NEWS
Camp Leon’s at The Club Car: For anyone who needs an extra dose of lighthearted neighborly news this week, look no further than local LGBTQ+ fixtures Leon’s in Mt. Vernon and The Club Car in Station North.
After the sudden passing of Leon’s owner Ron Singer earlier this month, the neighborhood stalwart—with roots dating back to the 1890s, it’s believed to be the longest continually running gay bar in Baltimore—closed as the family determines next steps. Within hours of the announcement on social media, The Club Car co-owner Ryan Haase texted the Leon’s crew to offer a hand during their time of mourning—as the two spots have long been considered sister bars. The teams quickly mobilized and came up with a solution: Camp Leon’s.
Dubbed “the bar collab that no one asked for but everyone needs,” The Club Car will host joint nightly programming like trivia, bingo, and DJ dance parties Tuesday through Sunday all summer long, or until Leon’s re-opens.
Haase says it’s a win-win for the two bars. The Club Car gets to pick up new patrons during the summer lull (loyal Leon’s regulars can “stretch their legs a little bit,” he says), while also supporting their friends, ensuring that Leon’s four regular bartenders and its barback have a steady paycheck during the transition.
“This is one of those only-in-Baltimore moments,” he says. We couldn’t agree more.
COMING SOON
Werewolves Welcome: A new cocktail bar with design details you have to see in person—think: a black-and-white abstract exterior, mirrored bar tables inside, and a staircase that evokes Alice in Wonderland—is currently in preview mode at 17 W. 24th St. in Old Goucher. The concept comes from veteran bartender Bryan Ranere and his wife, Caroline, who is the architectural, interior, and graphic designer behind all of the artsy touches.
A Philly native, Bryan is known for opening San Francisco’s Foreign Cinema and running its extension bar, Laszlo, where two of his original cocktails—the pepper-vodka Heat Seeker and the blood-orange bitter Mephisto—stayed on the menu for years. Locally, his resume includes helping friends Lane Harlan and Matthew Pierce open Fadensonnen, the natural wine bar that sits just a few blocks from Werewolves Welcome. A grand opening is slated for early September. Stay tuned for more details.
Hello Trouble Luncheonette: When chef Andrew Weinzirl (formerly of spots like Maggie’s Farm, The Brewer’s Art, and Artifact Coffee) heard Maillard Pastries was closing on Harford Road, the Hamilton-Lauraville local couldn’t bear the thought of another community space sitting vacant. So he’s now planning to take it over and fill the void with a locally sourced cafe.
“Living just a few minutes from Main Street and watching that strip lose countless businesses over the years has been disheartening,” Weinzirl wrote recently on a GoFundMe page to help launch Hello Trouble, which he’s hoping to debut mid-August. “I believe in this neighborhood, this community, the people who live here and love it. I don’t think I can bemoan the state of the neighborhood if I’m not willing to be a part of the solution.”
Menu highlights for the community-focused space will include morning drinks made with beans sourced from Sophomore Coffee, including an iced Guillermo (espresso, lime, ice, and a bit of soda or tonic water). Food will focus on breakfast, bowls, and sandwiches, with focaccia, English muffins, and other breads made in house. Playful dishes will include the “Sweet Revenge,” an homage to the McGriddle layering bread pudding with sausage, egg, and Cooper Sharp, as well as a tomato pie made with Duke’s mayo for lunch.
OPEN
The Market at Hamilton: Speaking of Hamilton-Lauraville neighborhood champions, husband-and-wife duo Jason Daniloski and Nicole Evanshaw of Silver Queen Cafe have introduced their new market concept in soft-opening mode Tuesday through Sunday. Similar to Weinzirl, they’re invested in providing third spaces for their neighbors and visitors from surrounding areas.
“We want to see foot traffic in Hamilton,” Evanshaw says. “Our whole life is in this area. We want to see it flourish.”
Now set up in the former Emma’s Tea Shop (which recently moved just down the road), the market is full of specialty goods. You won’t find milk or cereal, rather the shelves are stocked with real San Marzano tomatoes, North Carolina grits, tinned fish, and a rotating case of 15-plus cheeses (Evanshaw’s personal pride and joy), with more to come.
Offering ample seating, the market is also a spot to grab a made-to-order sandwich—like a muffaletta on fresh foccacia from Bluebird Bakery—three-bean salad, or snack like citrus olives. There’s no liquor license, so the shop sells drinks like brewed coffee from Hamilton neighbor Zeke’s and canned Mark’s Mocktails. Stay tuned for a closer look.
Urbano Tex-Mex: The Baltimore Peninsula now boasts a local outpost of this Tex-Mex eatery, which operates other locations in Northern Virginia. While catching an outdoor movie or Sunset Salsa class at the waterfront hub this summer, stop by to fill up on brunch, lunch, dinner and happy hour offerings. Standouts on the massive menu include ceviches, sizzling fajitas served on molcajete (a traditional mortar and pestle bowl), stuffed burritos, and lots of grilled and smoked meats.