Sailors are never shy about shouting out a chanty or song, especially not in the mid-Atlantic's sailing capital. The karaoke scene in Annapolis "is lively, it's thriving, I would say," says Stan Fletcher, owner of Stan and Joe's Saloon. If your golfing time is short during your visit to 'Naptown, you can zip around the nine-hole course at Annapolis Golf Club, a mile and a half southeast of City Dock, or for a full 18 holes, visit the locals' favorite, the Golf Club at South River, three miles southwest.
Stan and Joe's Saloon
Wednesdays are karaoke night at Stan and Joe's, where Annapolis karaoke jockey John Donovan takes requests from 9:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. The singers "are all over the map from Sinatra, to Led Zeppelin, to any kind of ballads, any kind of heavy metal, there's someone who will try any of it," says owner Fletcher, a self-described golfaholic happy to chat about local courses with visitors. Stan and Joe's attracts the 25-to-60 crowd, "so it doesn't fall into one area where everyone's doing alternative rock or oldies. Singers might switch from Sinatra to Neil Diamond to Dave Matthews," Fletcher adds. The menu includes raw bar seafood, sandwiches and entrees, and plenty of TVs around the saloon cover sports events.
Stan and Joe's Saloon
37 West St.
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 263-1993
stanandjoessaloon.com
Ebb Tide Tavern
This one-time biker bar in the Eastport Shopping Center provides tavern-style food for neighbors and regulars. While the Ebb Tide offers that Annapolis staple--Sunday brunch--and a pool table and dartboard, karaoke night is the headliner here. If you missed Wednesdays at Stan and Joe's, head south across the Spa Creek Bridge to the Ebb Tide for its Thursday and Friday karaoke. Starting at 9:30 p.m., karaoke continues until close, with patrons jamming the bar for their turn in the limelight.
Ebb Tide Tavern
985 Bay Ridge Road
Annapolis, MD 21403
(410) 263-5000
goslingsrum.com
Castlebay Irish Pub
John Donovan brings his KJ talents to the Castlebay Irish Pub on Sundays from 9 p.m. to midnight. As with other venues in Annapolis, including this one right on historic Main Street, the sky's the limit for song selection: today's pop, 1980s rock, country, sometimes rap. The pub also serves Maryland crab cakes, Guinness and a full menu in a setting of Honduran mahogany reminiscent of traditional pubs in Ireland.
Castlebay Irish Pub
193A Main St.
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 626-0165
castlebayirishpub.com
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.
