11 Best Cocktail Bars near Ijamsville

“Dined in for the first time last week - we both thoroughly enjoyed our meals, beers, and decor! Will definitely visit again!“

“We had our wedding at Tenth Ward Distillery in Frederick and couldn’t be happier with the experience. The team was so accommodating and wonderful to work with from start to finish. The space was perfect for our vibe, and the drinks—especially our signature cocktails—were absolutely amazing. Highly recommend them for any event!“

“Long post ahead, warning! I walked in around 9 pm and the hostess didn't bat an eye at my dining alone, and didn't say anything about it, which I appreciate. I was seated right away with no problems and immediately got a chance to look over the menu. I will admit, it took a little bit longer than expected for my waiter to come over, but as a lone diner I sort of expected that. I looked like I was waiting for someone, I'm sure. The look and feel of the place was very upscale, but they didn't have any problems with me walking in wearing a nerdy t-shirt. I was seated in this cute little booth for 2 with curtains on the side so, if I wanted a more private dinner, I could have it. It was a cute touch! The restaurant also offered patio dining and since it's by the creek, that would have been a downright charming experience were it not the usual Maryland summer. Despite having a bar, the restaurant was respectably quiet and low-key, making it an easy dining experience. I wasn't in the mood for something wild, and this place really hit the nail on the head. My first waiter Kevin, however, was the picture of polite helpfulness. He answered all of my questions, made some wonderful suggestions, and was incredibly pleasant to talk to. I was delighted to find out that this place takes part in DC restaurant week, so I was able to take part in that promotion. Under a suggestion from Kevin, I ordered a glass of their moscato (I wanted something light and sweet), and the wine was so good I brought home a whole bottle. Not really on them, but it does reflect their excellent selection. Dinner itself was delicious. The red pepper soup was refreshing and flavorful, without being too filling. The steak I ordered was cooked to perfection and was flavored in the perfect way to make the actual flavor of the meat shine. The potatoes were both light and fluffy, but also had the little chunks of potato that I prefer in my mashed. The best part was desert. About halfway through my appetizer, Kevin introduced my other waiter, Maddy, who took over after he went home. She was as much of a delight as he was, and made possibly the best recommendation of the night. Desert was this blackberry tart that I did not have room for but could not put down. Gooey and crumbly all at once, with a warm center that was almost caramel-y even though it was fruit based. Topped with a light cream to balance it all out, it was absolutely delicious. I will be thinking of that tart all day tomorrow. The prices on the menu were a little high, but I wouldn't go so far to say they were unreasonable. If I had wanted a cheaper option, I could have gone to any chain restaurant ever. In the grand scheme of downtown Frederick, with it's many small businesses and one of a kind dining experiences, I think this was reasonable. For reference, a lot of meals were between $20 and $30, but a good steak is almost always $30+. Despite the price, I had an exceptional dining experience, and would 100% recommend this place to anyone looking for upscale dining, without the upscale requirements.“

“My husband and I were disappointed by some of the food in Frederick until we ate at Hootch & Banter. To start the service and atmosphere were sophisticated and top notch. The cocktails are well thought out and very tasty. The food - PERFECT! We had the gnocchi the first night and we loved it so much we canceled our reservations elsewhere the next night so we can go back. I highly suggest the pasta dishes. All of the appetizers were amazing. I am missing it and hope to be back.“

“What a wonderful place- totally unplanned and they accommodated three adults, two under 10, and a 100lb Newfoundland dog. Dog got treats and water- kids were offered paper, colored pencils, and crayons. Food was an amazing, staff- incredible. What an unexpected great experience.“

“P.I.G.S. exceeded our expectations for our wedding catering! The food was exceptional—I'm still raving about the brisket. The team went above and beyond, helping with setup and cleanup, which took so“

“I catered a large lunch for 40 people at my office. The food was so delicious, my team devoured it all before the last few were able to arrive. I called chef Stacy and the kitchen fired off more food for me on the spot and Chef Stacey delivered it to my office herself within 30 minute. The burgers were perfectly seasoned and cooked, the hot dogs nice and plump, the hand made chicken nuggies were the best ever, the salad was fresh and the price was very fair. I 100% recommend Maxwell’s for your catering needs.“

“Accepting of those with disabilities. Thank you.“

“If you haven’t checked out Agave’s Taco 🌮 Tuesday yet - you’re missing out! The menu is creative, the ingredients are fresh and the tequila is incredible! I definitely found my new favorite spot for margaritas.“

“Great find! Outdoor accommodation for our dog. Friendly staff! Thanks Val! Delicious steak n cheese and hot chicken sandwich! Beer is cold and hit the spot from hours of hiking. We will be back with friends soon!“

“Drunken Mushroom Toast app, absolutely fantastic. Steak with caramelized onions and blue cheese wasn't bad, but the steak was oddly bland and packed any kind of sear. Service was very good the night went, but it never got too busy for dinner on a Friday night. I really liked the literal cellar walls that were very rustic“