50 Best Cocktail Bars near Essex

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

“Our family and I took my husband here for his birthday. The food was great and our server, Beth made it such a great first time experience. We can’t wait to come back ☺️“

“This is one of my new favorite bars in Baltimore. The bartender, Steve, was so friendly and had the best energy about him. Excellent cocktails— especially the espresso martini and the ‘purple rain’. Some great ambiance, too. Highly recommend!“

“Good peoples :) Great location.“

“Great food menu with nice variety of seasonal offerings. Outstandoing drink menu. Service by Christian was top notch the entire evening. Three of us got the 8oz filet mignon but asked for three different degrees of doneness. All three were done to exact requested level. Fourth person got the crabcake which been rated disappointing in other reviews. Glad they did because they were very pleased as well.“

“Had brunch with our family yesterday. I have dietary restrictions -no dairy, no gluten- while the menu has lots of options for restrictions they are also very flexible and creative in ways to mix and match offerings for multiple restrictions. I ordered the avacado toast on the cauliflower pizza crust and it was outstanding!! Our server, Brenna, was really patient and professional. She personally saw the chef and explained the special order. And she did it with a smile and an awesome attitude! Definitely worth a return trip!!“

“This is good bar in the ulysses Hotel. Every time I’ve come, it’s been near empty which is a bummer because the drinks are drunk and the food is good.

Being that it is not very packed, that affects the atmosphere which means you have the bring the energy you want to have in this bar. The music is low, the lighting is very comfortable but I can’t say it’s a very “fun” bar. It’s a good bar in a very nice hotel. The bartender is great!“

“Great atmosphere Tasty cocktails Nice people“

“Order of the Ace exceeded every expectation. From the moment we walked in, the ambiance was unmatched—live music from a saxophonist, pianist, and strings instrumentalist created a luxurious, romantic vibe. The cocktails were perfectly crafted, the crab cakes were fresh and flavorful, the steak was cooked to perfection, and the butter cake dessert was rich and unforgettable. Every dish hit the mark. Service was top-tier—attentive, warm, and professional. This spot is a full-sensory experience and a must-visit. We'll definitely be back!“

“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!“

“Cute little spot (little being the key word). Drinks were great, I got a cocktail and my friend got the cappuccino. The coffee was one of the best she has had and my cocktail was nice. The food was delicious, they specialize in biscuits and you definitely have to try them. The table next to us got the monkey bread and it looked to die for, will definitely be ordering that next time. Service was a little slow but I think that had to do with the layout of the space and how new the place is. They are still trying to figure out their groove.

Parking: You need to be able to parallel park to drive here.“

“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!“

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

“Superb, distinctive cocktails and dishes - everything feels original and interesting and delicious. My new favorite place in Baltimore, and we have been to all the best. I'm veg and there is always something amazing; same for my omnivore husband.“

“So,

I ordered the Lamb Curry. I definitely picked the hottest flavor and I'm definitely impressed. This flavor touched my ancestors. The lamb itself was juicy and tender. And the Garlic naan was perfectly seasoned.

I only gave a 4 star because I think a 20 dollar meal should come with at least 1 slice of naan as a meal. We should not be paying a separate price for something that should go with the meal. Especially when the meal is over 20 dollars. Blasphemy.

But perfect food. And because I Did call ahead to find out about the naan, I was able to speak to someone and they were very pleasant and helpful.“

“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!“

“Food was bomb and the service was on point“

“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!“

“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“

“Best vibe in the City every Saturday!“

“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.“

“Absolutely delicious seafood. The restaurant is decorated in a fun, original way, and the service is very good. We all got different build-a-catch options and were not disappointed. The food is boiled in a bag with the sauce of your choice and it is truly great. The portions are big and worth the price. Would definitely come back!“

“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“

“Dude, this place smacks. Super welcoming vibe, great prices, great drinks, and even greater service. The owner and the bartender were a pleasure to hang out with and they make sure to immediately give water to every patron and top you off constantly, which shows they care. Absolutely love their dressed beers selection - I usually order a dressed beer of some sort and never see it listed on paper. I cannot stress how good a Spaghett is - it's my go-to, please try it. As DnD nerds we had to do the Critical Roll. We meant to just stop by for a nightcap after dinner but ended up staying and watching movies and bantering with the gracious hosts for many rounds. I wish I wasn't a tourist because I'd make this my regular haunt if I lived here.“

“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!!!!!“

“Great bartender Zack with crazy skills on cocktails.“

“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.“

“Brunch Was Awesome Today. The Deviled Eggs Were Awesome. Thank You to My Cousin for Recommending Me to This Awesome Place in Fells Point“

“Just simply fantastic! Cool vibe & excellent bartender Erin. She gave us an amazing history of the bar and the Grand Mariner club. This is a “must see” destination when visiting Baltimore.“

“Best sausages. Friendly atmosphere.“

“Been here like 5 times since they’ve opened. Carbonara, and duck confit pizza are go to’s. Never had a bad experience. Brett, dom, and Jontell, along with their great staff and brand can certainly run a tight ship. 30/10, will recommend every time.“

“As poetic as the poem, Annabel Lee, this tavern is the place to be. Whether sunshine or in shadow, the atmosphere here suits. The staff are the best, the food is creatively good! The ambiance and decor is perfectly Poe-esque. It was many and many a year ago that I came here to eat, and decades later finding time to visit again and again is always and shall be a terrific treat.“

“Stopped by the coral wig love this place Josie is an amazing bartender drinks were delicious never had to wait for a drink she's definitely on her game great attitude you can definitely see that besides being an amazing bartender she is an amazing person highly recommend the coral wig“

“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!“

“I can’t say enough good things about Maggie’s Farm! Not my first, and definitely not my last time there. Great eclectic atmosphere, great food, and amazing service! Highly recommended!“

“Locals Only is a Baltimore gem. This place has been my #1 go to for a good night out, getting casual drinks, or grabbing some lunch with friends. They have amazing food! My fav is their brick oven pizza and the famous ever- changing “pasta Wednesdays” specials. They have an awesome happy hour menu that actually has affordable items. They also host a lot of different events during the week. It’s a great way to get out of the house and meet people, especially if you are new to the city! The staff, food, and atmosphere is definitely a 10/10!“

“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“

“Attended a party last Saturday her and everything was great! The food, service and atmosphere was amazing! A great time was had by all. A very special thank you to Danyelle, her amazingly efficient service and fun personality made the party from good to great!“

“It made me feel like home! 😍“

“Excellent food, excellent service 8-10“

“My favorite bar in Baltimore - great food, drinks, and dancing. I always meet really interesting people and love the vibe.“

“Nice service, and my table was ready in accordance with my reservation time (not always the case with certain places).

The ambiance steals the show. Great vibes for a business or casual conversation, that’s not centered exclusively around dining.

For a bottle of sparkling water, a cocktail, and a mocktail, I paid $40 before tip.

The cocktail I got tasted like medicine a little bit. The one with vodka that’s $14. I had to add my sparkling water to make it palatable. The mocktail was cool, not sweet and not super memorable.

The cocktail my friends got, though, was SO good. It was green in color and had froth. Get that for sure. Moderate street parking.“

“We stopped by this place today for a late breakfast. It was my first time coming to this restaurant and I have to say I was impressed. Every employee we talked to was kind and welcoming which is always nice. The restaurant itself is also beautifully decorated. I didn't grab any pictures of the interior because it was a bit crowded but it somehow has a hybrid energy between a fancy restaurant and a casual breakfast spot, its a good combo.

Now about the food, I have a ton of dietary restrictions/allergies and had to ask a bunch of questions to make sure my food would be safe. The staff, particularly our waitress Airiti was amazing with this and made sure my food was safe for me.

I ended up getting a Gf pancake, eggs, and gf toast. I was surprised to find that the toast wasn't dry (if you're gf yk) and the pancake was actually pretty flavorful and sweet, the butter unfortunately had soy in it so instead I got powder sugar on mine but it was delicious. They even had the option to get 100% Maple Syrup which was great since pancake syrup can have soy in it sometimes.

My partner got the "bit of everything" plate and they enjoyed all of their food as well. We didn't get the names of the other employees who helped us but everyone was so nice and we are definitely coming back.

Dietary restrictions: This restaurant does have GF options and will accommodate for allergies. I'm unsure if this restaurant is celiac safe but if you aren't celiac and just react to gluten this place will be fine.

I have a soy allergy they were able to accommodate and they did so without any issues.

Kid-friendliness: I'm not totally sure on this but I did see multiple families with older children, like 5-10yrs and they seemed to be fine.

Wheelchair accessibility: There aren't any stairs to get into the restaurant other than that I'm unsure but I will check next time I'm there.“

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

“We came here before a concert and everything was a 12/10 experience. I’m a bartender and I think I make a great margarita, the one I had here was amazing. My fiancé is very picky about his beers and loved what he got. We had cheesesteak egg rolls and burgers and were very impressed with everything.
Our server Christopher made our experience top tier. Cannot recommend this place enough!“

“I had an amazing time celebrating my birthday at LOS TOROS BAR I really appreciate every single detail that the people that work at this place did. All the food was delicious and the service was amazing I definitely recommend this place to anyone that wants to have fun or celebrate any kind of party. thanks a lot for everything you definitely filled my expectations. Love Los Toros Bar😎😎😎🤗“

“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!“

“All around homey and great vibes abound at OLAR. Delicious homemade food, exceptional cocktails crafted and elevated. Comfy atmosphere /// highly recommend.also much space on the third and fourth floors for the perfect party.“