Six months have passed since we last saw our defending AL East Division Champions in action, but thankfully the wait is over and Opening Day is finally within reach. The Orioles officially kick off their season on the road this year in Tampa Bay on April 6 and the home opening pits us against the Toronto Blue Jays on April 10. So sport your O’s gear, order an Orange Crush, and back the birds with these local food and drink specials.
AWAY OPENER:
Conrad’s Seafood Restaurant: With locations all over town—and even one at Ripken Stadium—this longtime local restaurant and seafood purveyor is a great spot to show off your Orioles spirit. Conrad’s in Perry Hall will be hosting an Opening Day bash on April 6 starting at 3 p.m., complete with $3 Brewers Art Birdhouse and DuClaw Bareass Blonde drafts, $10 Brewers Art and DuClaw buckets, beer pong, cornhole, and live music by Mark Hopkins & The Hotel. 9654 Belair Road, Perry Hall, 410-429-3474.
Mt. Washington Tavern: Orioles-inspired drink specials will be the highlight of the bar menu at this trendy neighborhood haunt on both April 6 for the away opener and April 10 for Opening Day at home. The tavern will be offering $3 Brewers Art Birdhouse beers and $5 Orange Crushes to celebrate the beginning of the season. 5700 Newbury St., 410-367-6903.
Baltimore magazine’s Back the Birds Viewing Party: Pratt Street Ale House will be bursting with orange pride as locals gather to watch the O’s take on the Tampa Bay Rays for the official season opener on April 6. From 2-7 p.m., Baltimore magazine will be hosting an official viewing party complete with a spread of tasty bites and plenty of beers on tap. Tickets are $10 and include admission, appetizers, and two drink tickets redeemable for domestic bottles, house wines or liquor, or local Oliver Ales. 206 W. Pratt St., 410-244-8900.
HOME OPENER:
Alewife: Take your pick from more than 35 brews on tap at this downtown bar, which will be featuring specials on local beers to celebrate the big game. Bartenders at Alewife will be on hand bright and early on April 10, pouring $5 pints of Full Tilt, Heavy Seas, Brewers Art, and Union Craft beers starting at 10 a.m. 21 N. Eutaw St., 410-545-5112.
B&O American Brasserie: Although this upscale spot in the Hotel Monaco is best known for its inventive entrees and hand-crafted cocktails, B&O is keeping it simple to celebrate the return of the birds. The restaurant will be featuring a deal on beef and bohs for the home opener, offering an order of sliders paired with a can of Natty Boh for only $5. 2 N. Charles St., 443-692-6172.
Flying Dog at Diamond Tavern: This restaurant, located inside The Hilton Baltimore, is teaming up with Flying Dog Brewery to host a pre-game block party on its patio featuring Flying Dog Bloodline Orange Ale. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., enjoy the soulful sounds of The Jordan August Band with DJ Sail Flip while sipping $5 beers and discounted cocktails and Orange Crushes. 401 W. Pratt St., 443-573-8777.
Kislings Tavern: In honor of the first home game of the season, this corner sports bar will be offering some hometown-inspired drink deals. Fans can enjoy $4 Orange Crushes, $5 O Bombs, (orange vodka and red bull) and $3 16-oz Natty Boh cans all night long. The afternoon game against the Toronto Blue Jays also conveniently coincides with Kisling’s daily happy hour, which highlights nachos for $6.99, ten wings for $7.99, and crab dip for $8.99 from 3-7 p.m. 2100 Fleet St., 410-327-5477.
Mother’s Grille: If you’ll be cheering on the birds from Federal Hill, head to the famous purple patio, which transforms to orange this time of year, at this local favorite. Mother’s will be celebrating the O’s return with a massive outdoor postgame party featuring offerings like $3 Miller Lite cans, $5 Smirnoff Orange Crushes, and a special ballpark menu. 1113 S. Charles St., 410-244-8686.
“O”pening Day Tailgate at Horseshoe Casino: Although earlier this week 98 Rock’s Sarah Fleischer announced that she will be retiring in June, you can still hang out with the beloved mid-day DJ at Horseshoe Casino’s Outdoor Event Plaza on April 10. The casino and 98 Rock will be hosting an all-you-can-eat and drink tailgate from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with live music, plenty of draft beer, and a stadium fare buffet featuring new items from Guy’s Bar B Que Joint—which recently opened in the casino’s food court-style Baltimore Marketplace. 1525 Russell St., 844-777-8463.
Power Plant Live: Head to this downtown nightlife district for some O’s-themed tailgates and postgame parties on Opening Day. Starting at 10 a.m., all of the bars inside Power Plant Live will be offering $1 ballpark hotdogs, $3 Miller Lite drafts, $20 100-oz Miller Lite towers, and no cover for fans sporting orange apparel. 34 Market Place, 410-727-5483.
Sliders: Located only 771 feet away from home plate at Camden Yards, this popular sports bar is the closest you can get to all of the O’s action without a ticket to the stadium. Sliders will be kicking off its Opening Day party at 7a.m with a $10 breakfast buffet and full bar service both inside the restaurant and outside on its patio. Classic fan fare like wings, fries, chicken tenders, and—of course—sliders will also be offered on a game day menu, along with Sliders’ signature $10 24-oz. birdbowls full of Orange Crush. 504 Washington Blvd., 410-547-8891.
The Admiral’s Cup: No viewing party is complete without some classic ballpark snacks, and they taste even better when they’re free. This go-to sports bar in Fells Point is showing off its orange pride by offering free peanuts and hotdogs and $3 16-oz. Natty Boh tallboys during the game. 1647 Thames St., 410-534-5555
World of Beer: With more than 50 global brews on tap and tons of pub grub to go around, this McHenry Row spot is a go-to hangout for any sporting event. Signature snacks like flatbreads, black and tan onion rings, mac and cheese, and huge German pretzels will all be highlights of the $5 game day menu—which features built-in beer pairing suggestions. World of Beer will also be offering $4 22-oz Natty Boh drafts starting an hour before the game begins. 1724 Whetstone Way, 41-752-2337
INSIDE THE PARK:
Flying Dog Brewery: In addition to the brews featured at The Hilton’s block party outside of the park, stop by Flying Dog Grill on the lower concourse where the brewery’s Firkin Friday tradition will be in full effect for the home opener. Every Friday home game, Flying Dog taps one of its unfiltered cask-conditioned ales in a 10-gallon keg, and for Opening Day the cask will be full of Flying Dog’s just-released Single Hop Imperial IPA.
Heavy Seas: Since all beers pretty much cost the same amount inside the park, get more bang for your buck by taking advantage of the local brews which can be found around every corner. For Heavy Seas favorites like Loose Cannon, Cross Bones, or SmoothSail drafts, visit the Heavy Seas Beer Cart on the upper level near section 364, Free State Pub on the lower level between sections 49 and 53, Old Bay Seafood on the upper level outside sections 332 and 334 or any of the Club Level Bars.