Neighborhood Happy Hour Crawl: Mt. Vernon
Baltimore’s Mt. Vernon is chock full of historic monuments and architecture, art filled museums and galleries, and eccentric boutiques. While we certainly all enjoy some culture in our lives, when the sun sets we also want to explore the drink culture in town. Check out these spots for a bar crawl as eclectic as this visually stunning and incredibly charming pocket of the city.
City Cafe: There’s no better spot than the hip and stylish City Cafe to kick off a Mt. Vernon bar crawl. No thirst will go unquenched with their varied vino and classy cocktail selections. In the mood for a brew? City Cafe has that covered, too. Plenty of local and other craft beers in a variety of styles grace their list. Pop in to the bar or sip al fresco during happy hour (4-7 PM, Monday through Thursday, and until 8 PM on Fridays) and nosh on artfully prepared light fare like a Salmon BLT or Crab Salad for half price. Have a teetotaler in the group? City Cafe is known for their coffee as well. (1001 Cathedral St.; 410-539-4252)
Brewer’s Art: Take a leisurely walk up Charles Street to this locally adored destination brewpub and restaurant for one of the best selections of beer on this side of town (including their own well crafted brews), or take a peek at the fairly impressive wine list. Relax in the gorgeously decorated upstairs with soaring ceilings and tasteful artwork for an upscale experience (near the floor to ceiling windows in summer for prime people watching, or on the comfy sofas near the fireplace come winter) or head downstairs for a dimly lit and pleasantly grittier Baltimore feel. (1106 N. Charles St.; 410-547-6925)
13th Floor: Head less than a block south, cross the street, and enter the sophisticated Belvedere Hotel. Wind your way through the wedding or party guests mingling outside of the event spaces on the elegant first floor, and pop into the elevator to soar to the 13th Floor for one of the most breathtaking views from any bar in Baltimore. Beer lovers can sip on one of a handful of local or well known craft beer options while wine drinkers can rejoice at the sight of over a dozen choices by the glass. But who wouldn’t want to sip any number of 13th Floor’s riffs on classic cocktails against the backdrop of the beautifully lit Charm City landscape at night? (1 E. Chase St.; 410-347-0880)
Owl Bar: You don’t have far to travel to get to Owl Bar from 13th Floor. Take the elevator back to the ground level of the historic Belvedere and follow the hallway back to this casual joint’s long bar with plenty of seats for your crawling crew. Keep up with those cocktails by ordering the likes of a Moscow Mule or a Negroni or get adventurous with house concoctions like a Margatini (Patron, Grand Marnier, fresh lime and a salted rim) or Ernie’s Pink Lemonade (Citroen vodka, black raspberry liqueur and lemonade). Feeling hoppy? Grab a pint of any of the many rotating beers on tap from brewers like Flying Dog, DC Brau, Great Divide and many more.
This is also a top spot to soak up all that booze with menu offerings that range in style as much as the drink choices. For apps, go old school with nachos or crab dip or get a little fancier with portabella or duck fat fries. Really hungry? Share some pizzas or dive into one of their decadent burgers. (1 E. Chase St.; 410-347-0888)
Red Maple: Mosey a few blocks south to end the night right at lounge-y Red Maple. This casual hotspot is the place to go for low lighting and trendy cocktails. Music spans from salsa to hip hop to African inspired “global groove,” and beyond, depending on the night. Order some small farm to table inspired bites and take in the scene from the low seats along the wall or at the bar with the lively bartenders. Alternatively, you can give in to all those drinks telling you to hit the dance floor. Either choice is a perfectly acceptable way to wind down your night at this Mt. Vernon mainstay. (930 N. Charles St.; 410-547-0149)
Photo via 13th Floor
