The Tiki Barge might be Baltimore's best new summer spot, but it's certainly not the only one.
Baltimore gets hot and sweaty in the summer, and sometimes the only way to chill out is to sit outside with an ice-cold beverage and good company. In the past few years, more bars, clubs and lounges are offering outdoor seating, as well as decks and rum-filled drink lists. Though a waterside hangout like Bay Cafe has been around for more than two decades, the upstairs deck at Bourbon Street is only a couple of years old.
Here are a few options to help take the heat off summer.
Bourbon Street 316 Guilford Ave., 410-528-8377, bourbonstreetbaltimore.com. This sprawling megaclub, which replaced Hammerjack's, is topped off with a big wooden deck, complete with real palm trees. It's not down by the water, and the view isn't anything to write home about, but it's a fun place to hang out. Though Miller Lites might be the beverage of choice for many of the club's patrons, you can also get an ice-cold mixed drink. Or two.
Joe Squared 133 W. North Ave. 410-545-0444, joesquared.com. Not only does Joe Squared have a funky outdoor patio in front, it also has a new drink list chock-full of rum drinks. Joe Squared has always been home to one of the city's best rum lists, but about a month ago, the staff began infusing house rums with various spices. Crowd favorites so far, according to owner Joe Edwardsen, are the Ginger Basil Mojito and the Rum Fizzle. The bar also serves more traditional rum cocktails, such as the Caipirinha, a South American standard, and, of course, mai tais.
Bay Cafe 2809 Boston St., 410-522-3377, baycafeusa.com. A long-standing party zone, the Bay Cafe seems constantly packed on Friday and Saturday nights in the summertime. The sand is real, and so are the palm trees. The gin and tonics aren't bad either. You can settle down inside or take a walk along the makeshift beach.
Woody's Rum Bar and Island Grill 1700 Thames St., 410-563-6600, woodysrumbar.com. This past winter, the management at Fells Point's favorite deck bar decided to bring in new furniture and keep the third-story bar open during the cold weather. Now that it's warm outside again, they've changed Woody's back to its same old open-aired self. The bar is a little small, and the service can be so-so, but the view is one of the neighborhood's best.