
It was a good, if brief run for TigerStyle, the Asian carryout spot that opened this past winter in the basement alley space next to The Avenue Kitchen and Bar.
Before I stepped foot inside Nepenthe Brewing Co., I’d already heard a lot about it. I knew it was a new concept for Nepenthe Homebrew, a well-respected shop within the local homebrewing community that moved after a series of floods ravaged its building in the Meadow Mill complex next to the Jones Falls.
I’d also heard, through friends, that the new Nepenthe location was a lot of fun. They were right. During our visit, Nepenthe’s food was uneven, but there was a lot to like about it; the space, drinks and people went a long way towards making up for a few imperfections from the kitchen.
Coming soon to North Baltimore’s Hampden neighborhood: A spot where you’re not only permitted, but encouraged to break things in search of emotional catharsis.
The local tradition continues on, hon. Thousands descended on The Avenue in Hampden this weekend for two days of music, food, vendors and beehive hairdos at HonFest, the annual celebration of Baltimore’s working women.
Attendees also enjoyed a contest to crown the Best Hon, an oyster shucking contest and (mostly) great weather.
Check out our photos from 2019’s HonFest.
You may have already noticed if you were wandering Hampden over Memorial Day weekend, but just to keep everyone in the loop: Bluebird Pub is back open.
Maintenance issues have promptly put a damper on the party at Hampden’s newest bar, The Bluebird Pub, which opened just this past Friday on the basement level of the building housing Bluebird Cocktail Room and Belgian beer hall De Kleine Duivel.
Prime Corner, the Hampden bodega carrying upscale and locally made food and essentials, will close at the end of May, the business posted on Facebook.
“I’m just in awe thinking of how many new friends / sweet popups / pints of Taharka there have been in such a short time,” owner Tess Russell posted on Facebook. “Bodegas are defined by their communities as much as their snacks and we’ve had so much fun being yours.”
Hampden’s upscale Bluebird Cocktail Room is ready to pull back the curtain on its lower-level concept, with plans to open on Friday, May 10.
The former Apostolic Truth Tabernacle church on the 1000 block of W. 36th Street is now CO-BALT Workspace, a co-working office building along The Avenue in Hampden.
It also happens to be the home of Baltimore Fishbowl, and the new owners are throwing a party with free food and drinks on April 26 that’s open to the public. Neighborhood favorites like Food Market, Luigi’s Italian Deli, Cafe Hon and Sweet Side Cafe will all be represented in the food spread.
This April, meet your friends and Live Baltimore at Waverly Brewing for the I Love City Life Happy Hour. Slated for Friday, April 5, enjoy some good beer, good friendship and good conversation from 5-8pm. For a $10 donation you will receive one glass and one draft beer. Cheers!
When you ask merchants and residents of Hampden what makes their neighborhood a great place to open a business, grow a family or just to live day-to-day, the answer is always the same.
“It’s a unique blend of artists, working class people, general Baltimore weirdos and business owners all mixing together with new residents and visitors,” said Benn Ray, co-owner of Atomic Books on Falls Road and president of the Hampden Village Merchants Association, a group of about 150 merchants that promote the neighborhood’s business interests. “[Hampden] is a neighborhood with a lot of character and community.”
Bluebird Cocktail Room’s subterranean sibling will pour its final cappuccinos and spritzes this weekend, as the operators plan to shut it down after Sunday’s breakfast and lunch service.
Baltimore restaurateur Charlie Gjerde says his team is “coming down the home stretch” for its anticipated Papi’s Tacos location in Hampden, and is tentatively eyeing an opening in mid-March.
The starting line is near for Nepenthe Brewing Co. After about a year and a half of construction and outfitting the business’ sprawling new space at 3626 Falls Road, co-owner Brian Arnold said he should finish kegging the first four beers to be served there by the end of this weekend.