Restaurant
Unclaimed profileThe Owl Bar
Baltimore, MD · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
The Owl Bar pairs a historic setting with a serious cocktail program, ranging from seasonal inventions like S'mores by the Campfire to classics like the Oaxacan Old Fashioned. The wine list covers house pours up to Champagne, while the beer selection includes local and non-alcoholic options. Brunch brings bottomless Bloody Marys, Sangria, or Mimosas for $28 per person, and happy hour offers well spirits at $7.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Harvest in Jalisco, a mezcal cocktail with mulled apple cider and cinnamon sugar. For a spirit-forward choice, the Thyme 75 uses Basil Hayden Bourbon and prosecco. The Hibiscus Sour, at $12, is a bargain. At brunch, the bottomless option is the move.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail enthusiasts will appreciate the seasonal and house creations, while wine drinkers can explore a list that spans house wines to Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne. Beer lovers have a variety of drafts and bottles, and non-alcoholic drinkers are covered with mocktails and NA beers.
- When should I go?
- Happy hour is a smart time to sample well spirits and discounted beers. Brunch offers the bottomless cocktail deal, making it a lively weekend option. Evenings suit the romantic, historic ambiance.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails run $12 to $16, with house wines at $10 a glass and most bottles $28. Bottled wines climb to $95, like the Sterling Cabernet Sauvignon. Draft beers are $7 to $9, and bottomless brunch cocktails are $28 per person.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The Owl Bar's beverage program is notable for its seasonal creativity, such as the S'mores by the Campfire with toasted marshmallow fluff, and its inclusivity, offering mocktails and a wide range of non-alcoholic beers. The historic stained-glass setting adds character, and the happy hour well specials are a draw.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
A robust cocktail menu spans seasonal inventions, house signatures, and classics. The seasonal list shows clear creativity, and the brunch bottomless option adds value.
Menu strengths
- — Seasonal cocktails change, with options like S'mores by the Campfire and Harvest in Jalisco.
- — House cocktails include creative mezcal and rye drinks, such as Mezcaletto and Hibiscus Sour.
- — Bottomless brunch cocktails at $28 per person offer a strong value.
Standout selections
- — S'mores by the Campfire – Pinnacle whipped vodka, chocolate liqueur, toasted marshmallow fluff, graham cracker crumble.
- — Harvest in Jalisco – Los Siete Misterios Mezcal, mulled apple cider, orange, lime, agave, cinnamon sugar.
- — Thyme 75 – Basil Hayden Bourbon, honey thyme syrup, lemon, prosecco.
Pricing: Seasonal cocktails $14–$16; Hibiscus Sour $12; bottomless brunch $28
Wine
The wine list is diverse, with house wines, a range of whites and reds, and sparklings including Champagne. Pricing is reasonable for house pours, and the list covers multiple regions and styles.
Menu strengths
- — House wines at $10 a glass and $28 a bottle are a solid value.
- — Selection spans Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, Cabernet, and Champagne.
- — Includes recognizable producers like Kim Crawford and Nicolas Feuillatte.
Standout selections
- — Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne – a sparkling option at $85.
- — Sterling Cabernet Sauvignon – a California red at $95.
- — Silver Gate Chardonnay – house white at $10 a glass.
Pricing: House wines $10 glass/$28 bottle; bottles up to $95
Beer
A wide beer selection covers drafts, bottles, and non-alcoholic options, with local and national names. Happy hour specials on Stella, Bud Light, and Owl Lager enhance value.
Menu strengths
- — Diverse draft list includes local Green Machine and Owl Bar Lager.
- — Non-alcoholic beers from Michelob ULTRA Zero to Guinness Zero.
Standout selections
- — Owl Bar Lager – house lager at $7.
- — Allagash White – wheat ale at $8.
- — Natty Boh – local lager at $4.50.
Pricing: Drafts $7–$9; bottles/cans $4.50–$9.50; happy hour specials
Nonalcoholic
The non-alcoholic program includes creative mocktails like Snowglobe and Run Runner, plus a range of non-alcoholic beers.
Menu strengths
- — Multiple mocktail options on dinner and brunch menus.
- — Non-alcoholic beer selection includes Michelob ULTRA Zero and Guinness Zero.
Standout selections
- — Snowglobe – Sprite, cranberries, rosemary, grenadine.
- — Run Runner – pineapple, orange, banana syrup, grenadine, grapefruit.
- — Basil Splash – muddled basil, green grapes, lime, sparkling water.
Pricing: No pricing listed for mocktails
Spirits
The spirits program is evidenced through cocktail ingredients, showing a diverse range from bourbon to mezcal. No dedicated spirits list, but the cocktail menu highlights quality brands like Basil Hayden and Los Siete Misterios.
Menu strengths
- — Cocktails feature premium spirits like Basil Hayden Bourbon and Los Siete Misterios Mezcal.
- — Well spirits at $7 during happy hour provide an affordable entry.
- — Spirit range includes rye, gin, tequila, pisco, and applejack.
Standout selections
- — Basil Hayden Bourbon – used in Thyme 75.
- — Los Siete Misterios Mezcal – used in Harvest in Jalisco and Mezcaletto.
- — Sagamore Rye Whiskey – used in Maryland Mule.
Pricing: Well spirits $7 at happy hour
How it sits with the food
The cocktail list leans toward autumnal flavors, like apple and spice in the Thyme 75 and Hot Patootie Apple Pie, which would pair with hearty fare. The wine list, including Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, offers flexible pairing options for a range of dishes.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
Community reviews
Anyone with a free Inebrious account can rate the drinks here. Community ratings are kept entirely separate from the Inebrious editorial score above.
No community reviews yet. Be the first to write one.