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EAT

June 21: Father’s Day Crabs

Knotty Pine. 801 S Conkling St. 2-6 p.m.

What better way is there to celebrate dad this year than with some good old-fashioned Maryland crabs? This weekend, Knotty Pine will be selling crabs by the dozen and half dozen for the whole family to enjoy on Father’s Day. The Canton neighborhood pub will also be selling steamed corn and pounds of shrimp to round out the feast. And don’t forget to toast to Dad with a boozy Orange or Grapefruit Crush.

DRINK

June 19-20: Oliver Brewing Co. Triple Beer Release

Oliver Brewing Company. 4216 Shannon Dr.

This weekend, Oliver Brewing Company is dropping two new beers and bringing back its fan-favorite “This Floor is Snakes” double IPA. The brewers teamed up with their friends at Donut Shack in Severna Park to create “Chop Suey,” a blonde ale featuring apple cider, vanilla, and cinnamon that pairs perfectly with Donut Shack’s Chop Suey apple-cinnamon fritters. The “S’more or Less” imperial stout will have you ready for campfire season with hints of graham cracker, chocolate, and marshmallow. The new brews will be available for pickup on Friday, and on Saturday, guests can crack open their ice-cold cans while soaking up the sun in the outdoor area.

SEE

June 19: Juneteenth Double Feature

Times and prices vary.

Amid the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement in the wake of George Floyd’s death, Juneteenth—the holiday commemorating African-American freedom and achievement—holds a strong significance this year. Among the many ways to honor the holiday is with this double feature screening by Charm City Classics. All you need is a Netflix account and the Netflix Party application to stream Roger Guenveur Smith’s one-man show, Rodney King, followed by 13th, a documentary analyzing the criminalization of African Americans. Head to their Facebook page shortly before the screening to join the watch party.

HEAR

June 20: World Refugee Day Benefit Concert

Facebook Live. 12-2 p.m. Free.

Join Creative Alliance in celebrating our refugee, asylee, and immigrant neighbors through live music. Local performers will take the virtual stage, and host and community arts liaison Ari Pluznik will interview refugee service providers to learn more about the crucial care they supply. Consider making a donation to help support Mera Kitchen Collective, which has been working tirelessly to serve free meals to communities in need throughout the pandemic. (Read more about Mera’s work in our July issue, on newsstands June 26.)

DO

June 19: Say Her Name: March for Black Women and Femme Survivors

The Ynot Lot. 1904 N Charles St. 4-7p.m.

On Juneteenth, head to the Ynot Lot in Station North to honor the life of Black Lives Matter activist Oluwatoyin Salau, who was tragically killed earlier this month at the age of 19. Local organizers with Black Womyn Rising, Not Without Black Women, and Amorous Ebony are all working together to create a space for Black women and femme survivors of sexual violence to unite and voice their demands.

While Hampden’s 36th Street has exploded with upscale dining spots and quirky eateries, The Avenue has always lacked a decent sports-bar-style neighborhood spot. With the growing influx of young professionals and families, the demand has never been greater, which makes Five and Dime Ale House a perfect fit in this trendy ’hood.

The name is a tribute to the variety store that once occupied the space, which has been opened up to accommodate two wide rows of dining tables and a nice long bar, all clad in dark wood. Cushy banquettes, high tin ceilings with industrial-looking light fixtures, and sepia-toned photos further contribute a throwback feel, enough to lend a bit of background refinement while still allowing for TV watching (and there are plenty of screens to go around).

Similarly, menu offerings strike a happy medium, mixing dependable, modern tavern fare with a judicious sprinkling of Tex-Mex and Asian influences. Wings, nachos, and soft pretzels are all solid, but the tacos step it up with house-made corn tortillas, cod, or Korean beef.

It seems like almost a requirement these days for Hampden restaurants to offer pizzas. Here they are admirably turned out with pleasantly chewy crusts and an abundance of fresh toppings—the Farmer’s Market, in particular, is served almost overflowing with arugula and not one, but two, beautiful sunny-side up eggs. 

Burgers are touted as hand-formed with beef delivered fresh daily, and the result is noticeable—flavorful, tender, and juicy, completed with a pillowy challah bun and a laundry list of toppings available in addition to the preset permutations on the regular menu. Of special note among these is the “Juicy Bleucy,” which boasts bleu cheese in the center of a 10-ounce patty. Yowza. Mac and cheese is also a build-your-own format, and includes  options such as bacon, crab, and even lobster. Entrees stick mostly to the straight and narrow with standards like “Fish-n-Chips,” pasta with blackened chicken, and a large, lumpy, if not exactly captivating, crab cake entree.

In addition to a Monday burger night, other “Daily Specials” are focused squarely on the bar, with surprisingly deep discounts on drinks, including half-priced wines on Tuesday and $4 off craft cocktails on Thursdays. The latter are found on the reverse of the food menu, alongside bottled and canned beers. Draft beers are bestowed a separate menu, with offerings from Oliver Brewing Co. (whose owners opened the restaurant) and a list of  “Guest Drafts.” Nitro coffee, growlers to-go, and Wednesday night “Tap Takeovers” round out the impressive beer program.

Service can be unpolished at times, but, overall, staff has proven to be welcoming. Even on nights that are very busy, servers remain engaging, while quieter afternoons are a good time to commiserate with affable and expert bartenders. 

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FIVE AND DIME ALE HOUSE 901 W. 36th St., 443-835-2179. HOURS Mon.-Thurs. 11–1 a.m., Fri. 11-2 a.m., Sat. 10-2 a.m., Sun. 10-1 a.m.  PRICES $4-25. AMBIANCE Retro chic.