3.5 Decent dive bar. I've been upstairs for comedy shows and downstairs at the bar for drinks. I don't recall having food here, but wish the beer selection was better. Bartender was cool tho, good customer service. read more

I did not know they would be playing loud as * metal (?) music with screaming and reverb upstairs in the usually-used comedy space, but then I came here for a glass of Chardonnay--which decades ago would've gotten me laughed at or kicked out. Then again, this is only my third time here despite having been to most bars in Hampden and the city. Apparently, Zissimos is not nearly as sketchy as the defunct Dimitri's on Falls (now a Papi's), which I also managed to stay far away from. Zissimos is what we call a neighborhood dive bar--or old Baltimore/Hampden, hon! You can sit in silence or be ignored, observe a guy talking to himself (or is it to someone in his invisible earbuds?) or chat with the bar tender, share some laughs with a character or a story with a couple, or get a whiff of sharp cologne as a local of a certain age passes by to sit at the long long bar to watch a game on TV. I came for a bar tender I like who used to work nearby for many years--and stayed for the "show." After a small bite at the much hipper, trendier Food Market, I decided to get my Chardonnay on here (no food to speak of except Cheetos, chips and pretzels). You DO get a real sense of what the world used to be like, or sometimes is, when you wanted to be on the inside not looking out! With some new bar tenders bringing some fresh ideas for food and music and possibly shortening the long bar, Ziss's might just become bougie enough to be cool--but then nobody here really cares a fig--or should I say a hop--about all that noise. I give a solid 4 for personable bar tenders, good service and old-school atmosphere just like Uncle Joe used to like! read more

Zissimos Bar - New Zealand Chardonnay - Bars Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Something I really love about living in Hampden is that there is a bar for everyone and for every mood. Zissimos is where I go when I'm tired of fussy, fancy, hipster places or when it's super late or when I just want a classic bar drink without a single frill. The service is good. It's dive. It has a room upstairs that hosts comedy shows. And Zissimos has been around since 1930!! Some nights just feel like Zissimos nights. Check it out and find out for yourself. read more

The Lou Room upstairs is a jewel in the crown of Baltimore dive bars. The DMV's best, and the world's most mediocre performers on display in Hampden. Cheap drinks and delights. read more

Zissimos Bar - @KRISFMFANCLUB - Bars Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Shelly is the best bartender. Opens at 10. Full bar . Much more reasonable prices than anywhere local. Wagyu hotdogs ,chips, tater tots. Middle of hampden, very friendly . read more

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We stumbled on this bar around 2pm on a Wednesday. Kim was bartending, and man was she a delight! We only had one drink, but the conversation and energy that Kim provided was excellent! We loved chatting with her over a beer and playing a few games of Keno with the locals. read more

Terrible service. Waited forever for a bartender who was playing a slot machine. She actually said, "hold your fucking pants on. Then she proceeded to wait on regulars before us. Never told us her name but I think it was Shelly. How do such bartenders even have jobs. What a let down. And she was clearly drunk slurring her words and walking crooked. She needs to go. read more

I came here, for the first time, to watch my friend's improv troupe when the bar was hosting a comedy night. The upstairs was a comfortable space and rather perfect for hosting the show. There were some seats set up in the show area (not enough to accommodate the very large crowd), which were comfortable and gave a good view. The bartender was a super nice guy who cracked some jokes about current events. The drink prices were actually pretty good for the area. Overall, this was a good experience that I would return for when I can. read more

Bartender was really abrasive, she wouldn't accept my military ID, and she then couldn't understand what "DOB" stood for on my driver license. On the plus side of the place itself, it was very clean and smelled clean. read more

A solid little hole in the wall bar. It's a great place to go when you want something uncomplicated. Just a great spot to wind down.

I've heard of Zissimos before, recently too, couldn't tell you where. By name alone I figured it was in Greektown somewhere. But, nope, there it is, right there on the Avenue in Hampden. I mean, Right There. Not buried way down by the antique shops or on a side street, but right there near the start sandwiched between a bunch of the new Trendy Places. And this place is anything but new and trendy. Zissimos predates the gentrification of the area, and really harkens back to old time Hampden. Inside is a shotgun bar that stretches from the front door to the back. This seemed to be the only bar open on a weekday morning (I was Christmas shopping) when I wanted to stop somewhere for a drink (I said I was Christmas shopping.) This place is really unassuming. Wood paneling, lots of bottles of everything, a few TVs, a lottery machine, you know the kind of place. They have a surprising good draft beer selection, but I just wanted a glass of Chardonnay. The old lady behind the bar apologized when the bottle she poured into my glass ran out and she didn't have another chilled one. I told her that was no problem, topping it with a room temperature bottle would be fine (it was a chilly day.) She had trouble with the corkscrew so I asked if I could open it, which I did and she then topped off my glass. Neither of us noticed the new bottle was Pinot Noir. We repeated the process with a new bottle and a new glass, which turned into quite a generous pour (I'm guessing for the "inconvenience" but I actually appreciated participating in the inadvertent floor show.) There is an upper level where they have performances. You can check a schedule on their Facebook page (they aren't stuck in the past, after all.) read more

Cute little hole-in-the-wall watering hole. Bartenders are friendly. It's a little bit of a dive, but I love that it's not trying to be posh or hipster like a lot of the newer places in Hampden. Definitely check this out to grab a drink and catch a game. read more

I've been at this place a few times. It is a smaller venue located in Hampden Maryland home of famous film director and author John Walters. Every Thursday , Friday, Saturday , Sunday they have Free amateur comedy shows called "Open mics." I have some friends that have done comedy shows before and they all agree that the shows at Zissimos can be hit or miss. But for free it is a good deal. Some of the comics are very graphic and talk about their penis or girls butts and they will make fun of people in the crowd calling them BBWs or SSBBWs. One time at one of the shows these people were making out in the bathroom. They were drunk I think. Their is an upstairs that is called the "Leo" room and that is where the "Open mics." happen. All in all it is a nice place for hanging out and meeting people. Lots of single women which is awesome when you are looking to hook up. Most of my boys are always tryin to hook up with the ladies. read more

If you are a great band looking for a decent space to play in, go to Zissimos Bar. Clean dive space with two floors: upstairs was built for rockin. Speak with Tad, who is a genuine lover of music. I'm sure you guys will come to an awesome agreement and have your first show soon. read more

The bartenders here are super friendly and will go out of their way to make the drink that you want. They also serve Fat Tire beer! There is plenty of space. I was there on a Monday night, however, so I am not sure how crowded it gets on the weekend. The only downside is the downstairs of the bar can attract some unsavory characters that hit on you and/or ask for cigarettes. That aside, they have an upstairs bar as well. There is really fun improv there the first Monday of every month, and bands play up there as well. read more

Good Hampden townie bar. My friend Bunny hosts the weekly open mic there so definitely go to see your best comics! The comedy is upstairs; that's where you want to go. Very solid selection of beers between $3-8. read more

Always great service. Always a great time. Tad in the upstairs bar is the greatest. The drinks are awesome and cheap.

This was the place to be in the 80-90's if you were from the neighborhood. Everyone knew everyone else including the bartenders and bouncers. Just put Rob Bass on a loop and get your mullet in order then you were set for the night. read more

Zissimo is one of the best dive bar on the Avenue. Perfect if you want to have a low key night or a post-work beer. There's also live music and other events upstairs on select days, perfect for anyone who enjoys live local music. In addition, Zissimo offers a take-out beer menu offering domestic 6-pack for $9.99; perfect for late beer runs. read more

This is literally the worst bar in Baltimore. A few friends and I walked in on a Friday night, there was no music on, and like 4 people wallowing in their own boredom. The manager was sitting at the bar eating a hamburger, so we asked him if he could turn on music and he pointed to a jukebox. We bought a couple of crappy beers, turned on music and started dancing to it, and then he kicked us out of his establishment for our "sorority shit." This bar is where fun goes to die. That manager is the grinch of drinking. read more

Unique, friendly, clean, great service, owned and operated by Christian family who gives back to the community and cares about serving his clients. I have been going there for about 30 years and have seen it grow and evolve to one of the best places to be on any occasion, day or night. Highly recommended for new friends to see Hampden from the perspective of people who actually know and love this town to enjoy a cold beverage! read more