The face of Fells Point is changing. In some ways quite literally, as the $60 million Sagamore Pendry hotel, funded by Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank, gets erected atop the neighborhood’s 100-year-old central pier. In other ways, it’s been a more gradual, long-term evolution: condos going up on the waterfront, taverns getting replaced by cocktail bars, restaurant groups buying up blocks of real estate.
But the latest news, the selling of nearly 60-year-old Leadbetter’s Tavern, feels awfully close to a nail in the coffin of the original Fells Point. Owner Tom Cooper, 72, says that, while the bar will be under continuous operation, he is ready for the next chapter of his life.
“It was a really wild place back then,” says Cooper, who acquired the space in 1981. “But it’s gentrified now, it’s all changed. I like the good old days, and I think a lot of people here feel the same way.”
Leadbetter’s (named after blues musician Lead Belly) has long been known as a place for burgeoning musicians to get their nerves up, play open mic nights, jam with fellow musicians in the back of the bar, and hang out long after their performances were done.
“It’s been a home away from home for a lot of people,” says Cooper, who lives just upstairs from the bar. “People always seemed to like it more than any other place.”
The bar always attracted a ton of talent, most recently acts like rock cover band Juneways, the acoustic stylings of the Katie Bowers Band, powerhouse vocals of Katie Flemming, and longtime blues band Billy Thomson Band.
“Leadbetter’s has always been considered the place to cut teeth,” says Billy Thomson, who also works behind the bar. “People often get their start here and then evolve to play other places.”
By the end of June, the sale will go through to Ryan Perlberg, who also owns Stuggy’s hot dog shop in the neighborhood. Cooper cherishes memories of the bar and Fells Point over the years, but says he’ll be moving out in the near future.
“I’ve seen three generations come through this place over the years,” he says. “We’re one of the last true saloons left down here. The Cat’s Eye and us are pretty much the only ones left.”
In true Leadbetter’s style, the bar will be hosting a few live-music parties to commemorate the end of the era. One will be this Saturday, June 4, starting at 2 p.m. with music from Darby, Juneways, and Rob Zuzin. Cooper says there will likely be another party closer to the sale.
“I’ve had a lot of memories here. It was a good part of my adult life,” he says. “But probably most of them aren’t appropriate to share,” he adds with a laugh.