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"Mick O'Shea's is the kind of place where pouring the perfect pint is considered an art form. But that's to be expected of a place with nine beers on tap -- ranging from Guinness to Yuengling to the local Resurrection Ale -- plus an Irish cider. Dark paneling inset with family crests with names like O'Hara, Moran and Duffy, and exposed brick, keep the large open space feeling intimate. A stage right where the front room meets the back gives everyone a view of the act. Off to the side, a small room with low rough beams and a Celtic mural is the place to have a conversation. The menu is upscale tavern food with a British Isle emphasis. So yes, you'll find fish and chips, shepherds pie, corned beef and cabbage and bangers and mash (Irish sausage with potatoes and a whiskey mustard). But for a taste of what's on this side of the Atlantic there's a Porterhouse steak, chicken marsala and St. Louis ribs. While beer and food are important -- let's face it -- it's the music that makes O'Shea's stand out in the Irish pub crowd. Rocking acts like The Young Dubliners and Black 47 play here when they're in Charm City. And, of course, His Honor's Celtic rock band O'Malley's March are well acquainted with O'Shea's little stage. But it's not all rock 'n' roll; on many nights you'll find more traditional Irish music. And on open mike nights, who knows what you'll find?" Review and Photo by Laureen Miles Brunelli (AOL City Guide)

"Otto the cat no longer roams the bar and concert spot that bears his name -- he's home, retired. But that's a small trade-off for the expanded space that holds the Ottobar near Johns Hopkins University. The bar was renovated recently to accommodate its growing audience and bigger bands. The scruffy, casual venue provides a wide range of music -- mainly indie or punk rock, but also hip-hop, folk and electronic. The downstairs area holds a stage and scuffed dance floor dappled by ceiling-mounted strings of lights and a disco ball. On a typical night, a DJ bobs to the music emanating from his equipment, while a young crowd in T-shirts and baseball caps watches from the floor and mezzanine. In the back, a bar, old video games and pool tables entertain those keeping an ear cocked to the music. Upstairs, a jukebox, second bar, pool tables and motley collection of couches and chairs provide a respite for those who need a breather from the show. Works by local artists decorate the walls. While the main bands play downstairs (about 80-100 bands a month), occasional performers, including jazz musicians, perform upstairs. The downstairs level is open to those 18 and older; the upstairs is open to those 21 and older." Review by Tracy Vogel (from AOL city guide)

"Reggae, rap, pop, blues...you name it, it is performed here. Located bang in the heart of Towson city, the theatre attracts crowds that sway to the numbers belted out by well-known groups. Its proximity to many shops, restaurants, a mall and a movie theatre make this a veritable entertainment hotspot. A capacity for 700 may not seem like much, until it is full. Full service bars and a kitchen serving Maryland's best half-pound burger keep fans rocking. If contemporary music is your passion, this is the place to hit." Review from Yahoo

"...One of Baltimore's best rock venues, Fletcher's lures both national and local acts into its cramped stage area. The first floor fits the standard bar and pool table model, but the main attraction is the live music upstairs." From editorial review by Steve Lichtenstein on Citysearch.com

"The open and airy layout ensures 400-plus crowds hear local and national bands unobstructed. A modern lighting system, Meyer sound system, acoustic tiles and a 4-foot-high stage get additional bounce from an elastic "springloaded" dance floor. A 20-foot black bar, heat-activated mood wall and bathrooms with closed-circuit TV add to the bounty. This tiny club's wraparound balcony nearly places you onstage--unless you're at the second-floor bar. " Editorial review by Walaika Haskins, Citysearch.com

"The Rams Head Live! is three venues in one: a concert hall, an Inner Harbor restaurant and a neighborhood brewpub. The main attraction is the concert hall, which has played host to national acts like Hootie and the Blowfish, Cypress Hill and Chris Isaak. Three viewing levels overlook the stage and 26,000-square-feet of arena space, which holds up to 1,800 people. The concert area houses more than 40 video monitors, a backdrop screen, five bars and three food kiosks. The Tavern, which opened in the winter of 2004, has quickly become a harbor destination. It offers a wide selection of soups, starters and sandwiches. The entrées are reasonably priced, so live a little and try the Boss Steak & Shrimp, Cajun Seafood Alfredo or Rehoboth Cioppino. Eat outside and you get to watch decked out passers-by on their way to the clubs in the Power Plant Live! The brewpub is a change of pace to most of the Power Plant Live! because it's the only regular bar there. No bands, no DJs -- just good people, good food and cold beer. The bar has a small cast of regulars, but most head here to start their night before heading out to the clubs. A great draw is the happy hour. Monday-Friday from 4-7 p.m. enjoy complimentary food ranging from tacos on Mondays to bratwurst on Thursdays, along with $1.95 drafts and other drink discounts..." Review from Baltimoresun.com

'Sonar has 3 rooms in the venue, which are run either togetheror separately depending on the night and the event. The MAIN STAGE room holds over one thousand people, and that is where we would tend to do any of the major live shows and special events. The CLUB holds over 300, and the LOUNGE holds 150 with a mellower vibe, leather couches, pool table, and a fully stocked top shelf bar. Familiarizing yourself with how we bill our events will let you know what to expect out of each night. Sonar does not have any dress codes, so feel free to be yourself, however freaky or conservative that might be. We do reserve the right to insure the ease of which we can see our wristbands or handstamps, which could mean the removal of any excessive jewelry, gloves, etc... We enforce a policy we call the Sonar code. It basically means that we insist that our place be a place where all are welcome, regardless of race, age, sex, sexual preference, income, etc... We will immediately remove anyone who is making another patron feel unwelcome, but it goes further than that. We do not tolerate obnoxious sexual advances, which means if you hit on someone and they say no, you better let it go. We also do not tolerate overly boisterous behavior, any activity which causes our security to pay too much attention to one person, and we frown upon the use of profanity in a way that annoys other patrons. Basically, be cool, and you'll be fine, act like a jerk, and you'll find yourself in the parking lot! We do not allow backpacks or large bags of any kind, and naturally, no outside liquor, drinks, or anything which could be construed as a weapon is allowed in the building. Thanks for patronizing our joint.

"Sidebar Tavern has a split personality. By afternoon and early evening, this is a tiny, turn- of-the-century carriage house with exposed brick walls and long wooden bar. The seats are dotted with legal eagles working cases out of the nearby courthouse. They're here mainly for happy hour, taking advantage of reduced-price drinks, the regulation pool table and upstairs game room. However, around 8-9PM, the entire scene changes. The decks get cleared and the suits give way to a wilder crowd of kids, 18 and older, who flock here for live music. The bands are mostly punk, hardcore and indie, some with national reputations. Bookings also include the occasional venture into rockabilly and ska." -- Cynthia Glover, AOL City Guide

Located in the heart of historic Fells Point (AKA the drinking capital of Maryland), The Brass Monkey Saloon brings you the best that the Maryland music scene has to offer with loaded (and low priced) shows every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. Plenty of free parking is available on the streets around Fells, so get there early and party late. Come on down and support the scene, have a few drinks, party with us and be able to say "I saw them at the Brass Monkey". - From Brass Monkey Saloon website

This kick-back-and-drink-up bar is favored for both its nightly music programming and its group-friendly atmosphere. (On weekends, a second bar station opens to handle the crowds.) Keeping it simple with brick walls and wood floors, the Irish pub enhances its comprehensive liquor selection with 28 beers on tap, including Oliver's Irish Red, Tennents of Scotland Yuengling lager and DeGroen's Dunkles beer. For those on a strict budget, Miller Lite drafts are super cheap. - from Citysearch.com