Top Rated Nightlife in Baltimore

This downtown restaurant serves elegant, yet simple, French-inspired Southern cuisine. Take the fried oysters, for instance, in their golden-brown cornmeal batter, or the crab soup that's as creamy as most bisques. These are true examples of gracious living. Add the tranquil, pastel-colored decor and the expert service and you come up with a most enjoyable dining experience at Charleston.

One of Baltimore's largest breweries, The Brewer's Art is set in a grand townhouse on North Charles Street. Spread out over two levels, the bar and dining room lies on the ground floor and the lounge and smaller bar area can be found on the lower level. House brews include the strong Beazly, Birdhouse Ale and the flavorful Resurrection. They also offer an extensive wine list, wide selection of whiskey and other spirits. Their reasonably priced food menu features delicious pubfare (sandwiches, small plates), intriguing entrées, continental cuisine and desserts. Gluten free and vegetarian options are also available. With its happy hours, plenty of seating options, impeccable service and guided tours (every other Saturday), The Brewer's Art offers guests a unique dining experience.

According to Celtic music aficionados, this Fells Point pub is the place to go in Baltimore to hear authentic Irish folk music. With its wood-paneled walls and gigantic oak bar, it's the perfect setting for hoisting a glass of Guinness or Harp and enjoying a jig or reel. The steady stream of Irish musicians is supplemented by local and national jazz, blues and zydeco acts. Fell's Point can be quite busy on weekends, so to enjoy the full homey effect of this place, visit during the week.

The hippest place in Baltimore to see an alternative rock band is this scruffy, but chic, midtown establishment. The bar itself is very small, so many patrons stand or sit in front of the tiny stage, or wander around the multi-colored second and third floors. The bands are either unsigned locals or independent-label acts. All play loud and fast.

Mick O'Shea's Irish Pub and Restaurant features live Irish music, five nights a week. Inside, you'll find a massive bar with wooden tables to complete the décor. Much of the food is standard bar fare, but heartier dishes are also available. Be sure to try the Celtic entrees like Shepherd's Pie, Irish Stew, and Corn Beef and Cabbage.

One expects Italian restaurants to be romantic, and this Little Italy favorite certainly delivers. Dalesio's Of Little Italy's intimate dinning rooms are candle-lit and filled with fresh flowers, and the outdoor balcony seating is a near perfect setting for romance. The menu features many low-calorie and low-cholesterol entrées, like grilled shrimp and penne piemontese, which are perfectly healthy, yet still pack enough flavor to be worthy of Little Italy.