First night in Maryland (mix business and visit family). Stopped by for dinner. About a 15 minute…read morewait which was perfect to browse the menue and beer list. Spent a few years in Germany in the service and this place gave the guesthouse feel. Down in a basement, decorated as such, with tight seating and a fun atmosphere. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Made us feel at home. Ordered potato cakes as an appetizer (no photo, ate them too quickly). Dunked and a Fastentbeer beer were great. Jagarsnitzel and a burst. Both fantastic. Authentic fries and curry ketchup. Even the Spitzer brought back memories. Looks like outdoor seating is available when it gets warmer. Really enjoyed our experience!

Enjoyed the party platter. The latkes were good and enjoyed all the sauces that came with the…read moreplatter. The German beers were also really good. Very casual vibes which we enjoyed and was baby friendly.

We went here for their Mother's Day brunch! All of us enjoyed our food and will 100% be back…read more Everything was fresh and hot. My favorite thing was the French toast casserole. It was worth the price and the view is so beautiful overlooking the Columbia lake front. reservations were on time. No issues being sat down and no issue with food.

Went here for a quick cocktail and was met with beautiful views and huge windows. We sat at a table…read morenear the bar with a stunning view of the lake and were able to get table-side service. We got the lychee martini and a blackberry Moscow mule, which were both delicious. I would come back for the view alone honestly.

Recently visited for a friends bday outing…read more While here I had the mini crabcakes and a few drinks. The crabcakes were good. Ample fresh crabmeat in every bite. The sauce had a delightful kick to it. To wash it down I had a glass of Rose and the Nightswimming drink. Both drinks were good. Adequately boozy. The vibe of Bloom is very chill and intimate. The decor is a plush dark velvet. Service was good. I'd definitely visit again.

This dark and moody little spot off the lobby of my hotel was the perfect place to stop for my…read morefirst cocktail in Baltimore and to enjoy a bevvy before heading out for dinner. The vibe here definitely gives 1970s, and the small, intimate space would be the perfect spot for a date night or ladies night. Since I was solo, I sat at the bar and ordered a delish Ocha Kudabai from their newly-released spring cocktail menu. I also had fun talking to the bartender, who was knowledgeable about literally ALL things Baltimore (and made a mean drink as well). Highly recommend not skipping this place if you're staying at (or near) Hotel Ulysses.

This was me and my boyfriends second time going because our first experience was really nice and…read morewarm! It was really busy and they Sat us at a bar table and the bartender Nelson was welcoming, silly, and just all around great! The food was great and came out in nice sized portions! Nelson helped us pick a desert that was really tasty and exactly as he described! The place is really cozy, clean, and inviting! Me and my boyfriend have declared it our go to place now!

Still a win .... Make reservations to secure a table it seems to stay busy ..... tacos are…read moredelicious .... Service great ..... we got checked on so many times I loved that. Nice vibe. Just be sure you like spicy if u order the spicy guac I promise you it's atomic lol

This is a fine jazz club tucked in behind a nice restaurant. Have yourself an evening of sublime…read moremusic, delicious foods, amazing crafted drinks, great bartenders, and good company at 18th & 21st. We made a last-minute decision to try for some of the nightly jazz (except Monday) at 18th & 21st on a Friday evening (Oct 2025), hip-ly named for the prohibition amendment and repeal :-) There's a free parking garage right across from the entrance of the building they share with a sister restaurant, Cured. We arrived in the bright seasonally-decorated welcoming lobby about 7:50pm. We ought to have made reservations, but in under 10min, the reception staff took us to the more intimate room towards the back where we were seated at at the bar, which is really what we wanted. When we arrived, the 6pm jazz band had just gone on break, so we felt free to chat with friendly regulars and with the bar staff. They have a changing list of ten craft beers from $6 to $21, plus one $6 non-alcoholic brew. Five of the $14-$35 per-glass vintage wines from their list of 17 are preserved with the "corovin" system that keeps air out, so they are never "corked". We focussed on their list of 11 crafted $13-$22 cocktails plus 5 non-alcoholic ones, all made with quality ingredients, each naming the staff member(s) (and guests) who formulated the recipe! We found Alex's $16 Fernetinez sublimely sweet: of bitter fernet amaro, Frederick-based locally-sourced award-winning McClintock One Last Time gin (exclusive for 18th&21st), smooth Luxardo liqueur, and a sweet vermouth. We loved the aroma and flavor of the classic Smoked Old Fashioned of bourbon from Kentucky's 10th-oldest distillery, Green River, moved to a mild well-rounded sweetness by brown sugar simple syrup, smoked in front of me by Mike (if i remember), with added richness from smoky bitters. They have a creative menu of $30 to $65 entrees, plus salads, small plates, apps, and sides, and they have a changing menu of small plates. We really hadn't planned on eating, but we couldn't resist. The $17 duck bao buns had thin tender filets with a sweet lightly-salty apricot-soy glaze and a tangy crunchy pickled cucumber slaw on a soft folded yeasted slightly-sweet white-flour bun. The $12 pair of fried fresh-tasting oysters were sweet and juicy with a light-flavored crunchy crust. They were so yummy, and easy to enjoy with our cocktails. Rodney Kelly's jazz band was excellent, playing with spirit, joking with each other and the audience, even staging a song or two with a skilled member of the restaurant staff. Afterwards we had brief moments with some of the band members, like an intimate jazz club. Later in the evening, i also had a Turkish Sunset, a Manhattan-variation created in a collaboration among the staff and a guest (Well-done Ozzie!). I love Elijah Craig, and wanted to try their dry toasted rye, with housemade allspice dram syrup, Small Hands grenadine, and bitters. By now, i felt very much at home with the staff, and when i learned that one of them had helped formulate this beverage, i confided that its amazing complexity was, for me, just a touch too dry. Alex (if i remember) considered the ingredients and the target flavors, and added just a touch of a sweet lemony liqueur, perfectly complimenting the recipe's flavors! Real-time crafting goes above and beyond, Thank you! (And when they next update the menu, maybe they'll have a custom option named for me :-)

Beautiful upscale jazz restaurant located with Cured. I recommend dressing nice but it's not…read morerequired. They normally have live jazz, whether it's a band or a single performer. Service is exemplary. Plenty of food options, and some lovely choices. The octopus appetizer is the only thing I wouldn't suggest as it was rubbery and lacked flavor.

We were here for the 4th of July cookout on the patio. It was Awesome! They had a really nice…read moresetup. This was a buffet which included desserts as well as a nice selection of food. Everything tasted great for the most part. Service was great as well. The outdoor buffet cookout was $20 tickets were purchased on eventbrite. They also had holiday drink specials at $2.49 which was a good deal. They also sold smoked oysters at $1.00 each & the server and bartender was very helpful and friendly. We really enjoyed this event. We would like to go back and check out the other drinks on the menu as well as the food. Definitely bookmarked this spot for a return visit. There is a parking garage about three blocks away. We paid $12.00 for about three hours. Not bad at all.

Modern, dark, speakeasy vibes on the inside with windows overlooking the Main Street, and a…read morespacious outdoor deck quite literally in the shadow of the gorgeous Maryland State House. All housed in the historic Capital Hotel, newly renovated in November of 2022. The atmosphere here is immaculate. It is a must see when enjoying the sights of Annapolis. My girlfriend and I stopped in on a Thursday afternoon after touring the State House. We each ordered the Monkey Smoke (Penicillin), and she ordered a small plate with avocado and lump crabmeat, which we ordered just in time as the kitchen closed between 3 and 4. The standout of the day for me was the old fashioned, made with plum bitters. One of the best old fashioneds I've ever had. The servers were all very friendly and quick. We will definitely come back the next time we're in town, and definitely recommend this to others.

Had a great experience here! We came out to celebrate my friend's 32nd birthday and had an amazing…read moretime. The drinks were excellent, and while they don't have a full kitchen, the food bites were surprisingly good. I also love that they bring in food trucks, which gives guests even more options. One of the highlights was getting a behind-the-scenes look at the distillery. We had the opportunity to learn about how their spirits are made and aged, which made the experience even more memorable. It's impressive to visit Maryland's second-largest distillery and see the craftsmanship that goes into every bottle. The hospitality really stood out. The hosts were welcoming, and it was a pleasure meeting Tony and Ghin behind the bar. They helped create a fun, friendly atmosphere that made the celebration special. The space has great vibes and is perfect for events or just a relaxed night out. They host karaoke nights, R&B nights, K-pop nights, and other events that keep things fresh and entertaining. This place is truly a hidden gem in the Columbia area. If you're looking for a laid-back spot with great drinks, welcoming people, and a unique distillery experience, I highly recommend checking it out. I can't wait to visit again!

We'll have to come back and try this place again on a night where they aren't swamped... We tried…read moreOversea on "R&B Night" and it was an epic fail. When we arrived, there were only a few people there and we were able to get a drink order in right away and they brought it to our table fairly quickly. But then the crown arrived and there were lines 10 people deep just to get an order in. Food (which we didn't order) was a nightmare; there were people's orders behind the bar for over 30 minutes just getting cold because they were too busy to figure out where the people were and no one was coming up to check on their orders. I waited in line for over half an hour just to close my tab. I'd recommend paying with each order... The drinks were not bad - the spirits (which are not made there) are decent, but are primarily mixers. They do sell bottles, but I didn't get any (granted I am a whiskey snob...). The music was WAY too loud and the DJ was just awful - he had zero personality whatsoever. My adult kids were the ones who wanted to bail, not us! Hope the next time is better...

Clandestino has grown up, literally. What began as a small operation in Frederick has moved into a…read morelarger space, and the expansion suits them well. This is Puerto Rican pitorro, also known as ron cañita, made with care and intention rather than gimmickry. Many local liquor stores now carry the brand, and it is well worth picking up a bottle, but visiting the distillery is an experience in itself. The founder is a fellow Puerto Rican born retired military member, a background I share, and like me, he has put down roots in Maryland. That story is reflected clearly in the brand's own framing, "Puerto Rican born, Maryland made." The space feels grounded and unpretentious, and that sensibility carries through to the hospitality. We arrived late on a Saturday and were still welcomed warmly, never rushed. We were taken care of by the founder's daughter, who was exceptionally kind, attentive, and knowledgeable. She guided us through a flight that included the traditional pitorro, almond, pineapple, coffee, coconut chai, and several seasonal offerings. The flavors were thoughtful and well balanced; even the infused expressions retained a clear rum backbone rather than drifting into novelty. We enjoyed them enough to leave with several bottles. This is artisanal pitorro done right, rooted in Puerto Rican tradition and confidently made in Maryland. Buying it locally is convenient, but going to the distillery is where the people, the story, and the spirit fully come together.

The Clandestino Speak Easy at Zen West is open Fridays and Saturdays from 6pm to 12pm. It's also…read moreavailable for events and private parties.

10/10. Anejo Rose is a hidden gem; tucked away in a small residential/ shopping center…read more I tried Anejo on Cinco De Mayo which ironically fell on Taco Tuesday this year, and let me say it was definitely giving Cinco vibes lol. It's gorgeous inside and so colorful. I visited around 1pm and the vibes were nice and laid back. I throughly enjoyed the dishes I ordered, especially the guacamole. Now they definitely can give you more for the price but nonetheless, it was probably the best guac I have had thus far. Overall, the service was quick and smooth. I will definitely be back!

Cute spot to grab a margarita and some yummy Mexican food!!…read more The served chips and salsa to the table. I ordered a mezcal mule and a special: flautas It was so delicious!! A lovely crispy exterior and yummy sauce. Hope they keep this one on the menu rotation!

Had a great time eating with a big group! They try to be so organized with ordering that they kinda…read morehad to "strictly" follow rules by the book. LOL. Like if they are doing it clock-wise, you can't switch giving orders with the person after you. I thought that was funny because when the orders came, they still had to ask "who's who." Anyway, overall would reco for a mall area. Jambalaya was a hit - white, brown or pasta and the meat was generous. I'd say most servings are pretty generous. Fair kids meal pricing too, with usual crayons and activity paper menu. If the server take nice group picture I would have rated 6! J/k. Only reason it's 4 is because I don't feel the servers have the "right" energy for that day. I would have understand if it was one of them but both of them were almost nonchalant. LOL!

Yard House is an easy win for anyone who wants great drinks, great food, and zero hassle…read more Their cider selection is fantastic--crisp, refreshing, and way better than what most sports‑bar‑style places bother to offer. And the vegan options? Shockingly good. Thanks to the Gardein chick'n plant‑based options, there are actually numerous vegan dishes to choose from--you're not stuck with the sad "token vegan entrée" or piecing together a meal from sides. It's real variety with real flavor. And bonus: they don't cross‑contaminate. The vibe hits that perfect sweet spot between sports bar and local pub--lively, comfortable, and never chaotic. Staff stays on top of everything, too. Drinks refilled, plates cleared, questions answered... they're attentive without hovering. And the table‑side ordering system is killer. It makes the whole experience smoother, faster, and honestly kind of fun. No waiting around, no flagging anyone down--you're in control. Yard House nails the combo of great food, great service, and great atmosphere. It's the kind of place you walk out of thinking, "Yep, we're coming back."