Stopped into Penny Black with a friend during a work trip and instantly loved the vibe. It was freezing, windy, and right on the water so we both ordered the hot rum cider, which was exactly what we needed. Cozy, warming, and delicious. Two ciders ran us about $20, which felt reasonable for the setting and quality. We stopped in twice because we really wanted to try the bacon-wrapped goat cheese jalapeño poppers. The first time we weren't hungry enough, so we made a point to come back later and I'm glad we did. They were excellent. Not a huge portion, but it's an appetizer and felt appropriate. They were rich and well balanced, definitely a fork-and-knife situation, and worth the ~$14. The atmosphere is a big part of the appeal here. Tons of dark wood, historic character, and that old-Baltimore charm that makes you feel like the place has stories. It's warm and inviting. Perfect stop for drinks and a snack, especially on a cold day by the water. I'd absolutely go back if only for another hot rum cider and those poppers again. read more

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Went here on a warm summer evening for date night sitting outside. Good simple fare at a great price point for the area. Best things to note: very good and personable service from our waiter Cathryn, great people watching, and a perfect view of the harbor and pirate ship! Will definitely be back. read more

Classic bar feels with good food. Also a nice covered outdoor patio out back when the weather is nice.

I think the vibe is more bar than restaurant, but their food is just incredible! I almost always order from the specials menu, never disappoints. Really cute place with lots of old charm. Plus, their cocktails are wonderful. Side note: it does get pretty hot inside sometimes.. read more

Penny Black - Salmon special - Bars Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Stopped by here on Thursday night to grab dinner and drinks with a friend, and it was such the perfect place for a catch up. There is plenty of seating as well as bar seating! I know we got there pretty early, so we were one of the first people in the place. Our waiter was super friendly, and our food came out incredibly quick. I had the pub club, which was delicious but definitely a big sandwich. My friend had the chicken pot pie, and she said it was delicious! We also had drinks, all of which were good as well! I wanted to have a spicy margarita, and even though they didn't have on the menu, the bartender just created one! Overall would come here again! read more

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Came here late night around 11:30 after a comedy show and ordered calamari. It was perfectly crispy and had great flavor. The atmosphere is dark and inviting, with good convos taking place around everyone. I ordered the food at the bar and it came out quickly to the table we were seating at. Def would love to get a full meal here at an earlier time one day. read more

Penny Black - Outside - Bars Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Chill pub in Baltimore! My husband and I stopped in here for some crab cakes and drinks while strolling through the city. No price on the crab cakes on the menu - they were expensive but very good! Service was also fast with the drinks, which were also very good. Overall good experience. read more

Penny Black - Crab Cakes - Bars Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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I have been iffy about this place because when I have gone late night the strong smell of their special "late night steamed shrimp" has turned me off but when a friend suggested this for dinner, I decided to give it another try. Luckily for our 6pm reservation everything smelled great. I got a tasty cocktail called the Bichon Frise. I had the fish and chips which was very well made with cod and a light breading. My friend also go this and a couple other friends got the vegan quinoa burger, which they enjoyed. The server was kind and brought us lots of extra ranch to dip our fries read more

Penny Black - Fish and chips - Bars Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Every time I'm in Fells, I somehow always wonder "Where should we eat?" amongst all of the little bar-restaurants along Thames Street. With lots to choose from, let me urge you to walk down 1 more block and sit outside at Penny Black. The views of the water are top notch and the food is even better. Their menu goes well beyond "bar food" and is delicious. We got the bacon wrapped goat cheese jalapeños (need I say more ), fried oysters, smoked wings, chicken Caesar salad (with homemade dressing) and the burger "fancy style". It was all TOP NOTCH and the wings and burger outdo any of the others you'll get at restaurants along the same strip. Also, the beer, wine, and cocktail menu is lovely and we enjoyed an IPA draft. Service was quick and staff were friendly and knowledgeable. It's truly an underrated gem in Fells for casual but delicious food! read more

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Penny Black looks the part of a cozy Fells Point pub, but once you settle in, it's mostly just... there. I might come back for a drink since the bar was neat and the servers were very nice but the food was small portion and bland. I got the pot pie since it looked good but not much going on in a tiny meal and didn't match the price tag. read more

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Crab Cake Sandwich is convincing at a pub in Baltimore! Fries was pretty good. Crab Cake was satisfying, good portion and fresh. Came across 2 crab shell inside the crab cake though. The bun choice was the downside, not complimenting well, big and dry. read more

Penny Black - Crab Cake Sandwich - Bars Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Stumbled upon this bar a while back and finally got back around to checking it out. It has a chill neighborhood bar vibe, but it also has some cool food options---I would definitely return. GLOWS: -Service was friendly and efficient. -The chicken pot pie was much different than I'm used to, but I enjoyed it. -Smoked wings were perfectly crisp -They have outdoor and indoor seating. Indoor gets very dark and moody as the sun sets! GROWS: -ordered the wings naked lacked flavor. I'm not sure how they season them before preparation, but they definitely depend on sauce. -Bathroom could use a little TLC read more

Penny Black - Smoked wings (naked) - Bars Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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I have been to Fells Point so many times, but never noticed this hidden gem until today and OMG am I ecstatic that I did!!! The service was amazing and the staff was so warm and welcoming! My husband and I shared everything we got and we both loved everything! I can't wait to go back and eventually try everything in the menu because I'm like 99.9% sure I will LOVE everything! read more

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I had drinks at Penny Black a few weeks ago with a friend who lives in the area, and I really enjoyed it. It had definite vibes - old school, traditional neighborhood bar vibes. It feels retro and cool without seeming to try too hard. The service was good, and - while I stuck to classic cocktails - the drinks were good as well. Definitely a cool spot I'd be happy to find myself at again. read more

Penny Black - a bar with stools and a clock on the wall - Bars Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Penny Black was a pleasant find for lunch. We sat outside - which was very nice. The staff was very friendly and helpful. We shared the pound of OldBay shrimp as a wonderful start to the meal. One of us had the crab cake sandwich - delicious (nice bun, with tomato and lettuce) - while the other had arguably the best Oyster po boy ever experienced (oysters were brimming out of the roll with a wonderful sauce). The sides of cole slaw and fries were both great. The slaw was a homemade nice and light side while the fries were too good (meaning then we can't stop eating them). Only difficulty is the same one with all of Fells Point - got to find a place to park! read more

Penny Black - Oyster po boy with cole slaw - Bars Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Penny Black is one of my favorite date-night spots in Baltimore. The lighting is low and warm, the music is just loud enough, and the whole place has this cozy, romantic feel that makes you want to linger. Brittany is the best--always so friendly and she makes amazing drinks. As a queer person, I've always felt safe and comfortable here, which means a lot. The food hits the spot (highly recommend the fries), and the vibe is perfect for actually hearing each other talk and enjoying the night. read more

This is NOT just bar food. There is Good Quality selections on the menu. Brie was Great! Cornish Hen, Great! (See Yelp for other menu items). They had appropriate Specials for a cold day; Hot Cider, and Butternut squash soup. This is probably privately owned... and there is a vibe of personal care from the staff. Our server, Nick, was attentive, prompt, and polite. We will be back. Thank you, Penny Black read more

This is a quintessential Baltimore Fells Point bar. It's one of the few places that serves food late. It's bar food, nothing to write home about but sometime the food shocks you, in how good it can be. I love the ambiance of the bar - there's something about the tin roof and the red light of Penny Black that casts a glow. There's a decent beer on tap selection but you don't come here for cocktails or wine. It's a dive bar! The staff is friendly usually the same career bartenders which makes it feel so special. It's quieter than other fells point bars which is the best. You almost feel transported when you come in here. read more

Penny Black - Bar - Bars Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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As a POC, i'm not sure if it was the owner or the manager, but it seemed as though she didn't wanna serve me dinner or drinks because, unlike the rest of the white patrons, I was the only Black person there. It became clear that racism is playing a part in how they chose to serve guests, felt VERY uncomfortable, do not see myself returning anytime soon. read more

Great "Aviation" cocktail. AMAZING Rockfish with asparagus and corn. Love this place and its atmosphere. Great that there is good music and no TVS read more

Came here for a holiday party, so we were seated in the back room. It was very comfortable for our party of almost 25 people -- cozy and cute! We had one server dedicated to our party, so it wasn't the fastest service but he was very friendly. As a bonus, there was a Bluetooth speaker available in the room for us to play our own music! The drinks were great. They have a good selection of beers and wines that will appeal to most folks, and a cocktail menu with about 10 items. The French 75 was my personal favorite! Food was hit or miss. Overall, the happiest amongst our group were those who ordered sandwiches. The spicy chicken and oyster po boy were the two most popular. They have two pot pies (chicken or oyster) listed under a separate heading on the menu, which I assumed would make it a hearty option, but was a bit disappointed. The pot pie came out very thin, almost like a soup, and was not very filling. They do have a variety of fish entrees as well, which I will probably try next time! read more

Very chill place, with a long bar for the sitting, and welcoming deep red walls. It's much quieter than most of its neighbors, which makes it a great spot to get a cheap beer and enjoy a conversation. read more

Crab Cake sandwich with home cut fries were great..love the atmosphere. Service was wonderful

Nestled across the harbor, this would be an ideal spot to eat...but the food just ok. For a drink, this would be a good spot at the corner with limited outdoor seating. Ambiance: tavern/bar. relaxed and casual. good for casual night with friends or family. Family friendly. Food: your usual pub fare. wings, burgers, calamari, steamed shrimp (their special), turkey club, etc. Wings are dry rubbed with spices and grilled. Slightly dry. Turkey club is also dry but decently flavorful. Service: we sat outside and it was first come first serve in grabbing a table. staff was very friendly and checked in on us as much as possible given she was alone. Drinks: beer (cans and draft), decent selection of wine and about 10 cocktails Likelihood to return: 5/10, likely only for drinks outside. read more

Penny Black - Buffalo wings - Bars Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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I haven't had any food here so I cant write to that but I will say its a great place to end a night. The drinks are decently priced in comparison to other places in fells and its a cute, cozy atmosphere. Every time i've gone the bartender has been helpful and friendly so that is also a plus, since its a last stop for me I doubt if i'll ever get to try the food but thats perfectly ok with me. read more

Penny Black - a glass of red liquid on a wooden table - Bars Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

I am so happy to update my review to 5 stars! We had a wonderful dinner when my family came to town. Our server was so sweet and attentive, the food was so good - the Beef Burgundy Pot Pie and Oyster and Leek Pot Pie were both AMAZING - and the drinks were really creative and tasty. read more

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Amazing food. Decent prices. Great drinks. The crab cake sandwich is awesome and the grilled shrimp were seasoned perfectly. Very "Cheers" like vibes. I loved it. It's quite small though. There's only about 10 tables though that seat 4 so may not be great for a large party. read more

Penny Black - Crab Cake Sandwich - Bars Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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I had the Penny Black burger a few weeks ago and it was amazing. It was actually better than the burger place nearby. The burger itself was perfectly cooked and very flavorful, with tasty toppings and a nice sized patty. The fries were home made, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The customer service was also great. It was my first time there and Tonto was amazing. He answered all of the questions I had over the phone and helped me make my selection. I will def be back soon. read more

Penny Black is a nice, more local spot that is slightly removed from the main bustle/chaos of Fells Point. I've stopped in here for years (since its days as John Steven) any time I'm in Fells Point. The main bar area is classic and beautiful. We sat at the bar and service was quick and pleasant. This is a great spot for a quiet drink and conversation. Four stars because I did not try the food during this visit I look forward to a future visit where I can sample the menu. read more

Good food good ambience no complaints here will come back service was nice and quick too our food came out in less than 20 minutes.

Needed crab cakes before we left Baltimore and I am so glad we happened upon this charming bar. The prices were great compared to the area and the crab cakes..... to die for. The service was phenomenal. Definitely will visit again when I'm in the area read more

Penny Black - Main room - Bars Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Stuck in the middle with my experience. Walking down Thames, it was difficult trying to find a place that wasn't overflowing on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. It was walking distance from the bar we were at and empty. Maybe that should have been my cue. Our server was phenomenal though! So friendly and provided wonderful customer service. No complaints with the mussels. I've had better, but they weren't awful. The portion of fish served for the fish & chips could have been slightly larger, but still satisfying. Nice breading and not over cooked. The salmon wrap, on the other hand, had double the salmon than what I was expecting. Definitely didn't skimp on that one. The most disappointing was the N.Y. Strip Steak. The menu describes a 6 oz. portion size...ummmm no. Maybe 6 oz. of mayonnaise and cheese in lieu of steak. There may have been four tiny strips of steak. It was not edible. We did say something to our server and she immediately apologized, comped the tab and told the chef. She even said that the chef said he hated this meal and is going to take it off the menu! She was also very kind in wrapping the sub so that we could give it to someone in need. A much better option than tossing it in the trash considering it was uneaten. read more

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Penny Black is a small, family owned bar.... Serves food, and has awesome people working. It's building feels historic (and maybe haunted) in all the good ways. Lol The bartender (male, bald, can't remember name) makes a great drink/cocktail and is the ONLY decent one I could find on a Friday night here. Worth a visit if you like a milder experience and not a party life. read more

The other day the internet went out all over Baltimore. For those that do not know, Baltimore has an exclusive agreement that mandates only Comcast is available. However, this broke the spell of the internet and I decided to venture out for lunch haha. Penny Black was close, and I had not yet eaten here. I would first like to say that the service was impeccable. The staff was attentive and I was never left wanting. I was very impressed by this. They also had several local and home brews that were excellent. I ordered the pit beef sandwich with fries (pictured). It was not bad, but I was hoping for more for the cost. Maybe I just selected a less than great menu option. I'll come back another day and try again. read more

Penny Black - Bars Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Lovely place - quiet, dark, and great food! Highly recommend. Service was lovely as well

We came because it was rated decently but we had a horrible experience. It was the least busy place around which should have been a sign. The drink took 20 minutes and my cocktail had a large gnat in it when it arrived. We ordered the charcuterie board and it was another 25 minutes and meanwhile no one came back to get us more drinks. When the board came it was a bit bland and only had 2 cheeses and really dry bread we told him it was a horrible and just wanted our check. That took another 20 minutes. He said he discounted it and yet it was $49.50 for 2 bad cocktails and a charcuterie board. read more

Don't you love it when they apologize for the wait, the service, the slow food, and then that's it? Words are wind penny black We stopped by based on decent reviews. It is a cool looking Baltimore restaurant on a cobblestone street. After we waited way to long for drinks (do you want to try the sour? Sure? 10 minutes later here you go. Another 10 minutes - did you like it? I gave up on getting a drink based on how long we would be delayed to ask for a drink menu- look at menu- and the servers eventual return. When we- after at least an hour wait - got food my friend had to gobble and go (since he had an appt). We asked a question, and gave up getting an answer It was so bad we didn't even complain about the cold fried potatoes. Why bother? At this speed if we complained the food would spoil before the server returned We didn't take this out on the server - assume it was her fault they only hired one person - but I do blame the restaurant. I mean if you wait so long your food is cold by the time you get it and your patrons don't want to risk a 30 minute wait for a reheat - and just want to leave You know something is wrong read more

Atmosphere: Very interesting place on the inside, it feels very endearing rustic/old/french/vintage -y. Beautiful french music playing overhead. It was 90 degrees outside and a little warm inside but didn't bother me. It was dark and not the most packed restaurant in fells which I enjoyed. Great place for my best friends and I to have lunch, and I can imagine a cute casual date night spot. Food: WOW. Everything is made from scratch which is not what I expected. The baked brie was really the winner in my eyes. It was so soft and flavorful, wrapped in a beautifully flaky crust. Would match perfectly with wine! The fruit was also fresh and complimented the cheese nicely. We had no complaints about our meals. The oyster poh boy was wonderful and very filling! Service: Our server was extremely nice and helpful during our stay. She was the only server that day but still did a great job checking back with us. No complaints read more

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Food was really bad for the high prices. I got the beef burgundy pot pie and it was so nasty looking with a very soupie consistency, had one tiny , small piece of beef I ate in one bite, it had carrots that were not cooked well and it tasted nasty. My spouse got jambalaya, the rice was not cooked, it was crunchy. My friend got the only fish dish in the menu, she didn't eat it, it was sorounded by so much pesto sauce that the fish didn't look like a fish, it looks so bad and comical. She took a bite and promptly put it aside cause it had a bad taste. My other friend order wings, they were basic, subpar wings, nothing to write home about. All in all I wasted my hard earn money on a mediocre restaurant that has really bad food. We didn't complain to the waitress cause we felt sorry for her, she was nice. But whom ever is the "chef" here needs to be taken out and thrown into the harbor. The "chef" really sucks here, it was horrendous food and I wouldn't recommend this place to my mother in law (and I honestly hate her!!!) Or any of my acquaintances that I dislike. Gross food. The place is a dark and dingy restaurant with a dark and dingy bar that was not very welcoming. read more

I have been coming here for almost 3 years. This was a new item and the BEST charcuterie board of my life. So creative, with flavor nuances in every item, not to mention the color. I felt like a child being given a palette of paints and able to mix and match so many flavor profiles on each grapefruit infused buttered bread point. I usually come here for the best French fries in fells point (!!!) or chicken pot pies for when I seek comfort. I love their Sunday night dinners and other specials. I'm from the south (NC) and though the food isn't southern the atmosphere and food is so cozy and has consistent quality. Classy & relaxing music is a plus. There is a benefit that is offset from the rest of the bars. Outside seating has a great view of the harbor and you can still observe the scene while basking in the sun. read more

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