The latest reports are that this blizzard, apparently named Jonas, is going to be coming sooner and heavier than was originally thought. While a lot of restaurants have announced they’re closing for the weekend, many are still running menus for Baltimore Restaurant Week and some others are featuring creative specials inspired by the snow.
Grand Cru: The Belvedere Square wine bar, which changed hands last year, is getting clever with its snow-day specials. The bar is running an “inches off the check” promotion, where they’ll take a dollar off each check for every inch of snow that accumulates (for checks over $30). Customers will also enjoy a complimentary class of mulled wine with any purchase, 30-percent off wine and beer products, and no corkage fee all weekend. 527 E. Belvedere Ave., 410-464-1944
Banditos: As we’ve told you in our Weekend Lineup, Banditos in Federal Hill is going all out for this snow-mageddon. Every six inches of snow, customers will get a Red Bull-filled snow bomb, and the bar is offering $16 beer buckets, $5 32-ounce Bud Light and Shock Top bottles, $5 Espolon tequila, and bottomless mimosas until 2. 1118 S. Charles St., 443-835-1517
Alma Cocina Latina: Find a tropical respite in this new Venezuelan restaurant, known for its delicious arepas and cocktails. The Can Company spot will be running specials all weekend long, including $8 rum cocktails and free churros for any table that spends $50 or more. 2400 Boston St., 667-212-4273
Station North Arts Cafe: This cafe-gallery hybrid took to Facebook to get feedback on its snow-day ideas. The Charles Street spot will feature $5 breakfast specials like a hot cornbread waffle with scrapple, creamed chipped beef over biscuits, and a Snack Stack (three pancakes, two eggs, meat, and cheese). There will also be $4 snowstorm cocktails like the Naughty Coffee, Hot Chocolate Daddy, and Warm Lemon Ginger Tea with rum. Other ideas include a snowball contest and outside firepit. 1816 N. Charles St., 410-625-6440
Mad River Bar & Grille: In what should come as a surprise to no one, Mad River is getting in on the flaky fun with an all-weekend party. The rowdy bar will be running happy hour specials all day with drinks, shotskis, food, and hot chocolate. As a bonus, customers who wear their pajamas will receive 10 percent off their check. 1110 S. Charles St., 410-727-2333
Woodberry Kitchen / Artifact Coffee: Every guest that joins Woodberry Kitchen on Friday night will receive a free gift when they leave. In that same vein, the restaurant group’s Artifact Coffee in Woodberry will be giving guests “special treats” all weekend long, including gift cards, jams, and hot sauces. 2010 Clipper Park Rd. #126, 410-464-8000 / 1500 Union Ave., 410-235-1881
Smaltimore: This cleverly named Canton sports bar, known for its diverse menu listing everything from wings to sushi, will be open all weekend. Today, enjoy $1 burgers until 3 p.m. and 2-for-1 sushi rolls from 5-7 p.m. Tomorrow, Smaltimore will be open bright and early with brunch service starting at 7:30 a.m. Regular brunch specials, including $9 bottomless Bloodies and mimosas, will be in full effect. 2522 Fait Ave., 410-522-1421
Hightopp’s Backstage Grill: If you’re planning on hunkering down in the ‘burbs, this Timonium favorite is hosting a weekend-long blizzard bash. Today’s specials include $1 domestic drafts until 5 p.m. and $2 beers until 7 p.m. The restaurant and concert venue will also be offering snow-day snacks, like $8 fish tacos and $2 spiked coffee drinks, throughout the weekend. 2306 York Rd., Timonium, 410-560-7101
Kooper’s Tavern: Hang out at the bar, line your stomach with $7 appetizers, and forget about your winter worries at this Fells Point hangout this weekend. Featured snow day sips at Kooper’s will include $5 High West American Prairies, $6 honey bourbon hot toddies, and $5 blizzard bombs. 1702 Thames St., 410-563-5423