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    Mount Royal Tavern

    4.2 (79 reviews)
    InexpensiveDive Bars
    Open 10:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

    Mount Royal Tavern Photos

    Business Info

    MOUNT ROYAL TAVERN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Juke Box
    Moderate noise
    Divey
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Mount Royal Tavern

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    Sistine Chapel-esque ceiling.
    Michael S.

    It's been far too long since I darkened the door of the Mt Royal Tavern. A crappy train trip from DC and Opening Day crowds were a clear sign that I needed to end my day here. Mt Royal is a pretty divey bar in every best possible sense of the term. Colorful customers (and staff!), good pricing and a welcoming atmosphere even for a "suit" like me at the end if a DC commute. It's a well-worn, no-BS kinda place. It is also a little bit extra interesting due to its proximity to the Maryland Institute College of Art...which is probably why the ceiling has a Sistine Chapel vibe. I also personally appreciate that it's no smoking inside. Fun. Friendly. Real. This place is one of Baltimore's best. Grateful that fate brought me back in here on a balmy March 31.

    Cold beer and interesting art work.
    Gina M.

    Stopped in for a cold beer and we love the vibe. It's the place locals stop in to shoot the shit and hang with friends. There is so much to look at, I could spend hours just staring at every inch of this place. The bartender was phneomonal! She had never met us but treated us like we've been coming here for years. She has no idea how much I love collecting postcards from different establishments when she gave me some! Definitely a place to add to the...let's go have a beer list!

    a neon sign above the bar
    Alexis B.

    The other reviewers are right - Mount Royal Tavern is a dive. I've been twice this year, and it has character and age and personality. If you're looking for a fancy cocktail served in a coupe, this is not the right place for that occasion. If you are looking for a beer, a mixed drink, shots, etc., and you want a chill, not-trying-too-hard vibe, Mount Royal Tavern might fit the bill. While the bar changed owners for the first time in 35 years in 2023, I don't think anyone I know has noticed any changes. It still feels very much the same - a comfortable dive with good service. Check it out if you're a fan of dives.

    Jayson M.

    Recently was in Baltimore and friend took me here ... definitely get off the beaten path and check this place for a good cocktail, brew and rub elbows with some of the locals... Bolton Hill's oldest watering hole - a nationally noticed dive bar us worth a visit

    Darren A.

    I'd like to preface this with the fact that I haven't been to Mt. Royal Tavern in about 20+ years. I used to frequent the place in the 90s. Also, it was a ritual stop during Artscape. Yes. It's gritty, dirty... let's be real. It's a straight up dive bar but the absence of pretense was always what I liked most about that spot. Well, that and the 'fish & chips' they used to serve. It was so delicious every single time. Maybe it was the beer battering of the fish but I remember, to this day, how good the fish & chips were. UPDATE: They no longer serve ANY food *le sigh*. You CAN, however, bring food in to enjoy. That's pretty cool. I'm not even sure why I stopped going. Recently, a friend suggested we stop by there to grab a drink. I didn't even think it was still open. Upon entering, I was immediately transported back to good times I had there, years past. The staff was very friendly and on top of things. The crowd kept growing and the drinks kept flowing. The jukebox was the star! My drinking companion and I had a mini concert to quite a few songs. People actually joined in on a few. That was fun. I'll definitely be back.

    Interior
    Olakunle O.

    This is a dive bar's dive bar. It's grimy, dimly lit and a little sticky. I fell in love with it immediately. For starters, the bartender was a great guy. He told us the story of how he got blackout drunk the first time he came here the first time yet somehow ended up getting home safely which he attributed to the great people who frequent Mount Royal Tavern. Speaking of people, you'd be hard pressed to find any better place for people watching in Baltimore outside of Bronycon. People falling on their butts, drunkenly telling you their life's dream, discussing the merits of 80s pop hits, hitting on people obviously on dates, mistaking you for someone else and becoming your best friend...it's all here and worth the really cheap price of admission. Just be sure to bring cash or be ready to use their ATMs. I can't wait to go back!

    Carolina S.

    Baltimore you beautiful and charming city! Mount Royal Tavern was no exception! AKA the Dirt Church! We arrived on the bolt bus after 3 and 1/2 hours. Noticing that this super rad dive was already open made it an easy decision to get a breakfast beer. We dragged our bags and found the place. There was a fair amount of older fellas which is what I like to see when I walk into a dive bar. The surprise here was the hand painted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. I've seen the real Sistine Chapel and let me tell you this was a great second choice. And now you get the nickname, Dirt Church. The bartender Ben Franklin was an absolute doll. He even gave us some bar swag, a business card you put on top of your drink if you need to leave it, a postcard and a sticker. My friend asked what the beer handle with the guy wearing a monocle was. The response from Franklin was "you're not from around there, huh?". Natty Boh is the Baltimore staple (National Bohemian Beer), it's cheap and light. We got a couple of Natty Boh's leaned back and relaxed. Some clients were relaxing more than others. Nap time. Thanks to the Dirt Church for the warm Baltimore welcome.

    Samuel F.

    The classic dive with the classic ceiling. Cash only, no bullshit, great jukebox, friendly staff and diverse selection of drafts and liquors. Convenient to light rail.

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    3 years ago

    Love this spot. The drinks are great and the bartenders are cool. Great local dive bar

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    8 years ago

    $8 Boh pitchers, great atmosphere, lots to look at and a great mix of people. One of my fav bars in Baltimore!

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    Ask the Community - Mount Royal Tavern

    Review Highlights - Mount Royal Tavern

    I'm old now, and have a family, so the Dirt Church really isn't my hangout.

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    Mount Royal Tavern - divebars - Updated May 2026

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