50 Best Bars near Catonsville

“Great local bar and pool hall with a jukebox in the back.
The spot has two pool tables, and the bartender poured some great drinks to get you a ripped for a fun evening.
Played a couple of games with some people and had a genuinely GREAT night.
It's definitely a valid low-key "chill spot" in Bmore.“

“Kimmie at the bar. Always professional, and kind to all no matter what !!!“

“Went for the first time today. My server, Nicole, was so nice and accommodating. The music was turned down as I was the only customer at the time (I like to read while eating). Started with cream of crab soup, gently seasoned with a good amount of crab meat (had just a few shells but that comes with real crab). Tried the Brussel sprouts, half with balsamic glaze and feta cheese, the other half with sweet Thai chili sauce (both good with the balsamic just a tad better). Chicken Cheesesteak sub had a generous amount of real cubed chick on a nice sub roll. Plenty of food was brought home for later. I'll be sure to go again!“

“Bartender Alex understands how to serve patrons! Delightful person who was offering deals on Jamo shots and Guinness pints.
Welcoming atmosphere dominated by men (after a new friend left, Alex and I were the only women in the place:-)
Well worth a frequent stop in!“

“My husband and I stopped by for a drink, and ordered the cream of crab soup, gf fried shrimp, and the honey maple brussel sprouts. Everything was delicious! Special thanks to the bartender, Lee, who was very attentive!“

“My husband and I have been here at least a dozen times, have taken other friends as well. We are always greeted and told about the 20% being included in each drink order and we’re fine with that because the mixologists are fabulous, the atmosphere is wonderful and we will continue to patronize this wonderful establishment and support the city of Baltimore and a small business in the process.“

“It had been many moons since I've visited this place until a few weeks ago.
I visited a few weeks ago, and again this past weekend.

Inexpensive street parking as well as convenient garage parking near.

Upon entry SUPER CROWDED. College students and young adults everywhere.

Despite the heavy crowds, there manages to always be a seat for my party, the employees are fantastic, and the food continues to be delicious.

On 3'13'2026, I visited w GodSis, and was assisted by Kyle.
Kyle had a big personality and was very pleasant.

Collectively, we ordered the following.
HH-House Wine (White) - Amazing as usual.
HH-House Wine (Red/ White) - Refreshing
Broccoli - Came out cold, sent back for hot broccoli.
HH-Steamed Shrimp - Plentiful and yum.
HH-Grilled Lamb Chops - Tender, well plated, savory.
HH-Thai Chili Wings - Amazing flavor, great texture and temp.
Fries - Ok. Room temp.
HH- Spinach and Artichoke Dip - Very good. Plentiful.

Yup, I'll surely return to hang out w the future if tomorrow.“

“Drinks were good, the ambience was very romantic

I wish the music was slightly quieter, the bar was empty when we entered but it was still hard to hear each other well

We came around 7:30pm on a Thursday and only a few people were there but by 9:30 it was bumpin, no more seats available“

“The atmosphere is friendly and lively. the cocktails were interesting, and may have even converted my gin-hating husband. The bartenders, Ted especially, really rounded out the experience. one of the best places in the city!!!!!“

“The Backyard is the best neighborhood bar in Baltimore. Expertly curated wine and spirit list, knowledgeable and friendly staff with amazing food and cocktails that are all very reasonably priced. It is am absolute hidden gem!“

“Doug is the best. This is our favorite neighborhood spot. Cocktails are on point, wine selection is simple but good and reasonably priced, and the smash burgers are f-ing fire 🔥 and we love Doug’s company, and Kirsten’s, and all of his staff. We love Southpaw!“

“I heard the stories about this place and it had been closed for a couple of years as the hotel it's in underwent renovation and ownership changes but it's back open and I couldn't be happier.

Steve the bartender is currently a one man show and we were there on the weekend it reopened and he was so happy to be back in his happy place. The man is a cocktail maven who loves his craft and what he does and his customers as well.

There is currently no menu here you ask for what you want or can tell Steve what you are in the mood for and he will make something amazing!

I got a smoked old fashioned that he smokes with his own blend of wood and spices and it was easily in the Top 5 of best old fashioneds I've ever had.

If you are in Fells Point looking for a cocktail and Anchor Tavern is open make sure you visit!“

“The cheeseburger was fantastic! The bartender was superb for drinks and conversation. Dive bar excellence.“

“So I went to blooms on a slow Saturday night. Inside is super nice, & I do love the vintage 70s aesthetic of it all. Idk if they take reservations, but I just walked in &. A hostess sat me down. The velvet couches are a nice touch, though they aren't the most comfortable IMO. It's small, can probably hold about 50 ppl total. But for it to be a slow night, the service was even slower, surprisingly. Getting my waiter's attention felt like the hunger games :( she served me and would disappear for 30 minutes. It took nearly another 30 minutes just to get the check after I asked. I'd go back, but I wouldn't get a table. I'd just stand at the bar, where the service seems quicker. My drinks were very good! On the pricey side but that's to be expected with cocktail bars these days.“

“Fantastic, legit cheesesteaks on Amoroso rolls“

“Hosted us for a super 30th birthday, all staff were super nice and our guests loved the nacho bar ~ taco bar~ churros“

“This is a typical bar with with bar food. No Different than TGI Friday, except a little better. The service is "OK" the servers are untrained as to waiting on tables. The first thing that should be brought to tables is eating utensils and napkins, the water. The tables dont have slat & pepper available for their patrons, you need to ask for it. The menus are not placed in front of customers upside down. (And I even brought it to her attention and she still didn’t correct it) ?? All in all the server was trying very hard to be attentive. The food was not terrible, it's typical bar food, and dont expect anything more. The Boom Boom shrimp are pre breaded frozen shrimp with the tails on and then fried and covered in some type of sauce. My daughter liked the boneless chicken wings with hot sauce. The onion rings I thought were good. I ordered the toasted Italian sub and wasn't offered the option to get tater tots -vs- fries. I didn’t realize this till later and the fries were soggy. I think this is an "OK" spot for someone looking for a bar atmosphere and same for the food & service.“

“Great neighborhood hang out. Patrons are totally chill and everyone is there for a good time. Bar tenders are awesome. Reasonably priced with lots of events. 10/10“

“One of our Favs! Wine tastings with Wayne❤️Meg rocks. Tristan is the best.“

“Our new favorite spot in Fells Point.“

“Worked there years ago for John. He has passed but the memories are still there. Oh the things I did on that pool table. LOL Great memories.“

“Great bartender Zack with crazy skills on cocktails.“

“great venue, very friendly and professional staff. first venue I've ever been to that let me take my merch haul out to my car so I didn't have to worry about lugging it around or standing in line waiting after the show ended. Also quick to respond to questions. Thank you for a great show experience!“

“We were a little surprised to start the evening by ringing a doorbell to get in, but the warm welcome that followed put us at ease right away. The atmosphere is fantastically unique, quirky, and full of character. The bartenders were genuinely friendly and the service was quick.

We ordered the Mac ’n’ Cheese with Jerk Chicken, Yuca Bites, Chorizo con Arroz y Gandules and the Cinnamon Mini Donuts. Everything was perfectly seasoned (especially great if you enjoy a bit of heat like we do). The only downside was that the portions felt a bit on the smaller side.

It also looks like they host a lot of interesting events like book readings, sip-and-paints, comedy shows and more. We didn’t get a chance to attend one this time, but it definitely added to the charm and made us want to come back.“

“Excellent service and great cocktails!“

“It made me feel like home! 😍“

“I wanted to reach out and share how much I absolutely loved the show, the ambience, and the vibe at Illusions.
Spencer was nothing short of incredible. You could tell he truly loves what he does, and that energy was contagious. Baltimore is really lucky to have Illusions; there are so few authentic and magical experiences left out there, and this small business is a jewel for the city.
I highly recommend this show to anyone. It was an unforgettable night full of laughs and nonstop entertainment.“

“What a great local spot! Harry is the best!! Vegas loves u!“

“Excellence Love Love Tim dale Phil“

“Section 771 helped to raise nearly $5000 for the Wishlist Foundation! Thank you for hosting the Pearl Jam PreParty! Your staff was friendly, fast, and kind. Best bar bathrooms in Baltimore! Super clean facility. Check them out before Orioles and Ravens games. Thank you for supporting the community!“

“This is a great local bar with a lot of character. You won't find friendlier people anywhere. Classic old school decor inside and on the night we were there, DJs spinning the disks at your request. Wander upstairs and check out the record store while you're there. This is a must hang in Baltimore.“

“Amazing bar ! Great drinks 🍹 great customer service! Great atmosphere“

“Cozy spot with a laid back vibe, good cocktails, nice beer selection, and amazing music.“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Perfect Spot to Celebrate Our Championship! After winning our volleyball championship, our team headed here—and it was the best choice. DJ hyped us up, the vibes were electric, and the wings were absolutely top-tier. Tons of great sauces, fast service, and a fun, sports-friendly atmosphere. The perfect place to enjoy a big win. We’ll definitely be back! 🏐🔥 -Serves You Right volleyball team“

“Great place for all genres of music worshippers to come together and JAM !“

“I recently had a surprise engagement party here, and it couldn’t have gone better. The staff was incredibly helpful and accommodating, the space was both spacious and reasonably priced, and all of our guests had an amazing time. Max’s is truly a cornerstone of the Fells Point waterfront.“

“Hospitality is alive and well at Meander Art Bar. The cocktails are impeccable, and the food is delicious. But the shining star is the bartender, Maggie, who not only remembered us after several days between visits but also remember our cocktail orders from the previous visit. The art bar concept is also super creative and fun. If I could put this bar in my pocket and take it back to where I live, I'd do it in a second. It's unpretentious and the perfect neighborhood haunt. Oh, and try the umami cocktail ftw.“

“Terrific new local small business in OEC making great Vodka and Gin!! This is run by a great friend of mine and will be a terrific addition to OEC.“

“I really enjoyed myself I can’t wait to come back“

“Great place to hang with your dog!“

“Octobar is one of my favorite spots in Federal Hill! Not only for its incredible food and drink selection, but for its truly outstanding service. I had to plan a last-minute going-away party, and Octavio made the entire process completely seamless. He handled every detail, from arranging the bartender to creating a custom drink menu featuring our favorite cocktails, and even made it easy for everyone to pay their tabs individually. The experience was truly one of a kind. I highly recommend booking Octobar whether you’re planning a night out for dinner and drinks or hosting a special gathering.“

“This place is very low key and inviting. The drinks were amazing, the cool part about this place is that they have the NA version of the drinks as well. ABC cocktail is very very good. This is the first place I liked the hot cocktail. The staff is very friendly. I highly recommend this place.“

“That espresso martini did EXACTLY what it was supposed to do.
Smooth, bold, a little flirty, and had me wide awake and happy after the first sip. Perfect foam, perfect balance, not too sweet, not too strong… just right. If espresso martinis are your love language, this one understands you. I’ll be thinking about this drink until I’m back for another. 💃🏽✨“

“Fun atmosphere, everyone had a great time!“

“Idle Hour is a Baltimore gem 💎
And when DJ Mudbone is on the 1s and 2s, it’s next-level. His deep crate picks and seamless genre-blending set the perfect vibe for a smooth, silky, and fun night. 🎶
🍹The Jungle Bird cocktail? Crafted to perfection, as always. Whether you’re here for the vinyl, the cocktails, or both Idle Hour never misses. Highly recommend!“

“So look.. I am always good for a hood spot and initially tht was my impression but then I stepped inside.. Babbbbbbby the bartender.. the owner took great care of us.. It was karaoke & ppl were singing and having a great time.. I am def going bk.. family oriented..good food..just a great time!“

“Great Value!!!!! Great neighborhood bar“

“We celebrated my daughter's bachelorette party weekend at the Power plant. I'm not that much into Country music, but the PBR was definitely the best part of the trip!“

“Cool, cozy music venue upstairs. Good people, great vibes. The room sounds great. Looking forward to performing there next week.“

“Great service by Nolan and great food“