Basement Bars to Help Escape the Summer Heat

Lauren Cohen — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 15:46:00 +0000

Sure, rooftop bars are all the rage once the summer scorchers start to set in. But if there’s one thing we remember from grade school science class, it’s that lesson about how heat rises. If you’re looking for a chill—and likely less crowded—substitute to the sweaty sky-high spots, these basement bars are ideal hideaways.

Anchor Bar: Beneath the bustling streets of Fells Point sits this full-service bar at the historic Admiral Fell Inn. It was recently taken over by chef Ashish Alfred, who also operates Duck Duck Goose and the new Osteria Pirata on either side of the subterranean space. Although it has changed hands, Alfred made it a point to preserve the charm of the historic Tavern at the Admiral, which still employs many of its longtime staffers. Escape the hubbub and sample one of the bar’s “long forgotten recipes,” including Manhattans, martinis, Irish coffees, and the “Knot Your Average Mule,” which fits in with the nautical theme and combines Tito’s and ginger beer with blackberry, orchid, and lime.

Avenue Kitchen & Bar: Hampden locals have seen this eatery on the Avenue change hands multiple times within the past decade. (It was home to the beloved Dogwood Restaurant and Le Garage before opening as Avenue Kitchen & Bar in 2017.) But despite the shift in concept, the general layout has remained the same. Snag a table in the downstairs dining room—equipped with dim lighting and plenty of exposed brick—to enjoy worldly dishes, craft cocktails, and weekend brunch.

Bluebird Pub: After a brief stint as a European cafe years ago, the space that sits below the Bluebird Cocktail Room in Hampden is now a handsome whiskey bar that operates on Friday and Saturday evenings. Decorated with dark woods, the candlelit space serves local beers (try the Space Jellyfish from Nepenthe Brewing Co. around the corner), killer Manhattans and Old Fashioneds, and a pub menu that lists snacks like spicy dill peanuts and a fancy grilled cheese.

The Brewer’s Art: For more than 20 years, regulars have enjoyed being able to choose their own adventure at this Mt. Vernon brewpub. Upstairs, they can feast on elevated bar fare in the posh dining room with soaring ceilings. But in the cavernous basement below, patrons sit under brick archways to enjoy the house-brewed beers (think Beazly, Resurrection, and the like) paired with orders of rosemary-garlic fries and soft pretzels with beer mustard.

Matthew’s Pizza: As a result of its reputation for having some of the best pizza in town, this Highlandtown institution is typically packed to the gills. If all of the tables are taken, slip downstairs on Friday and Saturday nights for ridiculously cheap wine, whiskey, beers at the basement bar. And no matter where you settle, always always order the crab pie.

Sugarvale: Retreat from the sunny sidewalks by stepping down into this buzzy cocktail room in Mt. Vernon. The offerings rotate with the seasons, but you can always count on the expert bartenders for a strong drink when you need it. This summer, cool off with shaken sips like the “Alien Love Call” (Stillwater saison, lychee-washed pisco, rose, cardamom, and lemon) or stirred options like the “Semi-Nefarious,” combining Bar Hill gin with chamomile vodka and allspice dram.

Venice Tavern: With roots dating back to 1933, this windowless watering hole is easily one of the oldest still standing. Husband-and-wife owners Frank and Mary DeSantis opened the Highlandtown dive bar soon after Prohibition was repealed, and it’s been cracking open cold ones ever since. (Fourth generation owner Damion DeSantis is expanded the legacy with a second Venice Tavern in Little Italy in August 2019.) Be sure to hit the ATM before stopping by the cash-only hangout, which boasts a classic chalkboard menu and age-old pool table.

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Open & Shut: Pekara; Cōl Bōl Pop-Up; Melody Cafe

Lauren Cohen — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 13:28:13 +0000

COMING SOON

Pekara: Former Roggenart regulars will be happy to hear that a new iteration of the now-closed Mt. Washington cafe is opening in Roland Park next month. Pekara, the Serbian word for bakery, is the brainchild of Serbian-born owner Radomir Mihajlovic and head baker Borislav Petkovic—both of whom previously worked for Roggenart. The duo will bring the bakery’s signature European breads and pastries to the new shop, which is expected to open on West Coldspring Lane across from Miss Shirley’s in November.

Be on the lookout for a variety of fresh-baked loaves (think white, rye, challah, spelt, and multigrain varieties), as well as fruit tarts, Danish and French pastries, and Petkovic’s savory Burek pie made with flaky phyllo. Mihajlovic says that the coffee program will be simple to start, but he hopes to add more complex drinks as time goes on. After weeks of gas and electric delays, he’s excited to finally unveil the spot to the community. “I’ve lived in Roland Park for 30 years, so I know a lot of the neighbors,” he says. “Everyone just keeps asking and asking about it. I can’t wait for us to open.”

BRUNCH BULLETIN

The Urban Oyster: Five months after opening a permanent home for her roving oyster bar in Locust Point, chef/owner Jasmine Norton has added weekend brunch into the mix. Every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., head to the bright McHenry Row spot to indulge in options like a plump crab cake and fried oyster benedict, Cajun jambalaya topped with a runny egg, and a shrimp BLT sandwiched between two waffles. To make the deal even sweeter, every fourth Saturday diners will be able to sip cocktails and enjoy all of the mid-morning fare during an intimate drag brunch hosted by Dee Dee Dereon, with performances by Kayden Amore Chloe and Venus Fastrada.

The Night Brunch Festival: For more than a year, Treason Toting Company co-owner Jason Bass and local DJ Ryan Rhodes (more fondly known as DJ Impulse) have been hosting evening brunch pop-ups—which inevitably turn into all-out dance parties—at area bars and restaurants. Now, they’re throwing the first-ever Night Brunch festival October 4-6 at Harbor Point. The three-day celebration will feature eats from the likes of Clavel, The Local Fry, The Urban Oyster, Home Made, Orto, and Vida Taco Bar. Plus, enjoy photo booths, a Truly cocktail bar, and, of course, plenty of live music.

EPICUREAN EVENTS

10/5: Cōl Bōl Tire Shop Pop-Up

The former Parts & Labor space will fill with the scent of classic Liberian cuisine by chef Carleen Goodridge this weekend. As part of the ongoing Tire Shop series that activates the Remington restaurant with local chef pop-ups, Goodridge is hosting an authentic takeover with recipes that reflect her family’s heritage, including jollof rice and nut-based palm butter soup. To add to the experience, there will also be Afrobeat music spun all afternoon, a photo backdrop created by Regal Clothes, and West African-inspired brews from Washington, D.C.-based Sankofa Beer Company.

10/5: Stein Day // Lagerfest 2019 at Diamondback Brewing

Head to Diamondback in South Baltimore this weekend the welcome fall in an Oktoberfest-style tented biergarten on the brewery’s patio. Throughout the day, take in the live sounds of D.T. Huber & The Whale Show, The High and Wides, and Fried Pickin’ while sipping special releases like the “Forte” German-style pilsner and “Everything All the Time” Helles lager. There will also be plenty of offerings to line your stomach including sausages by Snake Hill, a whole-hog barbecue by John Brown Butchery, and Diamondback’s own Bavarian soft pretzels.

SHUT

Melody Cafe: Last week, Mt. Vernon said goodbye to this coffee shop, study spot, live performance venue, and all-around community hub. The subterranean space—opened by Darryl Strange and his teenage son Juwan Davis in December 2017—closed its doors for good last week after its landlords gave the owners a 60-day notice to vacate back in July. The owners recently took to social media to clarify that it wasn’t their decision to close. “We want to thank each and everyone of you for your dedication, your support, your love, and most importantly your encouragement,” they shared on Instagram. “Being a small business is hard, but we are here having started off with just a few drinks and a prayer to having formed many relationships with many people and businesses.” In addition to its coffees and breakfast plates, Melody became known for its frequent open mics, karaoke nights, spoken word performances, and movie viewing parties.

Source

Melody Cafe – Baltimore Magazine

Basement Bars to Help Escape the Summer Heat

Open & Shut: Pekara; Cōl Bōl Pop-Up; Melody Cafe