Thursday, January 28, 2021

Illusions Magic Bar Gets Donation from ‘The Famous Fund’

Jimmy’s Famous Seafood launched a GoFundMe earlier this month to support local restaurants struggling during Baltimore City’s dining shutdown which was in place until last week due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Restaurants are still only allowed to have 25 percent indoor capacity and 50 percent outdoor capacity with one-hour time limits for customers.

The successful GoFundMe campaign, which was later named The Famous Fund, now stands at $318,657. It has been egged on by celebrity investor Marcus Lemonis, who initially donated $20,000 and pledged another $20,000 when the fund hit $200,000. He came through on that promise and is willing to donate another $20,000 if it hits $350,000. Contributors to the fund include the Orioles, Ravens, local athletes, local restaurants from the city and surrounding counties, food suppliers and distributors from the area, and individual citizens.

The initial recipients of funds were South Baltimore bars Shotti’s Point Charm City and Sliders Bar & Grille, in addition to The Chasseur, G&A Restaurant, and The Angle Inn. With The Famous Fund growing, new businesses are being nominated and the latest recipient is Federal Hill’s Illusions Magic Bar, which received a $15,000 donation.

Illusions Co-owner Spencer Horsman got a FaceTime call from TJ Smith, a board member of the The Famous Fund, with the news. He was overcome with emotion and noted that since his business doesn’t have a kitchen, it has always been the first type of business shut down and the last to be able to reopen.

Horsman and his late father Ken Horsman turned their former magic shop into Illusions 13 years ago.

Former Locust Point restaurant The Urban Oyster, which still has a catering, event, and farmers market business, was also selected to receive a $15,000 donation.

Illusions receiving the call The Famous Fund

Shotti’s Point receiving the call from The Famous Fund

The Urban Oyster receiving the call from The Famous Fund

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Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Work Begins on Phase One of Hammerjacks Project

Demolition began last week to prepare for phase one of the Hammerjacks project at 1300 Russell St. in Stadium Area. The properties are comprised of the former Paradox music club; a currently-vacant warehouse facing Ostend St., which was most recently the home to a ceramic tile company; and a smaller building connecting Paradox to the warehouse.

Construction crews from The Berg Corporation are currently taking down the former Paradox. This area will be cleared and used as a new outdoor entertainment and tailgating area along with half of the 1300 block of Russell St. which is situated underneath I-295.

The properties are owned by Russell Street One Associates, led by Kevin Butler and Andy Hotchkiss. The venue will be run by Hammerjacks Entertainment Group. The team hopes to have phase one open by the start of the 2021 football season.

HEG is still finalizing plans to renovate the warehouse building and incorporate it into the venue. They noted the proposed concert hall at the site of the former Paradox would be phase two of the project and its timing will be based on the area’s COVID-19 recovery.

Lots H and J at M&T Bank Stadium are a tribute to the former Hammerjacks music venue which once stood at its second and most popular location at 1101 S. Howard St. Hammerjacks’ original location was at 1024 S. Charles St. in Federal Hill, the current home of Nobles Bar and Grill, and a later version opened at 316 Guilford Ave. in Downtown. Butler was unaffiliated with any of the previous three Hammerjacks locations, but obtained the rights to the Hammerjacks trademark in 2009 for $1,000.

HEG first announced the return of Hammerjacks in 2013. It was originally slated to be built at adjacent Lot N before the team focused in on the current location.

Hammerjacks was approved for an arena liquor license in 2017.

The Paramount Baltimore music venue is proposed next door to Hammerjacks by the Horseshoe Casino ownership group CBAC. The former building at the property has been demolished, but construction on the new building has not yet begun. The Paramount Baltimore is part of CBAC’s new Warner Street District entertainment development that will include Topgolf, a hotel, and additional retail.

Photos from Friday 

Hammerjacks Renderings from 2018 from Hammerjacks and Design Collective 

night-shot

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Wednesday, January 20, 2021

Indoor and Outdoor Dining to Reopen in Baltimore City on Friday with Restrictions

Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott announced today that the shutdown of dining in Baltimore City will be lifted this Friday at 6am. Restaurants and bars can reopen indoor seating at 25 percent and outdoor dining at 50 percent. Indoor and outdoor dining has been prohibited in Baltimore City since December 11th due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Patrons at Baltimore bars and restaurants will be allowed to stay for one hour and must sign in and sign out. Mayor Scott also announced he is reopening the outdoor dining and street closure program. The new rules will be in place for at least four weeks.

Mayor Scott said he will continue to review the economic impact of the restrictions and said today’s decision was due to the leveling of cases in the city. New cases are decreasing in Baltimore City, which currently has the lowest positivity rate in the state. Baltimore currently has 35,936 COVID-19 cases, 437 hospitalizations, and 88 patients in ICU. Baltimore has suffered 705 deaths due to COVID-19.

Many Baltimore restaurant owners have been vocal against the dining shutdown as surrounding counties have been allowed to continue to host customers. This includes stories from Baltimore restaurants that were chosen by Barstool Sports’ The Barstool Fund and highlighted in the new fundraiser for local restaurants launched by Jimmy’s Famous Seafood.

Mayor Scott recently hosted a virtual meeting with members of the restaurant community to get feedback on the economic impact of the pandemic on restaurants’ ownership, management, and workers.

Additional changes today include allowing fitness classes to resume with 10 participants or less with masks required. All indoor recreation sites are permitted to reopen at 25 percent capacity with the exception of adult entertainment, hookah lounges, and cigar lounges.

The Baltimore Development Corporation has made more than 1,000 grants to small businesses.

Reactions:

While we are grateful that some of the restrictions are being relaxed, all is not well for many businesses as they have…

Posted by Jimmy’s Famous Seafood on Wednesday, January 20, 2021

Photo from Federal Hill Main Street of the outdoor dining markets being removed in December

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Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Local Entertainment Venues Receive Aid From Governor Hogan’s RELIEF Act

Yesterday, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced $30 million in stimulus funds for more than 90 live music and performance venues around Maryland. Many South Baltimore and Downtown venues were recipients of this aid.

“These awards will save hundreds of jobs and help many of Maryland’s entertainment venues sustain their operations until they can safely and fully reopen,” said Governor Hogan in a press release. “While safe and effective vaccines will help bring a return to normalcy and end the damage to our economy, we need to continue to do everything we can to support our small business community.”

Below are some of the recipients from South Baltimore and Downtown:

Baltimore Center Stage – $263,572

Baltimore Soundstage – $484,256

Chesapeake Shakespeare Company – $474,449

The 8×10 – $312,309

Everyman Theatre – $484,256

Hippodrome Foundation, Inc. – $116,221

MECU Pavilion – $484,256

Mobtown Ballroom – $241,133

Rams Head Live – $484,256

Royal Farms Arena – $484,256

Spotlighters Theatre – $130,749

TMG Hippodrome, LLC – $484,256

See the full list here.

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Sliders and Shotti’s To Receive Aid from Jimmy’s Famous Seafood’s Fundraising Campaign

Jimmy’s Famous Seafood has launched a GoFundMe fundraising effort to support local restaurants struggling due to the current dining shutdown in Baltimore City implemented by Mayor Brandon Scott. Beneficiaries of this fundraiser will be South Baltimore bars Shotti’s Point Charm City and Sliders Bar & Grille, in addition to The Chasseur, G&A Restaurant, and The Angle Inn.

Jimmy’s is now going by Dave’s Famous Seafood on social media due to losing bet with Barstool Sports Founder Dave Portnoy. If the Ravens beat the Bills last Saturday, Portnoy would have supported another business of Jimmy’s choosing via The Barstool Fund. This fund has already supported a handful of businesses in Baltimore, and Jimmy’s co-owner John Minadakis said it inspired the campaign he created.

The GoFundMe initially set a goal of raising $100,000. However, entrepreneur Marcus Lemonis, who already donated $20,000, pledged another $20,000 if the fund reaches $200,000, so Jimmy’s upped its goal to this amount.

From the GoFundMe:

Baltimore City restaurants are dying a slow, inevitable death due to the mayor’s indoor & outdoor dining ban. These establishments were not able to open their doors during Christmas, New Year’s, the Ravens playoff run – and many more events. Over 20,000 employees have lost their source of income as a result of the ban, and experts predict that anywhere from 40-70% of establishments will never be able to reopen.

We have identified five bars & restaurants which are in need of immediate financial relief. Inspired by Dave Portnoy & The Barstool Fund, we are launching a local fundraiser to get money into these small businesses as soon as possible, as they struggle to keep the lights on.  Every penny collected will go to Sliders Bar & Grille, The Chasseur, G & A Restaurant, The Angle Inn, and Shotti’s Point Charm City. Each one of these owners has put in years of blood, sweat, and tears – day after day – only for their livelihoods to be unjustly threatened.

The most beautiful part of this town is its ability to rise up and come together when facing adversity. Let’s do the right thing, and ensure we are able to enjoy a delicious meal and cold beer together when things return to normal.

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Thursday, January 14, 2021

Great Plates of Late Around South Baltimore

Note: Indoor dining is currently shut down at Baltimore restaurants, but you can still order carry-out from most restaurants.

Southwest Tuna Nachos at Wiley Gunters

When it comes to great bar food it’s tough to beat Wiley Gunters. They have so many good sandwiches, appetizers, salads, soups, and seafood dishes. On a recent trip, I tried out the Southwest Tuna Nachos. It has seared tuna, guacamole, and siracha ranch on top of fresh tortilla chip scoops. It’s like a bunch of mini tuna hard tacos – it was so good.

Korean Short Rib at SoBo Cafe

I recently had a delicious dinner at SoBo Cafe sampling plates including the Thai Curry PEI Mussels and the Dry Rubbed Bavette Steak. My main course was the Korean Short Rib which includes kimchi collard greens, soy-garlic mashed potatoes, and ssamjang gravy. The dish had so much flavor, so many great textures, and the short rib melts in your mouth.

Mexican Food at Taqueria el Rodeo 

Taqueria el Rodeo recently opened in Federal Hill, a second location for the restaurant that started in Langley Park. It has a menu of Mexican and Latin favorites such as burritos, tacos, and pupas, as well as other entrees. On my first trip to Taqueria el Rodeo, I ordered the chicken burrito and the pastor tacos. Everything from the meats to tortillas to rices and sauces was delicious.

Ice Cream at BMORE LICKS 

BMORE LICKS is now open in Federal Hill and it has a massive menu of hard and soft ice cream. There are so many flavors to choose from, but the chocolate and peanut butter soft serve ranks high on my list.

Pizza Time

I always enjoy the pizza around South Baltimore and below are two pies I recently ordered that hit the spot:

The new Grandma Pie at Pizza di Joey in Federal Hill is a square pizza topped with owner Joey Vanoni’s grandmother’s marinara recipe. It’s a great addition to the jumbo slices Pizza di Joey offers.

My last pepperoni pizza from Zella’s in Hollins Market had great sauce and cheese on of a soft, bread-like crust. So good!

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Commercial Spotlight: Creative Open Spaces for Lease on Fort Avenue in Federal Hill

This commercial spotlight is sponsored by Blue & Obrecht Realty, LLC: 

301 East Fort Avenue
Federal Hill/Riverside
-4,400 sq. ft. First Floor Space
-3,300 sq. ft. Third Floor Space

The building is located on the corner of Fort Ave and Battery Ave and is one block from Riverside Park. There is 4,400 SF available on the first floor and 3,300 SF available on the Third Floor, both available for immediate occupancy. The First Floor features high ceilings and was formerly a commercial kitchen.  Currently, it is wide open for use as an office, daycare, religious facility, restaurant, art studio, fitness studio, etc.  The Third Floor has an extensive window line, 15′ ceilings, and is ideally suited to creative / loft uses. All tenants can access the roof deck, with fabulous views of downtown Baltimore.   The building is adjacent to public transportation and is within walking distance of restaurants.

For more information or to schedule a showing contact: 

J.C. Beese and Paul F. Obrecht, III, SIOR
Blue & Obrecht Realty, LLC
9475 Deereco Road, Suite 200
Timonium, MD 21093
410-561-5568
jcbeese@blueobrecht.com
pfobrechtiii@blueobrecht.com

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Monday, January 11, 2021

Abbey Burger Bistro Receives Aid from Barstool Sports

Abbey Burger Bistro will be the second business from Federal Hill to receive aid from Barstool Sports’ The Barstool Fund, which was started with a $500,000 donation by Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy and now has raised more than $22.4 million. The fund has received donations from celebrities such as Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Guy Fieri, Dana White, and Kid Rock.

Abbey Burger Bistro currently has locations in Federal Hill, Fells Point, and Mount Washington. The team is also planning a Havre de Grace location.

Abbey Burger Bistro was started by wife and husband Marigot and Russ Miller. Jason Zink is also a partner.

The Abbey Burger Bistro team produced a video for The Barstool Fund featuring Marigot Miller, the Miller’s seven-year-old daughter Reagan, nine-year-old daughter Liliana, and Marigot Miller’s 21-year-old sisters Victoria and Sadie Haft.

The video joked the Miller’s daughters aged so much during the nine months of the COVID-19 pandemic that they were later played by the Haft sisters in the following scene. Victoria Haft also played into Portnoy’s “One Bite” slogan when eating an Abbey burger.

Later, in a more serious section of the video, Marigot Miller talked about how Mayor Brandon Scott shut down indoor and outdoor dining and how it has made it hard to pay staff and keep them on board. Abbey Burger Bistro and other Baltimore restaurants are currently only open for carryout. She discussed how they used personal loans to keep the business going and that those funds are now almost gone.

Reagan Miller spoke about how really good people are always in the restaurant and Victoria Haft discussed how when walking into an Abbey Burger Bistro location everyone feels like family.

Zink got the FaceTime call from Portnoy receiving the good news. Portnoy said the video was “very cute,” and said, “a bunch of people reached out in Baltimore saying you guys are a great spot and a great family and all that, so we want to help out.”

During the call, Zink talked about how great the upcoming weekend would’ve been with the Ravens playoff game. Zink was admittedly in shock when getting the call and thanked Portnoy for including Abbey Burger Bistro in the fund.

The Barstool Fund will help the team at Abbey Burger Bistro pay the rent at the Fells Point location.

Marigot Miller told SouthBMore.com they are very excited and their phones were blowing up yesterday after Barstool Sports posted the Abbey Burger Bistro video. “It’s amazing, I never thought it would actually happen,” she said.

She also said she was surprised they were chosen after other Baltimore businesses in the area, including Dough Boy Fresh Pretzel Co., Claddagh Pub, and Don’t Know Tavern, were already part of The Barstool Fund, but noted that many business around the country are allowed to open unlike in Baltimore.

Marigot Miller said they were planning on closing the Fells Point location until things started getting back to normal, but now they will keep it open.

Abbey Burger Bistro has about 60 employees between the three locations. Hours have been drastically cut at each location which has led to less shifts for employees. Marigot Miller said business has been down by about 70 to 80 percent during the pandemic.

Marigot Miller said she encourages customers to order directly from Abbey Burger Bistro and its website so they can avoid the fees of the delivery and ordering apps.

She said this year has been very stressful and she looks forward to reopening safely and continuing to keep its staff employed. She is grateful for the support they’ve received from Barstool Sports and the community and is hopeful COVID-19 numbers will decrease as more people take the vaccine.

Abbey Burger Bistro partnered on the initiative to feed healthcare workers and police and firefighters last year and set up events to support its front-of-house workers who rely on tips.

Abbey Burger Bistro plans to honor Barstool Sports with a wood plaque in each of its locations. They are also looking into naming a burger after Portnoy.

 

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A post shared by The Barstool Fund (@barstoolfund)

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Wednesday, January 6, 2021

South Baltimore Crime Updates

According to the Baltimore Police Department (BPD)  Crime Map, the following crimes were reported in the last 30 days.

Ridgely’s Delight

LARCENY FROM AUTO, 300 PENN ST, SUNDAY, 12/5/2020, 22:00

LARCENY FROM AUTO, 700 PORTLAND ST, 12/16/2020, 11:00

Stadium Area

NONE

Barre Circle

NONE

Otterbein

LARCENY, 400 S SHARP ST, THURSDAY, 12/30/2020, 12:00

Sharp-Leadenhall

LARCENY FROM AUTO, 100 W HAMBURG ST, THURSDAY, 12/9/2020, 7:00

ROBBERY – COMMERCIAL, 1000 S HANOVER ST, SATURDAY, 12/18/2020, 15:00

AUTO THEFT – 1200 S SHARP ST, FRIDAY, 12/24/2020, 16:00

LACENY, 100 W CROSS ST, THURSDAY, 12/30/2020, 22:00

Federal Hill

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, 900 LIGHT ST, MONDAY, 12/20/2020, 7:00

ROBBERY – COMMERCIAL, 1000 S CHARLES ST, 12/20/202, 18:00

Federal Hill South/Riverside

LARCENY, 1200 KNOX CT, MONDAY, 12/6/2020, 3:00

LARCENY, 1600 BELT ST, 12/15/2020, 8:00

LARCENY, 1400 LAWRENCE ST, THURSDAY, 12/16/202, 16:00

LARCENY FROM AUTO, 1800 BELT ST, SATURDAY, 12/18/2020, 2:00

LARCENY, 600 E CLEMENT ST, 12/27/2020, 22:00

LARCENY, 1700 JACKSON ST, 12/28/2020, 2:00

South Baltimore Neighborhood

LARCENY, 1700 PATAPSCO ST, SUNDAY, 12/12/2020, 6:00

LARCENY, 1800 S HANOVER ST, SUNDAY, 12/19/2020, 9:00

Key Highway/HarborView

LARCENY, 500 HARBORVIEW DR, SATURDAY, 12/11/2020, 3:00

LARCENY, 500 HARBORVIEW DR, TUESDAY, 12/28/2020, 1:00

BURGLARY, 500 HARBORVIEW DR, TUESDAY, 12/28/2020, 0:00

Inner Harbor

NONE

Port Covington

NONE

Locust Point

LARCENY, 1200 HULL ST, MONDAY, 12/13/2020, 19:00

LARCENY FROM AUTO, 1200 E FORT AVE, WEDNESDAY, 12/15/2020, 21:00

LARCENY, 1400 ANDRE ST, SATURDAY, 12/18/2020, 0:00

LARCENY, 1300 LOWMAN ST, MONDAY, 12/20/2020, 12:00

Pigtown

ROBBERY – COMMERCIAL, 700 WASHINGTON BLVD, TUESDAY, 12/7/2020, 8:00

LARCENY FROM AUTO, 1300 GLYNDON AVE, WEDNESDAY, 12/8/2020, 11:00

AUTO THEFT, 800 WASHINGTON BLVD, SATURDAY, 12/11/2020, 19:00

LARCENY, 800 MANGOLD ST, SATURDAY, 12/11/2020, 0:00

LARCENY, 700 WASHINGTON BLVD, SATURDAY, 12/11/2020, 12:00

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, 1200 SARGEANT ST, MONDAY, 12/13/2020, 19:00

AUTO THEFT, 1400 WASHINGTON BLVD, FRIDAY, 12/17/2020, 12:00

LARCENY, 1100 WICOMICO ST, FRIDAY, 12/17/2020, 17:00

LARCENY, 1100 SARGEANT ST, FRIDAY, 12/17/2020, 19:00

ROBBERY – CARJACKING, 1300 HERKIMER ST, SUNDAY, 12/19/2020, 2:00

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, 1200 CARROLL ST, MONDAY, 12/20/2020, 17:00

LARCENY, 1100 SCOTT ST, TUESDAY, 12/21/2020, 17:00

AUTO THEFT, 1200 WARD ST, TUESDAY, 12/21/2020, 17:00

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, 1100 W OSTEND ST, WEDNESDAY, 12/22/2020, 1:00

LARCENY, 1100 WASHINGTON BLVD, THURSDAY, 12/23/2020, 14:00

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, 1300 JAMES ST, FRIDAY, 12/24/2020, 0:00

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, 1300 WARD ST, FRIDAY, 12/24/2020, 13:00

AGGRAVATED ASAULT, 1200 BAYARD ST, SUNDAY, 12/26/2020, 7:00

LARCENY FROM AUTO, 1200 CLEVELAND ST, THURSDAY, 12/30, 2020, 0:00

Carroll – Camden Industrial Area

LARCENY FROM AUTO, 600 ALLUVION ST, SATRUDAY, 12/18/2020, 22:00

LARCENY, 1200 W HAMBURG ST, SUNDAY, 12/19/2020, 18:00

ROBBERY COMMERCIAL, 1800 WASHINGTON BLVD, MONDAY, 12/20/2020, 11:00

LARCENY FROM AUTO, 600 ALLUVION ST, TUESDAY, 12/21/2020, 1:00

LARCENY FROM AUTO, 1400 WARNER ST, FRIDAY, 12/24/2020, 12:00

LARCENY, 1800 RUSSELL ST, SUNDAY, 12/26/2020, 23:00

Hollins Market

LARCENY FROM AUTO, 900 W LOMBARD ST, TUESDAY, 12/14/2020, 23:00

HOMICIDE, 1200 W PRATT ST, MONDAY, 12/20/2020, 21:00

HOMICIDE, 1200 W PRATT ST, MONDAY, 12/20/2020, 21:00

From Baltimore Police Department:

Southern District Homicide Investigation
On December 21, 2020, at approximately 9:33 p.m., Southern District patrol officers responded to the 1300 block of West Pratt Street for a ShotSpotter alert.
Once at the location, officers located an adult female suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the body.
Medics transported the victim to an area hospital where she later died.
A second female victim was located in the 200 block of South Carey Street with multiple gunshot wounds to the body.
Medics pronounced that victim dead on the scene.
Homicide detectives are asking anyone with information to contact them at 410-396-2100 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7Lockup.

LARCENY FROM AUTO, 1000 HOLLINS ST, TUESDAY, 12/21/2020, 18:00

LARCENY, 900 HOLLINS ST, TUESDAY, 12/28/2020, 17:00

Union Square

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, 1700 W LOMBARD ST, MONDAY, 12/13/2020, 14:00

ROBBERY – STREET, 0 S NORRIS ST, THURSDAY, 12/16/2020, 21:00

ROBBERY – STREET, 0 S NORRIS ST, THURSDAY, 12/16/2020, 21:00

ROBBERY -STREET, 1600 W PRATT ST, SATRUDAY, 12/25/2020, 13:00

Offense definitions from the FBI

South Baltimore Peninsula Neighborhoods Map

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via https://www.southbmore.com/2021/01/06/south-baltimore-crime-updates-201/

Monday, January 4, 2021

Riverside Bar ‘Idle Hour’ Featured in New York Times Article about Chartreuse

New York Times recently published a profile on the French liqueur Chartreuse which has been made by monks for more than 400 years. Riverside bar Idle Hour has become well known as a place to get this unique spirit that is prominently displayed behind the bar. Idle Hour owners Randal Etheridge and Brendan Finnerty were quoted in the article.

From the article:

A Baltimore bartender and Chartreuse superfan, Brendan Finnerty, says it tastes “like Christmas in a glass,” or “grassy Jägermeister.” To me, it has the color and flavor of summer sunlight striking a canopy of leaves — impossibly vibrant, sparkling with life, green beyond belief.

Also in the article:

Mr. Finnerty, the Baltimore bartender, and Randal Etheridge said that before the pandemic, they went through just shy of a case of it a week at their bar, Idle Hour.

At first, “we were trying to shock people with 110-proof liqueur no one had heard of before,” Mr. Finnerty said. “It was fun to turn people onto it.”

During the pandemic, Idle Hour operates a small outdoor patio and offers takeout options — including Chartreuse bottles and 50-milliliter test tube shots.

“Even in the pandemic, we’re still selling a lot of Chartreuse,” Mr. Etheridge said. “We’re just selling it to go.”

Picture of the front door at Idle Hour in 2015

The post Riverside Bar ‘Idle Hour’ Featured in New York Times Article about Chartreuse first appeared on SouthBMore.com.

via https://www.southbmore.com/2021/01/04/riverside-bar-idle-hour-featured-in-new-york-times-article-about-chartreuse/