50 Best Cocktail Bars near Essex

“Never had anything bad. Best pizza bar none. Well managed by Jason.“

“We had a wonderful first visit to Charley’s! Our party of seven arrived around 4:30 without a reservation, but what appeared to be the manager quickly had a table cleaned and ready for us within five minutes. He was attentive and present throughout the restaurant, which was great to see. Our server was excellent, the food came out surprisingly fast, and the whole family loved the cozy, fun atmosphere—especially the arcade room. The plants and café lights are a nice touch too. We’re already looking forward to coming back!“

“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!“

“After enjoying a 8/10 experience 4 days prior to yesterday, this experience somehow changed considerably! My first experience, the food was a 10/10 and service lacked some basic skills for it being a high level dining establishment. It was my wife's birthday and our server I assumed would heighten the experience! That did not occur but overall we were pleased! Last night, I tried to remake the previous 3 day old experience and was told how I ordered my food was incorrect. Told me I was basically lied to as they don't make steak the way I ordered which was medium-plus! My wife's steak came out incorrectly cooked as well. Several dishes stayed on our table for an extended period of time. Overall, I will try again but truly hope my review is considered. .“

“WE ARE REGULAR DINERS AT THE COPPER SHARK AND AS USUAL WE ALL ENJOYED AN EXCELLENT MEAL WITH THE TYPICALLY WELL PREPARED SIDES. OUR SERVER WAS JULIA AND WE WERE IMPRESSED WITH HER ATTENTIVENESS THROUGHOUT THE MEAL, CLEAR INFORMATION ABOUT EACH COURSE AND HER VERY FRIENDLY APPROACH TO ENSURING OUR DINING EXPERIENCE WAS EXCELLENT FROM START TO END.“

“Good peoples :) Great location.“

“The food is very good, but It is a little pricey. I am disappointed to find out yesterday that they no longer have the French dip grilled cheese sandwich on their menu. Why not??“

“Great atmosphere Tasty cocktails Nice people“

“This has by far been my best experience at any hotel bar. This staff is amazing but I’ll start with Adelleke. She was so welcoming and warm and was a subject matter expert in directing to me to a classy Baltimore experience. She made some amazing drinks and some great suggestions for food in the area. I will be staying at this hotel every time I’m in Baltimore. Thank you Adelleke!!!!“

“Food was bomb and the service was on point“

“This was by far the BEST seafood in the area. Food was delicious, service was superb, staff very friendly. Shuttle service right on point! Overall experience 10/10 in all areas. I definitely will be back and telling everyone looking for great seafood and experience! Thank you!“

“Absolute best meal I have ever had I any restaurant! Make sure you call ahead. It is so good it will be hard to get into!“

“We went to Indigma this evening for restaurant week. The food was fantastic and my nine-year-old loved everything! She gave it a 1523/10 rating! Though everything was excellent, the creme brulee was the best I've ever had. Thank you for a fantastic meal!“

“Had the chicken biryani. When I asked for extra spicy, they asked me if I was sure twice. That's when I knew I was at the right spot, and got excited. Bc I wasn't planning to eat here, just happened to walk by. And I walked away happy and satisfied with life.“

“Went here for my birthday and had a great time. The staff and workers made it so special and we're all so kind. Booking a reservation has also never been easier so this is a great spot if you're looking for some fire seafood and vibes.“

“Everything we ate and drank was incredible. Fun cocktails with two NA cocktail options. Incredible appetizers, the oysters were our fav as it was such a unique bite of flavors. The Chipi chipi was by far the highlight of the meal but the Oreado fish was perfectly prepared and a close second.
This was overall one of the best meals of my life. An incredible mix of techniques, textures and flavors.“

“Best vibe in the City every Saturday!“

“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!!!!!“

“Cloud Shrimp - Juicy shrimp fried in potato starch, served w Kimchi-kewpie Mayo“

“Absolutely delicious chicken. Top stuff!“

“This hidden gem is so a cozy, cool, sexy place with amazing staff & owner. We feel like family here . We luv to karaoke and enjoy the atmosphere . Check it out you may fall in with the place too“

“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 service was phenomenal. We were there for my sis in laws 50th Birthday (came in from Columbus,Oh and they treated her amazingly. Our server was great managing staff amazing.“

“Food was delicious! I would have taken a picture but I ate it too fast. The flavors were all so bold and fresh. Will definitely be back!“

“Fantastic evening at One- Eyed Mike's recently. Our server, Eugene, was top- notch, as was the food and beverage!“

“Definitely a great atmosphere nice to see something like this in my old neighborhood. Eric and Chad were phenomenal. Me and my girlfriend definitely enjoyed ourselves. I felt like I hit a time machine and went back to the 90s down fells point. It definitely gave me that type of vibe. 💯💯🫡“

“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!“

“Heritage Smokehouse has been my go-to spot for the past two years—I’m there at least once a month, and I can’t get enough of it. The food, the atmosphere, the people—everything about it keeps me coming back. My wife and I recently attended a special event, the Carl Ehrhard Wine Dinner, and it completely blew us away. From the incredible pairings to the warm hospitality, it was next-level. Heritage isn’t just a restaurant to me—it’s a place I’ll be loyal to for life.“

“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.“

“Enjoyed dinner at the bar earlier tonight at Chilango’s. Delicious Jalapeño Margarita. The shrimp on on bruschetta were also amazing. Just moved into the neighborhood and will be back to try some more menu items.“

“There are not enough stars in the sky to give this place. Talk about creating fantastic dishes they make such wonderful flavor combinations. They use fresh ingredients it’s very evident in the high quality of food that they provide. The atmosphere is absolutely amazing and the vibes are indescribable. My waiter was Jimmy today I ordered the Halibut after I asked what it was 😂😂😂. He told me it was delicious and one of his favorite fish. The man was spot on it was absolutely amazing how every was seasoned and grilled to beyond perfection. My girlfriend ordered the Chicken Chesapeake it was an absolute hit.I don’t know which one was better but I’d love to have a serving of either one again anytime. Oysters were perfect this place has quickly become a huge place of interest. We both look forward to returning and I will suggest this amazing food to anyone. What great food and a great time.“

“It made me feel like home! 😍“

“I had the watermelon salad and the cajun lobster bites. Absolutely delish! Full of flavor. The sangria was good too! 10/10!“

“I wasn't prepared for how outstanding the food was. Seriously. I ordered takeout and went with what the keywords were: Brussel sprouts and Cheesesteak. The portions were ample. The fries were hot and hearty, and the cheesesteak was delicious. Not messy but juicy- terrific toasted roll. BUT WAIT!!! The brussel sprouts were the best - THE. BEST.- I have ever tasted. They were roasted to perfection and they were solidly baked through! They retained every ounce of heat and were a solid treat as they were. OMG THE SAUCE! The spicy sauce on the sprouts were an explosion of taste. Phenomenal! First time there and I will be back.“

“This place is a must for all Poe lovers! Go for the love of Poe and stay for the atmosphere, wonderful staff, and delicious food. We will be back ASAP ❤️“

“Great bartender Zack with crazy skills on cocktails.“

“Hey food was great. Just didn't like when I was trying to surprise my mother for her bday the waitress just didn't do the happy bday to my mom . I didn't ask her again because I was like I no she didn't forget . They take tip out even before on check so she get that in advance“

“This place is so cozy and adorable. The food was truly so tasty. The tendies and fries were clearly much more elevated than your standard pub version. Great mocktails too! Friendly service and a really fun idea to be able to buy art to do at a bar. A Baltimore must go!“

“Amazing staff the food was to die for 10/10 recommend!!! The service was so good and on top of everything. I can’t wait to go back.“

“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.“

“Excellent food, excellent service 8-10“

“Locals Only serves some of the best pizza in and around Baltimore—truly top-tier. The pies are consistently excellent, especially when you dine in, and even for takeout they hold up well if you ask for a crispier crust. The Brussels sprout Caesar is another standout, even if it can run a little heavy on the dressing. And for happy hour, the prices are almost unbeatable for the quality you’re getting.

Our experience is really centered on the early evening, and that’s where things feel a bit different from the late-night buzz the place is known for. During happy hour it’s usually surprisingly quiet, which makes it easy to grab a table but also feels unexpected given how popular the restaurant becomes later. The “Locals Only” concept is clever, but despite visiting pretty regularly around that time, we don’t quite feel recognized as locals—something that could make the theme feel more meaningful. The music can also be louder than you’d expect for 5–6pm. Still, even with those quirks, we keep coming back for one very simple reason: the food is excellent.“

“Speakeasy vibe but kid friendly! Superb food!!!! Standouts were the white bean chili, the guacamole, and the deviled eggs. My two kiddos loved the exquisite wooden ping pong table with leather net, the shuffleboard, and pool tables and the atmosphere was relaxed enough for them to sample all the games while we were waiting for our delicious food. The server was excellent, attentive, kind, friendly. We will def be back!“

“premiere dining experience with delicious food, cocktails, and a very welcoming and knowledgeable staff!! Will definitely be back!“

“My friend and I visited this lounge for the first time last month. It is a BEAUTIFUL lounge. A great atmosphere and gorgeous ambiance. The bartender was very nice. However, our experience could have been better for a couple reasons: First, a lot of the items on the food menu were unavailable! Maybe the lounge was waiting for a food inventory delivery? Who knows? My friend tried to order three food items off the menu, and for each item the bartender said “I have to check with the kitchen to see if we have it!” They didn’t have the three items. My friend settled for the steamed shrimp. 🤷🏾‍♀️ My second and last issue/complaint: We both ordered a delicious pink martini-style drink (I forgot the exact name). The drink was good but it was mainly juice/sugar/grenadine— it hardly had any alcohol. It tasted like we were drinking a really good pink lemonade beverage lol. I will give this lounge another chance and most likely several more chances because it’s near my house. They should just stop skimping on the alcohol and have most menu items in stock!“

“Cam at the bar was awesome! Food, atmosphere, service 12/10. You can tell the management makes it a warm environment to work in. It shows that the staff enjoys working there. Hands down the best brunch service I’ve ever had, I’ve been in the industry for 18 years and was wowed, inclusive of the food. Thank you Cam!“

“I recommend Limoncello Baltimore for delicious food and nice atmosphere! Baltimore is known for its restaurants and Limoncello demonstrates great quality and excellent service.“

“Always good always hot always fresh i also love how neatly the crabs r placed in the bag an season is on time!!!!! Dave is always kind prices always great wish i could give 1000 stars keep up the great work Dave I appreciate u“

“I visited Judy's Island off the recommendation of @A.I Brown. The restaurant had a nice vibe, the staff was very pleasant and accommodating, and the food was good!! I had the jerk chicken and my husband had jerk lambchops. Both were good...and we would visit again!“

“great location and cool atmosphere..great food and a good local bar bartender Hallie is as nice as they come..I used to go to that spot before it's changed to Papis and I hope that they can make it work and appreciate the local support that really loves the vibe of old skool fells point local love of their faithful patrons who continue to support yall..“