Watch CBS News

Best Cocktail Bars In Baltimore

Cocktails have been around since alcohol was first distilled. Originally, they generally included sugar, water, bitters and alcohol. Since that time, mixologists have spent hours upon hours creating the newest mixed drink sensation. Baltimore and alcoholic beverages have long shared a colorful and sometimes infamous love affair. Find an exceptional cocktail at any of these Baltimore bars.

Club Hippo
1 W. Eager St.
Baltimore, Md. 21201
(410) 547-0069
www.clubhippo.com

Founded in 1972 in the Mount Vernon neighborhood, the Club Hippo is a well-known hangout for the gay and lesbian community. A great place for a game of pool or to relax with a cocktail in the video bar, it features various cocktail selections. Fall drink specials include SS Svedka drinks, rail drinks and more. The club also has a decent draft and bottled beer selection.

Related: Best Bars For A Blind Date In Baltimore

Rye Fells Point
807 S. Broadway
Fells Point, Md. 21231
(443) 438-3296
www.ryebaltimore.com

When it comes to rye whiskey, Rye Fells Point takes it seriously. Rye whiskey was a favorite in Maryland before Prohibition tried to keep a good cocktail out of the hands of citizens of the U.S. In a homage to that drink, the bar specializes in rye-infused cocktails. Favorites include classics such as the Manhattan and the Old Fashioned. The bar also has select beers, wines and other drinks.

XS Bar
1307 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, Md. 21202
(410) 468-0002
www.xsbaltimore.com

A restaurant, cafe and bar, the XS, located in Mount Vernon, has a wide selection of cocktails, along with beers, wines and non-alcoholic drinks. Some customer favorites include the melon margarita, the XSive mojito, the agave negro, the Barack attack and the astro pop. In addition to wines, XS has an excellent sake menu, which includes sake-based drinks such as the pearl moon, tiger lily, the gummy bear and others.

Stalking Horse Vodka Bar
26 E. Cross St.
Baltimore, Md. 21230
(410) 244-6722
www.stalkinghorsefederalhill.com

A vodka bar, located in Federal Hill, the Stalking Horse stocks 50 different vodka brands and specializes in martinis and other mixed drinks. Also known for its frozen slushy drinks, daiquiris and the frozen TG Red Bull & Vodka Slushy, the establishment has nightly drink and happy hour specials, served with various small plate offerings. In addition to cocktails, the drink menu also includes beer and wine selections.

Woody's Rum Bar & Island
821 S. Broadway
Baltimore, Md. 21231
(410) 563-6800
www.woodysrumbar.com

The first thing to know about Woody's Rum Bar, located at Fells Point, is the bar's love affair with rum. Voted as a Best Bar to get day drunk, the bar sits on the harbor. Located on the third-floor deck, Woody's wears a Caribbean motif. Adorned with bamboo, island-themed art, murals and hand-painted steel drums, Woody's has an extensive rum drink selection. From tikis and caipirinha to mojitos and rum-infused cocktails, customer favorites include its frozen rum drinks.

Related: Best Bars for Business Drinks In Baltimore

Jeffrey B. Roth has won numerous state and national news and feature-writing awards during his career. A well-known crime writer, investigative reporter and a feature writer, Roth writes for a number of magazines and newspapers. Listed in the Locus Index of SciFi and Fantasy authors, Roth is the author of a number of published short stories and poetry. His work can be found on Examiner.com.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.