Best Places For Fine Irish Whiskey In Baltimore
St. Patrick's Day celebrations usually mean a lot of green: green beer, green bagels, green clothing. But if you want a truly Irish St. Patrick's Day, do it with style by sipping on one of the many fine Irish whiskeys offered at Baltimore's local pubs. Whether pot still, blends, single malt or pure pot still, a fine Irish whiskey will have you talking with an Irish accent and saying Éirinn go Brách (Ireland Forever).
Choose any one of these five establishments to raise your glass of fine Irish whiskey and offer the Irish toast, Sláinte (cheers). Drink well and wisely. Don't drive drunk – keep the roads and yourself safe. Remember, the only thing Saint Patrick drove were the snakes out of Ireland.
Baldwin's Station
7618 Main St.
Sykesville, Md. 21784
(410) 795-1041
www.baldwinsstation.com
Hours: Tues to Sat 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Sun 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Baldwin's Station can be found in an old railroad station in the quaint village of Sykesville. Owner Stewart Dearie honors his Irish heritage by serving a number of the top shelf Irish whiskeys: Black Bush Irish whiskey, Jameson's 12 Year Old and Power Irish whiskey at all times. Enjoy your Irish whiskey at the bar or at the dinner table, along with the St. Patrick's Day menu of bangers and mash, corned beef and cabbage, Irish stew or shepherd's pie. If you time it right, you can toast the trains as they go by Baldwin's Station.
James Joyce Irish Pub & Restaurant
616 S President St.
Baltimore, Md. 21202
(410) 727-5107
thejamesjoycepub.com
Hours: Daily 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
At the foot of Interstate 83, as President Street turns to the East Harbor neighborhood, stands the James Joyce Irish Pub & Restaurant.It has been almost 10 years since the restaurant was designed and built in Ireland and retrofitted in their Baltimore space. Keep your eyes open for the Irish whiskey and food pairing in March. If you can't make the pairing, know that you can taste the following Irish whiskeys any time: Midleton Very Rare, Jameson 12 Year Old and 18 Year Old, Redbreast, and Bushmills 10, 16 and 21 Year Old Malt.
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Ryan's Daughter
600 E Belvedere Ave.
Baltimore, Md. 21212
(410) 464-1000
www.rdirishpub.com
Hours: Mon to Sat 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m., Sun 10:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Close to Belvedere Square Market but standing alone is Ryan's Daughter Irish Pub and Restaurant. Supposedly, the majority of furniture filling this restaurant was imported from Ireland. There is plenty to drink at Ryan's Daughter and the pub features a variety of top shelf Irish whiskeys: Midleton Very Rare, Knappogue Castle 15 Year Old, Bushmills 21 Year Old Malt and Jameson 18 Year Old. You can be sure that the Irish (and Irish for the day) will be singing a tune or two here about the Irish motherland this St. Patrick's Day.
Ryleigh's
36 E Cross St.
Baltimore, Md. 21230
(410) 539-2093
www.ryleighs.com
Hours: Daily - 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
The Federal Hill neighborhood celebrates St. Patrick's Day by going green for an entire week from Saturday, March 10 to Saturday, March 17, and Ryleigh's is at the Irish heart. Ryleigh's carries the very best bottles in the Jameson Irish Whiskey Portfolio, which includes Jameson 12 Year Old, Jameson Gold Reserve, Jameson 18 Year Old, Midleton and Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve.
Sláinte Irish Pub and Restaurant
1700 Thames St
Baltimore, Md. 21231
(410) 563-6600
www.slaintepub.com
Hours: Mon to Fri 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., Sat and Sun 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.
You'll find Sláinte Irish Pub and Restaurant at the mouth of historic Fells Point on the cobblestoned Thames Street overlooking the harbor. Should you be craving some fine Irish whiskey during the day, Sláinte was voted Baltimore's best daytime drinking bar. Ask for Dave, the barkeep, and he will steer you to any variety of Irish whiskey, top shelf or not. Recommendations can include Midleton Very Rare, Redbreast 12 Year Old, Jameson 18 Year Old and 12 Year Old, Michael Collins 10 Year Old Single Malt and Bushmills 10 Year Old. Dave also recommends Powers Irish whiskey; it's a bit kinder to your wallet and still a tasty, potable libation.
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Dara Bunjon has a passion for food - its origins, preparation and consumption. Her culinary endeavors began as a regular cooking personality on an early morning news show in Baltimore, where she developed a fanbase. She also owns her own company and co-authored a cookbook. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
