OPEN

Trinacria Cafe: Mt. Vernon locals no longer need to flock to Trinacria’s flagship on West Paca Street to get their fix of overstuffed sandwiches, antipasti, and old-school Italian pastas. After an eight-month hiatus (owner Vince Fava abruptly closed the shop with little explanation back in March), the Centre Street location across from Mount Vernon Marketplace has made its return to the neighborhood. Operating in soft-opening mode this weekend, the spot is expected to be officially back up and running next week featuring all of its signatures. Look out for plump chicken parm subs, filling red-sauce dishes, and, of course, plenty of wine pairings.

NEWS

Esquire Praises Baltimore in Best New Restaurants List: The national acclaim keeps on coming for the Charm City dining scene. Earlier this week, Esquire released its picks for the 21 Best New Restaurants in America, and, not surprisingly, a few familiar names were included on the list. Le Comptoir du Vin—which was also ranked among Bon Appetit magazine’s national selections this year—came in at No. 18, with shoutouts given to its house-baked sourdough and celery salad with pistachios and dates. Additionally, industry veteran Chelsea Gregoire, general manager at True Chesapeake Oyster Co., was named Beverage Director of the Year for her top-notch bartending programs and her “generous-spirited approach to inclusiveness,” according to food and drinks editor Jeff Gordinier. And we’d be remiss without mentioning Enrique Limardo, former executive chef of Alma Cocina Latina, whose new Washington, D.C. hotspot Seven Reasons took the No. 1 spot on Esquire’s list.

DuClaw’s Sour Me Unicorn Farts Returning This Summer: In perhaps the most clever promotional campaign we’ve seen in quite some time, DuClaw Brewing and Diablo Doughnuts recently announced that their collaborative ale, Sour Me Unicorn Farts, will be back on shelves and taps in June 2020. Taking inspiration from Lizzo’s viral Instagram in a Skittles-filled bathtub, head brewer Brandon Stanko and Diablo owner Michael Roslan climbed into a tub filled with Fruity Pebbles in the middle of Graffiti Alley to plug the return of the glittered sour—which is brewed with mashed fruity cereal. Inspired by the local LGBTQ community, the beer is part of DuClaw’s “Sour Me” series and gets its name from Diablo’s cereal-crusted rainbow doughnut. We’re looking forward to its return just in time for the city’s annual Pride festivities this summer.

EPICUREAN EVENTS

11/16: Tire Shop Pop-Up: Burn and Churn BBQ Part II

Bark BBQ is setting up shop inside the former home of Parts & Labor in Remington yet again for this afternoon pop-up highlighting smoked brisket, al pastor pork belly, spare ribs, beef ribs, and scrumptious sides. To wash down all of the eats, there will be plenty of Diamondback beers, as well as seasonal cocktails from the shop’s neighbors at R. Bar. The pop-up is part of a recurring series aimed at activating the space while the property managers at Seawall Development continue their search for a permanent tenant.

11/19: Make Your Own Genever Class at Gunther & Co.

Learn the ins and outs of Genever—a predecessor to gin that is ultra-popular in the Netherlands—at this DIY cocktail class with Frederick-based McClintock Distilling. Settle in at Gunther & Co. to learn about the production process, make your own custom gin blend, and snack on light bites throughout the evening. In addition to a bottle of whiskey and your own botanical jar, the $45 price of admission also includes a complimentary cocktail.

SHUT

Points South Latin Kitchen: Though details are still unknown, this Fells Point destination lauded for its traditional South American dishes and recurring Sunday drag brunches remains closed. Brooklyn Heights, the host of the weekly shows in the restaurant’s downstairs bar, confirmed to Baltimore last week that the restaurant had shuttered suddenly earlier this month. Luckily, with the help of Points South co-owner and managing partner Bryson Keens, Brooklyn has found a new home for the Sunday performances at Bookmakers Cocktail Club in Federal Hill. There’s no word yet on what will become of Thames Street spot, but, rest assured, the show will go on. As Keens told Brooklyn: “It’s not the end [of the brunch]. It’s just the end of an era.”

Editor’s Note: The Points South drag brunch has found a new home. Starting this Sunday, November 10, the event will be held at Bookmakers Cocktail Club in Federal Hill. Check out the event’s Facebook page for more info.

Last Friday, Points South Latin Kitchen in Fells Point was abruptly shut down by its landlords. Though official details behind the closure are still unknown, it left one of Baltimore’s most popular and celebrated drag brunches without a home.

Drag queen Brooklyn Heights, the host and impresario of the brunch, now finds herself in the unfortunate position of having to find a new venue for the recurring Sunday event, which is sold out through November.

Guests who purchased tickets for last Sunday’s brunch received direct notification from Brooklyn that the event was cancelled, as well as a refund. But Brooklyn is determined that this weekend’s show will go on.

“We have the reservations,” she says. “We have the people. We just need to find the venue.”

A few places have reached out and offered up their space, including The Hard Rock Cafe and Power Plant Live. Right now, Brooklyn is weighing her options.

“I don’t want to jump from here to here,” she says. “It’s not a good look. It’ll just confuse patrons.”

For now, she says that those with brunch reservations should stand by until further notice.

“We’ve been doing this every Sunday for four years,” sighs Brooklyn, who admits it’s been a “rough” few days. “I just want people to know that we’re doing everything we can to find a new home.”

Points South opened in the former home of Anastasia on Thames Street in March 2016. It quickly became known for its Latin American fare and accompanying margaritas and sangria, and debuted its weekly drag brunches soon after.

As Points South co-owner and managing partner Bryson Keens—whom Brooklyn said is like a “father” to the drag queens—sadly told Brooklyn: “It’s not the end [of the brunch]. It’s just the end of an era.”

From New York magazine’s recent story on the most powerful drag queens in America to the cover of our June Pride Issue (featuring the one-and-only Betty O’Hellno), it seems like drag has finally gone mainstream.

It’s no secret that drag is a visually-stimulating spectacle, with its kicks, splits, and bodaciously-beat mugs. So why just look at it on magazine covers or on television? Baltimore has its own crop of crazy-talented kings and queens that are worth shelling out cash to see.

Bryan Tarka, who performs as Baby, thinks the popularization of drag from shows such as RuPaul’s Drag Race has trickled down to the local level. “We’re on the best track possible to have drag be appreciated as an actual art form, just as any other art form,” says Tarka, who hosts the show Metro/Sexual X at Metro Gallery.

In Tarka’s three years of performing in drag, he’s noticed that the local field has expanded to include more diverse performers, such as drag kings, non-binary performers, and bio queens, which has helped evolve Charm City’s drag scene.

“I feel like the scene has taken a switch from being more traditional pageant style drag,” Tarka says, “We’re really embracing what I view as Baltimore’s roots with Divine, and having more of that trashy, gender-bending, out-there, outlandish, rock and roll type of style drag, which I’m really excited about.”

With Baltimore’s vibrant drag community on the rise, there’s tons of sickening shows to sissy over to for a guaranteed good time. Don’t be one of those people who only sees Ru-Girls when they come to town on tour—spread the love to some local performers at these must-see drag events. So, get to it henny!

Bodacious Brunches

Angie’s Seafood: Keep the second Saturday of each month clear because Angie’s Seafood is offering a bottomless brunch, mimosas, and a can’t-miss show for a great deal. The ever-busy Evon Michelle hosts this gig, along with her gaggle of glamazons. $40

Drag Me to the Beach: Enjoy the sweet serenity of sand between your toes and a twirling queen before your eyes at this new addition to the Charm City drag brunch scene. Held at Sandlot in Harbor Point, this weekly show includes two drink tickets and stars the winner of two seasons of DC Drag Wars, Bombalicious Eklaver. $20

Points South Latin Kitchen: This weekly Sunday brunch features a host of affordable drink specials, so fill up on mimosas, sangria, and Bloody Marys until you’re brave enough to attempt a death drop (aka a dramatic dance move where you descent backward with one leg folded). Prepare to dance the afternoon away with local queens such as Brooklyn Heights, Iyana Deschanel, and Jasmine Blue. $35

Zen West: Every first Sunday, Venus Fastrada hosts this fabulous fete with a rotating theme. (The most recent performance was dedicated to Disney numbers.) Head to the Towson cantina to order mimosa or margarita pitchers for the table before digging in to specialty brunch plates during the show. There’s no cover charge, but be sure to bring bills to tip generously.

Drag Dinners

Drag Revival: Hosted by Baltimore’s 2019 Performer of the Year Dee Dee Derèon, this monthly dinner-and-show affair at Hotel Revival features a rotating cast of popular area queens, including Baby, Venus Frastrada, and Hazel Derèon. Treat yourself to an all-you-can-eat buffet —and don’t miss out on the bottomless Italian Bellinis. $25-40

Illusions: Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have Liza Minnelli and Cardi B in the same room? If so, this is the celebrity-tribute drag dinner for you. Come see comedy and burlesque performances by local queens in the shoes of icons such as Whitney Houston, and Britney Spears. $10-750

Sassy Shows:

Grindhouse 2.0: Throw it back to the times of bump and grind burlesque. Held on the first Friday of the month at the Baltimore Eagle, you’ll get a hell of a show for a measly $10 cover. $10-150

Golden West Bingo: Only a drag performer could make a chore as mundane as calling out bingo numbers so lively and exciting. Hit up this vegan paradise every second and fourth Tuesday of the month for rounds of bingo hosted by Evon Michelle and Pariah Sinclair, as well as taco and margarita specials. $5

Metro/Sexual X: Chock full of fashion, art, rock n’roll, tease, filth, and drag, attendees can expect to be entertained when this steamy show pops up at Metro Gallery every few months. Hosted by Baby, the show has featured everything from hard rock to sultry burlesque, and occasionally features other talents from across the DMV. Did we mention this won the 2019 Baltimore Drag Award for Best Drag Show? $15

Sidebar Scandalous Saturdays: This monthly downtown show boasts an all-star line-up, hosted by Pariah Sinclair and featuring queens like Shaunda Leer and Saaphyri Wildz. Pro tip: The first ten attendees receive a specialty cocktail, so be sure to get there early. $8-10

The corner of North Charles and Eager streets just ain’t what it used to be. Sure, rainbow flags still fly outside of Grand Central Club, but it’s on borrowed time. Across the street, where Club Hippo once hosted epic bingo nights, show tunes karaoke, and hip-hop parties, is now the standard bat signal of gentrification—a CVS.

With gay bars closing in Baltimore, it brings up the inevitable questions: Can we explain this? Are these spaces still necessary? And what comes next?

“Years ago, gay bars were safe zones when gays were in fear of being beat up,” says Don Davis, who owned Grand Central for nearly 30 years until new owners took over earlier this year. “Once people started meeting online, we lost a lot of business.”

Beyond matchmaking websites and LGBTQ-friendly dating apps, the movement to legalize same-sex marriage in 2015 also played a part in curtailing gay-bar business. “Our community was able to get married and start a family, and the necessity to go out and meet people just wasn’t there,” says Chris Jennings, who runs events and marketing for the newly reopened Baltimore Eagle. “Plus, you need to move with trends. The way a space feels safe for us now is different from when I was in my 20s.”

Making sure there is a seat for everyone at the table—whether that’s the clientele or the business owners themselves—is an important part of keeping the inclusive scene alive here in Baltimore. “Most of the owners of these businesses were older, white gay men that entered into their golden years,” says Shelese Greene of the Pride Center of Maryland. “We now need investors who are also interested in supporting the black and brown LGBTQ community.”

Another theory for the closings is that bars in general have arguably become more accepting. “It’s taken a lot of years to feel more comfortable,” Davis says. “I’m not saying there’s no more gay-bashing, but certainly people are more decent now than they were.”

Even so, having a place that is 100-percent accepting is a priority for the community. “It’s a different kind of feeling when you go into a space and can vogue down the hallway and not be looked at like you’re crazy,” Greene explains. “It’s about tolerance and safety.”

“We need to make sure our spaces are not only safe, but also progressive,” adds Jennings. “When there are preconceived notions, certain segments don’t feel welcome.”

Long known to many as a strictly leather bar, the Eagle is aiming for more inclusivity in its newest iteration, with a more diverse staff and event offerings. And, for their part, the new owners of Grand Central are taking feedback from the Mt. Vernon neighborhood for what exactly could populate the renovated, mixed-use building.

Plus, throughout the city, places like Points South Latin Kitchen, El Bufalo, and Minnow are providing consistent venues for drag performers. “We are an LGBTQ safe space, and we’re heavily involved in the scene,” says Points South owner Bryson Keens. “Everything seems to be disappearing, and we want to do our part to support it.” Along with drag queen Brooklyn Heights and city council members, Keens is in the very early stages of discussing a new space in Baltimore City that could host drag performances six days a week.

“Whether it was Grindr or gentrification that killed gay bars, it’s our job to explore new options,” Keens says. “And now we have politicians coming to us trying to attract these spaces to their district. If that’s not progress, I don’t know what is.”

Forgive us if cynicism sets in when a new restaurant purports to have captured the culinary soul of an entire continent. Cooking styles and gastric sensibilities can vary greatly from region to region, let alone from country to country, so when Points South Latin Kitchen opened earlier this year in the previous home of Anastasia, we were a bit skeptical. Two visits to the restaurant, which has been beautifully revamped into a festive, two-level space with multiple dining rooms and bars, erased our doubts. Owner/managing partner Bryson Keens and chef Scott Stauber have created a menu that’s inspired by the spirit of South and Central American cuisine, but doesn’t feel confined by it. Take the Costillas de Res en Asado Negro—beef short ribs that are braised in chocolate sauce. The meat arrived so tender we could—and did—cut it with a spoon. In the hands of a lesser chef, the dish could easily be gimmicky, but here, the hint of bitterness combined with the sweetness only enhanced the meat’s flavor.

Ten small plates featured on the dinner menu range in ambition—and price. We can imagine eating the wonderful Carimanolas—fried croquettes filled with yucca mash and ground beef—on the streets of Panama City or Bogota, where they’re popular. The
Cangrejo y Aguacate, chunks of lump crab and avocado served on a crispy yucca cake, seems a bit sophisticated (and at $16 for one, a bit too pricey) for street food. Crab purists might object to its mojo sauce, which some may feel overpowers the crab’s natural taste, but we found it to be a tangy twist on the local favorite.

Nightly meat, seafood, and fried whole-fish specials highlight the entree selections. We opted for a bowl of bouillabaisse, which arrived piping hot and filled with generous portions of shelled mussels, clams, shrimp, and large pieces of snapper. Its lime broth was refreshingly subtle. Another staple in many Latin countries is grilled chicken, and Stauber’s take is solidly spiced. Chimichurri, a green sauce associated with Argentina and usually made of chopped parsley, minced garlic, oregano, and oil or vinegar, provides a nice acidity to the crispy skin. The bird comes with Peruvian-style potatoes, an addictively good salad of Amarillo cheese sauce, eggs, and olives that is served warm.

The cocktail program includes several variations of a margarita. Our favorite was the signature combination of whiskey, spiced pear, ginger liqueur, and fresh citrus that’s mixed and bottled daily. Having more than one can transform your tame dinner into a fiesta, during which you’ll feel right at home among the restaurant’s colorful murals and mosaics. Despite its price point (near the upper echelon of Fells Point restaurants), a relaxed atmosphere envelops Points South, which succeeds in paying homage to, rather than trying to rigidly replicate, the food and drink of our neighbors to the south.

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POINTS SOUTH LATIN KITCHEN 1640 Thames St., 443-563-2018. HOURS Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Lunch: Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dinner: Mon.-Wed. 5-10 p.m., Thu.-Sat. 5-10:30 p.m. CUISINE Latin American. PRICES Small plates: $12-17; entrees: $26-36; sides: $8. ATMOSPHERE Latin flair.

Wake up and smell the hairspray—local drag queens have taken over Baltimore’s brunch scene, and they’re leaving a trail of glitter in their wake. With high-energy performers drawing masses of mimosa-sipping patrons to restaurants such as Minnow, El Bufalo Tequila Bar & Kitchen, and Trinacria Cafe, it’s time for a refresher course on how to act when a queen sashays around your table or challenges you to a twerk-off.

We asked Brooklyn Heights, host and lead performer of Points South Latin Kitchen’s Sunday brunch, to give us the lowdown on drag brunch etiquette.

• Always tip your entertainers! It takes a lot of money to look this fabulous, darling.
• Do not touch, unless given permission.
• Unless you work for Picture People, get off your damn phone!
• The more you drink, the prettier we’ll look.
• If anything we do offends you, you probably don’t belong here, anyway.
• Respect the staff as much as the entertainers. We ALL work hard to please you!
• Make a reservation, confirm your reservation, and show up to your damn reservation.
• Have fun!

We think it’s safe to say that raw fish is having a moment. Of course, Charm City has its share of sushi spots, and poké bowls (the trendy Hawaiian delicacy that tops rice with cubes of uncooked fish) are also finding their footing. But ceviche—the marinated seafood staple with roots in South America—has proven itself to be particularly popular, especially as summer temperatures begin to peak.

“It’s very refreshing,” says Jose Victorio Alarcon, owner and executive chef of Peruvian destination Puerto 511 downtown. “In Peru, it’s traditional to call up your friends on a hot day and go out for ceviche and a cold beer.”

The dish, which is usually made with raw fish cured in citrus juices and spiced with chili peppers, is associated with Peru, but also can be seen in Central American countries, as well as throughout Mexico.

Even the team behind Clavel in Remington has transformed an adjoining garage into an authentic cevicheria inspired by co-owner and executive chef Carlos Raba’s native Sinaloa, Mexico.

“It’s always been our plan to mimic my upbringing,” Raba says. “Whenever I go somewhere I enjoy, I’m always thinking, ’How can I bring this place to Baltimore? How can I bring my family from Mexico here to experience the same things they have at home?’”

Although many recipes and techniques vary by region, local chefs agree that the perfect ceviche starts with one key ingredient.

“You always have to use quality fish no matter what,” says Enrique Limardo, executive chef at Canton’s Alma Cocina Latina, who names favorites including halibut, royal seabass, and red snapper. “In the end, you can mix in whatever flavors you want, but if the fish isn’t fresh, it’s not going to be good.”

Alarcon agrees, mentioning that the Peruvian version calls for a principal combination of a fresh white fish (like grouper or flounder), lime, salt, onion, and aji pepper. The difference, he says, lies in the marinating method.

“In a lot of Mexican or Central American ceviches, they marinate the fish for a few hours and sometimes let it sit overnight to serve the next day,” he explains. “But Peruvian ceviche only needs five minutes to marinate. It’s supposed to feel very fresh.”

The traditional Peruvian marinade—a citrusy juice dubbed Tiger’s Milk, or leche de tigre after its white color—also sets it apart from other styles. Alarcon notes Puerto 511’s ceviche clasico (fish and leche de tigre mixed with cilantro, red onion, glazed sweet potato, and Andean corn) as a customer favorite.

“At the restaurant, my wife goes around to the tables to teach people about the leche de tigre,” he says. “And she encourages them to drink the juice right from the plate because that’s how we do it in Peru.”

While Limardo also uses the Peruvian technique for his ceviche at Alma Cocina Latina, he puts his own spin on the dish by fusing the restaurant’s signature Venezuelan flavors (think tropical fruits like pineapple and mango) into the leche de tigre. Says Limardo: “No matter what dish we make, we always have to add a little bit of Venezuelan inspiration.”

At Points South Latin Kitchen in Fells Point, executive chef Rey Eugenio’s ceviches are influenced by a number of different cultures. Not only does he draw from his upbringing in the Philippines, but he also solicits input from his staff about traditions from their home countries throughout South America.

“You always want to be innovative, whether it means taking components from other countries or combining two different styles together,” Eugenio says. “In the Philippines, we have a dish that isn’t called ceviche, but it’s certainly similar to the traditional citrus-based ceviche. We even do a beef-style ceviche where raw beef is dressed in a citrus vinaigrette.”

Although there are seemingly endless ways to create a flavorful ceviche, Raba says that, above all, the dish is about simplicity.

“There are a lot of ways to play with it,” he says. “But too many elements will make you lose the essence of the ceviche.”

Alarcon, too, prefers to stick to the basics: “You feel the acidity from the lime, sweetness from the glazed sweet potato, spice from the pepper, and crunch from the corn,” he says. “In one plate, there are so many sensations.”

Cinco de Mayo just so happens to fall on a Friday this year. That means there’s no excuse not to stroll over to your neighborhood bar, feast on spicy snacks, and sip salt-rimmed drinks to honor Mexico’s unlikely victory over France on the fifth of May in 1862.  A handful of bars and restaurants are putting their own spin on the tequila-themed holiday this year, offering everything from sombreros and sangria to piñatas and photos with donkeys. Here are our picks for the area’s most festive fiestas:

Clavel: It doesn’t get much more authentic than this modern tacqueria in Remington, which boasts a unique interior with strung lights and plenty of plants. From house-made tortillas to a lengthy mezcal menu, everything about the space is meant to mimic the vibe of owner Lane Harlan’s beloved Oaxaca. Not only is Cinco de Mayo an ideal time to honor the concept’s Mexican roots, but it also marks the restaurant’s (almost) two-year anniversary. To celebrate, Clavel is throwing down on May 5, offering roasted meats, sizzling salsas, classic vampiro cocktails (a tequila-based version of a Bloody Mary) and, of course, plenty of margaritas to go around. 225 W. 23rd St., 443-900-8983

El Bufalo: This O’Donnell Square favorite is a go-to party place no matter what the occasion. For Cinco de Mayo, the bar is going all out with bucket specials, family-style platters of nachos and tacos, and an all-day live music lineup. Get an early start (doors open at 11 a.m.) with discounted Mexican beers and Peligroso margaritas while jamming to music spun by DJ Mic L and performances by local singer-songwriters Steve Herrera and Steve Matthews. 2921 O’ Donnell St., 410-814-0594

Federal Hill Fiesta: Though this annual block party got rained out last year, locals are holding out hope for sunny skies this weekend. Gather with friends and neighbors on Sunday, May 7 to partake in the outdoor rager on East Cross Street, which will feature Modello and Corona Light specials, live entertainment, and Mexican street food from neighborhood mainstays Blue Agave, Bandito’s, and No Way Jose. Crowd around the stage to sway to the sounds of local headliners Chris Diller, Pressing Strings, and beloved rockers Pasadena. East Cross Street, $8-9

Jailbreak Brewing: Just in time for Cinco de Mayo—and summer sipping weather—this fan-favorite Laurel brewery is unveiling not one, but two new cervezas. Head to the taproom to enjoy a dual-purpose Cinco de Mayo celebration and release party for the citrusy Ephemeral Volume V and Dew Right, a new blonde ale brewed with honeydew. Plus, the Say Cheese food truck will be on site with its signature sammies to line your stomach before tipping back the fresh-poured pints. 9445 Washington Blvd., Ste. F., Laurel, 443-345-9699

Little Havana: Gather your crew and head to this outpost off of Key Highway to take advantage of a full-blown fiesta featuring live bands, local DJs, waterfront views, sizzling snacks, and an outdoor tent with fully stocked bars. Plus, we hear that the spot plans to have a visiting donkey onsite—so be sure to have your cameras ready. 1325 Key Highway, 410-837-9903

Nacho Mama’s: Both locations of this tried-and-true Tex-Mex hangout in Canton and Towson will be celebrating in style, serving up hearty burritos, fajitas, and quesadillas with the restaurant’s requisite hubcap margaritas for the table. Specials running from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. will include $5 Gracelands (Nacho Mama’s house margarita fused with homemade lime mix), $15 Graceland hubcaps, and $1-off specialty margaritas in flavors like Orange Crush, pomegranate, and black raspberry. Multiple locations including 2907 O’Donnell St., 410-675-0898

Papi’s: The annual festivities at this Fells Point taco joint are being extended this year. Throughout the two-day fiesta—which will keep the party going until Saturday, May 6—enjoy a slew of drink specials including $5 select tequila drinks, $12 pitchers of draft beer, and $25 pitchers of house margaritas. Pair the drinks with the menu’s authentic antojitos (small bites inspired by  Mexican street fairs) including braised corn on the cob, yucca fries, and DIY street tacos. 1703 Aliceanna St., 410-299-8480

Points South Latin Kitchen: Take a trip to South America by way of Fells Point at this spirited spot, which pairs its flavorful dishes with a selection of bottled house cocktails and classic piscos, palomas, and margaritas from the bar. This Friday, partake in the restaurant’s Cinco de Mayo party, which will feature specials like $3 glasses of sangria, $5 margaritas, and $3-6 tacos. 1640 Thames St., 443-563-2018

Power Plant Live: Throw on your most festive garb (think sombreros, ponchos, and fake mustaches) and head to this downtown nightlife district to enjoy live entertainment, piñata bashing, a nacho-eating contest, and food and drink specials at participating bars. At Mex Tequila Bar, for example, revelers are invited to sip $4 beers and $20 45-oz. margaritas, as well as enter to win a free trip to Mexico. 34 Market Place.

The Admiral’s Cup: While strolling around the Fells Point cobblestone, follow the sounds of live music to find this Thames Street staple, which will be hosting a full-blown cerveza celebration in honor of the holiday. The bash will highlight discounted drinks including $3 Miller Lites, $4 Blue Moons, and $5 tequila shots, as well as live happy hour tunes from resident rockers Bedtime for Jack. 1547 Thames St., 410-534-5555, $5