Narrowing down the many sports bars in Baltimore was a challenge. Most sports fans I know are happy as long as the bar has good food, good TV, and great deals on drinks. So what makes a sports bar a “destination” place? What makes someone leave the convenience of the pub that happens to be closest to their home?
As Orioles season heats up, here are five Baltimore sports bars that offer something special: menus, deals, activities and a convivial atmosphere that brings strangers together in shared anticipation and excitement for the hometown team.
29th Street Tavern
On a rainy Saturday, the 29th Street Tavern in Remington was just a bar. Its quaint interior of brick, wood and stained glass was nearly full, with a whisper in the background as people watched the Orioles game or took shelter from the rain. But at 6:57 p.m., as 20 horses galloped off for the Kentucky Derby, the tavern transformed into an unmistakable sports bar. Patrons sipped their beers, rose to their feet, yelled “Go, go, go!” and remained glued to the TV for about two minutes.
The cozy community environment is enhanced by outdoor picnic tables, darts, and the occasional bingo night. “It’s your typical motley crowd,” owner Aaron Reinhart said of the regulars, adding that local celebrities like film director John Waters sometimes stop by to “mingle with the public.”
The menu features classic pub fare, as well as a few lighter Mediterranean dishes, like ahi tuna pita and roasted red pepper hummus. The rich, creamy, sweet deviled eggs taste like something you’d have at a neighborhood party, and the deep-fried cheese balls are doused in pepper jack and cocktail sauce, a perennially delicious combination. “We’ve tried lots of different sauces to go with them, but for some reason, the cocktail always wins,” Reinhart says. “It just doesn’t make sense.”
I came in for the soft-shell crab sandwich special before the season ended, but the dish of the night was the chicken cheesesteak. Forget the fake versions with big pieces of chicken: this thinly shredded meat is appetizingly grilled and held together by shreds of provolone cheese. 398 W. 29th St., 410-235-2426, 29thstreettavern.com
Swarm
Walking into The Flock in Washington Village/Pigtown, you’ll notice an angry crow on a mural by Annapolis artist Jarre soaring in front of the moon, sure to intimidate opposing team fans who wander into the sports bar. The Flock, which opened in January, is decked out in purple and gold, a restaurant version of the purple devil emoji beloved by Ravens fans on Twitter.
Offering a menu of Southern and Caribbean cuisine, Flock is a great place for a pre- or in-game meal and is about a mile walk from M&T Bank Stadium. The fried catfish was surprisingly juicy under a crispy, buttery bun. Truffle mac and cheese tends to have too much truffle oil, but this one had just the right amount of flavor in a gooey texture. The fried salmon bites were a bit too heavy on the batter, but the sweet chili sauce made up for that. The cocktails were juicy and more vacation-y than game-time. 1415 Washington Blvd., 443-438-6326, visitflock.com
Frank’s Bay Tavern
When Frank Zapczek walked into his eponymous tavern recently, he was greeted with cheers and hugs from the few customers who seemed to know him, and he introduced himself to the newcomers. Here, he and his wife, co-owner Karen Zapczek, are aiming for a country-town feel reminiscent of the Curtis Bay where she grew up.
“Everyone around here knows everyone and I think that’s perfect for a locals bar,” Karen said.
Though it can struggle to attract customers to the neighborhood, the bar has promised a clean, safe space after renovations. “Once people come to the bar, they love it,” said Frank, a former Baltimore police officer who worked in the area.
Nine TVs hang above the bar, Frank’s offers buckets of beer for $12 during Ravens games, and even non-fans will find plenty to keep them entertained, including games machines, a free pool table, darts, open jukebox times and giant Jenga.
The food is simple, like the $6 Angus burger and $1 pickled sausage. But the menu’s highlight is the Bay Slinger, a shot of clear liqueur and fresh fruit served in a mini Mason jar. Frank won’t explain his creation any further, but Karen says it’s known as “devil’s juice in a Barbie jar.” 4507 Pennington Ave., 410-483-8798, franksbaytavern.com
Ivor
Mastering the use of a deep fryer may seem like a prerequisite for opening a sports bar, but many sports bars only serve half-frozen mozzarella sticks, soft fries, and deep-fried onion rings. In contrast, iBar’s kitchen staff has perfected the device, serving up every fried treat fans could want, with every bite crisp, piping hot, and golden brown. The bar’s legendary wings can be fried regular or hard for extra crispiness, and you can choose from authentic or chef-style with garlic and Parmesan. These buffalo are the type of wings you eat like no one’s watching, and they leave enough sauce for dipping the seasoned fries. Baltimore seems oddly fixated on the non-traditional egg roll appetizer, but the gimmick works for a Southwestern version with a ratio of light fries, chicken, corn, cheese, and a peppery ranch-based dipping sauce. With a menu like this you know what to expect, but the snacks at iBar are delicious without being too high-end.
The bar has two distinct atmospheres: a bustling upstairs where music and laughter create a party-like (if perhaps distracting) atmosphere during Friday Orioles games, but the basement has more seating for fans who want to concentrate. 2118 Maryland Ave., 443-759-6147, ibarbaltimore.com
Barbara Haddock Taylor / The Baltimore Sun
Shotti’s Point opened in 2013 in the former Paul’s location.
Shotty’s Point Charm City
With TVs at every angle of the small space and a ceiling covered in beach motifs and eclectic stickers, Riverside’s Shotti’s Point makes for a bustling, colorful scene on game days. But the real draw is the food. The quality and taste surpass most sports bars, but it’s still essentially pub fare. Think poke nachos with big chunks of seared tuna, pickled jalapeños, avocado, scallions, wasabi aioli, soy sauce, and lightly crunchy wonton chips. Cheddar cheese curds and hot honey are perfect for soaking up the alcohol from hours of games, and the shrimp salad sandwich, highlighted by a creamy sauce and juicy shrimp pieces, is the type of sandwich you’d want to eat outside on a nice day. Hopefully the game hits happy hour, when discounts include $6.50 crushes, $9 mussels, and 1/2-pound steamed shrimp for $10. 701 E. Fort Ave., 443-835-2968, shottispointcharmcity.com
