become fast friends. Now in their second year of hosting the dinners, organizers hope to expand with additional themes, which have so far included a fall Oktoberfest event, a Lunar New Year meal, and, of course, a communal crab feast. Here’s hoping that last one returns—because what’s a Baltimore summer without seafood and sweet corn?
SEE ALSO: Origins Speaker Series at Woodberry Tavern • The Long Table Supper Club by H3irloom • To the Table Supper Series • Catonsville Food Truck Meet-Up (Thurs.) • Sunset Sailing Series with Living Classrooms and The Local Oyster
WATERFRONT DINING
Picnic at Point Park
Baltimoreans are blessed with a multitude of public greenspaces for postwork picnics, and among the newest within city limits is Point Park at Harbor Point, located smack dab in the middle of Harbor East and Fells along the waterfront promenade. The fleet of fast-casual eateries that call this tucked-away tract home—including Attman’s Deli, Charm City Poke & Mochi, and The Chicken Lab—make picnic prep easy, and there’s plenty of room to spread out a blanket, throw a Frisbee with friends, or play fetch with Fido. Just be sure to stop and soak up your surroundings, as the 4.5-acre grounds pay homage to their history—incorporating steel and timber (as a nod to Allied- Signal’s former Baltimore Chromium Works facility), as well as educational signage sharing the Indigenous roots of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
SEE ALSO: Ampersea • Bowleys on the Bay • Little Havana, Dock of the Bay • Loch Bar • Pussers Landing, Raw & Refined • Rye Street Tavern
Arts and culture have always been at the heart of local nightlife. And while the late-night scene still thrives, plenty of venues offer evening entertainment that puts you home in time to get a solid eight hours.
KARAOKE
Charm City Karaoke League
True to its name, this co-oprun competitive league at Abell’s Peabody Heights Brewery injects a hefty dose of quintessentially Baltimore quirkiness into a typical karaoke night. For those who want to embrace their inner theater kid—or really anyone who’s willing to brave the mic—the 10-week seasons task teams of 6-10 singers with belting three songs (solo, duets, and a full group number) each Tuesday night, with themes ranging from yacht rock to Supermarket Sweep. Audiences vote on their favorites, with bonus points for choreography, props, and costumes. New this June will be a monthlong “Summer Showdown” series, a less intense version of the regular sessions that provides the perfect opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and give it a try before committing to a full season in the fall.
SEE ALSO: B-Side Karaoke • Broadway Hotpot • Max’s Taphouse (Fri.) • Motor House (Tues.) • Walt’s Inn (Wed.-Sun.)
COMMUNITY CONCERT
WTMD’s First Thursdays
For in-the-know Baltimoreans, the workday seems to fly by faster on the first Thursdays of the summer months, especially in Canton, where we collectively look forward to the weekend- eve recess that is WTMD’s annual First Thursday music festival. Mark your calendars (and pray for sunny skies) for June 4, July 9, August 6, and September 3, when the famous fête put on by the local public radio station will return to the scenic Canton Waterfront Park. Aside from grooving in the sun (follow WTMD’s socials for official lineups, the first of which will feature indie rockers Fantastic Cat, post-punk psychadelic rock band Seven Teller, and indie folk group Happy Landing), the fest is a time to track down your favorite food truck, get acquainted with area vendors, admire local art in the Cultural Alliance’s Baker Artist Alley, and undoubtedly run into a familiar face or two.
SEE ALSO: Summer Sounds at Belvedere Square • Cross Keys Music in the Village • Frederick Road Fridays • Hunt Valley Towne Centre Friday Night Live • Patterson Park Summer Concert Series
—Courtesy of Ulysses via Facebook
JAM SESSION
Tuesday Jazz Affair at Bloom’s
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: The hippest hotel in Baltimore isn’t just for out-of-towners. In Mount Vernon, the boutique Ulysses has become a hangout for the local who’s who. Even on weeknights, a stylish crowd gathers in its three luxurious cocktail lounges for a range of popups and parties at the sultry, sleek, mirror-lined Bloom’s. One event not to miss happens every Tuesday, all year long. Curated by Baltimore School for the Arts grad and upright bassist Ed Hrybyk, the weekly Jazz Affair sets the small corner stage with some of the best live music in town. From 7 to 10 p.m., catch top-notch concerts featuring talented local musicians. Best of all, the shows are free.
SEE ALSO: Baltimore Old Time Jam at The Bluebird Cocktail Room • Bright Moments Jazz Jam Sessions at Keystone Korner • The Hemingway Room at Little Havana
LISTENING PARTY
Essential Tremors Selector Series
Few things are more analog than putting on a record. When the needle drops, it’s hard not to slow down and soak in the sound. And once a month in Riverside, you can do just that during this Wednesday-night vinyl listening series, born out of WYPR’s Essential Tremors podcast. On air, hosts Lee Gardner and Matt Byars ask guests about the three songs that shaped them—and these listening parties are an extension of that theme. Held at the beloved Idle Hour dive bar, each session digs deep into a single album, often picked by local guests of honor like music critic Al Shipley, musician Lafayette Gilchrist, or composer Judah Adashi. In this era of instant everything, it feels good to pull up a stool, sip a strong pour (IYKYK: chartreuse is the house specialty), and stay awhile in a state of highfidelity. The show starts at 7 p.m. with a $20 cover.
SEE ALSO: Baltimore Record Bazaar • The Evening Ritual • Good Folks Happy Hour
MOVIE NIGHT
El Jardín Outdoor Movie Series
During warm weather months, an added bonus when you visit Fells Point’s The Sound Garden (for all of your music needs) and its next-door-neighbor Arepi (for some of the best Venezuelan street food in town) is scoping out their shared outdoor patio, El Jardín. The colorfully muraled oasis hosts pop-up art fairs, flea markets, and other neighborhood events. Returning on Tuesday nights in June and July will also be the patio’s outdoor movie series, which launched with rom-coms last summer. This time around, bring a lawn chair and set up your spot to enjoy a lineup of sonically themed movies starting at dusk. The schedule is set with featured flicks like The Breakfast Club on June 2, Empire Records on June 16, and Purple Rain on June 23.
SEE ALSO: AVAM Flicks from the Hill • Creative Alliance Interactive Movie Nights • Movie Nights at Golden West (Wed.) • Vintage View Cinemas
5 TO 9 FUN FACTS
Late nights haven’t yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, according to UMD School of Medicine’s Dr. Emerson Wickwire, who says prioritizing shut-eye is “having its moment in the limelight.”
It’s just simple math: There are more weekdays than there are weekends. And between errands and family events, Saturday and Sunday can be tight for making time for yourself.
Having hobbies can make you happier, according to the American Psychiatric Association. A 2023 poll found that adults who reported very good or excellent mental health engage in creative activities more frequently than those who reported poor mental health.
Noticing restaurants filling up right after quitting time? It’s a thing. As earlier bedtimes become more popular, OpenTable recently found that 44 percent of diners prefer to be among the first tables served than the last.
Post-work happy hours are taking a hit in the age of remote work, so a number of people are on the hunt for outside-of-the-box ways to connect with friends and mentors.
You could spend your whole life in Charm City and still not cover every corner. Even for lifelong locals, the area is still full of surprises, including at least a few of these evening experiences.
ADULT FIELD TRIP
Twilight Tuesdays at Ladew Topiary Gardens
The drive to Monkton might be a bit longer than your regular evening commute, but the calming grounds of the Ladew Topiary Gardens are well worth the trek. On “Twilight Tuesdays,” from May through August, this 22-acre oasis offers extended hours until 8 p.m. Give your brain a break by wandering around the blossoms in nearly 30 unique gardens. A milelong nature trail and lovely gift shop are also worth exploring. New this season, the family behind The Ladew Café—husband-and-wife chefs Joe and Wendy Borkoski with their daughter, baker and pastry chef Sam Borkoski—will not only offer dinner service, but gourmet picnic baskets which visitors can order in advance to enjoy anywhere on the property.
SEE ALSO: Art After Hours at the BMA • Industry Social Club at the BMI • Culturally Curated at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum • Voyages at the National Aquarium
—Courtesy of Station North Tool Library via Facebook
CREATIVE CLASSES
Station North Tool Library
This reliable resource center started off solely as a tool-lending library in 2013. But, as its staff soon came to realize, what’s the use of a collection of more than 3,800 gadgets if members don’t know how to properly use them? That’s where the hobbyist haven’s 30-plus classes come in. If you’re tackling a home-improvement project, you’ve found the right place. There are workshops on everything from electrical and plumbing to painting and BYO (that’s build your own) cutting boards and coffee tables. Even if you aren’t making home upgrades, other skill sessions focus on sewing, soap-making, block printing, macramé, and more to get your creative juices flowing. And by registering for an evening class, it frees up more time to actually apply what you’ve learned on weekends
SEE ALSO: Baltimore Clayworks • Baltimore Print Studios • Baltimore Jewelry Center • Local Color Flowers • Manor Mill • McFadden Art Glass • Mudhouse Pottery Studio • Open Works
MAKE NEW FRIENDS
Outerly
In conducting research for her outdoor social series—which links up likeminded strangers for fun walking excursions—Outerly founder Kay Rodriguez discovered that a big barrier for exploring the city on foot wasn’t where to walk, but who to walk with. On that front, a year after launching, her program is making new strides. Here’s how it works: You sign up, take a short quiz, and book an outing, which can range from a sunset walk and happy hour to a stroll with local rescue dogs to a thrift-store crawl. After receiving your itinerary, show up and get your steps in while connecting with a new crew. “I get a lot of selfie emails from people who go out together after meeting through us,” says Rodriguez. “It’s so cool seeing this community take on a life of its own.”
SEE ALSO: Bmore Girly • Bmore Social Club • Charm City Social Club • Girls Who Walk Baltimore • Discover Charm City’s Gal Pal Events • Just Like Frens
GIVE BACK
Plantation Park Heights Urban Farm
On 10 acres of converted urban farmland in Northwest Baltimore, founder Richard Francis—the former biomedical field service engineer lovingly known as “Farmer Chippy”—is working with his team to ensure food security for their neighbors, one bunch of carrots and peck of peppers at a time. They tend to an array of fruits, veggies, and herbs harvested for farmers markets and donation drives, and they happily welcome extra help. Volunteers pitch in with tasks like planting, weeding, and other general garden maintenance. And on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. starting in June, you can help staff peddle produce at the AgriHood Farmers Market at Druid Hill Park.
SEE ALSO: Blue Water Baltimore • Bmore Cleanup Crew • Every Day is Earth Day • Volunteering Untapped
Whether you already have a hobby you want to geek out over, or you’re hoping to pick up something new, Baltimore boasts plenty of places to find your people —from craft circles and trivia teams to chess clubs and improv troupes.
CRAFT CIRCLE
Craft &
Just over a year ago, recent transplant Sophie Diltz—an event planner by trade—launched her first hangout for fellow creatives looking to bond over crafting. “It’s a language everybody speaks,” she says, “whether you’re a kindergartener drawing a picture or an 85-year-old quilt-maker passing on your technique.” Since then, the 28-year-old has hosted more than 20 events at venues like Ministry of Brewing, Village Learning Place, and Harbor East Cinemas. Where her concept really colors outside the lines are the specific series, such as “Craft & Chat,” which encourages attendees to strike up a convo while working on their projects. Or the popular “Craft & Cinema” nights that meet in a movie theater. (No, it’s not pitch black in there—they give you just enough light to get the full film experience and work on your masterpiece.)
SEE ALSO: Black Collagists • The Craft Castle • Charm City Photo Club • Handcraft Happy Hour • Jubilee Arts • Lovelyarns Sip & Stitch (every other Thurs.) • Meander Art Bar • The Local Stitch
BOARD GAME NIGHTS
No Land Beyond
Though it’s been around since 2018, this trailblazing board-game bar has increased its profile since moving to new digs at The Parlor in Station North last summer. With a clever food and drink menu (see gaming-inspired specialties like the tequila and grapefruit- forward “Gilded Lotus” a la Magic: The Gathering), plus an open library of 500-plus games (from Twister to Settlers of Catan), there’s plenty to keep visitors occupied without joining a specific weeknight club. That said, the clubs are half the fun, running the gamut from Gamers of Color happy hours and Girls’ Gaming Guild get-togethers to the cheekily named “Never Board” meetings. The bar’s weekly lineup also features Sorcery: Contested Realm play on Tuesdays; Yu-Gi-Oh on Wednesdays; and both Go and Riichi (Japanese mahjong) on Thursdays; among many others.
SEE ALSO: Canton Games • Hampden Board Game Club • Charles Village Chess Club
—Photography by Lauren Cohen
BOOK CLUB
Greedy Reads Book Swap Cruise
Perhaps the most beloved bibliophile bash in the entire City That Reads, this monthly mixer invites literature lovers aboard a Baltimore Water Taxi for a two-hour tour of the Inner Harbor. Hosted by Greedy Reads, the seasonal cruises—returning May 18, June 12, July 20, and August 22—also double as book swaps. While watching the sunset, compare must-read lists, and talk about the latest book-to-screen adaptations over snacks and bubbly bevvies. Not only will you disembark with an addition for your home library, you’ll also leave with snaps and selfies (possibly with new friends) tacked to your photo library, too.
SEE ALSO: Atomic Books Reading Club • Baltimore Silent Book Club at Old Major • Book Slutz at Charm City Books • Fells Point Silent Book Club
—Photography by Christopher Myers
OPEN MIC
Vibes in Mt. Vernon
Taking inspiration from intimate concerts like Sofar Sounds and NPR’s Tiny Desk, this new open-mic series brings homegrown talents into the spotlight at the venerable Baltimore Center Stage. After mingling over lobby cocktails, audiences head into the theater to check out a roster of risingstar rappers, DJs, poets, and musicians, as well as featured performers chosen by BCS’s artistic associate of civic and community engagement, Antwan “Greeyo” Hawkins Jr. A producer and artist himself, he hopes these sessions create a pathway for up-and-coming acts. “It creates this beautiful tapestry of different levels of artists and aesthetics in the room,” says Hawkins. Audiences vote for their favorite performers, who are automatically added to the featured lineup for the next showcase. See the upcoming show on June 23.
SEE ALSO: Baltimore Rock Opera Society • Charm City Slam • Highwire Improv • Mess and Friction
TEAM TRIVIA
Trivia with Lizzie Dove
If you ever need to consult a pop-culture expert (in a “phone-a-friend” situation, perhaps), we hope you have someone like Lizzie Dove on speed dial. On a weekly basis, you can catch the local trivia host in Federal Hill, where she organizes general-knowledge games on Monday nights at MaGerk’s, plus a pop-culture version on Tuesday nights at Wayward. On Wednesdays, the two-time “Best of Baltimore” Readers’ Poll winner alternates between AJ’s on Hanover and Delia Foley’s for themed trivia, complete with cocktails she conjures up to match the vibe. To give you an idea, recently Heated Rivalry experts ordered rounds of White Russians, SpongeBob stans sipped rum-and-pineapples, and O’s fanatics downed orange “Adley Crush-mans” while putting their knowledge to the test.
SEE ALSO: Charm City Trivia • Charm City Music Bingo • Greg’s Shitty Trivia Night
Moving your body in any form—whether you’re walking, running, dancing, or playing sports—is a surefire stress reliever, which helps us sleep better to boot.
SOCIAL SPORTS
Volo Sports
Stroll around Brewers Hill, Federal Hill, Locust Point, or a handful of other ’hoods on any given weeknight, and you’re bound to encounter a pack of players sporting the same brightly colored Tshirts. They’re likely heading from a soccer pitch or kickball field to a local bar, where they’ll celebrate a win—or lament a loss— over drinks with the team. Since its founding as a bocce league in Baltimore in 2010, Volo, which has expanded to other cities including New York and Denver, has operated on the principle that sports level the playing field for uniting communities. The adult leagues for all skill sets offer just about every game under the sun, from flag football, field hockey, and lacrosse to soccer, softball, and Skee-Ball. The real trophy? Fees help fund free programs for local youth.
SEE ALSO: Baltimore City Rec & Parks • Baltimore Sport & Social Club • Stonewall Sports • SOS Pickleball • The Y in Central MD
DANCE PARTY
I Wanna Dance with Somebody...Before 9 p.m.
Remember in your 20s when you went out dancing for hours without caring what time you finally stumbled home? Now you can relive those glory days every other month—sort of. At Ottobar, Stoop Storytelling’s Jessica Henkin has started hosting ’80s- and ’90s-themed parties from 5-9 p.m. (“Because we have shit to do in the morning,” the clever tagline reads.) DJ Amy Reid sets the soundtrack, spinning nostalgic hits and even taking requests in advance online, while the dance floor is packed with revelers dressed as iterations of their younger selves (think: Benetton, Esprit, and lots of neon.) As Henkin says, “We wanted to give Baltimore a place for guaranteed unwavering joy, even if just for a few hours.” In keeping with the theme, snag tickets early, as they always sell out.
SEE ALSO: Beer & Ballet at Checkerspot • Baltimore Honky-Tonk at Waverly Brewing • Early Birds Club at The Recher • SalsaNow Latin Nights at R. House
—Courtesy of Waterfront Partnership via Facebook
FREE FITNESS
Waterfront Wellness
Doing what they do best, the team at Waterfront Partnership emphasizes the beauty of the Inner Harbor with this series of free outdoor fitness classes at gathering places like Rash Field and West Shore Park. Returning with two sessions May 16 to June 30 and August 1 to September 13, this season’s weeknight lineup offers Pilates on Broadway Pier with Coppermine on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. At the same time on Thursdays, build your strength and stamina with a boot camp in Harbor Point’s Central Plaza led by CrossFit Harbor East. Aside from weekly workouts, keep your eyes peeled for pop-ups throughout the season, like self-defense workshops and sunset goat yoga (yep, that’s yoga surrounded by adorable live animals.
SEE ALSO: Free Baltimore Yoga (Thurs.) • Wellness on the Waterfront with Marissa Walch at Baltimore Peninsula (Mon. & Wed.)
RUN CLUB
Baltimore Frontrunners
Inclusivity is at the heart of this LGBTQ+ and allyfriendly run club—a local affiliate of the International Frontrunners, founded in San Francisco in 1974—which welcomes runners and walkers of all paces. Though their 5K and 10K routes vary slightly by season, you can find the group laced up and ready to roll on Monday nights at Patterson Park and Wednesday nights at Mt. Vernon’s Washington Monument. Both runs start at 6:30 p.m., but no matter your final time, plan to regroup and reward yourself at the finish-line with ice cream at Bmore Licks or dinner at Never on Sunday. In addition to the group runs, members cheer each other on in local races, host fun events like the annual Queer Prom, volunteer together, and form a radiant rainbow in June’s annual Baltimore Pride 5K.
SEE ALSO: A Tribe Called Run • Baltimore Road Runners Club • Believe in the Run Club • Canton Run Club
SUNSET CYCLING
Do the Bike Thing
Founded by ride leader and bike advocate Shaka Pitts in 2023, Do the Bike Thing is a welcoming, chill, no drop (meaning no rider left behind) group outing for experienced, but not competitive bicyclists. If you own a good road bike and ride regularly, you’ll fit in and handle the typical 12 to 20 miles, no problem. The routes and destinations vary week to week and sometimes include a quick summer-evening restaurant stop. Cyclists gather at St. Mary’s Park in Seton Hill on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. and roll out at 7. Whether heading up the Jones Falls Trail, out to Dundalk’s waterfront, or looping around the city, it’s a perfect, post-hump day trek to blow off steam. And, if e-bikes are your thing, Pitts also leads a Do the Bike Thing e-bike ride on Thursdays—same time, same location.
SEE ALSO: Baltimore Bike Party • Taco Tuesday Ride • Velo City Riders
EARLY RISERS
The Other 5 to 9
Too tired to go out at the end of the day? Frontload the fun instead.
MORNING MOTIVATION
Register to attend CreativeMornings, a free monthly lecture series that features local movers and shakers, including Farm Alliance of Baltimore co-executive director Denzel Mitchell Jr., designer Tiffanni Reidy, and James Beard Award-winning writer D. Watkins. Breakfast begins at 8:30 a.m. Locations vary.
PRE-WORK PADDLE
Find your flow state with the
stand-up paddle boarding pros
from B’More SUP. On select
weekdays throughout the
summer, they offer Paddle
and Flow classes that start at
6 a.m. with yoga on the dock,
followed by a guided paddle
around the Inner Harbor.
SUNRISE SWEAT
No matter the season, the November Project meets for group workouts on Fridays at 6:30 a.m. at Patterson Park on the corner of East Baltimore and South Linwood streets. All classes are free. No sign-up or special equipment is necessary. Their hashtag—#justshowup!— says it all.
TOUCH GRASS
PSA: Cylburn Arboretum opens at 8 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Which makes North Baltimore’s 200 acres of serene trees and trails—unlike other public parks, it doesn’t have any noisy rec courts or ballfields—a pleasant place to clear your head before emails start flooding in.
AFTER HOURS
Night-Owl Outings
If you can rally, consider these spots to continue hanging past 9 p.m.
DANCE MY PAIN AWAY
Dance halls like the Ottobar (Metal Mondays) and The Royal Blue (DJs on Thursdays) keep doors swinging into the wee hours on weeknights. See also: Save Your Soul at Lithuanian Hall every first Friday.
DRINK DEALS
It’s easy to lose track of time with late-night, and all-night, happy hours. Johnny Rad’s offers buy-one, get-one cans and bottles from 10 p.m. until midnight on Fridays. Among bars with allnight specials are Smaltimore (Mondays), Nepenthe Brewing Co. (Tuesdays), and Wet City, which offers weekly deals like $10 margaritas on Tuesdays and $10 Old-Fashioneds on Wednesdays.
LATE-NIGHT NOSHES
Though we love them, western fries from RoFo aren’t our only midnight-snack option anymore. The 2AM Project (four locations from West Baltimore to Towson) lives up to its name with sandwiches, snacks, and full-blown seafood boils until last call. Other go-tos: Bmore Taqueria, The Bun Shop, Kong Pocha, and Underground Pizza.
MIDNIGHT MUSIC
From DJs to house music to multi-piece bands, catch evening sets starting anywhere from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at venues across the city, including Cat’s Eye Pub, Holy Frijoles, Metro Baltimore, The Polish Home Club, and Zen West. Go for the drinks, stay for the tunes.
