Although saying “sayonara” to summer means putting away the flip flops and gearing up for sweater weather, the upside is that our beloved birds are officially back in action. The Ravens kick off their season by going head to head with the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 13. So throw on a jersey and celebrate the opener with these pre-game parties and game-day deals at spots all over town.
PRE-GAME PARTIES:
Ravens 5K and Kids Fun Run: Lace up your running shoes, put on your purple gear, and head to M&T Bank Stadium on Wednesday, September 9 for a night of family fun. The festivities will begin at 6:15 p.m. with special activities for kids and runners will be on their marks for the city-wide 5K at 7 p.m. Following the race, all spectators are invited to cool down at a tailgate party in the Gate A Plaza, where they can mingle with Ravens alumni, enjoy live music and snacks, and down free drafts courtesy of Miller Lite. 1101 Russell St.
Countdown to Kickoff Party: Power Plant Live is being painted purple for this bird bash on Thursday, September 10. Starting at 6 p.m., fans are invited to rub elbows with former players Jarret Johnson, Jamal Lewis, and Adalius Thomas, while bobbing their heads to the sounds of Los Angeles rockers We Are Harlot, indie alternative musicians The Struts, and country singer-songwriter Jerrod Niemann, all performing on the main stage. 4 Market Place
Purple Friday Flock Festival: Make the most of the first official Purple Friday by visiting this all-day soirée on a lunch break or during happy hour. The inaugural Flock Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, September 11 at the Pratt & Light Street Plaza in the Inner Harbor, featuring a lineup of food and beer trucks, live entertainment, and plenty of raffles and autographed giveaways.
GAME-DAY DEALS:
Charles Village Pub & Patio: No matter the sport, there’s never any shortage of game-day deals at this multi-level Towson hangout. With TV screens on virtually every wall—including in the spacious outdoor patio—CVP is an ideal space to kick back and show off your purple pride. The bar’s Ravens food and drink specials will be in full effect for Sunday’s opener, with offerings like 30 wings or 10 sliders for $29.99, a crab pretzel for $8.99, 60-oz. pitchers of Bud, Bud Light, or Natural Light for $8.99, and single Budweiser, Bud Light, or Natural Light bottles for $1.99. 19 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Towson, 410-821-8155
Fish Head Cantina: If you’ll be backing the birds from Arbutus, head to this neighborhood tiki bar to shoot some pool, chow down on sushi, and watch the game on 11 big screens. A running list of Ravens specials includes $1 12-oz. Natty Boh drafts, $2 domestic bottles and cans, $3 twisted teas, $4 craft drafts, and $5 crushes. On game days, the pub menu is 25 percent off. 4802 Benson Ave., Arbutus, 410-247-2474
Hightopps Backstage Grille: While this Timonium spot’s signature outdoor deck is reminiscent of some of our favorite beach town hangouts, step inside and you’ll find multiple bars perfect for sipping boozy beverages while rooting for your team. Specials on eats and drinks are featured daily, and when Ravens games fall on a Sunday, Hightopps offers a deal on 50-cent wings. To kick off the season, guests can also enjoy $5.25 Southern Comfort, Bacardi, Jack Daniels, and Tuaca drinks. 2306 York Road, Timonium, 410-560-7101
Jimmy’s Famous Seafood: With a menu full of local seafood specialties, it’s no wonder this Dundalk mainstay has a reputation as being a go-to spot for many of the Ravens players themselves. To celebrate the season’s return, Jimmy’s will be hosting an all-inclusive blowout for the birds this Sunday from 3:45 p.m. until the game ends. For the price of admission, fans can take advantage of open bar access, a full bull and oyster roast with pit beef and Roma sausage, a photo booth, and plenty of drinking games, while watching the action unfold on more than 30 screens. 6526 Holabird Ave., Dundalk, 410-633-4040
Johnny Dee’s Lounge: Adorned with twinkling lights and plenty of black and purple décor, this laid-back restaurant is a well-known watering hole for Perry Hall locals. Whether you’re a fan of more upscale entrees, or a firm believer that football should be paired with traditional pub grub, Johnny Dee’s offers something for everyone. Specials of note for the first game include a $10 bucket of domestics and a free shot of the bartender’s choosing every time the Ravens score a touchdown. 1705 Amuskai Ave., Parkville, 410-665-7000
Jokers N’ Thieves: This low country-inspired Canton bar makes a tradition out of roasting a half hog on game days, and Sunday’s matchup will mark the restaurant’s first “Hog Jam” of the season. Tickets to the all-inclusive feast include all-you-can-eat meat, side dishes like cornbread, potato salad, and collard greens, and a Miller Lite tallboy. Kickoff isn’t until 4:25 p.m., but the food gets served at 1 p.m. sharp, so be sure to show up early. 3000 O’Donnell St., 410-675-4029
Kisling’s Tavern: No sports bash is complete without classic bar fare, and, when it comes to Buffalo wings, the accolades keep on coming for this Canton spot. Pull up a barstool at Kisling’s and chow down on its signature wings while enjoying 16-oz. Ravens-labeled Miller Lite cans for $3.50, crushes for $4.50, $2-off all craft drafts, and $1-off all domestics. 2100 Fleet Street, 410-327-5477
Looney’s Pub: With a menu full of sports snacks like nachos, wraps, wings, and quesadillas, locals frequently flock to this Canton Square bar on any given game day. Looney’s welcomes back football season with plenty of specials on eats and drinks like a dozen wings or half-pound of shrimp for $9.99, a pound of shrimp paired with a pitcher of beer for $23.99,$4 Blue Moon or Guinness drafts, and $5 crushes and bloody marys. 2900 O’Donnell Street, 410-675-9235
Michael’s Café: As the summer winds down, don’t miss your chance to soak up some sun on the patio at this Timonium hotspot. Michael’s (which we just named “Best ‘Burbs Bar”) is starting football season off right will an all-you-can-eat outdoor tailgate this Sunday. Chow down on endless hamburgers, hotdogs, pulled pork, and potato salad for $10, while throwing back $3 Maryland Beers and $2.50 Coors and Miller Lites. 2119 York Road, Timonium, 410-252-2022
Mt. Washington Tavern: Discounted food and drink offerings are always plentiful during sports season at this sleek neighborhood haunt, making it an ideal place to showcase your purple pride. On any day that the Ravens play, diners can sip $3 16-oz. Natty Boh cans, $4 Blue Moon drafts, and $7 Deep Eddie Vodka drinks, while digging in to $8 chicken quesadillas, $8 roasted Buffalo wings, $10 crab dip, and $10 loaded waffle fries. 5700 Newbury St., 410-367-6903
Ristorante Firenze: This Reisterstown newbie has been making a name for itself with by serving up Italian classics for a few months now, and it’s ready to celebrate its first Ravens season with plenty of drink deals. From kickoff until close, guests can take advantage of specials like $3 16-oz. Miller Lite cans, $4 purple power shots, and a reduced bar menu with snacks for sharing. 2 Hanover Road, Reisterstown, 410-394-5577
Turp’s Sports Bar and Restaurant: Head to this cheerful Mt. Vernon hotspot (which we just named “Best Sports Bar”) to catch the game on multiple flat screens and indulge in plenty of food and drink specials. Fans can sip $2 Natty Boh cans, $2.25 domestic bottles, and $2 purple shooters while watching the Ravens and the Broncos duke it out. 1317 N. Charles St., 410-347-0349