Baltimore's Pubs ... the First of Many Such Posts!

It's only fitting to start this post with one of the oldest pubs in America, The Horse You Came In On ... affectionately known as The Horse to many.  People have been downing pints and listening to live music in this Fell's Point mainstay since before the Revolution.  Baltimore has an endless supply of great restaurants, bars, clubs, pubs, taverns, you name it.  This post focuses on the kind of place where it makes more sense to drink a beer than a glass of wine, where people young and old gather to watch games, listen to live music, or grab a casual dinner and engage in some easy camaraderie.

Another great spot for listening to live music and "Baltimore's Best Dive Bar," Leadbetters is just down the street from The Horse.  I really like Leadbetters because for some reason, even with the music, it's still possible to talk to people without saying "What?" constantly.

Also in Fell's Point, One Eyed Mikes offers "fine dining in a casual atmosphere," an intimate dining room and outdoor dining patio, and the world's first Grand Marnier Club, which is handy if you like Grand Marnier!  When I hear fine dining, I tend to think of fussy, small portions and high prices, but the food here is hearty and great for a casual lunch with friends but also sufficiently impressive to take out of town guests or a first date.  Oh, and the Grand Marnier Club is a good conversation-starter.  Lifetime Grand Marnier Club members get their own bottle of GM, stored at the bar.  Naturally, the bartenders have an impressive repertoire of drinks with Grand Marnier as a key ingredient.  I only learned this from conversation with the bartenders, not from drinking their GM concoctions, but I do believe it! 

Moving north into Mount Vernon - I know, I know ... I didn't even begin to capture all of the wonderful pubs of Fell's Point, such as Cat's Eye and Wharf Rat, but if I wait until I get all of the pictures I need, I'll never get around to posting anything, so think of this as a sample - Mick O'Shea's offers live music and is a big hit with the happy hour crowd.

The Hamilton Tavern, a relative newcomer to Baltimore, regularly wins Best of Baltimore awards for its Crosstown Burger, but I'd like to give the owners credit for their rustic chic decor, which extends into the bathrooms, where they have plastered the walls (tastefully) with excerpts from classic books and poetry.  HT also has a rooftop garden, and the owners are committed to locally sourced ingredients.

Located in the Hamilton/Lauraville Main Street, the Hamilton Tavern attracts people from throughout the region with its warm atmosphere, delicious food, and great beer and wine selection. 

Located around the corner from Belvedere Square and the Senator Theatre in Govanstowne, the Swallow at the Hollow has been around for a long time, but if you haven't been there recently, it has changed in recent years and is worth checking out.  The relatively new owner renovated the dining room a couple of years ago and updated the menu, but the Swallow retains a cozy, unpretentious atmosphere and is a great spot to watch a game and/or have an inexpensive meal!