“Baltimore in a bar,” was the slogan of The Dizz, the fixture on the corner of West 30th Street in Remington whose history as a watering hole dated back to 1937, when it opened as Dizzy Issie’s. In 1997, it rebranded and operated as The Dizz until closing in the fall of 2019.
Though their new concept is much more vibrant than the beloved dive, this slogan has served as the foundation for co-owners Brendan Dorr and Eric Fooy, who opened Pink Flamingo in the hallowed space earlier this week.
Baltimore prides itself in its history and whimsy. As city residents for almost 30 years, Dorr and Fooy—the duo behind Dutch Courage in Old Goucher—know firsthand how deep the The Dizz nostalgia runs. Since the announcement of their intent to purchase the building in January 2024, locals had been eagerly following social media and Reddit threads for updates on the new establishment.
“People were vocal about how much they loved The Dizz,” Dorr says. “We wanted to pay a little honor to it, but we weren’t looking to open somebody else’s business. What’s more Baltimore than pink flamingos?”
With all of this in mind, the pair created a space that feels like a tropical rum bar meets a neighborhood tavern. Dorr even had a conversation with John Waters (who better to affirm the concept than the auteur behind the 1972 cult classic film of the same name?), who further cemented the association of the kitschy lawn ornament with Charm City.
As the founder of the Baltimore Bartenders Guild and its president for 12 years, Dorr is a self-proclaimed bar maniac and loves featuring dynamic spirits. Dutch Courage, which opened in December 2019, is primarily a gin bar, with the name serving as a nod to the British who consumed Dutch gin to gain confidence before a battle.
Now with Pink Flamingo, Dorr and Fooy want to showcase rum. But they clarify that, while Pink Flamingo is a rum-focused bar, it’s not a cocktail bar. They’re intentional about creating an experience that differs from Dutch Courage, and they want the new space to feel more like a neighborhood tavern.
“You can come in here and have pitchers of beer,” Dorr says. “We don’t want to open a bar that feels like a repeat and copy and paste. Part of the enjoyment is the creative process of creating what feels like an authentic space.”
That creative process is evident in the decor, filled with bright colors evoking summertime in the Caribbean. Patrons will notice unique touches including a wall decorated with Pachinko (Japanese arcade game) machines—no they aren’t functional—and a Myer’s Rum mirror with an “Eat Bertha’s Mussels” sticker purchased from former Bertha’s owner Tony Norris on one of the Fells Point fixture’s final days. There are also a few physical remnants from The Dizz, including a vintage “Best of Baltimore” plaque and a big Natty Boh sign upstairs.
The second floor, ideal for private and community events, seats 40 people, while the first floor seats 14 at the bar and six on high tops, with around 18 in the main dining room.
The cocktail menu, of course, makes rum the highlight, but it also showcases spirits like gin (the fruit-forward Planetarium), tequila (the spicy Fire Island), and even shochu (the Golden Hour with golden milk and black lemon bitters). The current lineup, co-created by Dorr and bar manager (and Dutch Courage alum) Nick Pikounis, features 10 drinks. The signature is, fittingly named The Dizzy Flamingo, essentially a daiquiri with two rums, lime, and sugar.
“You get a little dizzy if you drink too much,” Dorr quips.
During its first month of operation, Pink Flamingo will only serve drinks until its new head chef, Blaine Welsh, finalizes the menu. (Until then, patrons are welcome to bring in food from nearby R. House.) Keeping its tropical theme, the offerings will be classic American pub fare, like wings and burgers, with a twist, like a pineapple jam on a burger.
“We’re really aiming for a neighborhood feel,” Dorr sums up. “The Pink Flamingo is a nod to The Dizz in multiple ways.”