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    Melanie’s at Griffith's Tavern

    4.2 (13 reviews)
    Closed 2:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

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    an arcade machine and a tv
    Francis N.

    Well I was so excited to come and it was great to see I was not the only one. The place was full of lively patrons. Two tvs on silent with subtitles for conversation starters. A cute fucking bowling game. Friendly staff. Nice selection of beers and spirits. SNACKS, which is not something you can find everywhere in Baltimore. Some cute spots for perching (v drag queen friendly). Really glad I got to show up for the opening. This is definitely going to be a repeat spot. It's a laid back place that is great for meeting up with friends and shooting the shit in a chill environment. CLEAN bathroom for the win and excellent music selection. Honestly I am so glad to have this establishment walking distance to my place. The price, proximity and vibe are RIGHT!

    a neon open sign
    Alexis B.

    Griffith's Tavern recently changed ownership after 50 years of ownership by one family. (The bar had a really interesting story - check out the Baltimore Sun article about the ownership change if you're interested!) This onetime men-only stag bar now has a vision of being welcoming to all (especially the LGBTQ community). They've kept the décor mostly the same (wood paneling on the walls, ceiling tiles, the bar, the stools), but they've changed up the drink offerings a bit (they still have the classics for customers of the old Griffith's but they've added lots of canned microbrews and cocktails). It's still a dive bar. But it's a dive bar with an edge. The service is great (although they can get very busy late on a weekend night); Hannah - one of the owners - has always been the bartender when I've been there. It kind of feels like you're drinking at home - casual, comfortable, like you could stay for hours. Definitely check it out if you're looking for a bar that is still definitely a dive (no bells and whistles) but is also welcoming to all.

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    Review Highlights - Melanie’s at Griffith's Tavern

    Love the energy, excellent service - owners Allison and Hannah are amazing.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    Brannan's Pub

    Brannan's Pub

    4.4(9 reviews)
    4.1 miHarford Echodale / Perring Parkway
    $

    Cozy neighborhood dive bar…read more My brother frequents Brannan so we went to check it out while I was visiting the area recently. My brother said he likes it because it's unpretentious and the regulars who frequent the bar are usually locals. He said it's always a good time as the people are cool and the drinks are fantastic. We actually stopped in for a midday cocktail on a Sunday afternoon. There were a few people there but not too many due to the time of day. We sat at the bar and an older gentleman took our order. My brother knew him so they chit chatted for awhile about the comings and goings of other locals. The bar is no frills for sure but I still found it warm and inviting. It had a certain charm to it that I can't really put my finger on. There are pool tables in the rear the bar and an electronic juke box. We played a couple rounds of pool while jamming to some tunes which was a lot of fun. I can't recall the name of the drinks I ordered but they were really good. They were fruity cocktails that the older gentleman mixed. He didn't skip on the alcohol either. We ordered 5 drinks total and the bill was just under $30. My brother told me that some people in the neighborhood look down on Brannan's because it's a dive bar but I had a great time. I didn't find anything wrong with it whatsoever. All the other patrons were really nice as was the bartender. The atmosphere was cozy and chill. I'd definitely visit again during a future trip.

    I agree with Will. Great dive bar with the nicest of people sincerely. A microcosm of the…read morecity!!!!! Seriously diverse crowd and all cool to the bartenders!!!! I had a quick welcome from several people and could have stayed all night talking. Has pool tables, juke box, and regular American drafts. No craft beer here :( but that makes it a dive and not a hipster bar. Great job Brannans!

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    Brannan's Pub
    Brannan's Pub

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    The Big Owl Tiki Bar - Conch fritters

    The Big Owl Tiki Bar

    4.1(126 reviews)
    32.6 mi
    $$

    This is a fun little tiki bar right on the water and a fun local hangout. We stopped in and enjoyed…read morean orange crush and a cucumber jalapeño margarita that was amazing! The rockfish bites were really good and we also tried snake fish bites that were on the menu as a special. We were surprised how good they were - even better than the rockfish!

    An established seasonal outdoor neighborhood tiki bar that looks ready for a lively summer crowd…read more While the exterior may seem a bit unassuming at first glance, the service, food, and waterfront setting made for a very enjoyable first visit. We stopped by on a Friday for lunch and they posted a strong emphasis on live entertainment. A friend who frequents the area mentioned their music nights are especially popular and can draw quite a crowd. The location sits right on the waterfront, and I can imagine the sunsets here must be spectacular. Although it is conveniently located just off the main highway not far from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, traffic noise never intruded on the dining experience. Our server was in the process of training a new staff member, and both were friendly, attentive, and polite throughout the meal. Menus are provided at the table, though prices are accessed by scanning a QR code. Pricing was very reasonable, and the menu offered a nice variety of both seafood and non-seafood options. The fish sandwich can be ordered either fried or grilled. The fish tasted fresh and flavorful, and the sandwich itself was satisfying without being overly heavy. While there was no house-made sauce, the freshly made potato chips were nice and thick, crisp and a standout side. Our friends shared a burger and a basket of fried shrimp, both of which they thoroughly enjoyed. Cold drinks arrived promptly and were perfect for the warm waterfront atmosphere. There were no overly complicated dishes or unexpected twists on the menu, but everything we ordered was well prepared, generously portioned, and tasty. This is definitely a spot I would recommend if you are in the area. Don't let the daytime appearance fool you -- this place clearly comes alive once the crowd and music arrive.

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    The Big Owl Tiki Bar - Fish tacos

    Fish tacos

    The Big Owl Tiki Bar - Rock fish tenders

    Rock fish tenders

    The Big Owl Tiki Bar

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    Clipper Mill Lounge - decent pool table and plenty of flat screens with all variety of sports playing

    Clipper Mill Lounge

    2.3(4 reviews)
    0.4 miHampden
    $

    The Clipper Mill Inn, known to locals as "The Bloody Bucket" is easy to miss. From the street it's…read morejust an unassuming gray block building with a red door and no permanent sign. It's not unusual to just see a plastic banner advertising NASCAR and Budweiser beer prices hanging above the door to let you know there's a bar inside. This bar also had a sketchy reputation when it originally opened because it looked more like a bar that was built inside someone's garage. It was dirty, had a dingy drop tile ceiling, and was lit only by harsh neon lighting inside. But Clipper Mill has since been remodeled and actually has a cozy little neighborhood bar feel inside now with painted drop tin ceilings, normal lighting, along with the requisite dive bar elements of a pool table, jukebox, keno machine, video poker machine, a few flat screens to watch the game, and a carry out fridges on the wall. They've also got 6 draft beers on tap, cold Natty Boh in a can, and strongly poured cheap drinks. Back when Clipper Mill was still a garage bar, Charm City's own John Water's was spotted here on more than one occasion for their Karaoke Saturday nights. Not sure if he's still stopping by since Clipper Mill got its interior face lift. But the regular crowd here are pretty much ALL regulars, and they seem friendly enough. So don't let the "Bloody Bucket" nickname make you shy away. Stop in, have a cold beer or two, and enjoy another stop on your tour of Balmer dive bars.

    This is a place for locals, run by locals. Not "locals meaning people that only live nearby", I…read moremean townies who were born here 60 years ago and never have left the State of Maryland in their lives. It is one of the few bars I have ever walked into where the hostility of the staff towards strangers was so blatant,as if outsider were crashing a private social club. This is the type of establishment that needs to close down. It is flanked on all sides by nice restaurants, craft breweries, and new apartments, and is only a few blocks from The Avenue. Yet, Clipper Mill remains patronized by recalcitrant "hons" who refuse to acknowledge that the neighborhood is changing for the better, and that Jimmy Carter is not still president. Seriously, I think some of the stuff on the walls in there is 40 years old. The place is a microcosm of the "old Bawlmer" attitude still found in some pockets in the city... the people who would rather live in urban decay like Detroit than embrace the change of the city.

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    Clipper Mill Lounge
    Clipper Mill Lounge
    Clipper Mill Lounge - Owner Rob and one of his many smiling locals

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    Owner Rob and one of his many smiling locals

    Clandestino - Looking towards the bar area

    Clandestino

    4.5(19 reviews)
    2.5 miRosebank

    Clandestino has grown up, literally. What began as a small operation in Frederick has moved into a…read morelarger space, and the expansion suits them well. This is Puerto Rican pitorro, also known as ron cañita, made with care and intention rather than gimmickry. Many local liquor stores now carry the brand, and it is well worth picking up a bottle, but visiting the distillery is an experience in itself. The founder is a fellow Puerto Rican born retired military member, a background I share, and like me, he has put down roots in Maryland. That story is reflected clearly in the brand's own framing, "Puerto Rican born, Maryland made." The space feels grounded and unpretentious, and that sensibility carries through to the hospitality. We arrived late on a Saturday and were still welcomed warmly, never rushed. We were taken care of by the founder's daughter, who was exceptionally kind, attentive, and knowledgeable. She guided us through a flight that included the traditional pitorro, almond, pineapple, coffee, coconut chai, and several seasonal offerings. The flavors were thoughtful and well balanced; even the infused expressions retained a clear rum backbone rather than drifting into novelty. We enjoyed them enough to leave with several bottles. This is artisanal pitorro done right, rooted in Puerto Rican tradition and confidently made in Maryland. Buying it locally is convenient, but going to the distillery is where the people, the story, and the spirit fully come together.

    The Clandestino Speak Easy at Zen West is open Fridays and Saturdays from 6pm to 12pm. It's also…read moreavailable for events and private parties.

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    Clandestino - Write what you want

    Write what you want

    Clandestino - Music posters

    Music posters

    Clandestino - Tequila!!!!

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    Tequila!!!!

    Melanie’s at Griffith's Tavern - divebars - Updated May 2026

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