Mount Vernon has highest concentration of gay bars of any neighborhood in Baltimore, but it's not the end-all, be-all.
There are several off-the-beaten-path gay bars scattered around the city. Typically, they're tucked into quiet neighborhoods because they're neighborhood bars themselves — spots where gay folks can relax. Here are three out-of-the-way gay bars, from Pigtown to Highlandtown.
The Downtown Lockerroom With black wood covering all the windows, The Downtown Lockerroom looks like another nondescript Pigtown corner bar from the outside. That must be the point — if you know about it, you know about it. Inside, the DL, as it's called, is small and dimly lit. The bar is up front, and a dancing/mingling space, where a popular drag show takes place every Monday, is near the rear. On a recent weeknight, all the beers on tap were kicked, and bottle of Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA was $4, a fair deal. The bartender popped some buttery popcorn and set it in bowls in front of us, which we ate while watching replays of a vampire TV show. I just wonder how the shoestore chain feels about the name. The Downtown Lockerroom is 839 W. Cross St.
Port in the Storm For years, Port in a Storm has been just that — a refuge near the outskirts of town where lesbians can comfortably mingle. The deceptively large corner bar is in the no-man's land (zing!) between Highlandtown and Greektown. Drinking there won't break the bank — a bottle of Bud Light costs a couple of bucks. You can shoot pool near the back or hang out at the large square bar. The walls are wrapped in wood paneling, and dance music plays overhead. Port in the Storm is at 4330 E. Lombard St. Go to myspace.com/atportinastorm
The Rowan Tree This South Baltimore spot is part gay bar, part plain old neighborhood bar. In short, that means everybody's welcome — whether at the granite-topped front bar or the poolroom in back. The space is long and narrow, and the service is friendly. Skip the bottled beer and go for a mug of draft suds such as Yuengling, which only costs $1.50. At that price, you won't go thirsty. The Rowan Tree is at 1633 S. Charles St. Go to therowantree.net.