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    The Free State Distillery

    5.0 (21 reviews)
    Open 12:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    The Free State Distillery Photos

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    Reviews With Photos - The Free State Distillery

    Signature whiskey
    Nat M.

    If you're looking for a small bar that combines exceptional quality with a warm, welcoming atmosphere, look no further than The Free State Distillery. This black-owned establishment is truly a standout, offering a Signature Bourbon that is nothing short of remarkable--smooth, 95 proof, and reasonably priced. When I say smooth.. I mean smooth y'all. No burn what do ever. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted by the friendly faces of the owners and bartenders who make you feel like part of their family. I might be telling my age but it gave cheers vibes! Keisha, one of the owners, took the time to share the inspiring story behind the company and their vision for the future. Her passion for the craft is infectious, and it's clear that she values customer feedback, striving to create an experience that resonates with everyone who walks through the door. Bluex, our bartender, was a ray of sunshine, exuding energy and enthusiasm. She expertly crafted the NATtotty drink, showcasing her skill and creativity. Each sip was a delightful experience, and I couldn't help but appreciate the artistry that goes into their drink menu. This warm drink with their signature Bourbon could warm the coldest nights. Which is needed in this below 30 weather. The tasting experience is not to be missed either. I thoroughly enjoyed sampling their Bourbon and Rum. The Rum wasn't really my style yet you still have to give it a try. My favorite was the signature. Don't tell nobody but I heard whispers of a new Tequila on the horizon, and given the excellence of their current offerings, I can't wait to see what they come up with next. This place is more than just a distillery with a bar; it's a community hub where the owners and workers go above and beyond to make you feel at home. If you're in the area, make sure to stop by to experience their selection and to meet the wonderful people that patronize this bar. You won't regret it!

    Jennifer W.

    I stopped in on Saturday! Between the tastings, the tour, and customer service, this place is 10/10. Looking for a place that crafts exceptional spirits and serves up great vibes? The Free State Distillery in Upper Marlboro, MD, is the spot to be! From handcrafted cocktails to a welcoming atmosphere, this is where quality meets creativity. What's Happening: Ladies' Night Game Day specials Signature cocktails like their Old Fashioned Beauty Perfect for gatherings, events, or just a casual night out They serve mostly snacks. Currently, they have a lifetime membership special going on and I'm considering joining.

    Teressa B.

    Black owned. Friendly staff and they are lit Great drinks! I'm proud to support this lounge which also has a larger event space in the rear.

    Old fashion with a twist
    Vandaliah A.

    Beautifully designed, great tasting options and excellent customer service for this black owned business. 5 starts indeed. From the moment you walk in you are greeted with friendly smiles. The ambience is exactly what is needed after along day at work, or a place to chill with friends. Will definitely be visiting again.

    Michael T.

    Amazing distillery!! Highly recommended; the staff, service, and drinks are top notch.

    Lulu N.

    What a great new spot for Prince George's County! I just attended the grand opening and the team here has done an excellent job creating a true experience. I loved hearing the back story of the brand and how everything is made. I purchased their Signature Bourbon Whiskey and can't wait to make some cocktails with it. I'll be back to buy more bottles ASAP!

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    1 month ago

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    8 days ago

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    7 months ago

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    13 days ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    4 months ago

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    11 months ago

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    5 months ago

    Their drinks are great and the members lounge upstairs is perfect. I like it so much that I purchased a membership

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    1 year ago

    A hidden gem. Been a few times and tried different cocktails, all excellent. Good chill vibe, welcoming staff. Will return often.

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Floyd W.

    Floyd W.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Business owner information

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    Floyd W.

    Thank you so much!

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Great ambiance and locally owned. Bartender is very knowledgeable and service was phenomenal

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    2 years ago

    Service & Cocktails are top notch! Prices are good and I didnt have to pay for parking win/win!

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    great service. great craft cocktails and an atmosphere thats very inviting, social and you can purchase the various types of bourbon!

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    Ask the Community - The Free State Distillery

    So can u bring in your own snacks/ food? Like a winery, since u are drinking?

    Yes,had Uber eats deliver! The craft cocktails are FANTASTIC, not too loud and plenty of comfortable seating! Free parking!!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - The Free State Distillery

    Great drinks, great atmosphere and grateful for our area of Prince George's county to have a spot we can call home.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    Sagamore Spirit Distillery

    Sagamore Spirit Distillery

    4.8
    (332 reviews)
    27.5 mi
    $$

    My 3rd time on their tour, and with the $2.50 special, I couldn't miss out. The tour is very…read moreinformative, begins with a cocktail and ends with a tasting as shown in the pics. You get to see it all as you walk through the facilities from cooking the mash to bottling. Tours differ slightly with each tour guide, but show up curious and ready to enjoy. Outside of the tour, check out the shop for some neat gifts or additions to your bar. Also, check out the bar area for some well mixed whiskey cocktails and more. I got to enjoy the Blue Angels show from outside on the lawn. Look out for their summer and fall Whiskey on the Water event too! Think blanket, lawn chairs, food trucks, live music and whiskey styled a couple ways.

    Signed up for a cocktail class with a group of friends, and it was super fun! Very different and…read moreinteresting to learn the techniques and ins/outs of cocktail making. The class is about 1 hour long and you make 2 cocktails that feature their drinks. The staff is super welcoming and excited to help you learn. They are very knowledgeable and helpful. Everything that is used as a mixer or addition to the drink is made in house. Super tasty. We made a tea based drink and then another one (see photos). Both were good. It was nice to have every single detail thought out and ready. The room where you are taking the class is very comfortable and has terrific views. We sat out on their lawn that is waterfront when we were done. Super nice area. They do have a bar that is on the premises as well. There was an outdoor bar, but it wasn't open when we were there (beginning of May). This would be a super fun place to come for lunch or just to hang out on the grassy area and watch the scenery. Parking could be an issue and you will have to pay. Keep that in mind for time management. Overall, a super fun thing to do. Highly recommend.

    Photos
    Bar materials
    Bar materials
    Bar materials
    Bar materials
    Drinks

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    Drinks
    Shmidt Spirits

    Shmidt Spirits

    4.9
    (17 reviews)
    14.5 mi

    They're long overdue for an update! There are subtle signs in the main parking lot (LAX, Atomic…read moreMusic, etc.) that indicate that it's on the backside of everything. There's a road that takes you to all the industrial buildings, the gas station entrance to Costco, and more. Depending on where you're coming from, GPS may navigate you to pass all of that. There's a long row of parking spaces that expand the length of the long building. A short walk can easily become extensive if it's really busy. Otherwise, there have been some general updates --- the hibisco is in regular rotation, and they are open most Friday evenings now! Tours and tastings are still going strong, and yes, the gin is still my favorite. But one of my favorites -- RORY! The distillery cat that I had the pleasure of being present for when he was first found on the property. I'm looking forward to continuing to support them, and I'm due to take some friends there.

    This is the CUTEST distillery that we just happened to stumble upon. The location is behind the…read moreplaza with the LAX in Beltsville. You have to drive like you're going to the back entrance of the stores and it's back there. Definitely in the cut, but they are mixing up some nice craft cocktails here including smoked cocktails. Prices are great for the high quality mixology and they even offer free tastings of all their spirits. The bartender was so great and patient explaining everything even though we really weren't intending to drink (it was barely noon and we had the baby with us). This would be a really nice spot to stop by for pre-dinner drinks or after dinner drinks or just a casual Saturday to do the tasting and have some drinks. We will be back again once we have a sitter and can make a night of it. I would highly recommend hosting a Yelp event here. They deserve the traffic there.

    Photos
    Margarita hibisco
    Margarita hibisco
    Day if the dead event
    Day if the dead event
    Shmidt Spirits

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    Lost Ark Distilling Company

    Lost Ark Distilling Company

    4.8
    (75 reviews)
    21.4 mi
    $$

    Ah Lost Ark, so sad to see you go. It may seem strange to write a review for a business ready to…read moreclose its doors, but if not to pay it respects, I would recommend that anyone reading this consider purchasing any of their remaining stock from your local store; it's all pretty good! The inside is simple, with the occasional nod to ships at sea, which is easy to do if you have lots of barrels for aging spirits. There is a little bar where they make great cocktails rather quickly. They have spirit-forward as well as citrusy. Never had one I didn't like. The spirits (as of this writing, still available at some local liquor shops) are fantastic. My absolute favorite is the Lady Anne white rum. Some white rums are barely better than rbbing alcohol, but this has character and depth and makes a fantastic mojito. RIP Lost Ark!

    Such a terrific place with not just a distillery, but also a bar, sit down area, and entertainment…read morespace. It's in an industrial area, but the decor is spot on for rum drinking. There is a retail area as well. They sell different varieties of their delicious concoctions. The menu is on a TV and there are so many options to pick from. A flight of 4 tastings is $8 and gives you the opportunity to try out the different types of alcohol. The Carmel cream was very good. The South of Manhattan and Muddy Waters were fantastic cocktails. We were greeted upon entering and Erik was very friendly. We sat at the bar. He was filling lots of orders (people come to the bar and order, then sit in the rum lounge area) and was still very attentive and welcoming. They do tours and sampling. Check their socials for more information. They also have an extensive list of entertainment.

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    Lost Ark Distilling Company
    Lost Ark Distilling Company
    Lost Ark Distilling Company

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    LYON RUM // Windon Distilling

    LYON RUM // Windon Distilling

    4.6
    (52 reviews)
    27.9 mi
    $$

    When it's over 100 degrees outside and you're exploring St. Michaels on foot, air conditioning…read morebecomes an attraction. While wandering around town during my Fourth of July weekend solo adventure, I decided to duck into the LYON RUM Distillery & Golden Hour Rum Room to escape the heat for a bit. I'd heard good things, figured a little rum tasting sounded like a perfectly reasonable vacation activity and, let's be honest, rum and vacation seem to go together. I stopped in on a Friday afternoon and found a handful of people already inside chatting, tasting rum and enjoying the space. One of the first things I noticed had nothing to do with the rum itself. It was the tasting room. I've visited a few tasting rooms over the years, but this one had so much personality. The décor was warm, colorful and thoughtfully put together. It felt inviting without trying too hard, and I immediately found myself looking around almost as much as I was looking at the bottles. It wasn't just a place to sample rum. It felt like a place you'd genuinely want to spend some time. The woman behind the tasting counter couldn't have been friendlier. She explained that I was welcome to sample any of the complimentary tasting offerings. Since I'm definitely not a liquor expert, I decided to keep things simple and chose the coconut and pineapple rums. The coconut was an immediate winner for me. It was incredibly smooth with just the right tropical flavor. Honestly, I could picture myself putting a bottle in the refrigerator on a hot summer day and pouring a little into a glass while sitting outside watching the sunset. As I said...dangerous. The pineapple rum was good too, but the pineapple means business! It lets you know immediately that you're drinking rum. As someone who doesn't drink much liquor, it packed a little more punch than I personally enjoy. I can absolutely see why someone who loves both rum and pineapple would gravitate toward it, but for me the coconut was the clear favorite. There were plenty of other varieties available to sample, but I knew my limits and decided two tastings were the perfect amount for me. Instead, I spent a few more minutes browsing the shop and taking everything in. I was pleasantly surprised by the prices, especially considering the rum is handcrafted in small batches right there in St. Michaels. I also love supporting businesses that are proud of where they are, and LYON RUM clearly embraces its Eastern Shore roots. You can feel that throughout the entire experience. PRO TIP: Even if you aren't a big liquor drinker, stop in anyway. The complimentary tastings are a fun way to try something new, the tasting room is beautiful and if you're visiting during one of Maryland's summer heat waves...the air conditioning alone is worth the stop! If you're spending time in St. Michaels, I'd absolutely recommend adding LYON RUM to your itinerary. Come for the rum, stay for the atmosphere and don't be surprised if you leave wishing you'd bought a bottle of the coconut rum!

    I have been a longtime fan of Lyon Rum, but unfortunately, that's no longer the case…read more I recently visited the Golden Hour Rum Room and was extremely disappointed by the lack of hospitality. It was over 100 degrees outside, and there was an extreme heat warning in effect. When I walked in, I realized the Rum Room was operating by reservation only that day, which I completely understood. However, because of the dangerous heat, I simply asked for a glass of water. The hostess refused to provide one. I would have happily paid for bottled water or any available option, but the complete unwillingness to offer even a glass of water during extreme heat was disappointing and showed a lack of basic customer care. Based on this experience alone, I would give zero stars if I could. It's unfortunate because I had been a loyal supporter of Lyon Rum for years, but this experience has completely changed my opinion.

    Photos
    LYON RUM Tasting Room & Spirit Shop
    LYON RUM Tasting Room & Spirit Shop
    LYON RUM Tasting Room & Spirit Shop
    LYON RUM Tasting Room & Spirit Shop
    Located in the OLD MILL, just off Talbot Street, behind the Brewery.

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    Located in the OLD MILL, just off Talbot Street, behind the Brewery.

    The Free State Distillery - distilleries - Updated August 2026

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