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EAT

Aug. 29: The Salad Lady Pop-Up

Don’t Know Tavern, 1453 Light St. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free.

All summer long, Don’t Know Tavern has been hosting a rotating cast of local eateries for its community pop-up series, but this weekend’s guest chef might be the one to beat. A true staple of the JFX Farmers Market, The Salad Lady will spend Saturday afternoon slinging her homemade seafood, chicken, and whitefish salads out of the Federal Hill spot for hungry bargoers and loyal followers alike. The Salad Lady is known for selling out of everything fast—including the stand’s signature egg and potato salads—so make your lunch plans accordingly.

 

DRINK

Aug. 28: End of Summer Hawaiian Luau

Old Line Spirits, 200 S. Janey St. 6-9 p.m. Free.

This Friday, Old Line Spirits is throwing a Hawaiian luau in honor of all of the tropical vacations and beach trips not taken during this unprecedented summer. Don your best Jimmy Buffet-inspired attire and head to the Highlandtown distillery for a night of tiki cocktails and fusion barbeque eats from local eatery Jurassic Pork. Pro tip: There is an admission cap to maintain safe social distancing, so get to the luau early to guarantee a Mai Tai or two.

 

SEE

Aug. 28-30: Mural Art Tour

Milk & Honey Market, 10 E. Lanvale St. Fri. 9-11 a.m., Sat. 9-11 a.m. & 4-6 p.m., Sun. 9-11 a.m. Free.

While many local museums and galleries are still closed due to the coronavirus, there’s plenty of artwork to see around every corner in Charm City. Thanks to mural art tours hosted by the Miller Productions team, residents and visitors can explore more than 60 artistic points of interest around the Station North Arts District on foot. Meet up with the guides at Milk & Honey Market and then set off on a two-hour adventure, featuring awe-inspiring works by artists from near and far.

 

HEAR

Aug. 29: Draughts & Laughs 4

Checkerspot Brewing Company, 1399 S. Sharp St. 7-10 p.m. $12-15.

Let’s face it: We could all use some more laughs and craft beer to get through the rest of 2020. Luckily, Checkerspot Brewing Company is hosting a physically distanced comedy night to give Baltimoreans just that. This Friday, visit the South Baltimore brewery for a “tailgate-style” show featuring local comedy acts such as Tommy Sinbazo, Erik Woodworth, and Theresa L. Concepcion, as well as plenty of gourmet snacks and brews to go around. Be sure to bring your own seating and tables to this pull-up event, and enjoy a night of live laughs among neighbors.

 

DO

Aug. 29: Baltimore Bookstore Crawl

Locations vary. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Free.

This Saturday marks National Independent Bookstore Day, giving bookworms everywhere the perfect excuse to support local shops and pick out new reads. Whether you plan to celebrate by purchasing books virtually or in-store, Baltimore shops such as Greedy Reads, Atomic Books, and Charm City Books will be happy to take your order. Be sure to check out each store’s safe browsing protocols ahead of your visit, and tag #BmoreBookstoreDay on social media for a chance to win a bookish prize.

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EAT

July 19: Cocktails & Cajou

In advance of National Ice Cream Day on July 19 (be sure to check out our handy guide to local ice cream shops for the cherry on top of a perfect Sunday), Cajou Creamery is continuing this Friday-night Instagram Live series with special guest Chelsea Gregoire of Drinkable Genius. The hospitality veteran will join husband-and-wife owners Dwight Campbell and Nicole Foster to create tasty cocktails that incorporate Cajou’s entirely-vegan flavors. Grab a pint, sit back, and kick off your weekend by tuning in to the fun conversation. While you’re at it, consider donating to Cajou’s Kickstarter campaign to help fund nationwide shipping and equipment for a new storefront.

DRINK

July 18: Old Line Spirits Courtyard Bar Grand Opening

Old Line Spirits. 200 S Janney St. 12-8 p.m. Prices Vary.

Old Line Spirits is opening its long-awaited outdoor courtyard on Saturday. In honor of the debut, the Highlandtown distillery will be offering a full summer cocktail menu featuring its own whiskey and rum, as well as its latest release: New Normal Vodka. Deddle’s Chicken & Donuts will also make an appearance to serve up juicy Buffalo wings made with a signature Old Line Whiskey sauce. You can even bring your pup, as long as it’s on a leash, and non-alcoholic drinks will also be available.

SEE

July 18: The Wind of Change Gallery Opening at Baltimore Clayworks

Baltimore Clayworks. 5707 Smith Ave. 2-8 p.m. Free.

Strolling through galleries and gazing at art is one of things we’ve missed most during quarantine, but this weekend, Baltimore Clayworks is ready for you to view its latest exhibition, The Wind of Change: Contemporary Ceramics of Taiwan. Professor Ching Yuan Chang of Tainan National University of Arts has expertly curated a unique display of Taiwanese ceramics to display the craftsmanship, creativity, and resilience of clay. The solo exhibit will also feature displayed works by one of Baltimore Clayworks’ very own fellows, Samantha Briegel. Briegel’s “Maintaining Comfort” spotlights functional vessels inspired by fabric and fashion. Entries will be timed and masks will be required to ensure that guests can wander through the gallery safely, so be sure to reserve your spot online.

HEAR

July 19: Live From The Zen Garden

Zen and the City. 811 N Charles St. 5-9 p.m. $5-15.

This weekend, instead of massages and facials, downtown wellness center Zen and the City is bringing you a live outdoor concert. Described as “Tiny Desk-meets-Artscape,” the event will allow guests to browse and purchase art from Charm City creators before heading into the garden to enjoy the tunes. The series will be broken into 60-minute slots, with performances by electronic soul artist Jazzo, poetry duo The 5th L, and singer-songwriter Mariah Ash. Seating is limited, so don’t forget to bring an outdoor pillow to get comfortable outside.

DO

July 18: Yoga at the Zoo

The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. 1 Safari Place. 8-10 a.m. $14.99-24.99.

Since so many yoga positions are inspired by the animal kingdom, what better place to hold a downward dog or cobra pose than the Maryland Zoo? All yogis are welcome to travel to Safari Place to take part in a 60-minute, Vinyasa-style yoga class. The class is designed for both beginner and intermediate yoga lovers, so no need to worry if you’re not a master yet. The session will take place at Penguin Coast, allowing participants to gaze at the flowing waters and swimming penguins while sweating it out in the summer heat.

Mark McLaughlin and Arch Watkins have been friends since they flew planes in the Navy. They decided to dive into the spirits industry in 2014, when they both realized how dissatisfied they were with their civilian careers after discharge. McLaughlin and Watkins co-founded, and now co-own, Old Line Spirits in Highlandtown, living by its motto, “bold stories, bold spirits.”

When asked why they chose to explore spirits of all alcoholic beverage options, McLaughlin says it was all sparked by intrigue: “Spirits are fun and romantic,” he says. “It’s the idea of putting something in a barrel and having to wait for years to get it out.”

Fast forward to today: Old Line is launching a new iteration of its award-winning American Single Malt Whiskey finished in the distillery’s own Caribbean rum casks—a new and exciting category in the whiskey industry. “It’s an unrepresented category in the U.S., so it’s a great category for us to capitalize on as a company,” McLaughlin says.

Aside from making a rum-finished whiskey that perfectly combines Old Line’s two signature products, what makes the launch truly special is that 100 percent of all proceeds will be donated to the Baltimore Restaurant Relief Fund, which is devoted to rebuilding the local restaurant and hospitality industry in response to COVID-19. With all restaurants being forced to close their dining rooms and solely operate under pickup and delivery service, thousands of workers have been left either unemployed or underemployed.

When asked why Old Line chose to give back to its fellow industry workers, McLaughlin’s answer was simple: “These are people that really support us when they’re working, and we want to support them in these trying times.”

But that’s not all that Old Line has done to give back to the community. The distillery is now operating solely as a hand sanitizer production facility, bottling almost 9,000 gallons each week. Old Line is donating as much as it can to those on the front lines, and selling the rest at a discounted price. As a part of a co-op with several Maryland and Washington, D.C. distilleries, the team hopes to continue production on a larger scale.

“We’re working to provide a critical need,” McLaughlin says. “As long as the need continues, that’s what we intend to do to keep our employees working.”

The new American Single Malt finished in the rum casks is first aged in virgin American oak barrels, so the spirit can soak up the flavor and color of the barrel to its full strength. After aging is concluded, the whiskey is barrel-finished—a trend that is increasing in popularity in the spirits industry. In this process, the whiskey is transferred from the virgin oak into barrels that previously held Old Line’s blend of aged Caribbean rum. The final product is strong and dark in color, with notes of vanilla and caramel.

Bottles are available for curbside pickup at the distillery starting today. Customers can place their orders online, and swing by Wednesday through Friday between 3 and 7 p.m., and on Saturday from 12 to 6 p.m. Talk about treating yourself for a good cause.

Bulgogi Bánh mì, al pastor tacos, or Baltimore’s biggest jaw breaker? Can’t make up your mind? We’re here to guide you through all the decisions that need to be made at the newly revitalized Cross Street Market. You’re up next, Lexington.

What’s the history of Cross Street Market?
Thanks to the growing population of Federal Hill in 1838, residents petitioned for a new market. At the time, the closest market was the now-defunct Hanover Market. In 1846, a long open-air shed was built between Charles and Patapsco Streets, where vendors sold meat and poultry, seafood, and vegetables. By 1871, the market was rebuilt as a two-story Revival-style building, with the market space on the first floor and a meeting hall (with a basketball court!) on the second floor. After a fire in 1951, the structure was rebuilt as the 31,800-square-foot structure that still stands today.

What’s the story behind the sign outside?
The cool, retro neon sign outside of the market on Charles Street is a modern riff on the original neon signage that was part of the market after it was rebuilt in the 1950s.

Who’s the oldest tenant?
There are three tenants who have occupied the space for decades, including The Sweet Shoppe and Steve’s Lunch, but Fenwick’s Choice Meats, founded in 1952, has been there the longest.

Where should I go if I’m a vegetarian?
Cross Street Market has numerous vendors with vegetarian-and vegan-friendly fare, including Annoula’s Kitchen and Sobeachy Haitian cuisine. For diehards, Gangster Vegan features an exclusively vegan, organic, soy-free, gluten-free menu, including juices and smoothies, as well as salads and bowls. (Try the beet burger.) There’s also Annoula’s Kitchen with its artisan salads and sandwiches. What’s the difference between a food court and a food hall? A food court consists of chain restaurants and is often located in a mall. A food hall is typically a more upscale version of a food court, with artisan restaurants and other food-related vendors under one roof.

If I want something to-go, what do you suggest?

Most food is eaten better on-site, not so The Cross Street Grinder at Annoula’s Kitchen. Stuffed with ham, pepperoni, chicken, greens, hot peppers, and roasted garlic mayo, the sub roll improves with age and is best consumed an hour or so later, after all the fix-ins have had time to saturate the roll.

Is there alcohol for sale?

Yes! Cans Filling Station will, well, fill all of your imbibing needs. There’s a large selection of craft beers, wines, on-trend hard seltzers, kombuchas, and ciders. Drink it there or get it to-go in a reusable can (with a $2 per can refill credit). The market boasts many other spirits-serving vendors, too. Highlandtown’s Old Line Spirits recently debuted its satellite cocktail bar, where you can sip local beer and wine, as well as classic cocktails using the distillery’s acclaimed whiskeys and rums.

Where can I go if I just want to hang out on my laptop?

Ceremony Coffee Roasters has two other locations in the city, but this locale has tons of sofa seating, and you can always pick up something from the food hall if you plan on parking yourself there all day.

COMING SOON

Tiki Bar at Hotel Revival: No matter the season, tiki cocktails are all the rage. And it only seems fitting that the greenery-filled Garden Room on the top floor of Mt. Vernon’s Hotel Revival would get in on the trend. Beginning November 8, the space that was formerly used solely for private parties will be open Thursday-Saturday as a destination to take in the panoramic views while sipping herbaceous drinks crafted by bartender Bryan Reinhold. Among the options include the “Mojo’s Jojo” (Monkey Shoulder scotch and apricot liqueur), the “Firebird” (Vida mezcal and Blackwell rum), and the “Suffering Willow,” which fuses apple brandy with Bluecoat gin. Overseeing the Garden Room program will be Revival’s new lead bartender Ian Clark—a local industry veteran who has nearly 20 years of experience managing spots such as Peter’s Inn, Penny Black, Nacho Mama’s, and Modern Cook Shop.

THB Bagels & Deli Expanding to Owings Mills: On the heels of announcing a forthcoming location in Columbia last month, the owners of THB Neighborhood Bagelry + Deli are expanding their footprint yet again. A sixth location of the beloved breakfast-and-lunch spot will open at Mill Station, the site of the former Owings Mills Mall, this summer. But the growth isn’t stopping there—the family-owned business plans to open two additional locations annually through 2025. For now, Owings Mills and Columbia locals can get excited to have the signature New York-style bagels and sandwiches right in their backyard.

OPEN

Uptown Abbey: This cleverly named Abbey Burger Bistro spinoff is now officially up and running in Mt. Washington. After years of operating locations in Federal Hill, Ocean City, and Fells Point, husband-and-wife owners Russ and Marigot Miller—along with business partner Jason Zink of Smaltimore—have expanded yet again, bringing their outside-of-the-box burgers, greasy tots, spiked milkshakes, and pages-long beer list to the former home of The Nickel Taphouse. Featuring fresh bar tops, new flooring, and roll-up style garage doors, the revived corner spot offers the classic Abbey sports-bar vibe along with a few new additions to the menu. Aside from the signature burgers (this month’s featured meats include wild boar, camel, and New Zealand red deer), be on the lookout for steamed seafood offerings like Gulf shrimp with Old Bay, PEI mussels in garlic sauce, and little neck clams with butter.

Bambao: Earlier this week, the former Manchurian Rice Co. space in Harbor East made its debut as this Asian-fusion destination for bao buns and bubble tea. Created with feedback from Johns Hopkins Carey Business School students, the mindful concept highlights dishes including Sambal honey fried chicken, bulgogi short rib buns with pickled Asian pear, pork and crab fried rice, and Buddha bowls topped with pearled barley and edamame. Bambao will also offer origami as an activity for diners to enjoy in the zen space—which features dark woods, neutral tones, interior greenery, and a mural by Kelly Walker of ArtStar Paintworks.

Old Line Cocktail and Wine Bar: As this Highlandtown distillery gets ready to release its eight-year-old American single malt whiskey this weekend, the team is also celebrating the launch of its new satellite bar inside Cross Street Market in Federal Hill. Co-founders Arch Watkins and Mark McLaughlin have collaborated with the team at the newly renovated market to dream up the concept for the bar—which will pour local beer and wine, and, of course, focus on cocktails made with Old Line’s award-winning whiskies and rums. Just in time for the chilly temperatures, the bar has introduced warming happy hour deals such as $5 rum apple ciders and $1-off wine and beer.

SHUT

The Laughing Pint: Sadly, this year’s annual “Misfit Thanksgiving” potluck at The Laughing Pint will be the last. After 13 years, owner Shannon Cassidy is passing the torch to new owners who will introduce another concept, but she says she’s leaving the beloved Highlandtown hangout in “wonderful hands.” A closing party will be held on Saturday, November 23, followed by the potluck and official last day on Thanksgiving. “I am so thankful for the love and support we have received over the past 13 years,” Cassidy announced via Facebook.

Sam’s Canterbury Cafe: Last weekend, this Tuscany-Canterbury community spot shuttered its doors for good. “With mixed emotions and heavy hearts, we have made the difficult decision to close the cafe,” husband-and-wife owners Michael and Jennifer Myers announced via Facebook. “We thank each and every one of you for supporting the mission as well as making a lifetime of memories at the cafe.” The two opened the spot nearly three years ago as a place to provide meaningful employment for their son, Sam, as well as other adults living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Not only was the inviting hangout known for its baked goods, coffee drinks, and breakfast sandwiches, but it was also praised for its thoughtful design (minimal patterns and earthy tones) and programming catered toward those living with ASD. Here’s hoping we’ll see Sam’s smiling face elsewhere sometime soon.

EAT

Nov. 9: All Things Apple

Union Collective, 1700 W. 41st St. 12-5 p.m. Free.

Move over pumpkin, apple is winning this round of the great fall flavor throwdown. This Saturday, Union Collective businesses will pledge their allegiance to the superior fall fruit with this first-ever apple festival, featuring everything from apple pie shakes and ice cream at The Charmery to an apple-themed climb at Earth Treks Hampden. Mosey throughout the space to sample an apple-takeover menu at Well Crafted Kitchen, a special release at Baltimore Spirits Company, and fall-inspired syrups at Vent Coffee Roasters. Plus, get a first look at new neighbor The Wine Collective, which will be open for tours during the festivities.

DRINK

Nov. 9: Fall Fling & Golden Edition Release

Old Line Spirits, 200 S. Janney St. 3-11 p.m. Free

It’s been a big week for Old Line Spirits: The distillery opened its long-anticipated cocktail and wine bar at Cross Street Market on Tuesday, and on Saturday, it will host its annual fall fling and whiskey release. Stop by the Highlandtown spot on Saturday to be one of the first people to sample Golden Edition, the nation’s oldest American single-malt whiskey made from 100 percent malted barley and aged in white-oak barrels. After snagging a bottle of this rare spirit, stick around for live music, eats from Charm’d Kitchen, beer by Monument City Brewing Company, and sips from Old Line’s fall cocktail menu.

SEE

Nov. 9: Maryland Art Place Fall Benefit

Maryland Art Place, 218 W. Saratoga St. 7 p.m.-1 a.m. $40.

Don your finest Great Gatsby-inspired garb (flapper dresses and fedoras encouraged) and head to Maryland Art Place for a jam-packed night of art, entertainment, and roaring ’20s debauchery. Watch live performances by artists from the gallery’s Tri-Annual MSAC Juried Show, including the likes of Dominique Zeltzman, Shonnita Johnson, and Stephanie Barber, before exploring the second and fifth floors to see new interactive works. In the main gallery, cheer on local cabaret singer Mariah Bonner, rockabilly band Jumpin’ Jupiter, and Baltimore drag queens Bambi Galore and Miss Calculated during this rousing all-night fundraiser for the contemporary art space.

HEAR

Nov. 8: LUXE

Baltimore Soundstage, 124 Market Pl. 9 p.m.-12 a.m. $5-10.

If there’s one local drag queen who can guarantee a turnout from all corners of the music, fashion, and entertainment sectors of the city—it’s Baby. Pack the Baltimore Soundstage on Friday night to hear beats from DJKB, Trillnatured, and Lemz, along with live shows by drag performers Betty O’Hellno, Iyana Deschanel, Pussy Noir, and Baby herself. Start planning your looks early for this all-night performance party and dance the night away alongside hosts like punk queen Alastor and musician Hunter Hooligan.

DO

Nov. 8: Lit City Baltimore

400 St. Paul St., 8-11 p.m. $40.

Although the first-ever Brilliant Baltimore festival comes to a close at the end of the weekend, the party isn’t over yet. Join hundreds of glow-in-the-dark revelers in the light tunnel on Saint Paul Street for this all-inclusive bash, featuring an open bar, snacks from local spots like SoBo Café and Refocused Vegan, and nonstop beats by DJ CoryT. Wave your glow sticks to the beat and celebrate another year of transforming downtown into a truly lit city.

If the thought of rum conjures up images of pirates, college parties, and boozy daiquiris, you aren’t alone. But the spirit itself has a much more layered and complex past—one that you can explore at the 23rd Evening of Traditional Beverages put on by the Homewood Museum at Johns Hopkins University.

The annual event, this year held at the campus’ Mudd Hall on May 30 from 6-8 p.m., gives guests a big dose of history with a spoonful of spirits, live music, and local food all to benefit the museum and its future endeavors.

“It’s a fun way to think about history,” says Homewood Museum curator Julie Rose. “We haven’t focused on rum in over 15 years and I know it’s a big part of local lore.”

Indeed, rum was a huge imported product in 18th-century Maryland, mostly being shipped from Barbados into London Town and Gardens in Edgewater. According to historian Kyle Dalton, who will be speaking at next week’s event, the elixir was an apt symbol for cultural mores of the time.

“Maryland was a society of contradictions, as it was very communal but strictly hierarchical,” explains Dalton, coordinator of membership and development for the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick. “Rum was a luxury product, so you knew that it was a fairly refined society drinking it. But it was most commonly consumed as a rum punch with colonists drinking directly from the same bowl, so that reflects the communal society.”

Dalton notes that it’s becoming commonplace for museums to try and replicate the past, like with living history exhibits and even the duplication of alcohol products. Colonial Williamsburg has been trying its hand at replicating beer (“the Miller Lite of the 1700s,” he notes) and Mount Vernon is producing a similar whiskey to what George Washington would have imbibed.

“Young audiences really want experiences, rather than something they can take home from the gift shop,” Dalton says. “Liquor is an experience you can share with other people. It’s a small time-travel experience for your tongue.”

That transformative aspect can be seen in modern-day Maryland, thanks to many distilleries using traditional recipes and methods for producing rum. Take St. Mary’s County-based Tobacco Barn Distillery, which makes its rum from 100-percent local ingredients that is then fermented, double-distilled, and sealed in bourbon barrels aboard the U.S.S. Constellation.

“On the ship, you get a little bit of movement that causes swirl and circulation in the barrel, so that imparts a lot more flavor,” says Tobacco Bar co-founder and former Navy admiral Scott Sanders. “If you were in Maryland in the 1700s, this would be the kind of rum you’s drink.”

Besides Tobacco Barn, the rum revival is alive and well in Maryland, thanks to distilleries like Lyon in St. Michael’s, Old Line Spirits in Highlandtown, Blackwater on Kent Island, and Lost Ark in Columbia—all pouring their products at Traditional Beverages.

“Rum not only interests me from a historical perspective, but we wanted to highlight the resurgence of distilleries in Maryland,” Rose says. “People have a real interest in seeing where their food comes from in terms of protecting our planet. There was the microbrewery phenomenon that has had such a big impact on the industry and people are interested in distilleries for that same reason.”

The rain-or-shine event will also feature locally sourced bites from Woodberry Kitchen and live calypso music from percussionists Christina Manceor and Matthew Stiens.

“Right now, campus is in a transition period after graduation, so it’s a great time to celebrate,” Rose says. “This is a good excuse to put on your floral shirt, relax a bit, and learn about some history of the drink.”

EAT

Dec. 7: R. House’s Birthday Blowout

R. House, 301 W. 29th St. 6 p.m.-12 a.m. Free

This Friday marks the second anniversary of Remington’s beloved food hall, and we have to admit—we’ve spent the better part of the past two years sipping cocktail creations from R. Bar and eating our way through stalls like Amano Taco, Be.bim, and BRD. Celebrate R. House’s big day with two-for-one food specials, a birthday-themed bar, and fun-filled activities like face painting and a scavenger hunt. The adults-only part of the celebration starts at 9 p.m., so be sure to tuck the kiddos into bed and sneak back over before then.

DRINK

Dec. 7: Baltimore Spirits Company Invades Old Line Spirits

The Ready Room Cocktail Bar, 200 S. Janney St. 7-10 p.m. Free.

Since Old Line Spirits added The Ready Room cocktail bar to their Highlandtown facility this summer, it has become a go-to spot for creative cocktails made with the distillery’s signature rums and whiskeys. But for one night only, Baltimore Spirits Company will take over bar with its crowd-favorite spirits like Shot Tower Gin and Fumus Pumila Smoked Apple Brandy. In between sampling sips of winter warmers, try a barrel-smoked meat sandwich from local newcomers Scalawags Pit Meat.

SEE

Dec. 9: A Charlie Brown Christmas

The Modell Lyric, 140 W. Mt. Royal Ave. 1 & 4 p.m. $25-55.

We all know and love the Peanuts, and this Sunday, see Snoopy and the whole gang come alive on the Lyric stage during this all-new production of A Charlie Brown Christmas. Follow along as Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy and their merry band of Peanuts characters discover the true meaning of Christmas during this family-favorite musical, featuring classic tunes by original composer Vince Guaraldi.

HEAR

Dec. 8: Version with Trillnatured

The Crown, 1910 N. Charles St. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Free.

Although Trillnatured originally made her mark on Baltimore’s music scene with her R&B and jazz-influenced club mixes, Version—her monthly turnups at The Crown that celebrate this city’s LGBTQ community—have made her a local icon. During the final event of the year, dance until all hours of the morning to sounds by Trillnatured herself and rising local rapper Kotic Couture. Be on the lookout for details about Version’s two-year anniversary party in January.

DO

Dec. 7: Handmade in Hampden

SweetSide Cafe, 3543 Chestnut Ave. 4-8 p.m. Free.

With holiday shopping season well underway, stop into this one-day-only market to find locally made gifts for everyone on your list. From handmade scarves and dolls to Baltimore-inspired trinkets, this pop-up shop at SweetSide Café will feature tons of homemade goods by Hampden-based makers such as MerinoCreation and BeautyCounter. While you’re at it, grab a toasty panini and warm latte to fuel your gift-hunting habits.

EAT

Oct. 19: The Diner by Secret Sauce Co.

1730 N. Charles St. 5 p.m. Free.

You may have already seen the first bottles of Secret Sauce Co.’s brand-new ketchup on shelves around town (spotted at Trohv and Prime Corner in Hampden), but this Friday, visit this Baltimore-based company’s pop-up restaurant at The Lost City Diner to celebrate the launch of its first sauce. In true diner style, try the ketchup with burgers and fries while sipping on drinks from Vent Coffee and Union Craft Brewing. If you can’t make it, no worries, The Diner by Secret Sauce Co. concept will be around for the next few weeks.

DRINK

Oct. 20: Fall Fling

Old Line Spirits, 200 S. Janney St. 2 p.m. Free.

It’s been almost a year since Old Line Spirits started distilling whiskey in Highlandtown, and this weekend, they’re commemorating their first-ever fall fling with the release of a new seasonal whiskey. Head to the experimental distillery to sample sips of the new American single-malt cask-finished whiskey, as well as snacks and pours from other neighborhood favorites like Monument City Brewing, Snake Hill Tavern, and Mayuree Thai Tavern.

SEE

Oct. 19-21: Rocky Horror Picture Show

Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 7:30 & 10:30 p.m. $12-15.

Spooky season wouldn’t be complete without a night of revelry that takes us time-warping back to 1975. For two nights at Creative Alliance, channel your inner Riff Raff, Janet, or Dr. Frank N. Furter for a screening of this sci-fi horror-comedy that has become an audience-participation phenomenon. Get there early to grab a themed cocktail, snag a toss pack (toast and toilet paper included), and join fellow Rocky-obsessed fans at this one-of-a-kind tradition.

HEAR

Oct. 20: Ed Schrader’s Music Beat

Current Space, 421 N. Howard St. 7-11 p.m. Free.

After touring with legendary Baltimore rock band Future Islands, this post-punk duo is celebrating its homecoming with a jam-packed show that’s guaranteed to rock Current Space’s outdoor stage. Along with new-wave-inspired songs from their latest album, Riddles, hear sets by the likes of beloved local rapper DDm, DJ Pancakes, and Nerftoss at this can’t-miss concert.

DO

Oct. 20: Baltimore Running Festival

McKeldin Square, E Pratt St. 7:30 a.m. $55-270.

Pace your weekend around this citywide marathon that sends more than 20,000 runners through the heart of Baltimore every year. On Saturday, hit the pavement for the full marathon, half marathon, 5K, team relay, or fun-run and take in picture-perfect views of the waterfront while circling the city. If running isn’t your bag, cheer on runners at spectator spots like Lululemon in Harbor East or Lee’s Pint & Shell in Canton and check out post-race activities that range from rowdy to restorative.

Returning for a second year in a row, Maryland Fleet Week and Air Show will have Baltimore families flocking to the Inner Harbor to celebrate our nautical history. This year, more than a dozen ships and vessels will occupy our waters, representing U.S., Canadian, and British Naval fleets.

Tons of activities, can’t-miss events, and entertaining performances will be perfect for tourists and locals alike. Plus, some of our favorite Baltimore restaurants are even offering special drinks and dishes in honor of the celebration.

Here’s everything you need to know to make the most out of the seven-day maritime extravaganza.

Tour the U.S., Canadian, and British Navy vessels.
Take a special tour of the vessels on October 4-8 from 1-6 p.m. The vessels will be docked around the Inner Harbor, Fells Point, Tide Point, and North Locust Point, including the USS Tornado, a patrol coast ship, the Frigate, also known as the ‘Black Duke’, the USS Stout, a warship that has offensive and defensive capabilities, and the USS Torsk submarine. Military aficionados, history buffs, and maritime admirers alike are drawn to this one-of-a-kind experience.

Toast to Fleet Week.
Celebrate the beginning of Fleet Week and the arrival of our servicemen and women on October 5 from 5-8 p.m. Grab a cold beverage, take a selfie with a sailor, and enjoy the live music at this kick-off celebration. 401 Light St., 866-639-3526

Revisit Fort McHenry.
On October 5-7, Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine will be open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Listen to ranger talks, view living-history demonstrations, and grab some delicious food. A bonus? The park is a prime viewing location for the air show.

Run the Fleet Week 5K.
On October 7, test your speed against U.S., Canadian, and British sailors at the Fleet Week 5k run through the Inner Harbor. Runners will receive Fleet Week T-shirts, and those competitors who are over 21 will claim a free post-race beer. Visit this site to register now.

Browse local breweries.
Fleet Week will add local Baltimore flavor by incorporating a brew selection from Heavy Seas Beer, Atlas Brew Works, and Union Craft Brewing. These regional breweries will offer signature beers at Rash Field and West Shore Park. Red and white wine from Pier 1. will also be available.

Drink a cocktail at Wit & Wisdom.

This chic bar, located in the Four Seasons Hotel, will join in on Fleet Week festivities with a special Tavern Menu, including Fleet Week themed-items like the Go Big. Go American! Burger and the First in Flight cocktail. The Four Seasons Hotel will also feature a special Fleet Week room package. 200 International Dr., 410-576-5800

Tour the distillery at Old Line Spirits.

This taproom and distillery is honoring service men and women with 20 percent off all drinks as well as free tours and tastings to all customers with military IDs. And on October 6, the taproom will host a special screening of Hot Shots, and the bar director, Steve Lamb, will suit up in a real flight suit. 200 S. Janney St., 443-218-9984

Sip stouts at the new Guinness brewery.
In honor of Fleet Week, the new Guinness Open Gate Brewery and Barrel House in Relay is offering a 10 percent discount on taproom tabs for patrons with valid military ID. Now through October 9, make your way toward to the 62-acre parcel of land to tour the brewhouse, snack on pub grub at the 1817 restaurant upstairs, and sip Guinness Blonde lager—which is now brewed exclusively at the Baltimore County brewery. 5001 Washington Blvd., Halethorpe, 800-909-2645

Catch the air shows from Sagamore Spirit in Port Covington.
The Sagamore Spirit Distillery is celebrating accordingly with Clipper City whiskey-and-cider cocktails named after the famed replica of the nineteenth-century cargo schooner. Free samples of the cocktail will be available to anyone who tours the distillery through October 9. Plus, the waterfront campus is the perfect place to catch the air show on Saturday and Sunday. 301 E. Cromwell St. 410-624-7488

Check out the Martin State Airport.
On October 6-7, you can view unique aircraft at the Martin State Airport Open House and Free Festival. Watch aviators take off and land, meet real-life pilots, view military vessels, and hit up local food vendors. The festival runs from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and the Thunderbird crew will be sign be present to sign autographs after their performances on Saturday and Sunday.

Watch the Fleet Week Air Show.
On October 6-7 from 12-4 p.m., you can catch the largest air show in Baltimore, featuring the USAF Thunderbirds. The best places to watch include Fort McHenry National Monument, the Inner Harbor Area, as well as on different water cruises and tours. The show will feature a variety of talented performances, including a demonstration by the Royal Canadian Air Force, an appearance by the Geico Skytypers in vintage WW2 aircrafts, as well as features from the U.S. Coastguard and the Black Daggers Parachute Demonstration Team.

Rock out with festival entertainment.
On October 5-7, there will be live music and entertainment on three stages that’ll be sure to amp up the party. Check out the Amphitheater Stage to view U.S. Navy Band, Moody Goose, and the U.S. Navy Drill Team. Head to the West Shore Park Stage to hear tunes from the U.S. Navy Band Commodores and the By & By Bluegrass Band. Or head to Rash Field Stage to catch performances by the USS Constitution Sailors, Eastport Oyster Boys, and the USS Navy Band Cruisers. Visit the Fleet Week website for the full performance schedule.

Listen to the Salute to Schooners.
Bid Fleet Week farewell at this patriotic send off. On October 9 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Schooners from the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race will fire off a cannon salute toward Fort McHenry while students sing spirited songs. This is certainly a flashy farewell.

Our region has many nicknames. One of them is “A City of Firsts,” which generally refers to Baltimore’s historically innovative spirit. And we are happy to see that it’s alive and well today in the first bar inside a city distillery (that uses another nickname as its moniker).

The owners of Old Line Spirits opened their distillery in February 2017, but the bar debuted in Highlandtown this summer. Old Line was able to piggyback onto a bill in District 46 this past legislative session to allow consumption of mixed drinks on the site where those very spirits are being made.

The result is The Ready Room Cocktail Bar (200 S. Janney St.), a nod to the Naval pilot backgrounds of owners Arch Watkins and Mark McLaughlin. The cocktail menu pays tribute to their military service with categories including “port calls,” “midrat drinks,” and “bravo zulus.” (They even have a handy glossary of terms to educate us civilians.)

Industry vet Steve Lamb—who has poured drinks at Rye and Verde—uses Old Line’s whiskeys and rums to full effect. One showstopper is Liberty Risk, which combines three kinds of rum, grapefruit, lime, cinnamon, and grenadine and is served in a tiki glass with a flaming lime and two wheat straws for sharing. Unlike a lot of tiki drinks, this one isn’t too sweet and is nicely balanced. But, as is the case with many tiki drinks, pace yourself.

A tamer cocktail is the Starboard D, a mix of Old Line’s single malt whiskey, aged Caribbean rum, and house-made root beer with slight molasses notes. The mixer doesn’t mask the flavors of the liquors and is delicious on its own. There is also a curated selection of (local!) beer and wine, but you come to The Ready Room for the cocktails.

When it comes to décor, the bar itself is pretty bare bones, though some thoughtful touches like vintage Baltimore signs and upcycled aircraft items add a touch of élan. But it feels how it should—more like a brewery taproom than a full-blown bar. The idea is for patrons to tour Old Line’s production facility in one room and then try the spirits in various cocktails in the next.

On the night we went, a trivia host was getting started and local food truck Dough Boy Fresh was selling pretzels left and right. This whole bar-in-a-distillery thing really works. Here’s hoping other districts in Maryland soon follow suit. Clearly, we’re ready.

Highlandtown locals are used to seeing Sam White behind the bar at Gnocco, where he is usually shaking up Italian cocktails or uncorking worldly bottles of wine at the white marble bar. But regulars shouldn’t be surprised to see him sweating in front of a black steel smoker this summer.

Last month, White and his longtime friend Kevin James launched Scalawags Pit Meat—a side project focusing on barrel-smoked pit beef, turkey, chicken, and other carnivorous classics.

“It’s been fun going from a fine-dining thing to doing something more laid-back and hanging outside,” White says. “Pit beef is such a classic Maryland dish. It’s interesting to learn more about it and how people like their sandwiches—with horseradish or without. Onions or no onions. It’s really personal.”

The duo first started experimenting with smoking meats after James received a barrel smoker as a wedding present a few years ago. Since then, they have been testing recipes in his backyard, mixing different woods, proteins, and marinades.

“The pit barrel isn’t really a smoker and it isn’t really a grill,” James explains. “It’s this weird in-between cooking machine. But it’s pretty easy to use and all of the sudden I found myself firing it up every other weekend and turning out really tasty stuff. It really all started out with us having fun while drinking Natty Boh in the backyard.”

In July, Scalawags hosted its inaugural pop-up at Monument City Brewing in Highlandtown—eventually selling out of pit beef sandwiches, pork loin, turkey breast, and smoked corn with clarified butter. In the future, the duo is looking forward to adding ribs, whole chicken, and smoked bacon BLTs to the menu.

James says that perfecting the smoking technique is all about timing, temperature, and choosing the right wood chips.

“The way the environment is in the barrel itself makes for a really delicious product,” he says. “The juices from the meat actually drip down into the charcoal. When you open up the lid there’s just this mushroom cloud of smoke and deliciousness that really takes the cake.”

The next event for Scalawags—which was named after James’ former gig working on the Urban Pirates ship—will be at Gnocco on Thursday, August 23. James will serve up hearty sandwiches that White will pair with whiskey cocktails from Republic Restoratives Distillery in Washington, D.C.

The team is also looking forward to partnering with Old Line Spirits, another one of Gnocco’s neighbors in Highlandtown, to host a third pop-up and put more of a personal touch on some of the smoked meats.

“The distillers from Old Line reached out and offered to let us use wood chips from their whiskey barrels,” James says. “I was floored because it’s local and it adds a certain kind of flavor that you’re not getting anywhere else. It’s typical Smaltimore.”

EAT

June 9: Feastival

Sandlot, 1000 Wills St. 12-4 p.m. $65-5,000. 410-628-0795.

All you need to make a difference this weekend is an appetite. On Saturday, head to Sandlot, Harbor Point’s buzzy waterfront oasis, for an all-you-can-taste foodie fundraiser to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Maryland. With your toes in the sand, sample eats from the event’s stellar lineup of local vendors, including Blue Pit BBQ, The Charmery, and Wit & Wisdom, and sip on free-flowing cocktails made by the Baltimore Bartenders Guild.

DRINK

June 9: The Ready Room Grand Opening

Old Line Spirits, 4201 E. Pratt St. 5 p.m.-12 a.m. Free. 443-218-9984.

Since opening its doors last February, Old Line Spirits has become a popular destination for local whiskey and rum connoisseurs. This Friday, founders Mark McLaughlin and Arch Watkins will celebrate the grand opening of the Highlandtown hoochery’s full-service cocktail bar with libations made from their award-winning spirits. Soak up the specialty cocktails, sample bites from chef Nancy Longo of Pierpoint Restaurant, and revel in the city’s first-ever distillery bar.

SEE

June 9: Baltimore Floatilla

Canton Waterfront Park, 3001 Boston St. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. $40. 443-743-3308.

The Waterfront Partnership’s Healthy Harbor Initiative is making a big impact on our local waterways—we might be able to swim in the Inner Harbor by 2020—but there’s still plenty of work to be done. This Saturday, do your part by paddling as part of a kayak and canoe fleet dressed in Baltimore-inspired costumes as it glides from Canton Waterfront Park to the Inner Harbor to benefit local restoration efforts. Don’t have your own vessel? Show your support from the shoreline with banners and cheer during its annual rally and after party to continue the fight for clean waters.

HEAR

June 9: The Crown Five-Year Anniversary Party

The Crown, 1910 N. Baltimore St. 8 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Free. 410-625-4848.

It feels like we blinked and five years of killer karaoke and all-night dance parties flew by at this Station North arts staple. To celebrate a half-decade of shows, screenings, events, and the city’s DIY arts scene, The Crown will host a packed lineup including a medley of local musical acts like R&B duo Chiffon, clubby singer-songwriter Hunter Hooligan, electronic pop artist Micah E. Wood, and psychedelic rockers Bubble Wand, plus Detroit’s futuristic noise group The Imaginatron. Just be sure not to miss Brendan Sullivan, the venue’s former manager and Weekends bandmate when he returns from New York for a homecoming set.

DO

June 9-10: Honfest

W. 36th St., Hampden. Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun. 12-6 p.m. Free.

This weekend, Bawlmer’s pride and joy turns 25 and is only getting better with age, hon! Get gussied up in your wildest feather boas and bejeweled shades for this annual two-day festival that honors the city’s historic working-class women with a can’t-miss block party. On Saturday and Sunday, stroll through the streets of Hampden to hear live music by local acts, like Soul Cannon and J Pope and the HearNow, browse through dozens of eclectic craft vendors, and, of course, cheer on your favorite Hon in the annual “Best Hon” competition.

In Naval aviation terms, a ready room is a room on an aircraft carrier where pilots conduct missions and swap stories. Arch Watkins and Mark McLaughlin, co-owners of Old Line Spirits and former Navy pilots, are hoping their bar of the same name can pay homage to that idea.

Opening on June 8, Ready Room will be the first full-service bar to operate out of a distillery in Baltimore City. Inspired by Seacrets in Ocean City, which operates as a bar and distillery thanks to a 2015 bill that created a Class 9 distiller’s license, Old Line wanted to create a tavern experience adjacent to its distillery production.

“One of the challenges we’ve had is that, under our old license, you could do a tour, tasting, and bottles to go. We couldn’t do bar service,” McLaughlin explains. “It was almost like a museum. You could have a great time and great experience, but there’s no reason to come back next month.”

The Old Line owners still had to apply for a liquor license in the city, which isn’t the easiest of tasks, and were able to piggyback onto a bill in District 46 submitted by Sen. Bill Ferguson and Del. Luke Clippinger. They are hoping this could inspire similar models throughout the city.

“I imagine that this sets a precedent,” says Steve Lamb, bar manager at the Ready Room, who helped open Rye on Thames Street. “If this bar is successful and respectful to the community, then others like it can follow this same model.”

Lamb and his staff have designed a beverage program loosely based on the Naval theme with a majority of cocktails using Old Line whiskey and rum. The menu will include six cocktails, a section of Port Calls (named after international ports), boilermakers (a shot and a beer), two draft beers, and an approachable wine list. The drafts will rotate, but start out with Monument City and Key Brewing “since they’re in the same zip code,” he says.

One cocktail they are excited about is called the Liberty Risk, a term describing an officer who is more prone to trouble while visiting a port, which is a take on a zombie made with Old Line Navy Strength Rum, rhum Agricola, Jamaican rum, grapefruit juice, lime juice, grenadine, and bitters.

“The Ready Room is a nod to our heritage and where we came from before we got in this business,” McLaughlin says. “But we are trying not to overdue it, so it will just be a subtle nod. The bar is mostly going to be about showcasing our products in delicious cocktails.”

The space will be hosting food pop-ups from places like Snake Hill or a catering company started by Tom Hamrick formerly of Modern Cook Shop and Ben Sawyer from Fork & Wrench. Lamb is also excited to feature rotating bartenders on Wednesday nights from places like R. Bar, Sugarvale, and Rye.

Open Wednesday-Saturday, Ready Room will give the community a chance to better experience the distillery’s products.

“It’s one thing to see Old Line at a shelf at a liquor store. But seeing it presented in cocktails that Steve and his team have put together will be an entirely different experience,” McLaughlin said. “We feel like it will be a really nice addition to the neighborhood.”

Five things to eat, drink, see, hear, and do with your Charm City weekend.

 EAT

March 3: Small Foods Party

American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy. 7-10:30 p.m. Free-$10 410-244-1900.

You might not know this, but tiny food videos became a viral phenomenon a few years back, with the American Visionary Art Museum launching its annual Small Foods Party here in Baltimore in 2006. On Saturday night, this beloved fête returns for the 12th year with even tinier versions of everything from thumbnail-sized tacos to scaled-down TV dinners. Enter your own minuscule meals to be judged by guests, or spend the evening tasting your way through the smorgasbord of petite picks. And, of course, stick around to see which amateur chef wins an ironically giant can of mini corn.

 DRINK

March 3: Old Line Spirits One Year Anniversary and Rum Release Party

Old Line Spirits, 200 S. Janney St. 12-6 p.m. Free. 443-961-3199.

Since Old Line Spirits opened its doors in Highlandtown last February, the distillery has gained a loyal local following for its flagship and experimental whiskeys. After all, they’re carrying on the Land of Pleasant Living tradition of making the bodacious brown spirit. This Saturday, celebrate the distillery’s first birthday with a boozy brunch party featuring their newest single malt cask-finished rum that’s been aged for months in former whiskey barrels in both the tropics and their own casks. In their open tasting room, enjoy it straight or mixed in cocktails by Sugarvale, and soak it all up with Dooby’s egg sandwiches and brioche doughnuts from Sundays.

 SEE

March 3: Viva Brasil Carnival Dance Party

Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 7:30-11:30 p.m. $15-18. 410-276-1651. 

For one night only, the Creative Alliance will transform its hallowed Highlandtown arts haven into a vibrant Brazilian Carnival. At this 12th annual hip-shaking party, watch in awe as dancers in glittering costumes and feathered headdresses put on a full performance in celebration of this annual South American tradition that’s been dubbed the Mardis Gras of the Southern Hemisphere, and then try out your own dance moves with lesson to live Samba and forro music. If the Brazilian food and Caipirinha cocktails (Brazil’s sweet and sour national drink) don’t convince you to book a trip to Rio, you can at least look forward to the CA’s party next year. 

 HEAR

March 2: Outcalls, HexGirlfriends, North by North, Eyas

The Bun Shop, 40 W. Chesapeake Ave. 9 p.m. Free. 410-989-2033. 

This Friday night, head to The Bun Shop not just for delicious Roti buns and Vietnamese coffee but also live music by local artists, including baroque-pop duo Outcalls and electrofemme punk duo HexGirlfriends. Chicago’s North by North will be there, too, as will Washington State’s Eyas, but you’ll be there to hear up-and-coming hometown talent. Using their classical opera backgrounds, powerful pipes, and shimmering synth melodies, Outcalls’ Britt Olsen-Ecker and Melissa Wimbish produce an unlikely harmonic sound that’s all their own, while HexGirlfriends’ Hannah Holt and Sondra Boyle swing between glitchy slow jams and rebellious rock songs. If you can’t make the show, be sure to keep both on your radar.

 DO

March 4: Baltimore Bartenders Guild’s “Ryes Up”

Kimpton Hotel Monaco, 2 N. Charles St. 5-8 p.m. $75-100. 443-692-6170.

As we mentioned above, rye whiskey has deep roots in Maryland, so it couldn’t be more fitting than to use the amber-colored spirit to bring all corners of the city together for a can’t-miss party in support of a great cause. This weekend, at the seventh annual cocktail competition, beat the Sunday blues with a sampling of 20 rye-inspired craft concoctions made by some of the city’s top bartenders to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. (If you’re not one to revel in dark liquor, don’t worry: There will be wine, non-whiskey spirits, and Diamondback beers in tow.) Vote for your favorite drink, dance to music by Save Your Soul’s DJ Rob Macy, and ward off the impending headache with tasty bites from 15 local restaurants like Pen & Quill and Cunningham’s.

Although San Francisco-based hospitality group Joie de Vivre operates boutique hotels scattered all over the country, its newest property opening in the heart of Mt. Vernon this spring won’t feel like a national chain.

“I’ve worked at a lot of places, traveled, and seen a lot of things,” says Hotel Revival’s executive chef Wilbur Cox, a Baltimore native whose 20-year career includes stints at former favorites Ixia and The Bicycle. “But the thing that is most appealing to me about Revival is that, even though it’s a company that owns the hotel, we are running it like two local, independent restaurants.”

Instead of debuting a carbon copy of one of its hotels in another city, Joie de Vivre is taking a hyper-local approach its Baltimore iteration—playing up its proximity to the Washington Monument and offering two restaurants that make use of local purveyors. Both concepts will have bar programs led by local industry veteran Chelsea Gregoire.

“I couldn’t not be a part of it,” she says about joining the project. “The way that the brand takes the approach of essentially coming into a city, owning it, and loving on it the way that they do really strikes my core. It’s what I’m all about.”

Aside from its 107 guest rooms, the 14-story hotel will boast a lobby-level restaurant and market named Square Meal, as well as a laid-back rooftop destination, Topside, highlighting seafood specialties and local beers.

“Any chef will tell you that they like to have their cash cow, high-end restaurant,” Cox says. “But they also always want to have that fast-casual place where they can be a little more creative and not worry about rules so much. This gives us that opportunity to do both. It’s kind of every chef’s dream.”

Square Meal will offer all-day service, as well as its own retail market with to-go items like local Ceremony Coffee, house-bottled sauces, cured meats sliced to order, and a selection of prepared foods. Cox has enjoyed partnering with area farmers—including Liberty Delight in Reisterstown and Albright Farms in Phoenix—to develop the seasonal menu, with signature dishes including a smoked white fish mousse bagel, soft-boiled Scotch eggs, mustard green agnolotti, and braised pork cheek with red cabbage and pickled mushrooms.

Though there will be plenty of proteins to choose from, Cox says that he’s especially excited to get creative with local produce: “Instead of drying a piece of beef and making jerky, we’ll dry cabbage leaves and make it taste like seaweed,” he says. “We’re really trying to showcase the bounty of the farmers that we’ve partnered up with.”

The downstairs restaurant will also boast a fully stocked bar, featuring a limited-edition bourbon bottled exclusively for the hotel by Old Line Spirits in Highlandtown. Upstairs, the beverage offerings at Topside will be a bit more beer-centric—with 13 East Coast varieties on tap, 60 bottles and cans, a custom brew from Peabody Heights, and a beer-inspired cocktail list.

“Think about those common flavors that you find in beer, like the citrus of a pale ale, or those roasted, nutty, chocolatey notes that you find in a great stout,” Gregoire explains. “Here, we’re breaking it down to a chemical, molecular level and trying to get to the basis of these flavors to put them into a cocktail.”

The beverages at Topside will be paired with Cox’s seafood-centric dishes including a whole-fired blue catfish, bay scallops, and a local seafood tower with mussels, clams, and crab claws. Adds Cox: “When I have an ice-cold beer, I want to be eating something that I can wash down.”

The rooftop hangout will project a laid-back vibe with foosball tables, a giant Connect Four board, and panoramic views of the Washington Monument.

“We want to do something fun,” Gregoire says. “Revival can mean a lot of things, but for me it’s a breath of fresh air. We just want to breathe new life into the city and the community.”

Enhancing the community is something that both Cox and Gregoire say they are most excited about. In fact, the dining team has already partnered with organizations like the Maryland Food Bank and Back On My Feet to help bring opportunities to aspiring chefs.

“If we don’t bring everyone with us as we are moving forward, then we are doing a disservice to our neighbors,” Gregoire adds. “If we’re doing something new, we should bring everyone alongside of us. That’s the true meaning of community.”