September, 9th 2011

Leinenkugel Beer Garden now open

Jess Blumberg

In another addition to the ever-evolving Power Plant Live, the Leinenkugel Beer Garden officially opens today.

The 2,500-square-foot steel and glass pavilion offers more than 30 draft beers, 30 bottles, and a food menu. On tap, there's obviously Leinenkugel selections, but they've also made an effort to keep it local with Flying Dog and Heavy Seas available. The bottle list is impressive, with everything from Fat Tire to Abita to Weyerbacher brews.

The garden also offers self-serve draft tables, where customers can pick the flavors (or even mix them) and serve themselves. Additionally, the food menu will feature a custom-made pizza by new Power Plant neighbor Joe Squared.

The grand opening kicks off tonight with a sampling from 4-9 p.m. hosted by Jacob Leinenkugel of the Leinenkugel Brewing Company. They also have various events over the next couple months, including "beer games," Oktoberfest, and a homebrew compeition. Check out their calendar here.

[Image: courtesy of Leinenkugel Beer Garden]

10:18 am

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Tags: beer, nightlife

September, 1st 2011

New bar opening in Fells Point

Jess Blumberg

A new bar is coming to the old Whistling Oyster location in Fells Point. RYE will be celebrating its soft opening this weekend to coincide with the much anticipated Grand Prix foot traffic.

RYE is being opened by Stuggy's owner Ryan Perlberg, among others, and will have a focus on mixology, charcuterie, and late-night breakfast on the weekends.

Perlberg said that RYE is going to focus on fresh and locally sourced ingredients, so the more specialty cocktails will range from $7-10. Besides that, though, he hopes that the bar will be a great gathering spot for the neighborhood.

"We are a group of people that came together to start a bar to share with our community," Perlberg wrote in an email. "From our homemade simple syrups and wild imagination, RYE is our dream bar."

RYE will be open to the public this Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m.-2 a.m.

[Image: courtesy of RYE]

4:45 pm

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Tags: bars, restaurants

August, 31st 2011

Dark Horse Saloon in Canton

Jess Blumberg

This weekend I got a chance to check out Dark Horse Saloon in Canton, which opened in late June in the old Canton Arts & Entertainment space.

Marc McFaul, owner of The Stalking Horse and Ropewalk Tavern in Federal Hill (who we named one of the most powerful people in nightlife), opened Dark Horse and the adjacent Irish pub Finnegan's Wake in the massive Boston Street space. I'd been wanting to check it out for a while, as I always see long lines outside the bars on weekend nights.

I got a chance to on Friday night when I attended a friend's going away party at Dark Horse. The space inside is immense, which is nice for downtown bar go-ers who are used to the narrow layout of rowhouse bars. There was a pool table, areas for dining and mingling, and a huge wooden bar taking up most of the front room.

On the drink menu was Stalking Horse's signature vodka slushies, with flavors like Red Bull, raven, and hurricane (a popular choice last weekend). They also had about eight beers on tap (including Shock Top, Yuengling, Magic Hat #9, and Bud Light), but nothing too remarkable. They were running a good special that night—after 9 p.m., Bud and Bud Light bottles were $2 and slushies were $2.50.

But, the whole feel of the place was pretty generic. I guess there was a cowboy theme—a huge mural of Clint Eastwood from The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly was on the wall and there were signature horse statues throughout—but there was no distinct style besides that. The service was fair, but not friendly. The place was packed with out-of-town Yankees fans.

In short, and not suprisingly, it's like a Federal Hill bar has been plopped onto Boston Street, not that the crowds (who comes in hordes) seem to mind.

[Image: courtesy of Dark Horse Saloon]

12:07 pm

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Tags: bars

August, 24th 2011

Spending the day at Fiore Winery

Jess Blumberg

This past Sunday a few friends and I made the hour trek up to Fiore Winery in Pylesville, just south of the state line. The 25-year-old winery was throwing its annual "Wine, Art, and Jazz Festival." For $17, you got a wine glass and entry onto the grounds for live music, activities, and tours of the facility.

Fiore bills its products as "Maryland wine with an Italian accent," which makes sense as co-owner Mike Fiore used to run a vineyard in Calabria, Italy until he moved to American in 1962. He soon met his future wife, Rose, and the two of them bought a small farm in Harford County, which ended up becoming Fiore Winery.

On Sunday the tastings were free, so I got to sample a lot of Fiore's products. Like many Italian wines, a lot of their varieties were dryer than what Americans are used to. Besides wine, Fiore also makes limonciello and grappa on the premises.

My favorite red was the Cabernet Franc, a spicy, fruity blend. I also loved the semi-sweet Vignoles white, which had a citrus flavor to it. The Vignoles was perfect to sip in the sun with friends, which is exactly what I did until clouds opened up and it started to storm.

The Fiore owners kindly moved us all into their indoor lodge while the rain came down and we listened to the extremely talented four-piece Carl Filipiak Jazz Band. The space inside seems ideal for weddings or other events, with its 360-views of the lush, green hills of Harford County.

Fiore has a few more events throughout the fall, if you want to get a taste of Italy without (almost!) leaving the state.

[Image: courtesy of me]

12:14 pm

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Tags: festivals, live music, wine

August, 16th 2011

Fat Tire is almost here!

Jess Blumberg

It's been a long time coming, but popular Colorado-based brew Fat Tire is finally arriving in Maryland. This Monday, August 22, bottles of New Belgium Brewery's Fat Tire will be stocked at Loading Dock Liquors in Canton. On August 25, the liquor store will host a tasting to celebrate its arrival.

New Belgium is the third largest craft brewery in the United States with a huge presence in the west that's starting to trickle its way over to our part of the country. I had my first Fat Tire Amber Ale in Seattle, pictured, and was impressed with its crisp, caramel-like flavor. The beer also has a really pretty golden hue.

In addition to the Amber Ale, Loading Dock will also receive New Belgium's seasonal Hoptober. When I asked the store's cashier if they had received any requests already, he laughed and said, "Yup. They started about two years ago."

[Image: courtesy of Daniel Mayhugh]

10:37 am

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Tags: beer

August, 4th 2011

Tequila tour in Mexico

Jess Blumberg

I just returned from an amazing vacation in Cozumel, Mexico where I saw two of my closest friends get married. If you ever have a chance to visit the tropical paradise that is Cozumel, please do. The island, east of Mexico's mainland, is beautiful and unique with a history deeply rooted in Mayan culture. Plus, roundtrip flights from BWI are only in the $500-600 range.

There are tons of things to do in Cozumel, including snorkeling and scuba diving, visiting the mainland ruins of Tulum, exploring the vibrant downtown area, and, of course, enjoying the delicious food and drink options. For the wedding's rehearsal dinner, we were invited to Casa Mission restaurant, where they provided a lavish four-course meal. In between courses, we went over to the restaurant's tequileria for the free tequila tour, pictured.

Our guide Manny Barredo took our group on an extremely entertaining 20-minute tour where he explained the origins and process of making tequila. While most people know that tequila comes from the blue agave plant, we found out that it actually comes from the agave's root, or the piña (which looks like a giant pinecone). The piña hearts get split open and steamed, then that liquid ferments for several days. A double-distillation process then results in high-proof tequila, which can be diluted to the desired strength.

As with any alcohol tour, the best part came at the end when we got to sample five different varieties made on site. The tequila tasted pure with very little burn. Obviously, you could also purchase a bottle to take home. It suffices to say that I'll be laying off tequila for a little while now.

[Image: courtesy of missioncoz.com]

4:18 pm

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Tags: travel

July, 26th 2011

Urban Pirates booze cruise

Jess Blumberg

This past Saturday, some friends and I celebrated a bachelorette party on the Urban Pirates "Bring Your Own Grog" cruise in Fells Point. Since 2008, Urban Pirates has been launching daytime family cruises and nighttime adult cruises on their 52-foot custom built pirate ship, "Fearless."

While the family cruises are certainly popular, we opted for the nighttime version, where 25 ticket-holders can board the ship with any alcoholic beverage they'd like (cans and coolers are encouraged, though). Once on the ship, an animated group of pirate performers makes the experience a lot of fun—with costumes, an entertaining soundtrack, water cannons, and various games along the way.

The entire cruise takes about an hour, as the ship leaves from Ann Street pier, sails along Tide Point, Locust Point, Federal Hill, and the Inner Harbor (shooting tourists with water cannons was, admittedly, a highlight). Then the ship turns back around. From a local standpoint, the cruise was a really unique way to see Baltimore, from the waterview. Plus, the whole experience was a blast and a great way to get ready for the bars in Fells Point.

Urban Pirates runs four nightly trips every Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $25 and many of the cruises book up early (ours did about a week in advance). This would be a great way to show out-of-towners the city, or also just have a fun night out with friends—but be sure you all like Captain Morgan rum!

[Image: courtesy of flickr.com/photos/bogray]

10:53 am

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Tags: boats, family, nightlife

July, 22nd 2011

Poolside performances

Jess Blumberg

To add to the ongoing conversation around town today: Damn, it's hot. Probably one of the only ways you'll be able to enjoy being outside this weekend is to be near a body of water.

Lucky for us, perfromance art group Fluid Movement will be holding two synchornized swimming shows this weekend, with a pretty awesome theme—murder-mystery. In typically whacky fashion, the troupe will put on a film-noir-style murder mystery all while showing off their synchornized stylings in the water.

The show is coming to Druid Hill Park Pool this weekend (Saturday at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.) and Patterson Park Pool next Sunday (at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.) Tickets are only $10 ($5 if you're already a pool member).

A murder-mystery on the water? Only in Baltimore.

[Image: courtesy of fluidmovement.org]

3:09 pm

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Tags: dancing, pools, theater

July, 13th 2011

Johnny Rad's is expanding

Jess Blumberg

Upper Fells Point pizzeria Johnny Rad's is now expanding to include a space next door.

According to co-owner Steve Ball, the new space will be used as a game room/lounge. There will be an old-school pinball machine as well as Skee-Ball games. An awesome possibility? Ball said they may allow patrons to buy beers with their Skee-Ball tickets.

The expansion (and soon-to-come outdoor seating) is all in an effort to give patrons more space in the always-crowded bar—a good sign for the tavern, which is celebrating its one-year anniversary later this month.

[Image: courtesy of Matt House via flickr.com/photos/jmhouse]

10:21 am

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Tags: bars, games

June, 23rd 2011

U2 at M&T Bank Stadium

Jess Blumberg

Along with an estimated 80,000 fans, I got to take in my first U2 show last night. Even with all the hype surrounding the event, the band's stop on their 360 Tour didn't disappoint. I got there around 7 p.m. and was amazed how smooth it was getting into the stadium. There was no line at the general admission entrance—we simply handed over our tickets, got wristbands, and walked down onto the field (which was covered in steel grates for the show).

When we got there, opening act Florence + The Machine had just started performing. Lead singer Florence Welch filled the stadium with her haunting, guttural voice while people milled about and found their seats. The band pretty much covered their entire Lungs discography and their set really picked up towards the end, with "You've Got The Love," "Rabbit Heart," and, lastly, "Dog Days Are Over." The soulful band had a very ethereal quality to it, a subtle way to start out the show that felt like the calm before the U2 storm.

In between bands, fans took notice of the giant stage set up (known on the 360 tour as "The Claw"). With an insect-like quality to it, The Claw had four arms that came down with various lights coming out from every direction. The stage and catwalks were underneath all of that and surrounded by a giant light screen that would move and contract throughout the performances. The entire thing was immensely impressive, and made it obvious there really was no bad seat in the house.

At 9 p.m., the giant screens showed Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. walking out of the tunnel. The crowd went nuts and the excitement was palpable. The band opened with "Even Better Than The Real Thing," a propulsive song to set the tone of the show—which was very heavy on Achtung Baby tracks (the next two songs were "The Fly" and "Mysterious Ways.")

Like only U2 can, the band incited a lot of emotion throughout their set, something first hinted at when Bono sung lyrics to "The Promised Land" (clearly paying tribute to the late E Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons). Soon what followed was a video, from space, of Shuttle Commander Mark E. Kelly (husband of shooting victim Rep. Gabrielle Giffords) telling his wife he loves her. Seamlessly and poetically, U2 went into "Beautiful Day," one of the most powerful songs of the night.

The band's first set also included crowd favorites "Elevation," "I Will Follow," and a not-so-often-played "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." Bono even sang some lyrics from The Talking Heads's "Psycho Killer." The set ended with a moving "Walk On."

The encore started out with "One" as political imagery flashed on the screen. Bono then sang the first verse of "Amazing Grace" before going into "Where the Streets Have No Name," which was my favorite performance of the night. With its epic build up, that song was just meant to be played in a giant stadium front of 80,000 people. The show ended with "With or Without You," "Moment of Surrender," and another tribute (where everyone held out their cellphones and lighters) to Clemons with "Jungleland."

In all, U2 played for a solid two hours in what really felt like a monumental Super Bowl halftime show. Between the incredible light show, the political and emotional messages, and the gravitas of all of their songs, it was a giant spectacle—one that Baltimore won't soon forget.

[Images: courtesy of me and Staci Lanham]

11:28 am

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Tags: concerts