50 Best Cocktail Bars near Essex

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

“Had a great experince. Food was so good. The whole set up was so charming and put an instant smile on my face. Thank you“

“Steve, you are an absolute legend and godsend. This place is top priority on our visits. We were so lucky the first time in Fell's Point to have two women tell us "you NEED to go down there and have a drink." Best advice ever given. Steve even remembered me months after our first trip. Don't get upset with how long it takes for your drink to get made. Absolute perfection and well worth the time and money. Old fashioned and whiskey sours go down so smooth. Any time we travel there... "Let's go see Steve!" Keep him there. He makes that place.“

“Good peoples :) Great location.“

“Loved brunch here!! Great Bloody Mary, which is hard to find. Good Irish coffee. The cinnamon roll donut is worth every calorie, don’t even think about not getting it! The atmosphere and restaurant are gorgeous! Will definitely come back!“

“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!“

“We always have an amazing experience at Libs. My son has a very hard time with eating and they NEVER let him leave hungry. Even when I insist “it’s fine” they refuse to settle for anything less than perfect! I was initially nervous to bring him there because of what an upscale place it is, but they prove that upscale doesn’t have to lose that family aspect. Now, I don’t know if I’ve just been fortunate to be around really well behaved kids when I go there, or if their behavior is reflective of the amazing service provided, as staff always treats my kids with respect, speaking to them like they belong there. Tonight my son left with a full belly and a big smile because Mr. Derek “was so nice!” for making him feel seen as a valued customer and not a needy kid with a medical issue. And even when I go without kids, Libs delivers for the perfect date night vibe. I love a restaurant that can do both! The food is spectacular, the ambiance on point and the service especially top of the line. I will sing their praises to anyone that will listen!“

“Great atmosphere Tasty cocktails Nice people“

“Fantastic experience twice in 3 weeks.
Great customer service, atmosphere, and beverages.

September 15th, 2024
I visited this establishment w friends and family.
We were assisted by Abby who had an awesome, bubbly, and kind personality.
We ordered quite a few items.
As far as beverages, we ordered Tree of Life, Secret Handshake, and Bohemian Grove. There was a 4th beverage that Abby made for my gf that wasn't on the menu, yet was perfect for her. She loved it.
All 4 beverages were well crafted with care, and perfect.

October 4th, 2024 Celebratory Outing w Hubby
I visited this establishment w Hubby.
I really wanted him to try one of their crafted Cocktails.
It was soooo cold in this establishment that we requested 2 Hot Toddy's instead.
Selina was a great bar tender to us. She quickly assisted w our beverages, and made them perfectly. She checked back in on us to make sure we were satisfied, and maintained professional pleasantries.

At some point, the temperature was regulated. We were happy!! It allowed us to stay a little longer and maximize our experience.

I look forward to returning in the near future.“

“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!“

“Arguably one of the BEST restaurants in Baltimore! The food is absolutely delicious! And the prices are reasonable for the quality. I have eaten here several times and have yet to have a bad experience. Definitely a city staple that I hope stays for a loooong time!“

“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.“

“Food was bomb and the service was on point“

“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!“

“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.“

“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!“

“Best vibe in the City every Saturday!“

“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“

“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!“

“My large group had a great time! The manager on duty accommodated us well. The server was great at communicating, and she got everything right for everyone. The food came out exactly as everyone ordered. The music was definitely “cookout vibes”. Overall a great time!“

“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!!!!!“

“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“

“Had some amazing cocktails here. The bartender was very knowledgeable and made us some drinks based on our preferences. The music was played from records, and they sell records in the back. Very unique experience and will go again! Thanks!

Kid-friendliness: Not much for kids here.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

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

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

“Fun scrabble bar too! Fun“

“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“

“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.“

“Absolutely loved my experience at The Coral Wig Bar in Baltimore—a must-visit spot! The atmosphere was vibrant and welcoming, perfect for a fun night out. I had the pleasure of trying their Cane’s Old Fashioned, Estate Martini, and Pray for Rain cocktails, and each one was expertly crafted and full of unique flavors. The bartender is clearly passionate about the craft, paying attention to every detail to make each drink an experience on its own. Whether you’re a cocktail enthusiast or just looking for a fantastic place to unwind, The Coral Wig Bar is a gem you won’t want to miss. Highly recommended!“

“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.“

“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!“

“Excellent! Came here for our anniversary dinner and everything was top notch. The Fried Lobster appetizer is really special; you have to try it. The Burrata, a personal favorite of mine, also divine. ✨ My filet, cooked perfectly. 🤌🏻 Plus, the place is beautiful. Very botanical. 10/10“

“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!“

“It made me feel like home! 😍“

“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!“

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

“Excellent food, excellent service 8-10“

“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!“

“Delicious food, and great service. Perfect place for our birthday brunch Saturday. Will definitely make our way back.“

“We were looking for a place with a good vibe near Stevie Wonder’s concert at CFG Arena. The reviews led us to Clock Restoration. We were so happy with this place, which perfectly merges casual and classy! With the servers having to multitask, the service may be a little inconsistent. Nevertheless, the food came out quickly and was served promptly. It was excellent and the portions were ample. I was most impressed with the Philly Cheesesteak. As a native Philadelphian, I NEVER expect to get a “real” cheesesteak outside of the Delaware Valley. This, however, was the real deal, complete with a Liscio’s roll (I’m more of an Amoroso’s guy, but still…). We were sorry we had to leave the restaurant early, but needless to say, the concert was incredible! Clock Restoration will certainly be our go-to place whenever we’re back in Baltimore.

Parking: Because we were also attending the Stevie Wonder concert, we paid for parking at the Gallery Garage (P2331 beneath the Renaissance) in advance. Clock Restoration also offers a 2-hour and 12-hour discounted rate at this same garage, which is right across the street.“

“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.“