January 18, 2012

It wasn’t until half-past three that I thought about leaving. The party was still going; Al Jolson sang while dancing girls spilled champagne from their glasses. Not long before Tom got the idea to take the Model T for a spin. Sounding the horn (and waking the city), he zoomed past me, kicking up rocks as he went, his laughter fading into the night…

Dear Reader,

There’s a club in Baltimore… a secret club you might have never heard of before. It’s called the Forgotten Cocktail Club, and it harkens back to the city’s Prohibition days.

It was started by Brendan Dorr, the head bartender at B&O Brasserie, and Jon Blair, a bartender at Ryleigh’s and manager at Blackwater Distilling. “We did this because we want to get a cocktail culture moving in Baltimore,” Brendan says.

While Baltimore never really endorsed Prohibition, it did have quite a few speakeasy clubs (think The Owl Bar), and a sign in Fells Point encouraging people to vote against Prohibition that you can still see today.

So, it’s only natural that Baltimore should have an old-fashioned cocktail club.

It meets once a month at a different, ‘secret’ location. And as soon as you walk in, you’ll think you’ve been transported back in time. Ragtime sounds through the speakers and black & white films are projected on flat screen displays.

Brendan and Jon dress in fedoras and pinstripes and whip up a set of old-time cocktails, like the Old Fashioned, the Manhattan, the Gin Fizz, their take on a Singapore Sling, and, what is arguably the most audacious of all of the cocktails: the Blue Blazer.

And here’s a picture:

Don’t try this at home

There’s no cover for the spectacle, but the bar is cash only. And while Brendan and Jon will be wearing suspenders and spats; you won’t have to dress up (though it sure feels fun.)

This month, the Forgotten Cocktail Club meets on Saturday, January 21 from 7pm at Maisy’s – located at 313 North Charles Street. You can follow the Forgotten Cocktail Club’s next whereabouts on Facebook. See you there!

Special Offer for HCSA Members and Friends from M&T Bank

The main branch of M&T Bank is located right here on Charles Street. They handle the day-to-day banking needs of many of our Historic Charles Street member businesses and other nonprofits, law offices, architecture firms and medical professionals in the Baltimore area.

If you’re looking to save money processing credit cards, M&T’s Merchant Services, can help. Right now they’re offering an arrangement exclusive to HCSA Members and friends who are in need of establishing or improving their credit card service. Benefits include NO Annual Fee, FREE Setup, No Monthly System Access Fee, and No Batch Processing Fee. For more details and a no-fee consultation, contact M&T’s Vice President and Commercial Branch Manager, Mike Mistretta, at 410-545-2124.

Colorful Winter Gear at A People United

Beat those winter ‘blahs’ by stocking up on colorful handmade scarves, hats and gloves at A People United. And if you visit before Feb. 7th, you’ll receive 50% off non-sale clothing and 20% off their beautiful jewelry, carved furniture, and other home decorative items. There’s a red leather designer skirt that’s currently half-priced that I think someone could rock with high-heel winter boots. Let me know when you see it. A People United is located at 516 N. Charles Street. Phone 410-727-4471. http://apeopleunited.tumblr.com/

‘Night Visions’ at C. Grimaldis Gallery

ZACHARY THORNTON Egress (Dusk), 2011 Oil on canvas 25 x 64 inches

On Tuesday, January 24, Grimaldis will display a solo exhibition entitled “Night Visions” by Zachary Thorton, a contemporary painter and Maryland Institute College of Art alum.

Just what are ‘Night Visions’? “[They're] exterior scenes set in the midst of anonymous, silent streets, and illuminated by the isolated lights of the nocturnal world that turn otherwise ordinary moments into mysterious and provocative tableaux,” Zachary writes. His images are meant to evoke complex emotional responses.

The Baltimore Sun has likened Zachary’s lifelike images to Edward Hopper. The opening reception on January 24 is from 6pm-8pm, and the exhibition runs thru March 10, 2012. Grimaldis Gallery is located at 523 N. Charles Street. Phone 410-539-1080. http://www.cgrimaldisgallery.com/

Imagine Having Your Next Office Meeting Right Here!

Just one block off Charles Street, Saint Paul Plaza Conference Center features floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking Downtown Baltimore. The breathtaking views guarantee rapt attention from your coworkers.

Its spacious, column-free floor plan allows for several styles of meeting setups and allows for a distinct and comfortable environment for your next meeting.

Amenities such as LCD projectors, screens, flip charts, wifi and more are available at no extra charge.

Saint Paul Plaza Conference Center is located at 200 Saint Paul Place. For more information, Contact Conference Center Coordinator and Building Manager, Alyson King at 410-539-27OO ext. 221 or alyson@kornblatt.com.

Fun Things to Do This Weekend

On Saturday, January 21, from 2pm-3pm, hear the Peabody Academy String Orchestra in the Walters Art Museum’s Sculpture Garden. Comprised of thirty talented and promising musicians, the Orchestra will perform works by Mozart and Tchaikovsky. Free admission. The Walters Art Museum is located at 600 N. Charles Street. Phone 410-547-9000. http://thewalters.org/

Verronneau

Later on Saturday (8pm to be precise), head on over to An Die Musik for the smooth sounds of Verronneau. Lynn Verronneau, a French Canadian chanteuse, flows seamlessly from gypsy jazz to samba to the Beatles. Their CD won’t be available until May, but you can hear it here first. Tickets $15. An Die Musik is located at 409 N. Charles Street. Phone 410-385-2638. http://www.andiemusiklive.com.

On Sunday, January 22, Old Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church will host a lecture on Christianity Before and After Constantine at the Tremont Grand Hotel. Learn more about the monumental changes that took place when the Emperor Constantine made Christianity the state religion. Free admission. The Tremont Grand is located at 225 N. Charles Street. Phone 410-685-3404 for details. http://www.temp.osp1692.org/

Also on Sunday, from 2pm-4pm Beadazzled instructor Nikki Rose will teach you how to make a ‘Lost in the Forest’ bracelet. You’ll stitch branches and leaves with seed beads, learn how to adorn the bracelet with gemstone chips, and more. Beadazzled is located at 501 N. Charles Street. Call 410-837-2323 to register. Website: http://www.beadazzled.net./index.php

Want to be featured in The Charles Street Insider? We proudly promote all of our Historic Charles Street Association member businesses. Email me for details!

Trivia Time

Congrats to everyone who got last week’s question right! George Washington’s false teeth were once on display at the Museum of Dentistry.

Ready for this week’s question? (I have Charles Towers’ Steve Speicher to thank for it.)

Our Historic Charles Street Logo is very symbolic. Tell me what it represents – I’ll give you a hint: it’s an aerial view from one particular Baltimore landmark. Email me with your answer, and you, too, could win a prize!

Finally, be sure to check your inboxes early next week – we’ll be reporting all the mouth-watering details from Restaurant Week!

Until then,

Laura Rodini
Executive Director, The Historic Charles Street Association

The Historic Charles Street Association (HCSA) is a non-profit organization, 501 (c)(3),whose mission is to support and promote the businesses, cultural attractions, entertainment venues, restaurants and retail establishments along the Charles Street corridor. HCSA serves as a problem solving and information resource for its members, as well as provides a forum for networking, communication and collaboration.