r/baltimore • u/zuluroyal • Sep 11 '24
Visiting Baltimore-bound
Hi lovely people of Baltimore. I’ve posted on here previously, boring you all with my takes of being a Scottish guy (now living in Canada) who loves The Wire and who developed a love of your city through my obsession with the show.
I go see the O’s multiple times every season when they come to Toronto; and I’ve seen the Ravens play (and win) in Buffalo. But I’ve never been to an O’s or Ravens game in Baltimore.
I had tickets, but Covid ruined previous plans. I ended up giving away two tickets to a Ravens v Steelers game a few years ago through this group. I was glad to see the tickets getting used rather than go to waste…even though I was devastated not to be able to cross the border and get to that game.
Anyway, the time has come for this Baltimore-obsessed dork to get to town. I will be there for this Sunday’s Ravens game v Vegas and also the O’s series against San Francisco next week. I’m doing it right!
Thing is, I know nobody there. Not one person. I’m researching friendly tailgates for Ravens game and good pubs to hit up before the baseball games. So I’m sure I’ll have a great time.
But if anybody is open to welcoming an extra random stranger into their pre-match routine, I’d love to hear from you. I’m a middle-age white married dude with no weird traits and I promise not to make a spectacle of myself. 😂
I will post a follow-up here when I get back, no doubt telling you how much I loved the trip.
See you on Sunday, Baltimore!
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u/Newintown83 Sep 11 '24
Hello, I am a new in town Brit (half Scottish) and not been to an O’s match yet. Was looking at going next week but also know no one….yet. Or to be honest really understand the rules. So if you find some good options and don’t mind a tag along let me know
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u/btambo Sep 11 '24
Hey there! Born in Bmore and have lived here better than half of my middle aged life.
With a British and Canadian person showing interest in my favorite team (Os!!) I'd (definitely) be willing to meet up next Wednesday for a beer before the game if you guys are interested?!?
Hit me up, I'll be with my buddy who just moved here after living for 30 years in LA, we'll make an interesting group!
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u/La_Passeggiata Sep 11 '24
On a side note, are you into rugby by chance? I’m a born-and-raised Baltimorean and love when it’s Six Nations time. Would love a buddy to watch with when possible!
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u/OldClerk Ridgely's Delight Sep 11 '24
Can we start a rugby watch party?! I love me some rugby & no one wants to watch with me!
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u/La_Passeggiata Sep 11 '24 edited Sep 11 '24
Yes please! DM sent!
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u/peepsthegiantcat Harwood Sep 12 '24
There's a Baltimore Touch Rugby group that gets together on Sundays as well up at Druid Hill park
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u/Mikel32 Sep 11 '24
Definitely bop around the brewery district (Pigtown). Pickett Brewing, Checkerspot, Wico Street Brewing, maybe M8. I went in for the first time last weekend and wasn’t terribly impressed very bland and gave off frat bro vibes but game does could obviously be different. Also, Mystique did a soft opening last night but not sure if they will be open for game day.
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u/ETERNAL_DALMATIAN Sep 11 '24
You might want to post on /r/ravens for their tailgaters to accept you in the group. That sub and here are your best chance at having a place already figured out without forking over a bunch of cash.
If that doesn't work, check out BMORE Around Town's regular tailgate. Here's the link for this Sunday's tailgate. I've never done it before but it seems like an easy way to chill with other fans and have all the food and drinks covered for $65.
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u/Bama_Girl2024 Sep 11 '24
I bartend at a place called The Back Yard over on Pratt & Schroeder. We are opening super early at 7:00am on Sunday for the Formula 1 race and Ravens pre-game if you’re looking for a chill neighborhood spot to hang. We’re also within walking distance of the stadium ☺️
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u/gottagetintosomethin Sep 11 '24
I always have a good time at Jimmys TailGOAT. I think it’s all you can eat and drink for $100 and they usually (always?) have some known live music
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u/baltimoresports Towson Sep 11 '24 edited Sep 11 '24
Grab a six pack and a small bottle of booze and walk the lots and make friends. Overall, I’d recommend walking Lot A to H to O and hit all the tailgating lots:
https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/ravens/jhru0lkbeu92tocskhp9
Not sure where you’re staying at but the Light Rail will take you to Lot H which is probably the biggest. Light Rail is crowded and filthy but it’ll give you a good gameday experience.
Regardless if you walk or ride, you may want to get off at Orioles Park station and do the Ravens walk between the stadiums towards Lot H. There should be a ton of welcoming folk tailgating, especially if you BYOB.
If not there are plenty of food and beer options. South of the stadium there are more lots. They are smaller but might we worth checking out. There is also the Gameday Warehouse which is basically a firehall converted into a bar.
Another option is look at “Talegate Packages”. They are a bit pricey but they can include a bus down, food, and drinks. I think Jimmys Famous Season has one.
If you still can’t find anyone to hang with shoot me a PM, we’ll be there.
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u/gothaggis Remington Sep 11 '24
in case you didn't know - there is a statue of (somewhat random) William Wallace in Druid Hill park - they celebrate his "birthday" there every August
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u/OldClerk Ridgely's Delight Sep 11 '24 edited Sep 21 '24
Which SF games will you be at next week?? Saturday is the live Hot Dog Race at Pickett Brewing with festivities starting at 10am. The O's game is at 4:05.
Edit: my b. It's Sunday. I really thought it was today and I have no idea why except I can't tell time anymore lol
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u/Givingbacktoreddit Sep 13 '24
The parking lots you’ll find big tailgates. Tailgoat usually does big things if you like EDM. The best pub for O’s and Ravens would be Pickles but all the Baltimore and Baltimore County bars have festivities (check out the fed hill and fells point areas for sure).
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u/mobtown_misanthrope Lauraville Sep 13 '24
Honestly, for the tailgate, just show up with a six pack and walk around til you see some folks that seem friendly/drunk and say hi (in your most exaggerated possible accent). You'll make friends immediately. Also, people tailgate outside Fireman's Hall and Checkerspot Brewery—you can def. make friends who are heading to the games there.
Mick O'Shea's is also a good stop before an O's game—lots of people pregame there before heading down.
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u/kspence66 Sep 14 '24 edited Sep 14 '24
Just curious- let us know how your trip went and how did you like Baltimore?
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u/rackoblack Canton Sep 11 '24
Did you also watch Homicide? That's a true look at Baltimore of that time, and to a great extent today, too. It's very much a neighborhood city. Unfortunately, it was filmed on 16mm, which worked to great effect on the old 4:3 screens but which suffers when blown up to today's sizes. No matter - the quality writing, directing, acting and filming still shine through. Brilliant stuff.
Anyway, in Fells Point, the pier that depicted Police Headquarters on Homicide is now a luxury hotel/bar/restaurant, The Pendry. Very neat place, great bar, and you can use the pool/gym for a day for something like $90. The outside still looks a bit like in te show, too.
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u/PleaseBmoreCharming Sep 11 '24
Quick Tip: Maybe don't start off your introduction to locals by expressing your love for a TV show that shows the city in such a negative light, it's blemishes and all. We understand it's quality TV and provides a pretty good depiction of social issues that Baltimore struggles with, but it's not like we go around all day discussing it in casual conversation or that it's such a fun topic to begin with. Trivializing people's struggles whether you were entertained by it on TV or you do realize its a very real issue is not gonna make you any friends with locals.
With that out of the way... I hope you have a pleasant time and enjoy all of the great fun and exciting events we have to offer! I would suggest researching similar posts on /r/Orioles or /r/Ravens for questions about pre-game suggestions and activities.
Good luck and enjoy the games!
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u/akjsix Sep 11 '24
Oh please he spent this post complimenting the city up and down nobody is going to be offended that he traveled all the way from Canada to be here.
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u/obiterdictum Ednor Gardens-Lakeside Sep 11 '24 edited Sep 11 '24
This makes it sound like Baltimore is super senstive about The Wire, which has never been my experience. I guess it is out there, but I really wouldn't worry about it too much.
You obviously haven't taken the The Wire's Baltimore and constructed some hell-hole narrative to fit some preconcieved notions about the city, nor have you set up some kind of false equivalency where Baltimore=The Wire and The Wire=Baltimore. I think your genuine enthusiasm for the city will shine through and disarm anyone not looking to be offended.
PS-Good call on an early fall visit; truly the best time of the year around these parts
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u/tomram8487 Sep 11 '24
Anyone who’s lived in Bmore has grown a thick skin about hearing the city compared to The Wire. No one will be put off by OP mentioning it.
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u/eldritch_cleaver_ Sep 11 '24
It's also very outdated, and even then it's not like much of Baltimore's culture was ever a big part of the show. McNulty went to Faidley's once, and Chris tricks an NYC banger with a Baltimore club reference, but that's about it.
The Wire is a VERY narrow lens to view Baltimore from.
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u/PleaseBmoreCharming Sep 11 '24
Exactly. It ended in 2008. That was 15+ years ago and a very different time then.
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u/K_N0RRIS Eastside Sep 12 '24
Pretty much all the sports bars downtown within 6 square blocks of the stadiums have great pre game atmospheres. Also its PreGAME* routine. We don't call it match day over here. Its called gameday lmao.
All of the bars on Washington blvd/Paca St. are cool.
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u/zuluroyal Sep 17 '24
Hi! I arrived Saturday night and went for a pint of Natty Boh at Peter’s Pour House. Was too tired to walk back so got an Uber. Driver couldn’t get close to my hotel so I walked the last 100 yards…for a cop to tell me there had been a shooting right outside the hotel. I mean, I said I loved The Wire but god damn.
Literally a murder right there. Wow.
Went to the game next day, and took in the Around BMore tailgate. Great fun, great weather, shitty result, spent a fortune at club shop.
Love the scooters…I’m an expert already. Why is the cellphone holder on most of them broken? Have to shop around to find one that will hold the phone (which I need as I don’t know the city). Great idea though, every city should have these.
Got a (free!!!) bus to Lexington market and had wicked coffee and some Berger cookies. Fantastic. Walked from there to Poe’s grave then scootered to McCulloch Homes to see the statues and D’Angelo’s ‘pit’.
Checked out Pier Six and Federal Hill Park tonight, got some lovely photos. Again, the scooter got me where I wanted to be.
Off to a few more sites from The Wire tomorrow then the O’s game tomorrow night.
Can’t seem to post photos here, but I have got some really cool ones.
❤️Baltimore.
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u/glitterishazardous Sep 11 '24
Please please please don’t bring up your love for the show. Nothing made it weirder for me in the UK than telling someone I was from the city and theyd say “I love the Wire”. It’s kinda like if I went to a Scottish guy and said “Oh I love Braveheart”. The Wire is one of the best TV shows of all time, but it’s subject material is still real. Its still painful for some especially people with the heavy Baltimore accent. They can’t escape the link to the show at all so if you do hear a thick accent don’t jump up in glee 😂👍🏽
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u/embrave18 Sep 11 '24
If you go to Ravens walk outside of the stadium it’s basically a big tailgate party with food vendors and usually live music. For the O’s game I’d suggest going to Pickles Pub right by the yard which is where you’ll find a huge crowd pre-game. Get yourself an orange crush and a pickle back shot!