Star-Spangled Spectacular Brings Festivals, Air Shows and More to Baltimore, Sept 10-15

by Jennifer Waldera in Roundups

As Baltimore gears up to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Star Spangled Banner, restaurants and bars are jumping in to join the party. Between September 10 and 15, food and drink specials and events are popping up all over Charm City. Some of our top picks are:

Festival Villages: Villages will be set up around the city providing food, drink and entertainment for those of all ages. There will be three locations including the Inner Harbor, Martin State Airport, and Fort McHenry. While all locations will feature food, the most food and drink focused is the Inner Harbor Village which will feature cooking demos, ethnic specialties and “festival fare” in addition to beer and wine gardens. Plenty of activities for children will be available as well.

Meet The Fleet Happy Hour: Kick the celebration off right on September 12 by raising a glass with sailors visiting from around the globe. Food and drink specials, competitions and music will all be on tap at the Inner Harbor Village.

Red, White and Brew: This Fell’s Point party is being held alongside the HMS Argyll. Food vendors, including food trucks, live music, beer and wine will all be on hand along the cozy Belgian block paved streets of the waterfront neighborhood on Saturday (2:30 PM-9 PM) and Sunday (11 PM-6PM).

Wine Dinner and Cocktail Party at Waterfront Kitchen: The Fell’s Point restaurant with one of the best waterfront views in Baltimore is hosting a wine dinner and cocktail party on Saturday, September 13. Dinner, with five courses and eight wine pairings, begins at 6:30 PM. Or, join the cocktail party from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM. Either way, these events will have one of the best views of Saturday night’s fireworks.

Prix Fixe Menu at The French Kitchen and LB Tavern: Recently renovated and updated, the Lord Baltimore Hotel is getting in on the Star Spangled action with a three-course prix fixe option for both lunch and dinner from September 9–13. Dishes will be cleverly named after Baltimore events or icons and three signature cocktails will be created just for the event as well.

Star-Spangled Celebration at Wit and Wisdom: On September 13, the waterfront restaurant and bar at the Four Seasons will be a prime spot to watch the Blue Angels and maybe hear some of that Star Spangled concert as well. W&W is also hosting a family friendly dinner with a menu featuring favorites like fried chicken, bratwurst, pit beef, mac and cheese and baked beans, amongst other delicious dishes. $125 tickets get a table for the night, while $80 secures standing room space. Ticket prices also include unlimited food, one drink ticket, access to beer, wine and liquor specials, and games like cornhole on the patio.

Cocktail Specials

Boathouse Canton: Canton’s premier waterfront bar and restaurant, with tons of outdoor seating and an expansive water view, will be also be a prime place to spot fireworks and Blue Angels fly overs. While noshing on the new happy hour menu (we’re pretty excited about fried pickles, crab nachos and buck-a-shuck oysters) enjoy specials like $4 Anthems or a $38 bottle of Chandon. Or, dive right into celebrating with Boathouse’s specially created Star Spangled Spectacular beverage, the Rockets Red Glare Crush, a blend of Absolut Citron vodka, strawberry puree and simple syrup, topped with Prosecco.

Nickel Taphouse: This new-ish tavern in Mt. Washington is paying homage to the Star Spangled Spectacular by offering up patriotic cocktails like the bright red Cardinal Rule (a gin based beverage with sage simple syrup, muddled orange and cherries and Bitterman’s Hellfire Habanero shrub).

Apropoe’s: Red, white and blue cocktails and Jello shots will be on special from September 11 through 14, and appetizers will be offered at $2 and $4 on September 11 and 12 from 4–7 PM.

The Admiral’s Cup: The popular waterfront bar at the corner of Thames and Broadway will likely be a front row seat to sightings of tall ships, fireworks, Blue Angels and plenty of people watching. For the duration of the Star Spangled Spectacular, the popular joint will be offering happy hour prices and hosting local bands.