OPEN
The Dugout at Peabody Heights: Any Peabody Heights regular will tell you that a highlight of the Waverly brewery is its fairly wide selection of arcade games, from pinball to Ms. Pacman to (this writer’s personal fave) Killer Queen. Now, the brewery is leaning into its love of vintage video games with the opening of The Dugout, a barcade space that’s been built just a few steps away from the main taproom.
Peabody teamed up with the Carroll County gaming headquarters Save Point to provide the inventory. “We reached out to them almost four years ago about opening an arcade in Baltimore, at the brewery specifically,” says Eddie O’Keefe, Peabody’s vice president and co-owner. “We were able to get financing from the Department of Housing & Community Development just under a year ago, and we’ve been slowly building out the space since.”
O’Keefe says it’s been a collaborative process, as the brewery worked with interior designer Christophe Richard (also behind the skateboard-chic interior of Toki Underground on Greenmount Avenue), local light installation artist Todd Blatt, and local muralist Marshall Adams, who painted UV light reactive murals. “It’s designed with a soft, bright vibe during the day, and then it will become a futuristic, Tokyo arcade space at night,” he adds.
The goal is to eventually have between 45-60 options, including Japanese rhythm games, classic shooter and fighter games, hopefully Skeeball and basketball games, and those classic vintage stand-up games. “It’s going to be an eclectic mix for everyone,” O’Keefe says. This means the games from Peabody’s smaller arcade space will also move to The Dugout, save for most of the pinball machines.
A second bar is, of course, also outfitted in the space, so you can pair a pint with your Pacman. The official grand opening to the public is this Saturday, March 2. There will be an entry fee of $12 during the week and $15 on the weekends for The Dugout, where all games will be set to free play.
Sailor Oyster Bar: More than a year and a half ago, a fire shut down Sailor Oyster Bar. But this week, the beloved seafood haunt (with the cheeky nickname of SOB) reopened in the heart of historic Annapolis. Known for its tinned fish, crudo, and ceviche, Sailor Oyster Bar has been around since 2016. According to the Baltimore Banner, after the fire in 2022, at least seven relief funds were set up for the staff/business and raised $110,000 to help the restaurant reopen.
THB Bagelry & Deli: A seventh location of THB is now open at McHenry Row in Locust Point. In a press release, THB CEO Tony Scotto said that the local chain has wanted to put down roots in Locust Point ever since the Canton location debuted in 2009. “Many [Locust Point] residents make weekly trips to our Canton location and order catering regularly, so this is a natural fit for us to bring the THB experience closer to them,” he said. The new cafe occupies a 2,700-square-foot space with a design inspired by piazzas of Southern Italy. Expect a pickup window for delivery drivers and a three-season patio set to open this spring.
COMING SOON
Thai Restaurant: You can practically hear the collective sigh of relief from the Waverly community. It was announced that the long-standing Thai Restaurant—which closed at the end of 2023 after its lease was terminated—will return to the neighborhood inside the Town Hall building at 3100 Greenmount Ave. in the coming months. Waverly Main Street wrote on Instagram that it is “thrilled to help keep a family-owned business in the neighborhood” and cited support from the Central Baltimore Partnership and Baltimore City Councilwoman Odette Ramos, who represents the 14th District. But the help doesn’t end there—a GoFundMe has been set up for the community to contribute to the restaurant’s buildout.
Kneads Bakeshop & Cafe: A second location of H&S Bakery’s restaurant concept is headed to North Baltimore. This fall, Kneads will debut a smaller, grab-and-go style bakery and coffee shop at The Village of Cross Keys. Spanning 1,302 square feet, the second location will be located in a new “jewel box building” between Always Ice Cream Company and the forthcoming Asian restaurant from Atlas Restaurant Group. Expect a menu of Kneads’ favorite breakfast, lunch, and freshly baked items, plus coffee by Aveley Farms, tea by Wight Tea Company, and select beer, wine, and cocktails.
“As we began our search for satellite locations, it became clear that Cross Keys’ beautiful and intimate outdoor shopping district was a no-brainer,” Kneads co-owner Kira Paterakis said in a press release. “It’s the perfect place to grab coffee, a pastry, or a glass of wine. Our positioning at the front of the property will make it easy for people to dine-in or take on-the-go.”
EPICUREAN EVENTS
3/1: Big Softy’s BroHo Corner Store Pop-Up
Tomorrow, chef Craig Falk’s pop-up—beloved for its soft shell sammies and Detroit-style pizza—will take over BroHo Corner Store in Eldersburg to sling slices from 3-7 p.m. It’s all to celebrate the fact that Falk’s “Softy Square” pies will be a permanent part of the menu at BroHo starting this weekend. Swing by to hang out with Falk, treat yourself to a slice, and grab some provisions for the weekend ahead.
3/11: Costiera x Ggoma Supper Club
New coastal Italian restaurant Costiera, located in Fells Point, is partnering with Ggoma Supper Club on Monday, March 11 for a special six-course dinner with beverage pairings. The collaborative menu—from Ggoma chef Tae Strain and Costiera chef Brian Lavin—will include citrus-cured scallops, beef tartare, lardo-wrapped prawns, polenta agnolotti, a mixed seafood grill, a Ggoma snowball, and a torte crafted with local Jinji’s Chocolate. Only a few tickets remain.
3/13: Checkerspot Women’s History Month Event
Looking for a way to celebrate Women’s History Month? On Wednesday, March 13, head to woman-owned Checkerspot Brewing to hear from Baltimore Museum of Industry curator Rachel Donaldson and beer historian Maureen O’Prey. The duo will discuss the history of corner bars and brewing in Baltimore. Checkerspot’s Judy Neff will also give a “modern-day perspective on local brewing,” plus a tour of the brewery. The event is free.
(SOON TO BE) SHUT
Zeke’s Pigtown: Sadly, Charm City coffee fixture Zeke’s Coffee will close up its shop in Pigtown on March 3. Pigtown Main Street cites “reorganization and downsizing” as the reason for the closure. But, thankfully, the local coffee roaster, a staple at Baltimore farmers’ markets, also has a cafe in Lauraville. Those looking for their caffeine fix in the Pigtown neighborhood can still shop Culinary Architecture, Swill Apothecafé, and MA’EDE Ethiopian Market & Cafe.