The Royal Blue

Baltimore, MD

While the Royal Blue is a relative newcomer to the Station North Arts district, it gives off the patina of a worn in, well-loved neighborhood mainstay. The mural behind the bar, a relic from the building’s previous beloved tenant (one of the original safe spaces for Baltimore’s queer scene), illustrates old bar regulars. Bartenders serve up 70s-inspired cocktails such as the “Debbie Does Dallas” across a bar top decked out in old punk concert bills from the late Charm City Arts venue. Slam a worth-the-hype smash burger before the sun goes down, when the dance floor fills up under the glitter of the disco ball. Grab a table early on Wednesday nights for a raucous round of bingo. While owners Randy Coffren, Rich Pugh and Jimmy Crawford, veterans of Baltimore’s bar scene, don’t take themselves too seriously, there’s nothing trivial about the well-curated vibe of Royal Blue. Whether you’re looking for a casually delicious dinner, somewhere hip to take out of towners, or a packed dance floor to sweat out the week, the Royal Blue encapsulates the synergy of Baltimore’s grit and talent in an effortless way.