Food Fridays
Explore Baltimore! Monday Night Open Mic
Friday, April 11th, 2025 by Liz Kosik
by Elizabeth Kosik ’25
What: Next Phaze Monday Night Open Mic
When: Monday, April 14 · 8 – 11pm
Where: Next Phaze Cafe & Lounge · 112 E Lexington Street Baltimore, MD 21201
Every Monday evening, Next Phaze Café & Lounge opens its doors to local musicians, poets, and performers for a night dedicated to creativity and community. The Monday Night Open Mic is a space where artists of all backgrounds can take the stage and share their work in a supportive, laid-back setting.
Guests can enjoy live performances while dining on some of the café’s most popular Southern-inspired dishes, including Cajun salmon, crab cakes, Bayou pasta, and fried catfish. A selection of signature cocktails is also available to round out the experience. Due to limited seating, reservations through Toast Tables are recommended, with each reservation allowing up to four free seats. Walk-ins are welcome on a first-come, first-served basis. Don’t miss out!
Posted in Events, Explore Baltimore, Featured, Food Fridays, Music | No Comments »
Explore Baltimore: Top 5 Late-Night Venues
Friday, March 28th, 2025 by Liz Kosik
Baltimore comes alive after dark, offering great food and music for night owls. Whether you’re craving a midnight snack or a live show, these five spots keep the energy going.
5. Metro Gallery blends art and music, bringing indie bands, DJs, and experimental acts to the scene. With a laid-back vibe and strong local presence, it’s a great place to discover new sounds.
4.The 8×10 in Federal Hill is a legendary venue for live music, known for its intimate setting and focus on jam bands, funk, and rock. The welcoming atmosphere makes it a favorite among both local and touring musicians.
Posted in Explore Baltimore, Featured, Food Fridays | No Comments »
Explore Baltimore: Top 5 Mexican Eats
Friday, March 21st, 2025 by Liz Kosik
1. Clavel – A trendy mezcaleria and taqueria in Remington serving house-made tortillas, flavorful tacos, and some of the best mezcal cocktails in the city. The queso fundido is a must!
2. La Calle – This Mexican restaurant near the Inner Harbor combines traditional flavors with modern twists. Try the birria tacos or their famous ceviche for a fresh bite.
3. Cocina Luchadoras – A cozy, family-run taqueria in Fells Point offering authentic Mexican street food. Their tacos al pastor and tamales are local favorites, and the colorful decor makes it a fun stop.
4. Tortilleria Sinaloa – A small but mighty spot on Eastern Avenue known for its fresh, handmade tortillas. Their simple yet delicious tacos, especially the carnitas, make this a go-to for locals.
5. Blue Agave – A vibrant cantina in Federal Hill with a deep tequila menu and flavorful dishes like shrimp adobo fajitas and street-style elote. Great for a lively night out!
Posted in Explore Baltimore, Featured, Food Fridays, Reviews | No Comments »
Explore Baltimore! EAS Entertainment Open Mic Night
Friday, May 31st, 2024 by Liz Kosik
by Liz Kosik ’25
What: Open Mic Night hosted by EAS Entertainment Group
When: June 8, 2024 @7 pm
Where: Caribbean Dynasty on 647 West Pratt St., Baltimore, MD
Posted in Events, Explore Baltimore, Featured, Food Fridays, Music, Tickets | No Comments »
Explore Baltimore! Sodam Bistro
Friday, April 22nd, 2022 by Ronnie Gruseck
What: Korean Restaurant
Where: 200 W Cold Spring Ln, Baltimore, MD 21210
When: Mon-Sat 10am-10pm
Reviewed By: Ronnie Gruseck
Opened last December 2021, Sodam Bistro shares authentic Korean cuisine along with various gelato and espresso and non-espresso drink options. Adjacent to the pharmacy, Newman Towers, and Royal Farms, this restaurant is perfect for those sunny days when you want to take a stroll around the trail next to Newman and around Roland. There are various vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options for all dishes. And with outdoor seating and generous portion sizes, Sodam is a great way to choose from a selection of delicious cuisine and spend quality time with others. It’s a growing spot for Loyola students to hang out and relax.
Posted in Food Fridays, News | No Comments »
5 Best Study Spots in Baltimore
Tuesday, October 8th, 2019 by WLOY Staff
Are you a college student in Baltimore? Do you ever wish you had that perfect off-campus spot to do your work but you just don’t know where to go? I feel you. And this one’s for you.
1. Sophomore Coffee
Sophomore Coffee, to me, is one of the best study spots in Baltimore. It’s located right around the Barclay neighborhood, just a seven minute walk away from Baltimore’s famous Graffiti Alley. Sophomore Coffee is essentially hidden, situated just underground, and it definitely has that quaint, hole-in-the-wall kind of feel. It’s super small and quiet–perfect for focusing on homework–and definitely very aesthetically pleasing.
Tags: coffee, coffeeshops, college, homework, school, studying, tourism
Posted in Explore Baltimore, Featured, Food Fridays, News, Tourism Tuesdays, Wacky Wednesdays | No Comments »
5 Unique Restaurants in Baltimore You NEED To Try
Tuesday, September 10th, 2019 by WLOY Staff
Food with as much personality as you!
Photo via Instagram @gutterutter
Sometimes, we need to spice up our lives a bit. And what better way to do that than trying some new places to eat? Don’t be boring and go back to the same old, plain restaurants that just don’t seem to offer anything special. Try one of these 5 unique restaurants in Baltimore and find your new hidden gem in this city that’s exploding with culture and charm!
1. One of the MOST Unique Restaurants In Baltimore – The Papermoon Diner
The Papermoon Diner is my FAVORITE of these unique restaurants in Baltimore. Not only is the food unbeatable, with mouth watering carnivorous AND vegetarian/vegan options like crab quesadillas and vegan nachos, but the atmosphere is spectacularly eclectic and nostalgic. It’s located right by the Baltimore Museum of Art, but the real art is the restaurant, itself. Upon walking in you’ll feel like you just stepped into a real-life comic book, with weird trinkets and figurines, galore. It’s also a great date spot; you’ll have lots to discuss as you dine in your childhood heaven!
Tags: Baltimore, food, fun, lifestyle
Posted in Explore Baltimore, Featured, Food Fridays, News, Tourism Tuesdays, Wacky Wednesdays | No Comments »
Explore Baltimore: Common Ground
Friday, July 28th, 2017 by WLOY Staff
What: Common Ground Cafe & Coffee
Where: 819 W 36th St
When: 7am-5pm Everyday
Let me let you in on a little tip: Common Ground is the best place in the world. No matter what you get at this place, you WILL enjoy it. I whole heartedly suggest walking in and just ordering the first thing you read because it’s guaranteed to be good. Common Ground has a little bit of everything from coffee to New York style bagels to sandwiches to vegan/vegetarian options. My personal favorite is the BLT on a sun-dried tomato bagel, which the friendly servers suggested I try one time. This combo did not disappoint and I am now hooked on it, craving my new favorite sandwich basically 24/7. If your not a meat person, then try out Common Ground’s other classics like the Avenue Powerhouse, which is homemade hummus, mixed greens, tomatoes and cucumbers, or go for the quiche of the day. Whatever you decide on, grab a delicious coffee with it (and maybe even use one of Common Ground’s WLOY mugs) and sit down to enjoy the great atmosphere of this amazing cafe.
Posted in Explore Baltimore, Food Fridays | No Comments »
Explore Baltimore: The Food Market
Friday, April 21st, 2017 by WLOY Staff
What: The Food Market
Where: 1017 W 36th St.
When: Sun-Thurs, 5pm-11pm Fri & Sat, 5pm-12am
The Food Market loves to cook up some comfort food, but make it gourmet. Described as a place for foodies to feel their exotic side, this restaurant and its award-winning chef, Chad Gauss, combine regular ingredients with irregular and “unparalleled” techniques. Gauss, who has been sharing his love for cooking since the age of 14, adds a twist on classic foods. In the mood for something like pizza or chicken finger? Well try them twist with menu options like crispy lobster fingers or a duck confit flatbread. But if you’re not feeling that adventurous, The Food Market still has the basics like the boring caesar salad or a warm lobster roll. Regardless, this amazing food as well as the industrial-modern vibe create a full, enjoyable dining experience for everyone.
Posted in Explore Baltimore, Food Fridays | No Comments »
Explore Baltimore: Handlebar Cafe
Monday, April 3rd, 2017 by WLOY Staff
What: Handlebar Cafe and Bike Shop
Where: 511 S Caroline St
When: Mon. 7am-2pm, Tues.-Sun. 7am-10pm
Does shopping make you hungry? Well if so, then Handlebar Cafe is the place for you! Shop around for a new bike and then grab a bite to eat at this cozy cafe that has a passion for both bikes and food. Run by Baltimore native and X-Games Champion, Marla Streb, the bike shop offers only the best bikes around which Marla picks herself and helps you to pick out. While she handles all the bikes sales and repairs, Chef Chris Marquis handles the amazing food. With everything from specialty coffee drinks to breakfast burritos to specialty pizzas, Handlebar Cafe serves up only the best of a little bit of everything. As if shopping and eating wasn’t enough, the wooden furnishings of this chic-industrial space will make you just want to hang out all day with its great vibes. So whether you need a bike or not, stop by Handlebar Cafe and get your hand on some delicious food!
Posted in Explore Baltimore, Food Fridays | No Comments »
