2 Baltimore Bars Make 'The Best Bars In America 2019' List

BALTIMORE — As winter takes hold, there's nothing like the warm cordiality of a watering hole. The Daily Meal rounded up its favorite spots in "The 150 Best Bars in America for 2019."

Maryland had two bars on the list, and both were in Baltimore.

The list includes everything from "simple beach bars and swanky cocktail lounges" to "dusty dive bars and dens of iniquity," The Daily Meal said.

Here's a look at its Baltimore picks for "The 150 Best Bars in America for 2019."

The Elk Room, 10100 Fleet Street, Baltimore, MD
Ranking on the list: No. 51

"Since The Elk Room opened, it has brought a level of novelty back to the cocktail scene in Baltimore, demonstrating that mixology does not have to be stuffy, uptight, or pretentious," The Daily Meal writes. "A selection of 600-plus spirits inspires endless creativity for the cocktail menu, which changes twice a year (in April and October). The Maryland bar, making its debut on our list, is known for pushing the envelope of flavor, presentation, and technique."

The reviewers also noted the unique look of the Fleet Street bar, reminiscent of a speakeasy.

"Designed by Patrick Sutton, The Elk Room has a very dark atmosphere illuminated only by candlelight. A giant elk head sits above the bar overlooking the space. To enhance the speakeasy theme, The Elk Room doesn’t have any signage outside. You have to find the unmarked door down a long courtyard and ring the doorbell for access," The Daily Meal writes.

And of course, the menu got the attention of reviewers, who said: "The most popular cocktail is Fool's Gold, a combination of Eagle Rare 10-Year bourbon, Luxardo Sangue Morlacco, Letherbee Fernet, lemon, honey, and eucalyptus. Executive chef Julian Marucci has created shareable plates like pork belly steam buns, Burgundy snails, chicken liver bruschetta, dry-aged beef sliders, and crispy oysters."

Since opening in 2017, the bar has made an impression on more than The Daily Meal. The Elk Room also made Esquire's list of the Best Bars in America for 2018.

Bar Liquorice, 801 East Fort Avenue, Baltimore
Ranking on the list: No. 150

"Owner Jeff Cahill lovingly refers to Bar Liquorice — which he opened in Maryland with partners Tom Looney and Ed Scherer in 2014 — as the 'little corner bar that could,'" The Daily Meal says. "In fact, it has risen to become one of Baltimore’s top cocktail lounges...in a space equipped with chandelier lights and cozy lounge chairs. Bartenders customize cocktails for their customers, and the food is fresh and fun — from the Bang Mi (a cherry-bourbon-and-espresso-infused pulled barbecue pork sandwich with pâté, kimchi, smoked Gouda, and red chili aioli) to Jeff’s Attitude Adjustment, a Nutella bread pudding. Come in on a Monday night for Monday Movies and enjoy one of the creative cocktails or one of the wines selected daily for serving for $4 (a promotion that carries over to Tuesday nights, too)."

Members of The Daily Meal's editorial staff have been compiling the list since 2011, explaining the process: "The Daily Meal walks into a bar and — we peruse the menu, the clientele, and the drinks list; we scrutinize the drink, the place, the vibe; we take mental notes. Then we decide to grab a wad of cocktail napkins and start scribbling notes for a list like this. …"

Read more on The Daily Meal.

— By Patch editors Beth Dalbey and Elizabeth Janney

Photo via Shutterstock.