Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Baltimore / Maryland

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Baltimore / Maryland? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

B-Side Cocktails & Karaoke

4.9

4.9 (122)

$31 to $50

Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service

Mt. Vernon

About the restaurant

Reservations available Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays
WALK-INS ONLY ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHTS

Hidden in plain sight, B-Side is a spirit-forward speakeasy with best-in-class cocktails, bar snacks and private karaoke rooms located in the Mount Vernon neighborhood.

A Hi-Fi vinyl listening micro-bar with seasonal drinks and inspired playlists, B-Side is a dimly-lit, intimate option for date night, a special celebration, or a low-key nightcap.

To find your way to B-Side, simply choose a song on the jukebox in the basement of Hotel Revival — the experience will unveil itself to you.

Located across the lounge, groups of 2 to 8 guests can also reserve one of three private karaoke rooms with bottle service.

Everyone must be 21++
*Please arrive within 15 minutes of your reservation time. Failure to do so may result in cancellation.*

Top review

Adrian

Dined on Feb 1, 2025

First time going here & the hidden door wouldn’t open with the jukebox. We got seated pretty quickly but it took about an hour to get a drink here. Ambiance was lovely & noise was just loud enough to not hear other people’s conversations. I would try it again

Order of the Ace

4.9

4.9 (17)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Harbor East

About the restaurant

In the Order of the Ace, certain truths are revealed. Like the power of your person being equal to the place you find yourself present. And the quality of a cocktail being bettered by the craft of its creator. Slip into a space of music and mystique. A mood of intimacy and intrigue. A night where essential truths are served straight up. Or however else you would like.

Top review

zimmszooVIP

Dined on Mar 1, 2025

We visited OotA prior to our dinner reservations at The Ruxton. We noticed that the appetizers from The Ruxton were on the OotA menu. The Caviar tots were delicious, but the big stand out were the waygu sliders. The best burger I've ever had. My fiancé got a Espresso Martini Mocktail that was perfect, and I had a Mezcal drink that was well crafted with a slight spice. The decor and ambiance were beautiful! I look forward to visiting again soon!

The Melting Pot - Towson

4.8

4.8 (1894)

$31 to $50

Fondue

Towson

About the restaurant

The Melting Pot in Towson offers an extraordinary dining experience that you won't find at any other restaurant. Here, you'll discover all the ingredients to a perfect evening, including a relaxed atmosphere, private tables, attentive service, fine wines and fabulous four-course dinners. No matter what the occasion, from a romantic date to get-togethers with friends, meetings or large groups, The Melting Pot always hits the spot. We believe in celebrating the everyday, so you don’t need a special reason to come out for our delicious menu offerings.

Your experience begins with rich cheese fondues prepared table-side. Your taste buds will be delighted by a fresh salad course. The third course is diverse selections of entrées choice ranging from steak, seafood, gluten free and vegetarian options! The finale fourth course is Chocolate Fondue served with decadent dippers.

We are sure the time and rich conversations around our steamy fondue pots will bring you closer to family and friends.

Top review

Chad

Dined 5 days ago

Another great dinner! Service was excellent, they even made my favorite drink for me by request. I showed them the recipe and they went above and beyond to perfect it with the ingredients they had on hand!

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Experience

Celebration Squishie Fondue Pot Stuffed Toy $25

Fox's Den

4.8

4.8 (322)

$30 and under

Gastro Pub

Annapolis

About the restaurant

An american craft Gastropub concentrating on local and small batch beers, whiskey, spirits and hand crafted cocktails along with a brick oven menu with Wood Fired Pizza, shareable items, and small plates.

*Please note for online wait listed reservations do have a 5-10 min time frame to arrive for your reservation to be sat*

Top review

DeniseVIP

Dined on Apr 4, 2025

Fox’s Den has never disappointed. While it’s a limited menu, the choices are great! Top pizza place in Annapolis. Only negative is they don’t open till 5, 4 would be better!

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Popular dish

Duck Fat Fries

Bj's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Hagerstown

4.8

4.8 (239)

$30 and under

American

Hagerstown

About the restaurant

Time counts at BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse. Since our humble beginnings back in 1978, we’ve continued to refine our brewhouse experience to make BJ’s a place where you can make the most of any meal. We want BJ’s to be a place where the moment you leave is the moment you plan on coming back. We pride ourselves in our craft and attention to detail. Our guests come here for our award-winning handcrafted beer. They come here for the Southern California twist we’ve put on the Chicago-style deep dish pizza. And they come here for our Pizookies®, our world-renowned dessert. But above all we know people come here to make their good times better. So in many ways we haven’t just crafted a brand, but a mindset. And our guests are the reason for this. And it’s because of them we’re continually striving to make sure every moment they choose to spend with us counts. Welcome to BJ’s, a restaurant with a Brewhouse soul.

Top review

Deneen

Dined on Apr 4, 2025

We had a quick dinner on our road trip and the waiter got us in and out and the food was great!

The Dive Club

4.8

4.8 (144)

$30 and under

Seafood

Cambridge

About the restaurant

Join us on the USS N. Nectar as we set sail across the Chesapeake Bay in search of the infamous Chessie.

During your journey, enjoy Shareable Plates, and Tropical Cocktails inspired by the Captains many adventures around the globe.

*We are a themed restaurant, and not an actual boat on the water*

Top review

Jo-Ann

Dined 5 days ago

We were at the Dive Club to celebrate a friend’s birthday. Dinner was good, drinks interesting and enjoyed all the sensory stimulation!

The Garden Rooftop

4.7

4.7 (180)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Garden Rooftop, a hidden gem in the heart of the Bromo Arts District in Downtown Baltimore! Step into an unforgettable experience where elegance and excitement blend seamlessly. Begin your evening with a refined dinner on the first floor, enjoying exquisite cuisine and handcrafted cocktails. Afterward, head to the second floor to unwind in our Hookah and Cigar Lounge (please note, reservations are not available for the lounge).

DRESS CODE
“Upscale Chic”

NOT ALLOWED:
Offensive, vulgar, or Inappropriate attire
Athletic attire (sweat pants, sweat suits)
Tank tops (men)
Slides & flip flops
Ugg boots and Ugg Slippers
Timberlands
Exposed undergarments
Full face mask
Skull caps
Backpacks

Top review

Desiree

Dined 3 days ago

Service and food were excellent!!! Definitely recommend!!!

James Joyce Irish Pub and Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (141)

$30 and under

Irish

Harbor East

About the restaurant

Experience an authentic Irish pub experience in Baltimore with our cozy and inviting atmosphere that has welcomed locals and tourists alike for over 18 years. With its decor and furnishings imported directly from Ireland, James Joyce will transport you across thousands of miles of ocean to The Emerald Isle.

With a menu featuring traditional Irish fare and a large selection of draft beers, James Joyce will complete the true Irish pub experience by hosting live music 7 nights a week.

Top review

Amanda

Dined on Apr 5, 2025

As two English teachers who wanted a added experience to our one day, Baltimore trip, this restaurant was perfect

Fallston Barrel House

4.5

4.5 (566)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Fallston

About the restaurant

A new Local Favorite, we bring you craft spirits & provisions. Join us in our Bar or comfortable Dining Room for Lunch, Dinner, or any special occasion to enjoy our Chef's masterpiece menu, featuring local favorites & a modern twist on classic comfort food, paired with small batch craft distills & brews. Congratulations to our very own "Amanda Wiley"who won Best Server of the Year for 2022 at the Restaurant Association Gala.....................................

PLEASE MAKE A NOTE IF YOU ARE HERE TO SEE A BAND..................................................................
PLEASE CHECK WITH THE RESTAURANT TO SEE IF THIS IS A TICKETED EVENT & CALL THE RESTAURANT -
DO NOT MAKE RESERVATIONS ONLINE. THANK YOU

Top review

DORIS

Dined on Apr 12, 2025

The service and food were excellent. The prices were very reasonable. Great atmosphere!

Kabuto

4.5

4.5 (87)

$30 and under

Hibachi

Parkville

About the restaurant

We are committed to serving an authentic Japanese experience to each and every one of our guests. From the atmosphere of our dining room to the dishes we make, we have constructed a Japanese-inspired restaurant people want to visit.
Whether you prefer the excitement of our chefs cooking in front of you on our hibachi grill or the bursts of tangy flavor from our sushi rolls, you’ll have a dine-in experience that is unlike any other.

Top review

Nicole

Dined on Mar 24, 2025

We had a great time! We were at a table with a family and one other guest and they were all so fun and friendly! We all just had a great time! I am unfortunately allergic to onions but they were able to make my food in the back and it was delicious! This is our second visit at this location and both times were wonderful!

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