Robin Godwin: Hammerjacks Begins Construction on Outdoor Music and Tailgate Venue Made of Shipping Containers

The ownership group of Hammerjacks is now under construction on a multi-purpose outdoor venue made of recycled shipping containers at its property at 1300 Russell St. in Stadium Area. The team recently demolished the former Paradox night club to make way for this open-air space. A warehouse building, which is part of the property, still stands fronting W. Ostend St.

Hammerjacks will be capable of hosting large-scale tailgates, live performances, and private events. The venue will open in time for the first Ravens home game in 2021. It will have a capacity of up to 2,500 patrons.

The shipping containers will be repurposed into food and beverage stations. Renderings show them painted purple and black. Orange is also incorporated into the color scheme. There will also be large screens to watch football pregame shows and other sporting events. A mural will be painted on the warehouse building facing the outdoor venue.

Hammerjacks ownership is led by Andy Hotchkiss and Mark Dinerstein. Kevin Butler, who bought the Hammerjacks trademark in 2009, is also a partner.

“As we open this summer, Hammerjacks will initially focus on being an exceptional tailgate and outdoor private event venue,” said Hotchkiss in a press release. “We will provide the premier location for Baltimore Ravens games, focusing on a fun, safe and convenient atmosphere for fans as they come out to support the team.”

“We are thrilled to be bringing the legendary Hammerjacks brand back to life as a multi-purpose outdoor venue,” said Dinerstein in a press release. “At the same time, we are also re-imagining what the site can be in the future by incorporating the soul of Hammerjacks’ history as the complete party atmosphere.”

The new outdoor venue for Hammerjacks is a change from the original plan of building a new 48,000 sq. ft. indoor live music venue that could hold 2,500 people at the property.

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

In the future, Hammerjacks hopes to incorporate the 40,000 sq. ft. warehouse building into the concept as an indoor music venue.

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 Hammerjacks trademark for $1,000.

The 22,000 sq. ft. former Hammerjacks on Howard St. hosted bands such as Guns N’ Roses, Ozzy Osbourne, Iggy Pop, and the Ramones. Joan Jett shot the video for “I Love Rock ‘n Roll” there. Iron Maiden featured the club on the cover of its 1986 album “Somewhere In Time.” And, John Waters filmed scenes for his cult classic “Serial Mom” inside.

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.