A short while ago, some B’sOAM and I were discussing some bars that we used to frequent that, for all intents and purposes, were basically interchangeable. Sort of. For instance, Friends (before it was a goddamn sushi restaurant) and Dougherty’s (223 West Chase St., Mt. Vernon) were pretty much the same place; kinda open, kinda usually empty, kinda aloof service. But we could never decide which one was better, for one reason or another, maybe because to us they were pretty much equal.
And then we started getting into bars that were *sort of* similar, but different in certain ways. And while these locales may be somewhat interchangeable and better or worse for certain reasons, we could never agree, overall, which place is superior. Which brings us to the “similar but different so which one is better” challenge, a faceoff between bars that I simply can’t come to pass judgment on one way or the other – and there are tons of them in Baltimore. First up, it’s Idle Hour (201 East Fort Avenue, Riverside) versus Club Chuck (1724 North Charles St., Charles North):
Alikeities:
- Essentially identical ambiance – dim, red, artsy
- Similar price scales
- Similar clientele (though far fewer hipsters at Idle Hour)
- Great “last stop” bars
Differensitudes:
- Idle Hour – terrible parking
- Club Chuck – usually much louder, crowded
- Idle Hour – the *original* pickle back
- Club Chuck – Larger, table seating
….both similar but different, but there’s no clear winner in my head here. But this is America, and there must always be a winner. DECIDE, BAR DENIZENS!! THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE!!
Any other similar bar faceoffs that need to be dealt with (loaded question: provide them in the comments)? You bet your ass.
I’ve never been to club charles, but Idle Hour has that Xmas tree shot (I can’t remember the name…)
while i agree they are similar in theory, i find they are much different types of experiences, idle hour is just that…more idle.
where as club charles can be pretty stressful, intended or not. for whatever the reason there’s more of a “one-up” type vibe there that can sometimes be a bit off-putting to some people.
where i want to go generally depends on which vibe i want, but i usually head to club charles because their jukebox and not having to deal with parking usually win out. (not to mention i find the service to be pretty good at club charles)
Club Charles any day of the week. Great bartenders and food, excellent jukebox.
Club Charles, hands down. If the possibility of a John Waters sighting and the jukebox selection aren’t enough, then how ’bout the fact that it’s freakin’ haunted?
Crap, the Waters Factor™ – can’t argue with it. Sorry Idle Hour, maybe next time.
What other bars should face off?
I think we have a clear winner…
I love idle hour, but my vote has to go to Club Chuck
the drinkery or leons
No Idea vs. Muggsy’s
Don’t Know vs. Reserve
Nobles vs. Mad River
Mother’s vs. Magerk’s vs. Ryleigh’s