Alexander's Tavern ~ Baltimore, Maryland

Latest visit: Jun 2018

First visit: Dec 2016

So we begin our Baltimore sojourn at Alexander’s Tavern. As apropos as anywhere else the RJG frequents in Baltimore I suppose. As mentioned in the year end update, I started working in Baltimore in November of 2016 and I’m here/there roughly once a month give or take a week. While my job and role have changed immensely in the last one year plus, the places I frequent to dine and drink have not. My current company is decidedly a non-liquid lunch kind of environment (dinner is a different story…). And I couldn’t see how it would be anyway, as I pretty much work non-stop from 5a to 6p (sometimes more), except to pull away for 30 minutes (or maybe an hour) of lunch bliss and an hour in the morning to run the beautiful Harbor East/Fells Point, which is quite picturesque at sunrise while running the wooden boardwalk. I state all of this because dinner for me is all about the taverns and brewhouses. I have isolated the non-alcoholic restaurants to lunch and the ones with a healthy beer selection to dinner. When I was a “road warrior” consultant in the 1990s, I preferred to fly in on Sunday to get settled, and that remains the same in Baltimore – and if I travel international I often times prefer to land on Saturday night to allow a day to adjust. So with that we start with dinner... and on Sunday it’s more of a late afternoon, so I can get to bed early.

Alexander’s Tavern sits in Fells Point, amidst numerous watering holes. Of course prior to the 1980s, these places were hardcore bars frequented by sailors, dockworkers, and shipbuilders. Occasionally a Naval ship will still port in Fells Point and rest assured the area transforms itself quite nicely to a bygone era. Alexander’s Tavern is one of the more known places in Fells Point, and is definitely popular on weekends. They have a narrow bar area, and a full restaurant, plus a little outdoor seating. Likely you can find a spot in the restaurant at any time. But I prefer the bar myself…

One of the great things about the taverns in Baltimore is the Italian tradition and background the city maintains. So “bar food” is elevated to a higher standard right from the get. And Alexander’s Tavern is a place I’ve enjoyed going to for things like chicken parm and meatball subs, pizzas, and occasionally they’ll offer a baked cast iron pasta dish (they did in the winter of 2016, didn’t see it this year). But of course they offer more than that, and their soft tacos are another recommendation. The main point here – and will be reflected in many of my other Baltimore reviews – is that food is decidedly not an afterthought. It is not just a little something to fill patrons while they quaff liters of beer. While I may not frequent Alexander’s Tavern every trip, it certainly remains a go-to place. I've never left disappointed.

As far as the beer selection goes, they have a healthy selection of cans and bottles. Their taps are sufficient, though it’s not as locally focused as I prefer. It’s rare I find something new here, especially now.

As mentioned in the prelude, Alexander’s Tavern in in the heart of Fells Point. Usual flat screens with sports, and classic rock blaring in the background. And loud patrons, each yelling louder the next. All good fun.

12/1/16; 1/7/18 (new entry); 6/11/18