Ravens bar of the Week: Padonia Station

With the Ravens out of town this weekend, many fans will be firmly planted on comfy couches, watching the action on their giant flat screen TVs.

But tried-and-true sports bars have something you just can't get in your living room: camaraderie. There's nothing like sharing a bar with a couple hundred Ravens fans, cursing the referees and howling after the big plays. And when it comes to Ravens bars, Padonia Station is one of the best, hands down. It's been a Mecca for Ravens fans in and around Timonium for almost 30 years — and for good reason.

Drinks: If you leave Padonia Station thirsty, it's your own fault. There's a total of four bars inside, with about 40 beers on tap, and even in the middle of a game, service isn't bad. Sunday specials are: $2.50 pints of Budweiser and Bud Light, $2.50 Natty Boh drafts, $5 orange crushes, $4.50 crown royal cocktails, $5.50 Washington Apple shots. The "beer of the day" this Sunday is Heinekin, which sells for $3.50.

Food: Scan the menu and you'll find plenty of hearty bar food — which is really all you need for football games. There are burgers, sliders, cheesesteaks and the like. On Mondays, Padonia Station has a $9.59 all-you-can-eat wings special, which is something to keep in mind for Monday Night Football.

Décor: Like many suburban bars, Padonia Station has a large, rectangular bar, and plenty of neon beer signs and Ravens-related knick-knacks.

Distance from the stadium: About 30 minutes, depending on traffic. For home games, you could theoretically pre-game at Padonia and then head downtown for the game.

Parking: Parking: Like many suburban bars, Padonia Station is located in a strip mall. That means it's not much to look at (then again, how much time do you spend looking at a bar from the outside) — but there's plenty of parking. Still, it might be good to get there early, to make sure you're as close as possible. Walking is overrated.

If you go

Padonia Station is at 63 E Padonia Road in Timonium. Bar hours are 11 a.m.-2 a.m. daily. The grille closes at 1 a.m. Call 410-252-8181 or go to padoniastation.com.