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    Penny Black

    4.0 (221 reviews)
    ModerateBars, American
    Closed 12:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 3 months ago

    Penny Black Photos

    Business Info

    PENNY BLACK ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Penny Black

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    Reviews With Photos

    Outside
    Farhat K.

    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.

    Crab Cakes
    Claire M.

    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.

    Fish and chips
    Elizabeth C.

    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

    Menu
    Sean G.

    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.

    Bourbon bbq SMOKED wings! So flavorful!!!
    Stephanie G.

    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!

    Crab Cake Sandwich
    Wendy B.

    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.

    Smoked wings (naked)
    Tiffany D.

    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

    Chimichurri beef tenderloin tips
    Jackie K.

    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!

    a bar with stools and a clock on the wall
    Alexis B.

    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.

    Oyster po boy with cole slaw
    Jeff F.

    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!

    Bar
    Ana B.

    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.

    Buffalo wings
    Anna Q.

    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.

    a glass of red liquid on a wooden table

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    7 months ago

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

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    1 year ago

    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.

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    2 years ago

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

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    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - Penny Black

    Do they do brunch?

    Yes. We do brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00am to 3:00pm.

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    Midlina - Chop (Restaurant week)

    Midlina

    (54 reviews)

    Canton

    This is my new favorite place. From the drinks, to the food, to the service, we had so much fun…read morehere oh my goodness. It's so wonderful to come across genuine people who are funny and kind in this world. Our server and the owner were so fun and so funny and so nice. It truly felt like visiting a friends restaurant. The vibes are homey, almost feels like a library but not quite, very cozy very comfy. Food: Tomato Mozarella, this was my two fav things in one. Tomato and burrata/mozarella, and prosciutto and melon. Delicious. 10/10. Prawns: so good, so flavorful, and I typically am not a shrimp/prawn girl. Skirt Steak: this was such a juicy and moist (sorry) steak. I don't like chimmichurri (cannot spell that omg) but it was good! The fries were also a winner. Moroccan Hen: this felt like a cookout bbq to be honest but in the best way. It's super flavorful, very smoky, and SO juicy. Drinks: watermelon marg, orange espresso cocktail, and I cannot remember the blue drinks name but all delicious. I fear this is my fav espresso martini to date. Dessserts: the Poe's nest and the Ruby & Emerald. Delicious. No notes.

    Good but just okay for the price. Food is hit or miss. Came…read morewith a group of 12 for a birthday. A few of us came early and got drinks at the speakeasy upstairs which I definitely recommend! It had a great drink menu and cool vibe. For actual dinner, the restaurant itself had an eclectic menu and swanky decor. The service was spotty. I had to ask for water refills 2x. Also for a group of 12, it took about 7 mins for everyone to be served food. Yes, this is a large party, so you must have several servers come bring the food when you're charging these prices. It should've been a seamless experience but we had several friends waiting on their food while others were halfway through. The food quality itself was hit or miss. The pork belly app was delicious! Crispy and tender. But the octopus was overly chewy and weird. We had 2 dishes with it and both were cooked like that, it wasn't good. The lobster poutine was delicious and went quick. Paella was okay - the shellfish was overcooked and seemingly dried up. Drinks were good and staff was friendly. Overall, there are a lot of kinks to work out. I'd like to come back but at the price point, I wish our experience was better and wish the food was more consistently good.

    Annabel Lee Tavern

    Annabel Lee Tavern

    (694 reviews)

    $$

    Canton

    This place is pretty chill. Evolved dive, has some ambiance…read more I was pleased with the beer selection and ordered a craft variety. Additionally I went with the meatloaf for my entree. Both beer and entree were really good and I'm looking forward to my next visit where I'll try another entree out (or maybe have the meatloaf again, TBD!).

    Coming to Annabel Lee Tavern is to experience an Edgar Allen Poe themed restaurant. It's not very…read morebig, feels a little crampy, dingy, in a rustic neighborhood you wouldn't think had anything worthwhile. Then you find out about this hole in wall spot. My friend said I had to come here. We did. As soon as we stepped out of the Uber the adventure began. The building is so out dated but the entrance door held its charm. Neon lit Edgar portrait reading from a book his Annabel Lee. Complete with a bouquet of flowers. To the right more words of the writer surrounded with a few tables and chairs for those willing to chill in the cold. Inside was no different. Several crows, skulls everything you'd expect. And a well stocked bar. Many writings on the wall, articles, awards, etc all added to the vibe and theme. And of course dimly lit but you could still read the menu. We were guided to the back for our party of 5, in a corner away from everyone else. That made it easy for us to converse as we perused the menu exclaiming this and that of the dreadful names used and deathly ingredients mixed in. It definitely made it more appetizing. After working all day I was ready for a drink and settled on the To Isadore; gin, lavender syrup, lemon squeeze topped with segura cava. That hit the spot. Unfortunately, I had eaten quite a bit on this trip and forced myself to order the Chef Salad. Nothing more to say there. My wife, though, ordered the seafood lasagna. Never had that and it didn't sound like something I could get into. I was wrong. This is Baltimore. The seafood here is astounding. It was delicious and had to take a couple spoon fulls. My friend ordered the double beef patty burger. I was jealous until he offered me a bite. That was really good too, and juicy. If you're looking for an experience and are not too afraid you may want to visit Annabel's. I do recommend it and do insist coming after the sun has been well down.

    Little Donna’s - Chicken with potato dauphinoise

    Little Donna’s

    (144 reviews)

    $$$

    Upper Fells Point

    Little Donna's is truly a standout restaurant in Baltimore, with wonderful "flatbread"…read morenontraditional, pizzas, absolutely stellar salads, and artisanal cocktails that will blow your socks off. From the people sitting around me and my guests, the two times I've been, the other entrées came extremely highly recommended as well. The servers and bartenders are sociable, and where interesting conversationalist both times I've been, will never interrupting a conversation with my guest once it was flowing. It has a warm, inviting ambience, perfect for a casual date or something a bit more formal. Located on an unassuming side street, street parking can be a tiny bit challenging during the weekends, and it's usually busy requiring reservations Friday through Sunday from what I've been told, so plan ahead!

    Little Donna, I'd leave my partner for you…read more In all seriousness, the best meal I've had in Baltimore in recent memory. We got extremely lucky and managed to snag a reservation for two on a Friday night one week out. Cozy atmosphere that feels welcoming and doesn't have the stuffiness we sometimes find with nicer restaurants. Get the pirogies! They had a special with lobster but we opted for the OGs and they didn't disappoint - I wish we had gotten two orders. All the food was excellent though - the smoked trout dip can only be described as a fusion of flavors that left me fiending for more focaccia. Also ordered the tuna tartare and tavern pizza; the latter landed on the table and was snagged before I could take a picture. Will be back; on a weeknight if it means not waiting for another weekend reservation to open up.

    Penny Black - bars - Updated May 2026

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