21 Best Nightlife in Baltimore, Maryland

At the top of The Belvedere, the 13th Floor offers a great view, a long martini list, and live jazz. For a while it had been trapped in the disco era, but recent renovations have restored the space to Gatsbyesque glory, with exposed wrought-iron beams, stained glass windows, and sexy decor.

The patio at the waterside Bond Street Social is a great spot for an early-evening pint or weekend brunch: The Bloody Mary bar is especially popular. It can get quite sceney here on the weekends—even U.S. Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps is rumored to hang out here.

For some of the city's best and most authentic live blues, rock, bluegrass, soul and rockabilly, head to the Cat's Eye Pub, which hosts live music every night.

With its stylized art deco surroundings, the funky Club Charles is a favorite hangout for an artsy crowd, moviegoers coming from the Charles Theater across the street, and, reputation has it, John Waters. Above the bar is a large mural of the zodiac, painted in 1941, which was reclaimed from a theater in New York. For a bar, the food is surprisingly good.

Baltimore's longest-reigning gay bar, Club Hippo's motto is "everyone is welcome." It's true—the vibe is quite unpretentious—and that's why it's been so successful. Featuring a kaleidoscope of events, from popular karaoke nights, drag shows, and 80's dance parties to Bingo nights with proceeds benefiting local animal shelters.

The well-heeled gather at the Harbor Court Hotel in the Explorer's Lounge, where there are antique elephant-tusk lamps and faux leopard-skin chairs. Enjoy a cigar and pick a single-malt Scotch from one of the largest selections in town. A pianist performs every night, and on Friday and Saturday nights there's a jazz trio.

Ominously known as one of the last places Edgar Allan Poe was seen alive (he was not sober), it's been said that Poe's spirit can still be felt in this age-old neighborhood tavern. Time stands still inside the dimly lit bar. Saddle up on one of the barstools and order a whiskey: they serve more than 8 different kinds of Jack Daniels infusions. Or, sip on a whiskey cocktail—the "Jack Crush" is mixed with triple sec, orange juice and Sprite. Beer, tequila and margaritas round out the drinks menu. At night, the bar turns downright raucous with live music and dancing.

Operated by Caesar’s Entertainment, Maryland’s newest casino opened with great fanfare in August 2014. It features 122,000 square feet of gaming space, including 2,500 slot machines, more than 100 table games such as Craps, Roulette, Baccharat, Pai Gow, and Texas Hold 'Em, and a World Series of Poker room. Celebrity restaurants include Johnny Sanchez (a taqueria operated by Food Network Chefs John Besh and Aaron Sanchez), Guy Fieri’s Baltimore Kitchen and Bar, and Jack Binion’s Steakhouse. The casino is open 24 hours.

Ever tried Chartreuse? Its signature acid-green color comes from its more than 130 plants and herbs that macerate in alcohol for eight hours. After the distillation process, it's placed in oak casks. Made only by French Carthusian monks since the 18th Century, this strong vegetal brew can transport you to another time after just one sip. Idle Hour is one of the few bars in America that serve the liquor: its arty, funky, and slightly musty ambiance is the perfect backdrop to such a unique flavor. A popular spot for hipsters and yuppies who gravitate toward the unusual, thi bar hosts some of the city's best indie DJs.

Just 12 miles south of downtown on Interstate 95, Maryland Live! is a $500 million gaming and entertainment complex. It's open 24/7 and has more than 4,000 Vegas-style slot machines, 52 poker tables, and games such as Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Baccarat, and Texas Hold 'Em, to name a few. Even your drink comes with bells and whistles: The interactive casino bar is flanked by more than 100 LED screens, allowing you to place bets along with your drink order. There are six on-site restaurants, including Phillips Seafood, The Cheesecake Factory, and The Prime Rib, ensuring that every craving will be satisfied—be it for steak, Maryland crabs, burgers, or Ramen noodles. There is also an enormous all-you-can-eat buffet. Ram’s Head Center Stage features nationally known musical acts. Next door to the casino you’ll find the Arundel Mills Outlet Mall.

The enormous bar at Max's Taphouse is heaven for beer lovers—it boasts an artillery range of taps, with more than 140 draft brews and about 1,200 more in bottles. Think of it as an educational experience, as you'll want to sample a frosty pint you've never heard of before. Max's is located in the center of Fells Point, where tourists mix with locals, who often stop in to catch an Orioles or Ravens game. A tasty menu of bar favorites, such as tater tots served in a bowl with pulled pork, cheese, and sour cream, adds depth to the experience.

Ottobar is the city's venue for live alternative music—and bands such as Death Cab for Cutie, Queens of the Stone Age, and the White Stripes performed at their original, downtown location. Ottobar moved to the Remington neighborhood in 2001 and has been continuing their tradition of excellent sounds from up and coming musicians ever since. There are two levels: the first has a stage and dance floor, and there are pool tables upstairs.

Pickles Pub overflows with Orioles and Ravens fans whenever there's a home game. It's the quintessential Baltimore sports bar for over 25 years, so don't come in expecting white tablecloths and linen napkins. The scene is loud and often raucous: fans banter about sports trivia, dispute scores, commiserate over scandals, and celebrate hard-fought victories with a clink of their pint glasses. All's fair in love and sports.

For better or worse, Federal Hill is known for its frat-house vibe. But with its exposed brick interior, old wood floors and vintage photos of Baltimore lining its walls, this pub is a good alternative for adults. (A lack of TVs places the emphasis on conversation.) The pizza is solid, and there's a daily rotation of about 10 beers that are made from in-house recipes, always served two at a time in 10-ounce glass mugs. As for your furry friends? They're welcome on the patio.

Rams Head Live showcases national and international musicians, as well as local talent. It's part of the Power Plant Live! complex, just steps from the Inner Harbor.

Check the events lineup before heading to Red Maple: One night could feature belly dancers, another a DJ or International beats, and yet another could be salsa dancing. After you've worked up an appetite, head over to the lounge, where you can treat yourself to a few small plates and hand crafted cocktails. Minimalist decor provides the perfect backdrop for its eclectic offerings.

The handcrafted cocktail tradition is alive and well at Rye. Its menu features over a dozen small-batch American rye whiskeys, as well as scotch, bourbon, and top-notch libations made with house syrups. Low-wattage lighting, mismatched furniture, and a small library of mixology books contribute to the comfortable atmosphere.

The 8x10 Club is one of the city's premier spots for live music, from rock and reggae, to jazz, blues, and soul. The spring-loaded dance floor bounces under large crowds, and there is barely a bad place to stand inside.

Housed in a turn-of-the-century brownstone that belonged to an investment banker, the Brewer's Art has a well-deserved reputation for great beer. At any given time, the on-site brew house produces a half dozen Belgian-style beers—one fine example of which is their Resurrection, an abbey brown ale. Upstairs is an elegant bar and lounge with ornate woodwork, marble pillars, and chandeliers, plus a dining room with terrific food; downstairs, the dimly lit subterranean bar makes a great spot for sharing secrets.

The Comedy Factory is the best local spot to see live standup.

Not much has changed at The Owl Bar since opening in 1910. An authentic speakeasy, this place has signature owl statues flanking its bar that once served a useful purpose: during Prohibition, owner Colonel Consolvo kept barrels of whiskey in the basement, so if you saw the owls’ eyes blinking, you knew it was safe to order a beverage. A thoughtful cocktail list includes an Owl Bar Manhattan and a Belvedere martini. Belgian and German beers are served on tap as well as a Heavy Seas Owl Bar lager. The vibe is casual, but the atmosphere, with stately Germanic influences like leaded glass windows, iron chandeliers, and herringbone brickwork, harken to days of finer quality craftsmanship. The kitchen serves comfort foods like crab cakes, pizza, burgers, and salads. It's located in the former Belvedere Hotel.