Owl Bar

Doesn't Recommend

bob890

Joined 6 years ago

Worst experience in Baltimore.. First time I went to this bar was during their happy hour. Let's just say that I will definitely not be returning. A few friends and I were there for 20 minutes. More friends trickled in over the course of the next hour. Fifteen minutes before happy hour was over, our waitress told us that she could no longer give us the happy hour specials because our group "kept growing" and that we "kept adding new people"; this was apparently, manager's orders. I've been to enough happy hours to know that lots of people does not mean that happy hour stops. Additionally, isn't there some level of mingling involved with happy hours? I've never heard such a ridiculous comment from a manager or from a waitress. It did not help that our group was racially diverse- Asian, Indian, White.

If you have more than 5 people in your group, with any sort of diversity, I would highly recommend taking your buisness elsewhere. If the Owl bar wants to advertise happy hour, it should at least have the capacity to 1.) accomodate large groups 2.) honestly hold happy hours until stated end of happy hours for all patrons, regardless of group size, race, gender, sexual orientation, etc.

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greenie2600

Joined 7 years ago

Neat little place for drinks and food with friends. I find xeaa's negative review a bit bewildering. I've only been to the Owl Bar once, but I had a pretty good experience. It's a little pricey, yes, but not exorbitantly so; there are plenty of items under ten dollars. The food is quite tasty, and the menu is creative enough to offer a few pleasant surprises - but not so creative that it becomes foodie-pretentious.

I had the Vegetable Tower - "asparagus, Chevre cheese, roasted red peppers, artichokes, and spinach between layers of phyllo" - and I thought it was delicious. I also shared the fried artichokes and beer-battered pickles with my dining companions, and we all agreed that they were scrumptious. (Incidentally, I'm a vegetarian, and though the menu isn't exactly overflowing with meatless dishes, there are enough to give you some options.)

The atmosphere is nice, too - just the right balance of classy and casual. I don't think I'd go just for the bar, but if you want a few drinks with a friendly dinner, it's perfect. It's a fairly roomy place, and when I was there, it was only about half full, so we had our corner of the restaurant to ourselves. The titular owls - which overlook the dining room from above the bar - date from the bar's days as a speakeasy, when their moveable eyes were used as a sort of code to warn that agents of the law were present.

In short, an enjoyable, ever so slightly upscale, but low-key and casual dining experience.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

With kings, presidents and other luminaries as past patrons, The Belvedere's landmark watering hole provides a history of good company.. In Short
A laid-back counterpart to the trendy 13th-floor nightclub upstairs, the bar has served Baltimorians since the early 1900s. Brick-patterned walls, tables and dark wood and brass finishes create a warm setting for mingling young professionals and couples. Friendly, knowledgeable bartenders mix an array of drinks at this amply-stocked bar. Many patrons sip large martinis, while others opt for the impressive selection of beers on tap, including hard-to-find local brews. A wood-burning stove serves up gourmet pizzas, and a raw bar serves hungry patrons late into the night.

Doesn't Recommend

xeaa

Joined 7 years ago

Yuk!. Amazingly dissatisfying place. It smells in there as in the public restroom in a big railway station. There was even a smell of some kind of desinfectant (like the one used on homeless). The overall impression was that I have been served food and drinks in a restroom. Cosmopolitan tasted bitter and very cheap. Food was average. Total price paid for a salad, and appetizer, one glass of wine and one cocktail (+15% tip)- $62. Too much! Also, tables and chairs were sticky, as if they have never been wiped. Don't go there if you want to have a bite before the concert, unless you want the bad smell haunt you for the whole evening (and maybe some days to come).

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jfgreen75

Joined 11 years ago

The Owl Bar is the best bar ever!. In my 6+ years of bar hopping across 3 states, this is my favorite bar. The atmosphere is great, they have an extensive selection of good beers and full bar, and high quality food at reasonable prices. If you are ever in Baltimore City, you should check it out.