We stopped in after dinner for dessert and drinks. Dessert was good - probably pre-made and delivered in, like Sysco or something - but still good. They were busy, but service was still good. The best part was the absinthe service! They bring the whole setup to your table, which was just fun. You don't see absinthe served often, so it was doubly special. read more

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Great spot in the center of town with a relaxed upscale vibe. Menue is creative and fresh. The drink menue is HUGE and excellent. We do short two day stays in Cambridge and always make it here for dinner and drinks at the bar. read more

Blue Ruin - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Cambridge, Maryland

Start with a great selection of Liquors and cocktails ( my favorite the Old Fashioned) then stay for the wonderful fusion tasty food. Friendly and attentive service all in a beautiful setting reminiscent of an old speakeasy atmosphere. read more

Blue Ruin - Best selection of cocktails on the Eastern Shore. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Cambridge, Maryland

Our 44th anniversary dinner at Blue Ruin in Cambridge, Maryland, was nothing short of magical! From the moment we stepped into this charming pre-Civil War building--steeped in local history and lovingly restored--it felt like we had traveled back in time while still enjoying every modern comfort and touch of class. The name Blue Ruin itself nods to the colorful history of gin in the 18th and 19th centuries, when "blue ruin" was a nickname for the spirit that became both a social staple and a symbol of good times. Before we even arrived, the staff had thoughtfully lit the fireplace, filling the room with a soft glow that set the perfect romantic tone. The atmosphere was warm, elegant, and intimate--ideal for celebrating such a special milestone. Ruth and Heather went above and beyond to make us feel like royalty. Their attentiveness, kindness, and genuine care added such a personal touch that we felt celebrated the entire evening. Chef Travis truly outdid himself--every dish was absolutely delectable and beautifully plated, a feast for both the eyes and the palate. We had the butternut squash soup which was very hearty and creatively done,yummy shrimp and the my husband had one of the best filet mignons ever and my crab cake was over the top best crab cake I've ever eaten on a bed of creamy street corn and baby limas cooked and seasoned to perfection. I don't even love Lima beans but Travis changed my mind. We finished off with a complimentary flourless dark chocolate torte with raspberry drizzle and fresh strawberries and blueberries... so good. And just when we thought the evening couldn't get any better, the smooth sounds of live jazz filled the room, adding to the enchanting ambiance and making it especially meaningful for us. It was truly one of our most wonderful anniversary dinner memories to date. Blue Ruin is an absolute gem--rich in history, heart, and culinary excellence. We can't wait to return!!! I highly recommend this restaurant! read more

Blue Ruin - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Cambridge, Maryland

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Loved the feel of this bar from the wood to the exposed brick. Our bar man Jack made wonderful cocktails: French 75 and Purple rain. My favorite table has a sign: Mobsters only Would definitely come back to try more booze and foods! read more

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We visited based on reviews for a dinner spot while staying at the nearby resort. The ambiance is quaint and cozy. They have a tasting room which highlights the 150 cocktails and varieties of beer and wine. If you are in the area, I certainly would schedule one. As far as food, the menu is rather limited, and eclectic. We ordered the french fries and Brussel sprouts, which were delicious. Out of the menu selections, we ordered the grill cheese, beef sliders and the Japanese sando. The food was good, but nothing spectacular. I would for certain recommend visiting if you just want appetizers and drinks to take advantage of the tasting room. read more

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Meal was great. And my server was amazing. The only thing I could say was the lentils could have stood a little more cooking but otherwise lovely read more

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Went there for their Valentine's Day Dinner. Service was good, the planned menu had options for everyone, and they had a table that was next to a fire place. The staff and management ensured that everyone was having an enjoyable time and happy. Only issue was that it was a bit loud due to the proximity of our seat to the bar. Would I come back, Yes! And if your a Whiskey person, they have a great selection, but you have to study the bar as not every whiskey they have is listed. read more

Last night my husband and I decided to stop in Cambridge MD for dinner. Since we don't live there, we researched and stumbled upon Blue Ruin. We had a 5-Star experience. Walked into the bar which has a very warm and inviting vibe and got a seat right next to the fireplace. Our server, Patricia, did a great job and the food was AMAZING! We had a burger and crab cake sandwich.... I'm really particular about crab cakes and this one is one of the best I've ever had. Both sandwiches were on a homemade roll. I'm not much of a yelp reviewer but thought this was an exceptional find... Blue Ruin in Cambridge! read more

Best cocktail bar and restaurant in the local area! Firstly, we stayed at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Resort which you think would have great cocktails - this place is hands down a hundred times better. Make sure to try the Rose Manhattan and Floating in Space, great cocktails. Also, we brought our little kids (5 and 3), the staff was super accommodating. They indulged in some of the best cooked salmon and vanilla ice cream they've ever had. BTW, you wouldn't think this but they had the BEST homemade thai dumplings with Thai basil, pork, and shrimp. We can't recommend this place more, it's up there with some of the best Washington DC restaurants and bars. read more

Blue Ruin - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Cambridge, Maryland

I hate to give this place a bad review but I have to be honest. I made a reservation here while my family was here on a staycation. From the outside, it was kind of hidden. No elaborate sign or anything but when we walked in, my fiance and I love the vibe. The colors and the exposed brick were beautiful. We were greeted by who I'm assuming was the owner/manager and you could tell she was expecting us (from our reservation) and that made me feel special. They saved a cute booth for us which was perfect for us with our two small children. It was the day after Valentine's Day so there was still roses on the table. Beautiful touch! Our waiter was very nice and knowledgeable, telling us all about the specials so we ordered the appetizers, crawfish etouffe. It was flavorful. Then we ordered our entrees and that's where things went downhill. It took 2 hours to get our food! When we asked about it, they said they have a small kitchen and there was a large party ahead of us. Two hours still seems to be extreme! With small children, that is miserable to wait for two hours and we were all hungry. We did order drinks in the meantime and they were good but it didn't hold us over for two hours. Once we got our food, it was underwhelming and not even hot. The steak tasted more like pork chop. My fiance was so disappointed we decided to not even eat. We were highly disappointed and hungry. The owner ended up leaving so we didn't speak to her but our waiter ended up compensating our meal. read more

We drove an hour to get to Blue Ruin with high hopes. We arrived on a deserted Saturday night. I ordered a kettle one martini. I was told that they sell by the ounce and their martinis were 3 ounces, OK until I got the bill of $18.00 per Martinis! Outrageous to charge that kind of money for a mediocre restaurant. By the way, the food was on a 1-10, was about a six. Please move on! read more

It's not all its cracked up to be. The drinks were mediocre, the food even worse. The duck was not fresh- mite like reheated precooked garb. The fried oysters had no taste whatsoever. Plenty of other places in Cambridge to have a good drink and eat good food at much better prices! read more

Food here is very creative and they hold fun events. Staff is always sweet and deliver TLC. The setting is not special bordering on tired blah. We've had a big table of friends crammed into too small space and table for two so close to kitchen your ears ring with pots clanging. Needs remodel. read more

Service is good -- and it's low key and informal which I like. Food was very good. The appetizer, Poivronade, was excellent. All 3 of us really liked our entrees: seared ahi tuna, duck confit, and the cast iron salmon. I had the tuna - at different places, it can be chewy. Here it was perfect. read more

We are locals and I bragged about this place 2 years ago however we went back about a year ago and we're totally disappointed. The atmosphere was too relaxed I felt as employees were talking,drinking shots! And eating at the bar . I put up a review then but somehow I can't find it!? Beer selection was weird too.. the only beer of theirs I wanted "wasn't cold yet" ‍ read more

Highly recommend when you visit Cambridge MD. The Blue Ruin offers a quaint atmosphere with a wide range of drinks to choose from, both with alcohol and mocktails alike, with good food and wonderful service, cheers to Jack a wonderful bar tender! read more

Blue Ruin - The purple rain! Definitely recommend, sadly no doves but still very good - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Cambridge, Maryland

We came in randomly for a few drinks. Did NOT expect the amazing cocktail menu that they have! We sat at the bar and everyone there (patrons and staff) were very friendly. The service was great and the cocktails were worth every penny. Very complex flavors and I'd imagine the bartenders could whip something up you'd like if their very extensive menu didn't quite catch your eye. read more

Checked out Blue Ruin for their brunch (Sundays only) on my birthday and it didn't disappoint. It was kind of hard to tell if they were even open but they were so don't let that deter you, you won't be disappointed. The place has a very rustic feel with old world charm and several different dining areas to choose from. We started with guava mimosas which were delicious. Then I ordered a breakfast sandwich on sourdough with egg, Gruyère cheese (I think) and scrapple with a side of breakfast potatoes. Wholly smokes everything was delicious. The sandwich comes with a sauce but I couldn't eat it due to an allergy but the server was able to recommend another option which was a remoulade and it paired great with the sandwich and the potatoes. Now let's talk about these potatoes...they were TO DIE FOR!! Perfectly seasoned and a nice crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. I wanted more and the portion they gave was a decent size. My boyfriend ordered the egg breakfast with two meats, it was huge. It was more than enough to feed his huge Samoan appetite. This man can eat. The service was great as well. Our server regularly checked on us as did the bartender. I highly recommend. We will definitely come back to check out their dinner as well. read more

Blue Ruin - Best breakfast potatoes ever! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Cambridge, Maryland

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I cannot say enough good things about Blue Ruin! The food, the drinks, and the ambience are all A+++. Honestly this is the best food I have had in a very long time. Our table had the bourbon glaze steak, bacon Mac n cheese, crab and corn fritters & the soup which was a spicy delicious beef stew. We also had the crème brûlée dessert. The RiseUp martini was perfection as well. We will definitely be back next time we are in town! read more

What a great spot, we stumbled in on a Tuesday night and although busy we found comfortable seating. Service was great our waiter was so happy to explain the menus and specials. I had a great drink - grapefruit crush, the arugula and sweet pea salad and the falafel - yum. My husband had The Big Blue Sliders and fries - both amazing! Everything was delicious! Highly recommend this speak-easy restaurant. read more

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Drinks, corn fritters and the bourbon steak were good. The other two dishes, gumbo and the stir fry were pretty bad. Our server was great. I would not go back here to eat. Good spot for a drink and an app at the bar. read more

We wandered into Blue Ruin when our original brunch plans fell apart, and we are so glad they did! Between the excellent brunch options and extensive (14 pages!!!) of exquisite cocktails, we struggled to narrow down our order. We started with the steak tartare (amazing - topped with caviar and a little sweet pickle mixed in to kick it up a notch) and shared the chicken biscuits (pairs perfectly with the Peach Amaretto Sour) and scrapple sandwich. We finally decided on the Herbal Elixir and Bird of Paradise cocktails - who does like tiki-inspired drinks for brunch?! Luxurious atmosphere. We sat in a cozy booth with buttery soft leather seats, but the fireside armchairs were pretty tempting, too. Attentive staff. Highly recommend Blue Ruin to anyone venturing into Cambridge! read more

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What a cute little place to have some super special unique cocktails. We were too early for the food but the menu looked amazing!! Will definitely visit again! read more

Blue Ruin - Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Cambridge, Maryland

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We ended up at this bar on a night that another Cambridge restaurant wouldn't wait on us at the host podium. We had this place on our list but hadn't had a chance to check it out. What an amazing surprise and a delightful experience we had. The staff at this place are incredible. The food and drinks are out of this world and ambience is even better. We were able to get a romantic corner booth and there was a pianist in the front corner. Well worth every cent. Thank you so much Blue ruin. We love you! read more

Blue Ruin - Whiskey sour and a vanilla cocktail. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Cambridge, Maryland

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Went for brunch recently. Service was slow and food took a long time to come out. Enjoyed the French press coffee - great idea. Hash browns were undercooked, breakfast sandwiches were good, as was the French toast. Loved the atmosphere, will try again for cocktails. Please do something with the outside space in the back of the restaurant, it's not appealing and is very visible. read more

while the environment seemed great I was not happy with the price of our meal. Thought the price would be more reasonable. read more

Unbelievably great cocktails and food. This place is lights out. Had a barrel aged cocktail and it was so interestingly complex. Had the chicken fried steak entree and that thing checked every box imaginable. You've got to check this place out. read more

Blue Ruin - Chicken fried steak sliders - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Cambridge, Maryland

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Great service and awesome meal! First timers - we'll be back? How is this restaurant in Cambridge (no offense)?

Extensive variety of cocktails! Very expensive but worth treating yourself. I've been here twice now since they've started serving food and it doesn't disappoint! Presentation of the food is excellent. Next time I will take pics. Everything I've had is fresh and delicious. Affordable brunch on Sundays. Everything I've had so far has been top notch: deviled eggs with crab, caprese salad, mimosas, Doris Mae's scrapple sandwich...looking forward to trying more menu items. Service is excellent. The server was very attentive and knowledgeable. The only criticism I have is for the elk sliders. They tasted like McDonald's hamburgers and at $10 a pop, that's unacceptable. Unfortunately, we took those as a carry out item for later, so couldn't give the restaurant feedback in the moment. I will definitely be back tho, and with friends, as my budget allows! read more

Unexpected gem in a small town. Craft cocktails, and. fantastic wines. Small menu but we love that because we know the food will be quality over quantity! Atmosphere is quant and staff was friendly. Highly recommended read more

Great food, fantastic cocktails and great service! Ambiance is chic and cozy with a hint of sophistication!

The ambiance and service were spectacular ... the food was disgusting. The steak was so salty my mouth felt like it had a salt burn, the crab and corn fritters were all just filler NO meat and a few pieces of corn. And the dumplings were burned on the bottom and barely cooked on the trop. read more

Food was very good and with amazing flavor. Drinks were very nice. Atmosphere and staff are great.

Food: Starters included the crab deviled eggs, Brussel sprouts and fries with the jalapeño cheese dip. Where to start...okay. The eggs were delicious, but every deviled egg I've ever had has been delicious. Minimal crab meat on top just to set expectations. That said, if I felt like having deviled eggs next time, I'd order them again. The Brussels are a must. Crispy tender and kissed with balsamic. Fries are always good. I wanted the dip to have more heat to it. Very mild, but anytime I can dip fries in cheese... well, there's nothing wrong with that. The entrees were dominated by the steak medallions which everyone seemed to enjoy. They come served over some type of fried mashed potato cake which earned big reviews. I had the country fried steak sliders that come served on fresh biscuits with a healthy amount of sauce. Pretty awesome. Very easy to cut through which is my preference. Oh, if you're with a group, check out the dessert charcuterie board. Very nice. If you need to customize it, they'll let you which is nice. For example, our kids are allergic to peanuts and it was no problem removing those options and replacing them. Drinks: lots of mixologist stuff going on here. If you are the type of person that appreciates good drinks, you'll be very happy with the wide range of options here. I had a couple. My favorite was the smoked old fashioned. Service: polite, friendly, attentive, kept the dinner moving, but didn't rush us. Atmosphere: comfortable. Large wooden bar near the front. We sat at a quieter table in the back. read more

Head mixologist Paul Dendorfer is like s drink artist! We got to know Paul at a fun mixology gathering that he recently hosted at the Hyatt in Cambridge. Beyond his tremendous knowledge was his true desire to create a drinking experience. Ask him about his homemade Limoncello and the amazing cherries he uses in his drinks. Talent + Passion = Magic!. read more

Blue Ruin - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Cambridge, Maryland

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Great find in downtown Cambridge. Has a lovely vibe with a piano player and delicious cocktails. I had the Royal Fizz. We shared shrimp cocktail, filet tenderloin and a wonderful dessert of apple cupcake with mascarpone and ice cream. All were delicious. read more

Tapas style restaurant recommended to me by a local. Had live piano, excellent service, and extensive cocktail menu. Liked all the food especially the arugula sweet pea salad, the two types of sliders, and the offal. read more

We are in town on vacation and we were pleasantly surprised to find this little place! From what I could tell, the interior was cozy and welcoming, but we ended up sitting out on the sidewalk. There are a few tables there for outdoor seating. Our waitress was very sweet and helpful and checked in on us on a regular basis. For drinks, I had the French75, which was delicious albeit smaller and different than other French75s I've had over the years. My husband had the smoked old fashioned and I really didn't like the intense smoky flavor, he didn't mind it. For dinner, we got the steak medallions with fried risotto cakes on top and the fried Brussels sprouts and macaroni and cheese. The whole meal was excellent! We did find the Brussels sprouts a bit dry. But the rest was perfect. For dessert we had the pumpkin bunt cake and the strawberry brownie. Loved the pumpkin cake and the ice cream was subtly spiced with pumpkin pie flavors. My husband enjoyed the brownie as well. We would totally recommend this place! read more

Food was tasty but serving size is way too small for the price. I paid $30 for shrimp and grits, which was 3 total shrimp in a small bowl of grits. Husband got chicken sliders, which were 2 tiny buns with chicken with no sides. Service could have been a bit more attentive, especially since they were not very busy. Ambience was nice, but we both left feeling hungry. read more