Whatever your favorite singalong songs may be--standards, classic rock, Motown or recent Top 40 hits--Baltimore's bars with karaoke nights have you covered. If you're trying to remember songs that mention Baltimore, you can try Bruce Springsteen's "Hungry Heart" ("Got a wife and kid in Baltimore, Jack") or the drive-by mentions in "Dancin' in the Street" by Martha and the Vandellas or Little Feat's "Feets Don't Fail Me Now." You may still be humming the next day if you hit the links in Baltimore, which offers four affordable municipal golf courses within city limits, including the conventioneer's favorite, Carroll Park, southwest of the Inner Harbor.
Maynard's Café
Head three miles south of the Inner Harbor along Hanover Street to obtain the full Baltimore immersion experience of a visit to Maynard's, with its two pool tables, 15 TVs, Ravens sports bar theme and of course, karaoke every night from 9 p.m. until around 1 a.m. Patrons request everything from country to heavy metal, and KJ Dave cues up the songs. Every night features a different drink special, so you should be able to loosen up just fine for your big moment in the singing spotlight. Maynard's has Margarita Monday, Tuesday Steak Night, Wing & Wino Wednesday, Thirsty Thursday, T.G.I.F. Fridays, Suicide Saturdays and Sunday Bloody Sundays.
Maynard's Café
3916 S. Hanover St.
Baltimore, MD 21225
(410) 355-8924
myspace.com/maynardscafe
Grand Central: The Pub
Head a half mile north of the Inner Harbor to the midtown Mount Vernon neighborhood of mansion-sized rowhouses to sing at The Pub, part of Grand Central, which bills itself as "Baltimore's best gay and lesbian entertainment complex." Grand Central backed up its brag by winning "best gay bar" awards from 2004 through 2008 in Baltimore's City Paper. Karaoke nights are Mondays and Tuesdays with host Dimitrius from 10 p.m. until 1 a.m. Patrons sing everything: current songs, oldies and show tunes. The Pub can be found on the ground floor of Grand Central, with a disco adjacent and a lounge upstairs. You can also play pool here or order Miller Light, Yuengling, Blue Moon and Sam Adams on tap.
Grand Central: The Pub
1001 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21201-5401
(410) 752-7133
centralstationpub.com
Poncabird Pub
Three miles east and a zillion light years from Grand Central in atmosphere, you can discover "Hey Hon" Baltimore at the Poncabird Pub in industrial Canton under the shadows of Interstates 95 and 895. The Poncabird's name comes from the intersection of Holabird and Ponca streets, where giant rigs transport freight to and from the Port of Baltimore. The pub holds its karaoke DJ party on Fridays, running from 9 p.m. until 12:30 or 1 a.m. Known for its kicking sound system and gargantuan 10-ounce burgers, the Poncabird features eight big-screen TVs for sports and Ravens game-day specials.
Poncabird Pub
1719 Poncabird Pass
Baltimore, MD 21224
(410) 631-7530
poncabirdpub.net
About The Author
Rogue Parrish has written two travel books and edited at the "The Baltimore Sun," "The Washington Post" and the Alaska Newspapers company. She began writing professionally in 1975. Parrish holds a summa cum laude Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from the University of Maryland.
