This is a 5-star dive bar! Not as grimy but with tons of charm. Prices are great! Bartenders are kind, and there is a back patio. There's also a couple of TVs, and there's packages of chips available. read more

Mount Royal Tavern - Bar area tables - Dive Bars Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Mount Royal Tavern is the definition of a 'dive bar'. Amazing atmosphere, cheap drinks beautiful decor/lighting and patrons that make you feel at home. Our bartender was Chloe and she was a blast and a half to be served by. This place just shot its way into my Top 5 dives, of all-time. This will be a staple anytime I'm in Baltimore. read more

Mount Royal Tavern - Dive Bars Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

This bar is the epitome of cool. Dare I say one of, if not the best bar in Baltimore. Yea it's divey, but not in a bad way. It's clean and the drinks are cheap. The bar staff are on point and feisty - just the way I like it. Vibes? Think the movie Drive - neon red glow, shadowy corners and a soundtrack that makes you feel like you're the main character in a film you didn't audition for. It's grungy, it's artsy, it's got soul baby. Honestly, I could get swallowed up and lost forever in a place like this, it just feels like home. read more

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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. read more

Mount Royal Tavern - Sistine Chapel-esque ceiling. - Dive Bars Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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! read more

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Great idea, but the jukebox volume needs fixing ASAP The new AMI jukebox is a step in the right direction and a solid addition to the bar's atmosphere. Unfortunately, the volume is so low that it's barely audible, which makes it frustrating--and honestly disappointing--to pay for songs you can't really hear. I also noticed that African-American music genres seem to play at a noticeably lower volume than other genres, which is concerning and takes away from the experience. If you're going to offer a jukebox, the bartenders should be able to control or adjust the volume so customers actually get what they're paying for. Right now, I regret spending money on it. Please fix this soon--the potential is there, but the sound levels need to be addressed. read more

Probably the best bar in Baltimore. No BS. The bartenders are the best. They do not sell food but have chips and do not mind if you bring your own food. It looks like your run of the mill dive bar and is very chill and laid-back. No posting no pretentiousness just having great drinks, with good company and fun music. The music runs the gamut as they have a very old jukebox, but you will always find something fun in there. read more

Don't try to get a drink if you don't know the bartenders or you're not a local. If you're visiting or just casually trying to grab a drink go elsewhere. read more

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. read more

Mount Royal Tavern - a neon sign above the bar - Dive Bars Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

If you were to look up "Dive Bar" in a dictionary, and there were to be a definintion, it would look something like the Mount Royal Tavern, if not identical. From the aesthetic of quirky art on the wall, to the sistine chapel painted on the ceiling, this place has affectionatly earned the moniker "The Dirt Church." Always have had excellent service, cheap Natty Boh, and a grimy bathroom, and I wouldn't want it any other way. read more

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 read more

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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. read more

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Cash only legit dive bar! Open at 10 am for the more hardcore day drinkers. Barstaff were very friendly and personable, drinks were made well. Jukebox is very outdated with a limited selection, were that updated it would be a nice addition. read more

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! read more

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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. read more

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There aren't many places that make me feel uncomfortable, but this place did just that. I felt judged immediately upon entering and even got an eyeroll from one of the bartenders as she yelled "we don't serve food and it is cash only." Never even got served at the bar and ended up walking out within twenty minutes. Rude. I don't feel as if I missed out on anything via walking out and definitely would not return. read more

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. read more

Mount Royal Tavern - Dive Bars Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

This place is a terrific dive bar that was once rated as a top bar in the US in Esquire mag....ha! No joke. It is just between the University of Baltimore and MICA in an old row house. You walk up the old porch stairs and boom you see a funky divvy bar with a very diverse crowd. The drinks and beer choices mirror that diversity. You get your PBR Amd natty Bo alongside several local crafts.. the bartender let me try three types Jaimesons Irish whiskey ...a tasting...when I said I didn't know which one I wanted. Here you will find blue collar, professional,artist, hipster, construction worker, white, black, brown, ...all of Baltimore! And yes the ceiling has a painting like that on the ceiling of the Sistine chapel! read more

I mean they got chips but you're not coming here for that. You're coming here for cheap drinks. You're coming for the bartenders. You're coming for the people and you're going to have a great time at this dive bar! read more

Perfect little dive bar with cheap drinks and heavy handed bartenders. I love going here when I wanna have a few drinks but don't feel like being in a loud, crowded place. It's cash only and they don't serve any food but you can bring your own or have something delivered. There's nothing fancy about the place but that's what I like most. It's a very laid back atmosphere with friendly bartenders and patrons. read more

Mount Royal Tavern - Decor - Dive Bars Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Baltimore, Maryland --- The "Mount Royal Tavern" is a unique neighborhood bar, complete with unique bar flair, a unique selection on a DVD juke box & unique bar characters that all know each other. The ceiling was painted like the Cystine Chapel by a patron in return for a lifetime bar tab. Ironically, this artist stopped drinking 2 months after completion. Parking can be a real challenge in the evening hours. The bartenders are as one-of-a-kind, as is this bar. If you like the dive-bar atmosphere, this is a "Run-A-Way Bill" recommended experience. "Run-A-Way Bill" was here! (& will return) #RunAwayBill #BAR_RAB 04.03.18 read more

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

The bartender's bar...this spot was always the after-work bar for me and my old coworkers when we finished a shift. Good pours, good people, good vibes, what more can you ask for? Well...taking card would be awesome, but ehhh...not complaining. OH! And the bathrooms are clean! Or at least the few times I've used them read more

What A Dive My favorite places to go are real dive bars. I've frequented them for 20 years and I feel like I have a good background to make this statement. The Mount Royal is one the greatest I have been too. McSorley's in NYC, Jack's in Pittsburgh, Clermont Lounge in Atlanta, The Anchored Inn in Brooklyn, and then there's the Mount Royal Tavern. The artwork on the ceiling, cheap drinks, dark lighting, strange friendly crowd, drunks, floor urinals, and great music. Some bars have some of these items, but few have all of them and does each this well. This place is the ultimate definition of dive bar. Awesome place, wish it was closer to my hometown. Thanks read more

This is definitely a dive bar!! Cheap drinks, great music, diverse crowd, artwork on the ceiling and funny postings behind the bar. The bartenders DEFINITELY have a heavy pour hand so they deserve great tips. Cool little spot to have a few drinks and good laughs. Oh and it's cash only. read more

Super divey = 2 thumbs up No AC on a hot day = no Bueno Cash only bar = not convenient but there's an atm so it works People here are down to earth!!! Winning! Cheap drinks = F**€ yeah!!! read more

Mount Royal Tavern - Dive Bars Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Looking for a laid back atmosphere with a divey feel? Don't fret Mount Royal Tavern has you covered. I found myself here on a recent cold sunday evening with a few friends. It was cold outside but, warm inside. They had a delicious apple pie moonshine-esque drink. It warmed my bones and aided me with my further walk home. Not the place for you if you wish to dress up and cruise the scene but, totally your place if you want a strong drink and interesting surroundings. read more

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

So i paid the Gary bussey bartebder a 20... I let it slide that I didnt get my change expecting since they wouldn't allow me to open a tab (since it was late) that they would keep track of my drink purchases. I never asked for my change, and ordered another drink expecting it to be in my "non existant tab".. They acted like I never paid or had change coming... So instead of making a scene i handed the tender another 10 dollar bill.... When i asked where my change was I was received with "you handed me 3 dollars" and when i said "no... i handed you a ten" i was told to leave... I will be pursuing this.. "Gary" and his ancient friend are scum fucks and are gonna get the brunt of my frustration... This is bullshit... And i will plaster it all over the internet what trash they are.. Im hurt by this. read more

Short and concise... I love this place! The prototypical dive bar. Good strong drinks and great people. read more

Mount Royal Tavern - Jamison and ginger.... $5 - Dive Bars Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Nice lil local bar 5 mins from my house real chills and laid back.. no DJ just a jukebox read more

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Awesome bar with awesome stuff. Still got they sticker at my bumper :) You should try local stuff they got And hand painted sealing is amazing read more

Wow. This place is bad. Not bad, but more like the actual worst of the worst. And I have drank dranks in s***ty dives from here to LA so I mean it. A nice young man told me I would dig this spot. And I did. Until I realized I had no cash as I am in the process of moving. During COVID. That is not fun, easy or inexpensive. Their sassy mouthed teenage bartender told me to go across the street to use an ATM. Which I did bc I do not flake on a tab. Someone else who was having a fun night touched me in a way you do not touch anyone, especially now, so i ran back. Explained as best i could and asked how to arrange payment. I was spoken to in a way a service industry pro would NEVER speak to anyone. Especially a paying customer who was scared and tired. Could not pay me to darken that doorway. Avoiding permanently. Too bad bc sweet decor and otherwise adorable place. read more

Hi folks . Listen I've been to the amount royal tavern both before and after with the ownership, and the new owners are a welcome change from the past (new owners started February 2020. Older reviews before this are bogus. The new owners not only have sank a bundle of $$$ into the decor, sound system and appliances( new kitchen and bar so nice and clean) but they have also gotten rid of the local trouble makers. It's now a pleasant and nice place for all. By day a friendly family experience both inside and on the large patio . At night it more a bar with pool tables music karaoke, etc depending on the night. The best part is the food. Dan the chef has been hired out of Toronto and it really shows on the menus selection. This is not a fast food restaurant but they do carry the usuals , burgers fries, wings and salads. But the dinners , pastas, and the rest are a huge improvement and delicious . I've eaten all over mount forest and as far as any fine dining goes, this is the only place for me. read more

Loved my experience there! Will def return more often! Drinks are great, they have a jukebox, and everyone is super friendly...staff and customers. read more

Mount Royal Tavern - Dive Bars Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

My kind of bar. Dingy, dark and dusty. Cash only, a few great beers on tap and free hot chili on most cold days. Only one TV, jukebox for music and a golf video game in the back. If they had a pool table, which they have the room for, it would be that much better. If old dive bars aren't your scene, don't bother stopping by. read more

Cool dive bar. Great prices...large top shelf drinks for under $10 rail around $5. They always have the games on and the bartenders are welcoming and provide quick service. Food is not served there, but they allow outside food and sometimes a food truck is parked out front. Just wish they would start accepting credit cards. read more

Ralph (R.I.P.) used to pop Natty Bohs for me and my best friend before we made it past the threshhold. When I lived in Bolton Hill, they'd even deliver to the weird ex-funeral home where I lived with a pit bull and two marble fireplaces. I rocked the pinball machine back then. I'm old now, and have a family, so the Dirt Church really isn't my hangout. But when I go in there now--after five, six years away--the bartender *still* crack a Natty for me, without me asking. Time stops in the Tavern, and the dead walk among us. Not only the people who've passed, but our own younger selves in all their incarnations. All things are happening at all times at the Tavern. Nothing, and everything, changes there. Years ago I heard that the Tavern once had booths. When I was a young'un it was the fashion to steal their pint glasses (not that I ever did, of course). Novelty items can be had from the bathroom vending machine; hilarity always ensues. Their pizza is absolutely not to be missed, if you're on a three-day bender. Don't forget to tip and at 1:45, hit the bricks. Final note: if you're a native or even a MICA kid who might end up staying here for a few years after school, please, say what you will about the Tavern. If you're leaving after graduation, or a tourist, don't even open your mouth, because you cannot understand Baltimore if you don't understand the Tavern, and vice-versa. It's a mysterious place full of the sometimes unpleasant, sometimes beautiful past, present, and future. read more

The very first time I went to the Tavern was on my 21st birthday. It was the last stop in a series of bars hopped to be initiated in the grand old tradition of "getting ones drink on". The Tavern was my favorite then and it still is today. The Tavern is, in every sense of the term, a dive of a watering hole. My favorite dive at that. To the outsider it may seem a little scary but for me, if all I want in the world is to get a little tipsy (case and point, almost every day of finishing my senior thesis a block away), this is the place to go. You don't go here to show off or for a first date--you just go here for the drinks maybe with a few close friends in reasonably socially acceptable attire. It's typical as far as layout goes--one long bar on the left, various small tables for seating everywhere else. It's dark, a little cozy and mangy but it has a lot of character (like the plaques on top of the bar that you can get made and embedded in for a small fee, the fake Sistine ceiling and well, the people). Drinks are cheap, service is quick, the bartenders always amiable, and the crowd pretty diverse. I've personally lived off of those sketchy pizzas during college and I'm still ok. The bathroom... well it's give or take. It's not horribly disgusting but don't expect it to be very clean either. It's usable when you really need it and that's more than I would expect from this place. read more

This is clearly the best bar in Baltimore. I've never seen anyplace with such a diverse crowd: Young, old, black, white, students, professors, blue collar, white collar, you name it...and such an assortment all gathered in one place. The crowd varies by time of day and day of the week, so it's good to stop by at various times to get a true picture of the place. The prices are cheap, and the drinks are strong. You get the feeling that nobody's trying too hard to impress anyone: from hipsters to bums, artists to DC commuters, you see it all here, and nobody much seems to care what you're wearing, or what you look like. I've had amazing conversations here with total strangers; some, recalling the days when Baltimore was still segregated from people who lived through it, to talking about foreign films and Nietzsche, to comic books and Bugs Bunny. I've laughed, I've cried, I've kissed my sanity good-bye. Yes, it's a bit grungy, but that's part of the charm. Sure, the bartenders might seem a bit gruff, but their bark is worse than their bite, and they're some of the nicest people you'll meet in Baltimore. This is a place to go and have a few or a lot of drinks, to let loose. There's an infectious atmosphere, here, that makes it easy to relax, and an aura of history that is as numinous as it is cozy. Set all pretense aside, the place is nothing fancy, but they sure do satisfy. And they only take cash. Brilliant. read more