I. Love. This. Place. Bookmarker's is basically everything I want in a restaurant ever. It's a somewhat out-of-the way but quite nice little joint in Federal Hill that's unassuming but absolutely amazing inside. The decor is dark but plush, a sort of Victorian-meets-rock-meets-American mixture that's just absolutely phenomenal in every possible way. I had a spiked hot chocolate to drink - don't judge me - and it was excellent and I'd highly recommend it. We had the Buffalo Polenta, the Shrimp Grits, the Andy's Chicken, and an assortment of small dessert samplers. All were absolutely excellent. The Buffalo Polenta, which I believe to be an occasional special, was absolutely tasty and the perfect carb-y/savory start to the meal. Andy's Chicken - basically fried chicken accompanied with greens-style kale and rice grits - blew my socks off. I especially appreciated the taste of the kale (reminds me a lot of greens from the South, a very good thing) and absolutely adored the rice grits. The Andy's Chicken protein itself was so tender it fell off the bone and was easily eaten with a fork and knife. The Shrimp and Grits featured the same rice grits and, to that end, was also absolutely phenomenal. The assorted sweets were not as sweet as I expected, but nonetheless were quite tasty. All in all, this is easily one of my favorite places in Baltimore, if not on the East Coast. Go here.
(5)
Spencer S.
Really disappointing how far their food has fallen, apparently their chef left and the food is really subpar now. The bread on my sandwich was completely rock hard stale, how does that even leave the kitchen? It's a shame because it was excellent when they opened, oh well...still worth a stop in for drinks but they have a lot of issues with the food, so skip dinner.
(2)
Andrew R.
Well, I had the unfortunate pleasure of going to Bookmakers with my girlfriend, fellow yelper Brie V, and a friend. She goes into detail about the food and atmosphere, I will not. The only thing you need to know about this place is my experience here. WE WERE ASKED TO DEPART OUR TABLE WHILE STILL FINISHING OUR DRINKS. Heck, my drink was not even half finished! One might assume we were being the typical crass, angry, drunk, Fedhill crowd, FALSE. We were asked to leave our table because there was another party waiting to be seated...you heard me correct. A COCKTAIL BAR asked us to leave our table, MID DRINK, because they needed to seat another party! After appetizers, entrees, multiple rounds of cocktails, after-dinner drinks, and a $200 bill, WE WERE ASKED TO LEAVE OUR TABLE. I can see Bookmakers, that you are clearly struggling with the concept of being a cocktail bar. So let me help you here: people tend to lounge while they consume various drinks. I know this may sound bold (DRAMATIC PAUSE), but curb your disbelief or a second. Not everyone's goal in Fedhill is to chug drinks so they can enjoy the finer points of having their head in a toilet. You are COCKTAIL BAR! If you have a table waiting OR you need to ask a current table to leave, OFFER THAM A COCKTAIL. I just cannot figure out how something so seemingly obvious can be overlooked. I had very high hopes, but they lived up to my worst fears of attempting to have a classy establishment in Federal Hill. As someone once said, "this is why we can't have nice things!" You can stop reading here if you want, nothing else is really important, but I will go into a little more detail about Bookmakers. __________________________________________ I don't want to be completely unfair. Bookmakers did and excellent job with there food. I had a perfectly medium rare cooked burger. The chef only makes 15 a day of the delicious dry age roseda burgers topped with red onion, arugula, aged cheddar, and a horseradish aioli. It even comes with a little flag in it proudly displaying the # it is in the 15 burger line. Bookmakers also did an excellent job with their drinks. They have one of the largest cocktails menus I have ever seen in Baltimore. Each drink has a good description and if you want more information, the helpful waitress was more than happy to spend a second clarifying. Every drink I had was unique, and with the guidance of our waitress, I really enjoyed stepping out of my comfort zone. Anyway, Bookmakers has a great product, but they really need to find a way to walk the line between being a restaurant (which wants costumers to leave faster so they can turnover more food) and a cocktail lounge (which wants people to hangout and drink). Until they do, I cannot recommend this place whatsoever.
(2)
Kevin K.
Weekend nights in Fed Hill are a scene of destruction.. think Spielberg's A.I. where the old robots get scrapped dramatically for crazed Nascar-like fans. Blue Agave was the best you could do for cocktails. Thank god for Bookmakers. There's a huge chance you'll miss the entrance with bros about to throw down next door or a group of basics crying on the curb. The understated nametag lacks the requisite Cross St. signage/distracting neon. The interior is old world-gray with archaic molding lifted from Kubrick's Shining. Is Bookmakers worth going to? Cocktail$ are definitely high for Baltimore, but regular for DC and even cheap for Chicago. So you gotta judge a different way--Ryan. First line up Baltimore's best mixologists. Then play dealer's choice. Ryan's is #1. Boozy cocktails focus on the alcohol here, so expect quality liquor with old-world class.. no umbrellas, toothpicks, or fruit. Haven't found a Bmore Vieux Carre anywhere else yet. His Old Fashioned's as good as Rye's. His sazarac competes with Bad Decisions. The Diamondback with Chartreuse VEP knocked me on my ass. At this point I don't even look at the menu.. he knows what I like and just whips up something new. And in the off chance you see something homemade (shrubs!) or unusual (jalapeno!), jump at the chance. Ryan does light/herbaceous better than anywhere. So yes, come to Bookmakers. Safest choice you'll make in Fed Hill.
(5)
Nichole B.
If there were more stars I would give this place more. I will say this, its about time that Federal Hill has a grown and sexy bar making delicious and I mean delicious cocktails. This will be my go to bar when I am in the Federal Hill section of town. Came on last Friday which was also the anniversary of the Prohibition and was blown away with the amazing drinks. I decided to try the Bee's Knees, and it was definitly the bee's knees. It was so good I had two. I will say the cocktails range between $12 to $15 bucks depending on what you get. But that is to be expected if you want a really good and I mean good cocktail. The food was good as well. Wasnt too hungry so I just went for some appetizers, the seared pork belly was cooked to perfection which was accompanied with a nice brussels sprouts & radish & celery slaw in buttermilk dressing. We also tried the brussel sprouts, they were like crack on a plate.Served with candied bacon & grana padano cheese. Um, anything served with bacon is just that darn good. One of my friends had the dry-aged roseda cheeseburger, this was the best I have eaten in a long time. The burger is served with a pickled red onion, arugula, aged cheddar, and horseradish aioli. Hmmmm hmmm. The staff was very friendly and helpful when it came to making great cocktail choices. My friends said we will be returning for dinner next time. But I stroingly suggest if you are in the Federal Hill neighborhood, stop in and see what Bookmakers has to offer, you wont be dissapointed
(5)
Denise G.
Fancy, delicious, will go again! Went on a Saturday night and sat at the bar. It was actually quite empty at 7:30. Drinks: I'll be honest - I didn't know about half of the ingredients on the drink menu (cynar, gia langhe rosso, velvet falernum?) but the bartender was more than willing to explain and make recommendations. My date had a grayson and some other drinks and enjoyed both. I ordered an applejack punch and a watermelon something or other that was a special of the day. Applejack punch was pretty good, but the melon drink was awesome - perfectly refreshing for a warm evening. Food: We ordered 4 small plates - shrimp & grits croquettes, lamb meatballs, buffalo polenta, & braised pork belly, and I was actually surprised at how large the serving sizes were! 3 plates would have sufficed. The croquettes were perfectly fried for a crunchy outside and creamy inside. The lamb meatballs were spiced well and the perfectly smooth and creamy polenta and egg yolk were a very nice addition. I was surprised at how tasty the buffalo polenta fries were, because I usually don't like buffalo seasoning. Price: small plates seem the be fairly priced. Looking at the entrees, prices seem on point for the quality of food as well. The drinks are expensive, but mixing a fancy cocktail with a variety of fancy alcohols & mixers is going to cost more than a Miller Lite, so I don't think they are unreasonably priced. All in all it was about $100 for dinner for two - two small plates, two drinks each. I would say that is the average price for a fancy night out.
(4)
Abigail R.
This is no longer the old divey karaoke bar and it's exactly the kind of place that Federal Hill needs. The walls are a neutral gray, the large bar is very classy with chandeliers and textured wall of premium liquor bottles. Plus, the very little outside decor makes it seem fancy. And yet, there is a warm, cozy and inviting feeling in this bar. I ate here shortly after they opened. They haven't been open for 90 days yet (I think it's closer to 60 days). They have confirmed why I should kept to that rule, although delish - the menu and chef have already changed once since they have opened. I'm excited though; I loved Chef Sarah from Le Garage. They have a few choices for red wines, but none of my normal go tos. I asked the bartender for her thoughts on the Côtes-du-Rhône. She said it was medium bodied and had very low tannins. Sounded like a winner for me. This one is a 2012 Domain St. Gres from France. There are some smokey and olive notes on the nose, but I mostly smelled the plum or berry like aroma. Don't let the dark berry color of this wine fool you. It has ripe fruity flavors, with what I think was a hint of sweet herbs. The bartender was right; the wine finished with subtle tannins. Jamie went with their Heart Shaped Box cocktail. They shake bootlegger vodka with creme de mure (a blackberry liqueur) with a little thyme and fresh lime. Lastly, they top it with a little LaLuca prosecco and a very pretty flower. So pretty, in fact, that about 3000 people said, "oooo, what did you get with the flower?". She loved it, but she is a big fan of sweet, fruity drinks. The bubbles, of course, are always fun. I definitely won't mind making this one of my regular stops for drinks, and maybe for food after another few weeks...
(5)
Jessica R.
I went here on a Wednesday night with my boyfriend and his parents. It was an absolutely wonderful experience! The drinks were fantastic... Offering a variety of classic cocktails as well as more creative choices including several mezcal drinks. The food was fantastic as well - the fried chicken was exceptionally moist with a crispy outside. The service was very attentive without being overbearing. We will go again!
(5)
Josh B.
Definitely a nice addition to Federal Hill. Their bar set up is very cool and the theme is fun. This is what I expect when I come to a place that's more chill. It's a nice change of pace from the normal bar scene in the area. They have a pretty extensive drink menu, and it's fun to watch a lot of the drinks get made. The Autumn Mule was my favorite. It was a great twist from your standard Moscow Mule. The staff was friendly. My only complaint would be wait time for a drink. They were very busy as it was a Saturday night, and the staff was working hard to get everyone's orders, it just seemed like they could have used 1-2 more people. Overall, though, I'd definitely come back!
(4)
Deb H.
Great place to come with friends and try a few new drinks. I brought a friend from out of town here for a late dinner and drinks and she was in love with the place! The Brussel sprouts are really really good, she got oysters and loved them. Can't wait to come here again with friends, this place would make a fun date place also.
We popped in once, months before, for drinks, and had a good experience. We were excited by the pretty bar, their extensive bourbon selection, and the large collection of digestifs. We decided to go back for dinner, and make a night of it. Their menu had expanded considerably, and we were starving. Made a reservation for two, were on time, and when we arrived at a mostly empty restaurant at 6pm on Saturday, were seated at a large, central community table. We asked for two top, but the hostess said that they were all reserved. We opted to sit at the bar instead- neither of us was in the mood to interact with a bunch of strangers. So we sat at the bar, had dinner. The bartender was nice and we enjoyed our creative and thoughtful and very well-executed, although pricey, drinks. We've watched enough Bar Rescue to imagine ourselves experts on the subject... (ice chips? did they shake? make more than one at a time? .... anyhoo, you know you have an internalized Voice of Taffer, too.) The appetizer, Lamb meatballs with ricotta, came out in a way that I didn't enjoy, but my partner did. The lamb meatballs were raw. Not rare, raw. And floating in the middle of the ricotta was a raw egg. Now, I didn't see anything about the egg on the menu, and I'm not crazy about them. And if I'm going to eat a raw egg, I need to know it's a low-murder happy chicken egg, and not ones most commercial vendors sell. But my partner is okay with it, so he got to eat the whole thing. After dinner, which was good although unremarkable (he liked his burger but prefers the one at Bluegrass, my chicken and spetzle was good without being outstanding or remarkable enough to complain or rave about), we decided to just leave rather than staying and continuing to drink and eat dessert. The barstools weren't super comfortable, and as more and more time passed and we noticed none of the empty tables behind us fill up. That added a layer of irritation. Aside from a couple of first dates awkwardly crouched around the large community table, Bookmakers was as empty when we left as when we arrived over an hour prior. On our way out, we mentioned the hostess that we probably would've stayed longer and spent more money if given any of the empty, smaller tables behind us. They thanked us for coming in, and didn't acknowledge the statement. Here are my recommendations: do a better job of preparing for your reservation needs. There's a giant upstairs too, right? Maybe put some more two-tops up there? We live two blocks away, and are the sort of glutinous lushes who potentially would spend a lot of money at your restaurant, however long or short its lifespan may be. We are your market. Target us.
(2)
Jim B.
Four of us from Little Italy, who are fans of sister cocktail spot, Rye, trekked to Fed Hill on Sat evening for a few drinks and snacks before hopping around the neighborhood. The drinks were fantastic and included well prepared classics as well as a mix of Rye and BCC recipes. The service was great and Briana especially was a fantastic tender. She answered all of our questions as we watched all kinds of drinks being made for others. We sampled a few of the small plates and enjoyed them both. BCC has the atmosphere, the drinks and staff to make for a great evening out in Fed Hill. We look forward to our next visit. The only thing keeping this from getting a 5th star is we didn't have a chance to have dinner there. Will update after a return visit.
(4)
Danielle P.
The decor is dark and sexy. The service was a little slow but the food made up for it. Excellent food. I had the French dip. By far the best I have ever had. The meatloaf was also very good.
(4)
Elisa H.
Brianna is so awesome! This was my second time here. The first time I was here I ADORED the heart-shaped box. This time I ordered the Corsican Rose and this drink was one of the most refreshing cocktails I've ever drank in my life.
(5)
Erin C.
I have to say, I was skeptical when I heard a cocktail bar was going in on Cross Street. The Cross Street bar-goer vibe didn't seem like it would support this different approach and aesthetic. I anticipated a waaay dumbed down version of Rye, with loud fratbros flipping the menu over a few times before asking for Miller Lights and shots of Fireball. I was wrong, and glad to be wrong. Bookmakers has managed to do what I didn't think could be done here--create a cocktail bar on a large scale with good service and good food. The decor and setup are well done, a little romantic/sexy, good use of space/not too crowded, great long bar. They do have two TVs, but they are inconspicuous in size and smartly placed at the end corners of the bar--more something to glance at for a quick score check than to settle down and watch. They have a small, nicely curated, accessible menu of both cocktails and small plates (we tried the housemade ricotta and the doughnuts--thumbs up to both). I liked both drinks I tried, especially how my first, "The Last Word," reminded me of both an Aviation and a Hersh's Oregon Sour, thanks to the balanced combo of gin, Luxardo maraschino, and lime. What impressed me most was the details of service--we sat at the bar, yet received placemats and cloth napkins (a Cross Street bar rarity!) when we put in a food order. The bartenders were efficient, friendly, helpful, and snappily dressed. Kudos for pulling off this concept in this location--we'll be happy to return!
(4)
Emily T.
Heard about this place and its relation to Rye and Willow. We spontaneously ended up here on a Saturday, early (around 6:30pm). It was spacious, open, classically decorated and beautiful inside. The back-lit bar and the style of menu reminded us instantly of some bars in NOLA. The cocktail menu, while not super lengthy, has an eclectic mix of things for all palates. I am not a huge "love the taste of alcohol" person and the Cuba Libre was perfect for me. A sip of the bf's island drink was also delicious. It's the type of place also, that they can make you something using your favorite base liquor if nothing on the menu tickles your fancy. We sat at the bar and didn't have food. Our bartender, a female named Barri (Berri? Berry? idk) was awesome. When a bartender shakes your damn hand after you've been there for a while, and suggests some other places to go, well that's a damn good bartender. She made us feel more than welcome and we will definitely be back. Bookmakers is a total welcome breath of fresh air in the typically bro-y sports-bars-y Fed Hill. I'd give give stars but perfection just ain't my style, I didn't try the food yet, and they didn't have the O's game on despite having two TVs. Perhaps I'll shell out a five but I need to give it another go before I can take that step.
(4)
Kathleen H.
Drinks are good. Food was cold. Chicken was dry. Wait staff was nice.. But I'm here to eat. Not coming back.
(1)
Maroula G.
Beautiful place, beautiful ambiance, great food and drinks, a bit pricey. Came for a work happy hour and got the Autumn Mule. Amazing drink! Delicious and unassumingly strong. Served in a copper mug so it stays cold a long time! I couldn't resist a second one! For food we all ordered the burger, since the chef makes only 15 a night! Super fresh and delicious. the pickled onions add an amazing kick to it! Delicious. Only thing is that I didn't expect my drink to be $12! I will be back... but won't order two specialty drinks next time.
(4)
Jeff S.
We visited Bookmakers while at a conference in Baltimore based on a recommendation from a local. While the menu is limited the food was excellent as was the service. My only compliant was the room was a bit loud.
(4)
Erin H.
Always amazing. Been here 3-4 times and I'm never disappointed. Cocktails are incredible. Bitter sweet October is my favorite. Food is amazing. The shrimp and grits are outstanding. Meatloaf is perfect. Honestly, loved everything I've ever ordered from here.
(5)
Ralph M.
Excellent excellent cocktails!! Food is pretty good too. Love the atmosphere. It's like Federal Hill grew up finally!
(4)
Cherpumple F.
Date night avec ma boo last night at Bookmakers, here's the scoop: Awesome ambience, snazzy and fancy but not overly pretentious. Yana our server was BOMB as*! We shared the Prairie 500ml beer which was delightful! Trout tater tots--eagerly waited on these because we both love tubers fried in little ball shaped goodness. Delicious, but more croquet than tater tots. Shared the meatloaf and the chicken--meatloaf was amazeballs and chicken was good, but the winner on the chicken plate was the grits. DANG!! The cow that made the butter and cream in the grits was happy fosho. I had the strega on the rocks afterward, which was yummy. Boo had the what was drink, which was okay but not the best cocktail we've had. Downers--blueberry pie was disappointing, no whipped cream (what?!), and just a pie but nothing to tweet home about. Service was fantab by Yana, but there was a glitch in the reservation (they had canceled our ressies without telling us for no reason so I had to call and make it again...) Will be back to try more. When my paycheck comes again. Overall good, but three stars for a few glitches .
(3)
Aimee R.
Cool place. Great cocktails, great service. This place does not disappoint. Have at least 3 of their expertly crafted cocktails, you will be happy you did. I liked The Aviation cocktail the best of the 3 I sampled. I love small plates, so we shared the anchovies, bruschetta, oysters , pork belly, and arugula salad. All solid. For dessert, we tried the red velvet trifle and cornbread bread pudding, of which the bread pudding was the stand out. Wines by the glass not too shabby either. I'm definitely coming back and bringing friends.
(4)
Drew K.
We made a reservation and upon arrival were checked in and told the hostess would seat us upstairs. Mind you a group who walked in ahead of us was seated with no reservation. Upon being greeted by another hostess she attempted to check us in again and we needed to tell her about 5 times someone already did. She then attempted to seat us at community high top table. We asked to sit at a normal table and we're told they were all reserved. When we said we have a reservation the hostess said "well I can sit you at the bar" when we said we made a reservation and would like a normal table. She replied they were first come first serve . At this point this place is fairly empty downstairs with two open tables. After trying to explain to what might have been the dumbest hostess I have ever met the contradiction of her statements I gave up and walked out. I will not be returning unless they hire a work staff with the some semblance of lucid thought. If I could give 0 stars I would.
(1)
Tom D.
Excellent cocktails , interesting food makes for a good place to relax and explore . Worth the visit
(5)
Stephanie I.
PHEnominal!!! We went here for drinks....prepare to be impressed! This isn't your usual cocktail list. I had the Milano Mule.... Can't wait to have another ! Speak easy like atmosphere....love the design. Bring a sweater though....the AC is kickin!
(5)
Wynn C.
This place serves fancier cocktails. I really like the atmosphere, very loungey and a great place to chill. We went on a Saturday night and it wasn't very crowded. However I think that was an anomaly because there were protests earlier that day, hence keeping people out of town. There was plenty of seating that night, but from the waitress it sounded like that wasn't typical. Apparently most people have to call in a reserve a table ahead of time to guarantee a seat. The cocktails seem a tad bit expensive for the Baltimore area. However I'm from San Francisco, so what do I really know about Baltimore? This place really reminded me of speak-easys that I've visited in SF and NY however. More luxurious and expensive cocktails, a similar environment, an inconspicuous entrance, and even the "call in the reserve a seat" thing. Personally I think that kind of thing is pretty awesome, so if you're into the speak-easy environment definitely check this place out!
(4)
Cady K.
Absolutely awesome! Very cool atmosphere. It's classy without being snobby. It feels like a speakeasy with a very understated entrance. So much fun! The cocktails are amazing! The make their own tinctures, bitters, and shrubs, which adds to the experience. They have a list of classic cocktails and house specialty cocktail. I would highly recommend the What is and What Should Never Be, but everything we tried was fantastic! Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Diana C.
This place was fabulous. The food was divine, starting with a wide array of amazing appetizers, hearty and appetizing entrees and amazing cocktails. I must recommend the fried oysters and shrimp & grits croquettes, but besides that there were many appetizers I'm saving for next time. The same goes for cocktails. Besides a list boasting of classic favorites, they have their own version of cocktails that were just as great. Service was great--fast and conscientious.
(5)
Casey C.
Amazing cocktails, cool ambiance and good food, but it is pretty expensive for Fed Hill. The burger is worth getting but they only offer a certain number per day so it would be a good happy hour thing.
(4)
Ayo F.
Tonight was my first visit to bookmakers and I am very impressed. The occasion was my best friends surprise birthday and the hosts and or server were very accommodating. They really did their best to make sure our guest was surprised and I loved how pleasant and ready to serve the staff was. The decor of the restaurant is super cute. Very chic with an old time feel but very modern look. I ordered a Milano mule cocktail but opted to get it without the fernet (lol). The menu is small and a tad on the expensive side but I was able to find two items I know I would like. The fried oysters were really tasty and the mac and cheese was very tasty. I am very pleased with my dining experience. :)
(4)
Audrey K.
Didn't even stay to eat. Based on the inability of 3 staff (greeter & hostesses) to provide good customer service, we weren't going to stay to learn how badly the rest of the experience would go. Made me miss Nevin's even more
Great atmosphere, awesome drinks. First! Bartenders are really accommodating and it's conveniently located. Come with a group of friends, won't be disappointed. Favorite drink - pimms cup!
(5)
Art C.
This is, quite possibly, the worst "classic cocktail experience" I've had in a long time, and that's considering I just got back a trip to Liberia. Sorely disappointed. Much potential here with a gorgeous renovation, but the service simply falls far short, especially given the high price point. Like another said, the "classic cocktails" simply aren't, and are delivered with attitude the barstaff hasn't earned. The table waitress was great and I tipped her well, but only because I felt bad that she was such a gem stuck in this godforsaken place. If you've never had a decent cocktail outside of Baltimore, you may think this is a neat adventure, but it's simply, realistically, awful. Except the renovation/interior, which earned the place 2 stars instead of one.
(2)
Tracy e.
What an amazing renovation! Wow! Great drinks, food was tasty and service was perfect. Soooo happy cross street has something different .. Finally!
(5)
Robert M.
As a professional and resident of Federal Hill of 15 years. I am excited when the renaissance of our area continues to upscale the commercial spaces with good resturants. However Bookmakers failed to achieve this. The ambience was compared to a book with a beautiful cover but a bad story. Let me begin with the very simple task of a cocktail of grey goose vodka and cranberry. This Lounge failed to provide the simplest and most common drink. The meal which followed and recommended by the server was their innfomous fried chicken(Leg and thigh) What happend to the Breast?? Garnished with burnt kale, and brussel sprouts, very dark experience. Sorry to be so critical, My second disappointment their hamburgers are numbered( limited production) Well good Luck sorry I will not be back.
(1)
Sarah C.
Only tried the drinks but coming back for food. Only criticism is lack of seating but the drinks were awesome!
(5)
Christine R.
Bookmakers is a cool bar in Fed Hill, definitely different than most other places in the area. The cocktails were good but my issue was with the bartenders. They were extremely rude and made everyone in my group feel as though we were inconveniencing them. At one point a bartender audibly scoffed and rolled his eyes when we asked to split the check (it was over $150 - not something one person is going to pay for). Just seems ridiculous for people in a service industry to make everyone feel like they'd be happier if they just left.
(3)
Mark K.
My wife, son, and grandson (no daughter-in-law because she divorced my son) were given the upstairs special table at Bookmakers. Boy did we enjoy ourselves! We had the deviled eggs that tasted unseasoned and old, but the steaks made up for it! Wowzer! They came with a poached egg on top and my grandson nearly choked trying to cram the damn thing into his mouth at once! We had specialty non-alcoholic cocktails and they hit the spot! It's been said that the head mixologist squeezes his own honeycomb (although he gets the honeycomb from a farm in Southern Ohio, I don't know, you know how rumors start). Don't ask me why my family was in Baltimore, LONG STORY, anyway, Bookermakers IS a find and a buy, and I'd go back in a heartbeat. Great service and beautifully decorated.
(5)
Nicole Q.
By Far the Best new addition to Federal Hill!!!! I have had most of the menu items and almost all the cocktails on their menu. Never disappoints! The cocktails really take you back to the early cocktail days and are simply Devine. They change the menu and add cocktails seasonally with a couple of drinks/food that seem to stay with a little change. Only bar that has Chartreuse on tap! You have to try the chartreuse hot chocolate. It doesn't seem right, but it is! taste so good! They even have a couple of absinthes to choose from that are done correctly: slow dripped water over sugar cube. Great atmosphere and very friendly servers, bartenders/mixologists and manager. I highly recommended making a reservation to eat.
(5)
Jason L.
Quite simply, I love this place. This is what bars are supposed to be; a great place to hang out with friends, and be served by bartenders who take pride in making amazing cocktails. I didn't have any of the food, but instead had a liquid diet. My friends and I were blown away by the variety of cocktails on the drink menu, and gladly went down the list and tried almost all of them. Every drink was unique and unlike anything I've experienced before, and made by someone who was clearly a master at their craft. I love that Bookmakers is so much different from everything else in Fed Hill. It's an upscale bar, with no tvs, and no frat bros I could see. Definitely will be back.
(5)
Rocky B.
Bookmakers is so beautiful inside and the cocktails are made with such care! They make their own nasturtium, chai, and lavender bitters! I loved the witch's word and heart shaped box. The food is also a reason to go! The oysters are the best I've ever tasted. The chefs incorporate the liqueurs they offer in their cuisine! I find myself there a few times a week. I get excited just thinking about going back.
(5)
Andrew T.
Bookmakers is as close to perfection as it gets for cocktails, and a welcome addition to Federal Hill. The price of the drinks is worth it, and it helps to control the crowd. The food is also very good, and like nothing else in the neighborhood.
(5)
Amanda B.
pricey but breathtaking food and drinks.
(4)
Chelsey H.
I would highly recommend Bookmakers for both dinner and drinks. I had an amazing experience there and was impressed every step of the way, from the ambiance, to the decor, Unique food and beverages, Bookmakers had all aspects covered. I tried multiple cocktails from the creative, classic cocktail inspired menu. The Cross Street Mule and the Heart Shaped Box were two of my favorites. Both drinks were well balanced and had a great flavor combination. The bartenders were extremely efficient and knowledgeable. They take bartending to a whole new level. The food was also on point. I was able to try the ricotta cheese, roasted squash and strip steak. Everything was absolutely delicious and I was bummed when the last bite was gone. All I can say is Bookmakers has really set the bar for good food and fabulous drinks. It's not your classic federal hill establishment with mediocre food and sticky floors. It is a classy establishment that will hopefully raise the bar for everyone in fed hill!
(5)
amanda w.
Four stars for cocktails and service. Three stars for food. The cocktails were perfect. I would love to try more next time. The food was presented nicely but lacked flavor. We shared the frog legs for an appetizer and they were decent. We enjoyed the spicy sauce they came with. However, they had bones, which was a first for me. We ate them like wings. I ordered the vegetable risotto because it was the only veggie entree. It was filling but otherwise just fell flat. As my date summed it up, "it tastes like ketchup". They nailed the risotto part of it at least. My date had the sea bass and loved it. He said it was worth the $27. We were too full for dessert. The service was fantastic. Our waters were constantly being topped off (without being annoying) and the ordering was prompt and friendly.
(4)
Ben H.
Dinner for four this evening: Atmosphere was perfect. Fabulous decor with a welcoming vibe. Staff was polite...attentive....pretty spot on. Food and drinks were served in a timely manner...zero complaints. Cocktails and mocktails were quite delicious and properly prepared. Appetizers: Mac and cheese was extremely tasty, but a bit on the cool side. Calamari was great with some delicious spicy cucumbers in the side. Pork belly was good, however it lacked that soft delicateness we were expecting. Dinners: Fried chicken was amazing. Perfectly breaded and extremely well cooked. The burger was out of this world and the fries were fantastic. The ribs however.....well that's what dropped this from a 4 to a 3 star review. They were served almost room temperature. I can't complain about the taste, as they were about as bland as they could have gotten.....absolutely sub par. I've had better ribs taking my fat in-laws down to Denny's. Overall, I'd definitely recommend this place and certainly try it again....just stay away from the ribs.
(3)
Teri P.
Walking in, it was hard to believe that it used to be dirty ol' Nevins! This place is gorgeous! Great atmosphere & lovely furnishings. We were well-attended to by the hostess/waitress, and she made several suggestions upon our request. Hubs was the winner with his ordering, me- definitely second place... I got the watermelon & beet salad, which I found to be very blah. Very small portion size & not much flavor going on. I also chose the Pot Roast, upon our server's suggestion. It was good, but not knock my socks off great. I did not care for the rabini/broccoli rabe, and the carrots could have been cooked a little longer. The meat was tender & tasty, but seemed like a small portion. Hubs started with the Pork Belly appetizer, which was outstanding. Nice portion size & had a ton of flavor. I even recommended it to the table next to us. For his entree, he opted for the Lamb Ragu Ravioli's. The lamb ragu was phenomenal!! SO much tastiness in a stew like bowl, with several large ravioli's, also with lamb inside. I asked for several bites of his ;) For dessert, we shared the donuts, which may have been made onsite, but could have also been Entenmann's. Tasty, but not outstanding. We will definitely return & I will get the brussel sprouts that the table next to us ordered, and I had food envy over!
(4)
Chuck R.
Just started with the whole craft cocktail and was very pleased with this place! Staff very friendly and eager to explain their craft. Only had a few days in Baltimore and was surprised to know that like minded craft masters came together and they have their own guild ( bmorebarguild.com ) and helps to identify who is where in the city. An outstanding place to go for drinks, didn't have food but it sounded very good. A large area and got a little loud and busy, but watching the bartenders do their stuff was mesmerizing and enjoyable. All enjoyed what they do and the drinks were phenomenal!
(5)
Emily L.
On a chilly winter night, my friend suggested Bookmakers for drinks, and I'm glad I listened to her! Exquisite craft cocktails and prompt, professional service. The prices are neither economical nor astronomical, but the housemade shrubs, abundance of fresh garnishes and unusual liqueurs won me over. The Sazerac was exactly what a Sazerac should be; we tried several others, but since their menu changes so frequently (good for them!) I'm unable to jog my memory with it now. The neighborhood is overrun with drunk frat boys, but this place has done a good job of filtering that out -- dark interior, thick curtains, huge bouncer, loud music. I definitely could have done without the last one, and in fact, the overall atmosphere was a little too slick for me: I felt underdressed in nice jeans, and we spent most of the evening trying to fend off an obnoxious guy who had a thing for my friend. (In his defense, she is unbelievably beautiful. But she was also clearly not interested. In fact, this guy's own wingman abandoned him in disgust after an hour of intrusive conversation. Ay yi yi.) I would definitely return, maybe even for dinner, but I can't see coming here frequently. I just couldn't afford it!
(3)
Aurise R.
So, the most uninterested bartenders, barely made eye contact. They were more interested in creating their new cocktail than interact with existing customers. Menu didn't look interesting enough to stay.
(1)
Margaret N.
Love love love the interior design. Like the name, the bar/restaurant are mimics an old school library/book store. And the dim lighting gives it a nice, romantic feel. Went by for drinks and their fancy cocktails are $2 off till 7 pm. The Milano Mule is a must, and yes, they serve it in a copper mug so the drink is refreshingly cool till the very last sip. Definitely planning another trip to try their food.
(5)
Nora K.
I've been consistently impressed with this place each time I've gone (about 2 or 3 times now). The cocktails are fantastic. I recommend the What Is and What Should Never Be (A concoction comprised mainly of rum, cognac, and Laphroaig-soaked raisins, YUM!). Be careful, though, it sneaks up on you and hits you hard. I highly recommend the seafood and grits. The fried oysters appetizer with bacon jam can't be beat. I also liked the Short Rib French Dip, but not as much as some of the other dishes that I've enjoyed there. Service has always been quick and friendly. It is clear that a lot of thought was put into the trendy, eclectic design of the space.
(5)
Nicole J.
Bookmakers Cocktail Club is one of my favorite restaurants in Baltimore - What a gem! The ambiance is very speak-easy, but the service is nothing close to elitist. What really stole the show at Bookmakers is the food and cocktails. We started off with one of their specials, the Buffalo Polenta. Wow, the crispy shell and the crunch vegetables, combined with the steaming hot polenta provided the perfect texture. The Buffalo sauce sitting beneath was the perfect balance of acidity, heat, and salt. Next, I tried their shrimp and grits. Mind you, shrimp and grits is possibly my favorite dish of all time - I've ordered it at Langerman's, Founding Farmer's, Warehouse, Iron Bridge- nothing's come close to the shrimp and grits at Bookmakers. The grits are so creamy and the cajun seafood flavors come through like I've never experienced before. I ordered the What is and What Should Never Be cocktail which really lived up to its name - Definitely a cocktail to try. The only thing that fell short and made me waver between 4 and 5 stars was the dessert. We ordered the Small Sweets which is composed of 2 different types of cookies, fudge, brownie, and cookie nutella sandwich. The texture was a bit off, as though there weren't enough eggs, which made the desserts taste like it was gluten-free. Also, the flavors were lacking (not enough sugar too?), which made it taste like carbs without the sugar. Overall, a wonderful experience with a great deal of potential. Definitely worthy of a second visit.
(5)
Eileen H.
A little ritzier than the typical Fed bar. Props for: the atmosphere and decorations, the ambiance inside is awesome. Also, the staff is very helpful and willing to discuss recommendations. Cocktails were delicious, and the food was good, though somewhat unconventional. We ordered the Pork Shoulder Pot Roast and the Bison Meatloaf - the meat was wonderful, carrots were perfectly cooked (was less of a fan of the garlicky greens and the mashed potatoes) One thing that bothered me is that the menu in the restaurant had fewer options than the one online., so keep that in mind if trying to look before going.
(4)
Suzanne J.
Their highly walkable location in Federal Hill makes this a solid choice on our cold nights we've had in the city thus far, without parking debacles. Visited on a Thursday night with a mild crowd, with easily available bar and table seating. With an (almost) overwhelming selection of bourbon, rye and scotch to my naive palette, I'm sure enthusiasts would be able to take advantage more than I would have. I chose to dig into cocktails like the Autumn Mule and Smashing Pumpkins. These were both expertly made, smooth and accented well. Shared the chicken confit, chicken gravy and grits, not too terribly rich at all, well balanced and comforting while remaining appropriately polished. Very much enjoying this neighborhood addition!
(4)
Brie V.
In short, atmosphere: A+, drinks: A+. Food: B+. CUSTOMER RESPECT: D. Unfortunately, I had to cut down on this review because it was initially MUCH too long. As a result, I don't say enough about the fabulous drinks and good food (but take my word for it). Myself and 2 friends made a reservation and boldly ventured from virtuous Mount Vernon to the most unscrupulous and shameless territory in Baltimore, Federal Hill, on a Friday night to see what Bookmakers Cocktail Club had to offer. We started off with a round of specialty cocktails. Having already had the opportunity to sample "The Grayson" at the Ryes up against cystic fibrosis charity event, I knew this place was the real-deal when it came to cocktails. Our waitress was fantastic. Super knowledgeable of their drinks and really threw out some fantastic suggestions which suited the thirst of my friends. Round #1 of drinks ( "Bittersweet October," "The Grayson," and "What is & what never should be") came out promptly and were consumed with pleasure. We ordered the buffalo polenta to share as an app. It's worth mentioning that they offer a specials menu in addition to their regular (online menu). The polenta was unique in flavor profile and texture. It was very tasty and well-portioned. To accompany dinner, we ordered round #2 of cocktails ( "Children of the Grave," "Ring of Fire," & "The Witches Word"). Once again, fantastic and promptly-served drinks. For dinner, I had the bison meatloaf w/ scallion mashed potatoes and peppers & onions. The meatloaf was tasty, pleasantly hefty in size, and fairly priced considering the quality bison meat used ($21). It was moist, adequately flavored, and overall, a good dish. Both of my friends opted for the Roseda cheeseburgers. These were also quite good and well-priced. Interestingly, they only prepare 15 burgers a night, and when you order one, it comes out with a numbered mini flag sticking out. When we asked our waitress why the limited quantity, she replied saying the chef only wants to prepare 15 with that type of quality meat (?). They should really come up with a better response to that question, especially if they plan on continuing to serve burgers with mysteriously numbered flags popping out of them. But whatever. The burgers were juicy, tasted great, and were cooked to a perfect medium-rare, as requested. The large side serving of shoe-string fries were satisfyingly good. After dinner, we moved onto round #3 of cocktails. We were served our bill about 5 mins later. We paid & continued to converse & drink. We were having a fantastic time and coincidentally (I kid you not) were talking about how awesome this place was when we were interrupted by the hostess. The hostess asked us if we could clear the table because they have another party that needed to be seated. Her tone & phrasing were completely CRUDE and off-putting. Honestly, she made it sound like it was our fault those people hadn't been seated. Customer shaming is not a good business practice. I have to admit, we were all pretty astounded by the delivery of her "request" so there was some awkward silence. When the hostess recognized our astoundment, she added "of course you don't need to...but.." Now don't get me wrong, I totally understand the struggles this place faces when it comes to people first dining at a table & then staying there to drink while other hungry diners wait to be seated. But we hadn't even been seated for 2 hrs. If they don't want people to sit as long as they usually do during typical dining experiences at other restaurants, don't promote a traditional dining experience. Their menu lists traditional categories like, "STARTERS", "ENTREES," "DESSERT," "AFTER-DINNER COCKTAILS." What do they expect? Or better yet, keep the current menu and dining experience the same, & offer some etiquette classes to your staff. The phrasing & tone of voice the hostess chose to use was A COMPLETE TURN-OFF. We agreed to move to a high-top & the hostess literally stayed & watched us gather our things and migrate. And that was it. No apologies. No "thank you guys, how about your next drink is free.." or anything! I consider my friends and I to be friendly and easy-going people and we would have moved no matter what. But I was much more reluctant to bc of the way she "asked." After we moved, I flagged down our waitress to inform her of the situation & that if they really want to keep local & loyal customers coming back, they should really treat them with some respect (wasn't our waitress's fault at all). I hope she relayed the message to management. Will we be coming back? If you had asked me during the first 1 hr 50 mins of our experience, I would have said most definitely. Now, not so sure. If I do, it will only be to the bar. Perhaps Fed Hill is the perfect locale for this place. After all, it's nice to keep all of the unmannerly people and places confined to one area. If only their service were as classy as their cocktails.
(2)
Rachel L.
In Federal Hill, a new cocktail bar recently opened called Bookmakers. I was there for drinks right after it opened and I loved what I ordered. But I also noticed that the food going by looked delicious. I finally had the chance to return to Bookmakers the other evening for dinner and I was not disappointed. The evening I ate at Bookmakers, there was a special for Cheddar Potato Croquets. These were delicious, fried nicely on the outside while still remaining creamy on the inside. There was also a mustard aioli for dipping which was delicious. For our main courses, my friend ordered the Bison Meatloaf. It came with scallion mashed potatoes, peppers & onions. The meatloaf was incredibly flavorful. I don't normally order meatloaf so I don't have much to compare this to, but this was one of the best I've ever had. It was not at all dry like some meatloaves tend to be. For my main course, I have a hard time turning down a Short Rib French Dip when I see it on the menu. This version came with caramelized onion, on a baguette with a side of au jus. The sandwich was delicious, but nothing particularly noteworthy. I much preferred my friends meatloaf. My sandwich came with chips on the side, I'm not a huge fan of chips so I substituted for the Creamed Spinach. The spinach wasn't so much creamy as it was drenched in cream. While this isn't the typical creamed spinach I was expecting it was still delicious. My friend and I noticed plenty of desserts filling the nearby tables so we decided to try one. We picked the Salted Caramel Pot De Creme which came topped with candied nuts. A pot de creme is similar to a custard and this was perfect, not too dense and loaded with salty caramel flavor. The candied nuts also added a nice crunch to this dish. If you're looking for a beautiful atmosphere among the throng of bars in Federal Hill, Bookmakers is sure to delight.
(4)
Ryan B.
The first thing I noticed when I walked into Bookmakers was the literally unbelievable array of liquor bottles that make up the bar, artfully arranged along the wall. It almost looked like a nonused display but upon closer look I saw that the bottles were all full and being used by the bartenders. The service was great but did have a bit of a snooty air that some craft cocktail, farm-to-table, artful establishments seem to sometimes take on. Not a large issue but the interaction could be more warm. After all, it's just food and booze and I'm here to give you my money, right? We had some oysters....artfully presented over huge chunky rock salt rather than the traditional ice. Bookmakers kept true to tradition with lemon wedge, cocktail sauce, and a vinegar sauce. I just had a Union beer but my friend tried one of their speciality cocktails, an impeccably blended drink that bursted with aroma as I brought the drink to my lips. The myriad flavors were distinct and bold but also very well balanced; everything came through very clearly and complemented the other flavors. Unfortunately, on Sunday they have a very limited menu so we didn't get any deeper into Bookmakers food. Both my friend and I expressed that we are looking forward to returning to check out the full menu and the rest of the drinks!
(4)
Joe G.
Bookmaker Cocktail Club should consider dropping the cocktail out of their name. Nothing wrong with the drinks, but a place serving this good of food shouldn't give off the impression that cocktails are the only thing they do right. My girlfriend and I were in Baltimore visiting for a weekend. Before coming down we scoured Yelp looking for places to go out. We both bookmarked BCC as an option. We weren't going to dinner until late so we decided to come here to kill two birds with one stone and get quality drinks with dinner. Boy did we make the right decision. The cocktails were all very well done. They had an extensive list so it was fun trying the different concoctions. For food we started with a salad and chicken dip. They dip was cheesy and delicious. For entree we shared the Pork Shoulder Pot Roast with veggies and did Mac and cheese as a side. The pork shoulder was money. So tender juicy and a ton of flavor. One of the best dishes! This is a Baltimore must try for any one visiting! It's in Federal Hill which is a cool neighborhood with a ton of bars and its only 5 minutes away from the Harbor.
(5)
Shaw C.
What a kickass cocktail bar?! Killer cocktails! Killer vibe. Great and simple food! My waitress is very knowledgeable about all the drinks and spirits! I will be back as soon as possible!!!
(5)
Sonya L.
I am reviewing based on drinks only as I have not yet tried their food. The scene here is lively with a good crowd. I am so happy to have this place in Federal Hill since most of the bars in this area are for sports and a college crowd. They have a big selection of craft cocktails that were in the range of $10-$13. I was pleased with my selections and the group I was with also liked their drinks. They were well made and pretty well balanced. We came after dinner and had a great time socializing with tasty drinks. The staff is really nice but did seem to get extremely busy as the late night crowd rolled in. It was somewhat difficult to get their attention but they handled it very well and they never acted rude or appeared stressed. There is a good amount of seating for dining and the interior has a dark, speakeasy vibe. They did an excellent job creating the ambiance of this place and I look forward to going back.
(4)
Supriya M.
The ambiance of this place transports you out of Fed Hill and puts you in NYC or SF. The vibe is that of a cocktail bar but without the nose-up-in-the-air. We were seated promptly and we could not decide what to pick from their huge cocktail list or eat from their amazing looking menu. The two men got beer and concluded that they had a decent beer list and the two women opted for cocktails, both agreeing that they were absolutely fantastic. If our server wasn't gone for a while at the end, we may have ended up with 1 more cocktail each - perhaps it was for the better she was gone! The food was very good - they only make 15 burgers a night starting at 5PM but at 8PM on a Friday night, they still had 2 left which makes me think they didn't have too much traffic that night. Our server was very knowledgeable and helpful. The service was top notch overall. Highly recommended especially if you, like me, are always looking for good cocktails in Baltimore!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner, Late Night Parking : Garage, Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Upscale Noise Level : Loud Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Wed, Sat, Sun Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Kirk S.
I. Love. This. Place. Bookmarker's is basically everything I want in a restaurant ever. It's a somewhat out-of-the way but quite nice little joint in Federal Hill that's unassuming but absolutely amazing inside. The decor is dark but plush, a sort of Victorian-meets-rock-meets-American mixture that's just absolutely phenomenal in every possible way. I had a spiked hot chocolate to drink - don't judge me - and it was excellent and I'd highly recommend it. We had the Buffalo Polenta, the Shrimp Grits, the Andy's Chicken, and an assortment of small dessert samplers. All were absolutely excellent. The Buffalo Polenta, which I believe to be an occasional special, was absolutely tasty and the perfect carb-y/savory start to the meal. Andy's Chicken - basically fried chicken accompanied with greens-style kale and rice grits - blew my socks off. I especially appreciated the taste of the kale (reminds me a lot of greens from the South, a very good thing) and absolutely adored the rice grits. The Andy's Chicken protein itself was so tender it fell off the bone and was easily eaten with a fork and knife. The Shrimp and Grits featured the same rice grits and, to that end, was also absolutely phenomenal. The assorted sweets were not as sweet as I expected, but nonetheless were quite tasty. All in all, this is easily one of my favorite places in Baltimore, if not on the East Coast. Go here.
(5)Spencer S.
Really disappointing how far their food has fallen, apparently their chef left and the food is really subpar now. The bread on my sandwich was completely rock hard stale, how does that even leave the kitchen? It's a shame because it was excellent when they opened, oh well...still worth a stop in for drinks but they have a lot of issues with the food, so skip dinner.
(2)Andrew R.
Well, I had the unfortunate pleasure of going to Bookmakers with my girlfriend, fellow yelper Brie V, and a friend. She goes into detail about the food and atmosphere, I will not. The only thing you need to know about this place is my experience here. WE WERE ASKED TO DEPART OUR TABLE WHILE STILL FINISHING OUR DRINKS. Heck, my drink was not even half finished! One might assume we were being the typical crass, angry, drunk, Fedhill crowd, FALSE. We were asked to leave our table because there was another party waiting to be seated...you heard me correct. A COCKTAIL BAR asked us to leave our table, MID DRINK, because they needed to seat another party! After appetizers, entrees, multiple rounds of cocktails, after-dinner drinks, and a $200 bill, WE WERE ASKED TO LEAVE OUR TABLE. I can see Bookmakers, that you are clearly struggling with the concept of being a cocktail bar. So let me help you here: people tend to lounge while they consume various drinks. I know this may sound bold (DRAMATIC PAUSE), but curb your disbelief or a second. Not everyone's goal in Fedhill is to chug drinks so they can enjoy the finer points of having their head in a toilet. You are COCKTAIL BAR! If you have a table waiting OR you need to ask a current table to leave, OFFER THAM A COCKTAIL. I just cannot figure out how something so seemingly obvious can be overlooked. I had very high hopes, but they lived up to my worst fears of attempting to have a classy establishment in Federal Hill. As someone once said, "this is why we can't have nice things!" You can stop reading here if you want, nothing else is really important, but I will go into a little more detail about Bookmakers. __________________________________________ I don't want to be completely unfair. Bookmakers did and excellent job with there food. I had a perfectly medium rare cooked burger. The chef only makes 15 a day of the delicious dry age roseda burgers topped with red onion, arugula, aged cheddar, and a horseradish aioli. It even comes with a little flag in it proudly displaying the # it is in the 15 burger line. Bookmakers also did an excellent job with their drinks. They have one of the largest cocktails menus I have ever seen in Baltimore. Each drink has a good description and if you want more information, the helpful waitress was more than happy to spend a second clarifying. Every drink I had was unique, and with the guidance of our waitress, I really enjoyed stepping out of my comfort zone. Anyway, Bookmakers has a great product, but they really need to find a way to walk the line between being a restaurant (which wants costumers to leave faster so they can turnover more food) and a cocktail lounge (which wants people to hangout and drink). Until they do, I cannot recommend this place whatsoever.
(2)Kevin K.
Weekend nights in Fed Hill are a scene of destruction.. think Spielberg's A.I. where the old robots get scrapped dramatically for crazed Nascar-like fans. Blue Agave was the best you could do for cocktails. Thank god for Bookmakers. There's a huge chance you'll miss the entrance with bros about to throw down next door or a group of basics crying on the curb. The understated nametag lacks the requisite Cross St. signage/distracting neon. The interior is old world-gray with archaic molding lifted from Kubrick's Shining. Is Bookmakers worth going to? Cocktail$ are definitely high for Baltimore, but regular for DC and even cheap for Chicago. So you gotta judge a different way--Ryan. First line up Baltimore's best mixologists. Then play dealer's choice. Ryan's is #1. Boozy cocktails focus on the alcohol here, so expect quality liquor with old-world class.. no umbrellas, toothpicks, or fruit. Haven't found a Bmore Vieux Carre anywhere else yet. His Old Fashioned's as good as Rye's. His sazarac competes with Bad Decisions. The Diamondback with Chartreuse VEP knocked me on my ass. At this point I don't even look at the menu.. he knows what I like and just whips up something new. And in the off chance you see something homemade (shrubs!) or unusual (jalapeno!), jump at the chance. Ryan does light/herbaceous better than anywhere. So yes, come to Bookmakers. Safest choice you'll make in Fed Hill.
(5)Nichole B.
If there were more stars I would give this place more. I will say this, its about time that Federal Hill has a grown and sexy bar making delicious and I mean delicious cocktails. This will be my go to bar when I am in the Federal Hill section of town. Came on last Friday which was also the anniversary of the Prohibition and was blown away with the amazing drinks. I decided to try the Bee's Knees, and it was definitly the bee's knees. It was so good I had two. I will say the cocktails range between $12 to $15 bucks depending on what you get. But that is to be expected if you want a really good and I mean good cocktail. The food was good as well. Wasnt too hungry so I just went for some appetizers, the seared pork belly was cooked to perfection which was accompanied with a nice brussels sprouts & radish & celery slaw in buttermilk dressing. We also tried the brussel sprouts, they were like crack on a plate.Served with candied bacon & grana padano cheese. Um, anything served with bacon is just that darn good. One of my friends had the dry-aged roseda cheeseburger, this was the best I have eaten in a long time. The burger is served with a pickled red onion, arugula, aged cheddar, and horseradish aioli. Hmmmm hmmm. The staff was very friendly and helpful when it came to making great cocktail choices. My friends said we will be returning for dinner next time. But I stroingly suggest if you are in the Federal Hill neighborhood, stop in and see what Bookmakers has to offer, you wont be dissapointed
(5)Denise G.
Fancy, delicious, will go again! Went on a Saturday night and sat at the bar. It was actually quite empty at 7:30. Drinks: I'll be honest - I didn't know about half of the ingredients on the drink menu (cynar, gia langhe rosso, velvet falernum?) but the bartender was more than willing to explain and make recommendations. My date had a grayson and some other drinks and enjoyed both. I ordered an applejack punch and a watermelon something or other that was a special of the day. Applejack punch was pretty good, but the melon drink was awesome - perfectly refreshing for a warm evening. Food: We ordered 4 small plates - shrimp & grits croquettes, lamb meatballs, buffalo polenta, & braised pork belly, and I was actually surprised at how large the serving sizes were! 3 plates would have sufficed. The croquettes were perfectly fried for a crunchy outside and creamy inside. The lamb meatballs were spiced well and the perfectly smooth and creamy polenta and egg yolk were a very nice addition. I was surprised at how tasty the buffalo polenta fries were, because I usually don't like buffalo seasoning. Price: small plates seem the be fairly priced. Looking at the entrees, prices seem on point for the quality of food as well. The drinks are expensive, but mixing a fancy cocktail with a variety of fancy alcohols & mixers is going to cost more than a Miller Lite, so I don't think they are unreasonably priced. All in all it was about $100 for dinner for two - two small plates, two drinks each. I would say that is the average price for a fancy night out.
(4)Abigail R.
This is no longer the old divey karaoke bar and it's exactly the kind of place that Federal Hill needs. The walls are a neutral gray, the large bar is very classy with chandeliers and textured wall of premium liquor bottles. Plus, the very little outside decor makes it seem fancy. And yet, there is a warm, cozy and inviting feeling in this bar. I ate here shortly after they opened. They haven't been open for 90 days yet (I think it's closer to 60 days). They have confirmed why I should kept to that rule, although delish - the menu and chef have already changed once since they have opened. I'm excited though; I loved Chef Sarah from Le Garage. They have a few choices for red wines, but none of my normal go tos. I asked the bartender for her thoughts on the Côtes-du-Rhône. She said it was medium bodied and had very low tannins. Sounded like a winner for me. This one is a 2012 Domain St. Gres from France. There are some smokey and olive notes on the nose, but I mostly smelled the plum or berry like aroma. Don't let the dark berry color of this wine fool you. It has ripe fruity flavors, with what I think was a hint of sweet herbs. The bartender was right; the wine finished with subtle tannins. Jamie went with their Heart Shaped Box cocktail. They shake bootlegger vodka with creme de mure (a blackberry liqueur) with a little thyme and fresh lime. Lastly, they top it with a little LaLuca prosecco and a very pretty flower. So pretty, in fact, that about 3000 people said, "oooo, what did you get with the flower?". She loved it, but she is a big fan of sweet, fruity drinks. The bubbles, of course, are always fun. I definitely won't mind making this one of my regular stops for drinks, and maybe for food after another few weeks...
(5)Jessica R.
I went here on a Wednesday night with my boyfriend and his parents. It was an absolutely wonderful experience! The drinks were fantastic... Offering a variety of classic cocktails as well as more creative choices including several mezcal drinks. The food was fantastic as well - the fried chicken was exceptionally moist with a crispy outside. The service was very attentive without being overbearing. We will go again!
(5)Josh B.
Definitely a nice addition to Federal Hill. Their bar set up is very cool and the theme is fun. This is what I expect when I come to a place that's more chill. It's a nice change of pace from the normal bar scene in the area. They have a pretty extensive drink menu, and it's fun to watch a lot of the drinks get made. The Autumn Mule was my favorite. It was a great twist from your standard Moscow Mule. The staff was friendly. My only complaint would be wait time for a drink. They were very busy as it was a Saturday night, and the staff was working hard to get everyone's orders, it just seemed like they could have used 1-2 more people. Overall, though, I'd definitely come back!
(4)Deb H.
Great place to come with friends and try a few new drinks. I brought a friend from out of town here for a late dinner and drinks and she was in love with the place! The Brussel sprouts are really really good, she got oysters and loved them. Can't wait to come here again with friends, this place would make a fun date place also.
(4)Strawberry S.
This place has so much potential to be a 5-star establishment!! Instead, it's more like a 3.5. Atmosphere - great!! Sorta dark, modern, Victorian. Service - ours were very good. Both the waitress and floor mgr were outstanding. But reading some of the other reviews, seems that this can be a mixed bag. I can only report on our night. Cocktails - big MEH!!!!! Craft cocktails are the reason I went. Had 4 different ones. And they all came out tasting like way too lemony, sour versions of a fizz. Seriously -- how much lemon and egg white do you have to add to overpower the taste of *rye* (a very strong, distinctive taste!!!). The grayson was ok. Witch's word, carlsbad, mostensaften, and what is & what should ..... all just OK. For ~$13/drink, I'm looking for way better than OK. Food - again, OK. Good thoughts. Bison bolognese (a special for the night) had to be sent back because it was way too salty. (btw -- I salt ramen soup. I would lick a salt block if given to me. So when I say salty, I mean SALTY!!!). Burger was good, but the added bacon needed a lot of work. It was handcut pork belly. Great idea!!! But what I ended up with was a very thick, chewy piece of sauteed fat. Buns are apparently made in house, but were way too big and dense for my taste (I'm sure some people appreciate a bun training to be a bagel). French fries were hand cut and fried. Personal preference again, but I hate that style. Just makes them taste like when you cut potatoes at home and try to pan sauté them into french fries. I want warm yellow, crisp, delicately oily fries not brown, oily, saggy fries. Federal Hill is the perfect spot for great craft cocktails and gastropub food. Bookmaker's hasn't been open long ... I do hope it the restaurant reads the reviews and improves!! $150 for dinner for two makes it hard though to give something just OK a second try.
(3)Stephanie P.
We popped in once, months before, for drinks, and had a good experience. We were excited by the pretty bar, their extensive bourbon selection, and the large collection of digestifs. We decided to go back for dinner, and make a night of it. Their menu had expanded considerably, and we were starving. Made a reservation for two, were on time, and when we arrived at a mostly empty restaurant at 6pm on Saturday, were seated at a large, central community table. We asked for two top, but the hostess said that they were all reserved. We opted to sit at the bar instead- neither of us was in the mood to interact with a bunch of strangers. So we sat at the bar, had dinner. The bartender was nice and we enjoyed our creative and thoughtful and very well-executed, although pricey, drinks. We've watched enough Bar Rescue to imagine ourselves experts on the subject... (ice chips? did they shake? make more than one at a time? .... anyhoo, you know you have an internalized Voice of Taffer, too.) The appetizer, Lamb meatballs with ricotta, came out in a way that I didn't enjoy, but my partner did. The lamb meatballs were raw. Not rare, raw. And floating in the middle of the ricotta was a raw egg. Now, I didn't see anything about the egg on the menu, and I'm not crazy about them. And if I'm going to eat a raw egg, I need to know it's a low-murder happy chicken egg, and not ones most commercial vendors sell. But my partner is okay with it, so he got to eat the whole thing. After dinner, which was good although unremarkable (he liked his burger but prefers the one at Bluegrass, my chicken and spetzle was good without being outstanding or remarkable enough to complain or rave about), we decided to just leave rather than staying and continuing to drink and eat dessert. The barstools weren't super comfortable, and as more and more time passed and we noticed none of the empty tables behind us fill up. That added a layer of irritation. Aside from a couple of first dates awkwardly crouched around the large community table, Bookmakers was as empty when we left as when we arrived over an hour prior. On our way out, we mentioned the hostess that we probably would've stayed longer and spent more money if given any of the empty, smaller tables behind us. They thanked us for coming in, and didn't acknowledge the statement. Here are my recommendations: do a better job of preparing for your reservation needs. There's a giant upstairs too, right? Maybe put some more two-tops up there? We live two blocks away, and are the sort of glutinous lushes who potentially would spend a lot of money at your restaurant, however long or short its lifespan may be. We are your market. Target us.
(2)Jim B.
Four of us from Little Italy, who are fans of sister cocktail spot, Rye, trekked to Fed Hill on Sat evening for a few drinks and snacks before hopping around the neighborhood. The drinks were fantastic and included well prepared classics as well as a mix of Rye and BCC recipes. The service was great and Briana especially was a fantastic tender. She answered all of our questions as we watched all kinds of drinks being made for others. We sampled a few of the small plates and enjoyed them both. BCC has the atmosphere, the drinks and staff to make for a great evening out in Fed Hill. We look forward to our next visit. The only thing keeping this from getting a 5th star is we didn't have a chance to have dinner there. Will update after a return visit.
(4)Danielle P.
The decor is dark and sexy. The service was a little slow but the food made up for it. Excellent food. I had the French dip. By far the best I have ever had. The meatloaf was also very good.
(4)Elisa H.
Brianna is so awesome! This was my second time here. The first time I was here I ADORED the heart-shaped box. This time I ordered the Corsican Rose and this drink was one of the most refreshing cocktails I've ever drank in my life.
(5)Erin C.
I have to say, I was skeptical when I heard a cocktail bar was going in on Cross Street. The Cross Street bar-goer vibe didn't seem like it would support this different approach and aesthetic. I anticipated a waaay dumbed down version of Rye, with loud fratbros flipping the menu over a few times before asking for Miller Lights and shots of Fireball. I was wrong, and glad to be wrong. Bookmakers has managed to do what I didn't think could be done here--create a cocktail bar on a large scale with good service and good food. The decor and setup are well done, a little romantic/sexy, good use of space/not too crowded, great long bar. They do have two TVs, but they are inconspicuous in size and smartly placed at the end corners of the bar--more something to glance at for a quick score check than to settle down and watch. They have a small, nicely curated, accessible menu of both cocktails and small plates (we tried the housemade ricotta and the doughnuts--thumbs up to both). I liked both drinks I tried, especially how my first, "The Last Word," reminded me of both an Aviation and a Hersh's Oregon Sour, thanks to the balanced combo of gin, Luxardo maraschino, and lime. What impressed me most was the details of service--we sat at the bar, yet received placemats and cloth napkins (a Cross Street bar rarity!) when we put in a food order. The bartenders were efficient, friendly, helpful, and snappily dressed. Kudos for pulling off this concept in this location--we'll be happy to return!
(4)Emily T.
Heard about this place and its relation to Rye and Willow. We spontaneously ended up here on a Saturday, early (around 6:30pm). It was spacious, open, classically decorated and beautiful inside. The back-lit bar and the style of menu reminded us instantly of some bars in NOLA. The cocktail menu, while not super lengthy, has an eclectic mix of things for all palates. I am not a huge "love the taste of alcohol" person and the Cuba Libre was perfect for me. A sip of the bf's island drink was also delicious. It's the type of place also, that they can make you something using your favorite base liquor if nothing on the menu tickles your fancy. We sat at the bar and didn't have food. Our bartender, a female named Barri (Berri? Berry? idk) was awesome. When a bartender shakes your damn hand after you've been there for a while, and suggests some other places to go, well that's a damn good bartender. She made us feel more than welcome and we will definitely be back. Bookmakers is a total welcome breath of fresh air in the typically bro-y sports-bars-y Fed Hill. I'd give give stars but perfection just ain't my style, I didn't try the food yet, and they didn't have the O's game on despite having two TVs. Perhaps I'll shell out a five but I need to give it another go before I can take that step.
(4)Kathleen H.
Drinks are good. Food was cold. Chicken was dry. Wait staff was nice.. But I'm here to eat. Not coming back.
(1)Maroula G.
Beautiful place, beautiful ambiance, great food and drinks, a bit pricey. Came for a work happy hour and got the Autumn Mule. Amazing drink! Delicious and unassumingly strong. Served in a copper mug so it stays cold a long time! I couldn't resist a second one! For food we all ordered the burger, since the chef makes only 15 a night! Super fresh and delicious. the pickled onions add an amazing kick to it! Delicious. Only thing is that I didn't expect my drink to be $12! I will be back... but won't order two specialty drinks next time.
(4)Jeff S.
We visited Bookmakers while at a conference in Baltimore based on a recommendation from a local. While the menu is limited the food was excellent as was the service. My only compliant was the room was a bit loud.
(4)Erin H.
Always amazing. Been here 3-4 times and I'm never disappointed. Cocktails are incredible. Bitter sweet October is my favorite. Food is amazing. The shrimp and grits are outstanding. Meatloaf is perfect. Honestly, loved everything I've ever ordered from here.
(5)Ralph M.
Excellent excellent cocktails!! Food is pretty good too. Love the atmosphere. It's like Federal Hill grew up finally!
(4)Cherpumple F.
Date night avec ma boo last night at Bookmakers, here's the scoop: Awesome ambience, snazzy and fancy but not overly pretentious. Yana our server was BOMB as*! We shared the Prairie 500ml beer which was delightful! Trout tater tots--eagerly waited on these because we both love tubers fried in little ball shaped goodness. Delicious, but more croquet than tater tots. Shared the meatloaf and the chicken--meatloaf was amazeballs and chicken was good, but the winner on the chicken plate was the grits. DANG!! The cow that made the butter and cream in the grits was happy fosho. I had the strega on the rocks afterward, which was yummy. Boo had the what was drink, which was okay but not the best cocktail we've had. Downers--blueberry pie was disappointing, no whipped cream (what?!), and just a pie but nothing to tweet home about. Service was fantab by Yana, but there was a glitch in the reservation (they had canceled our ressies without telling us for no reason so I had to call and make it again...) Will be back to try more. When my paycheck comes again. Overall good, but three stars for a few glitches .
(3)Aimee R.
Cool place. Great cocktails, great service. This place does not disappoint. Have at least 3 of their expertly crafted cocktails, you will be happy you did. I liked The Aviation cocktail the best of the 3 I sampled. I love small plates, so we shared the anchovies, bruschetta, oysters , pork belly, and arugula salad. All solid. For dessert, we tried the red velvet trifle and cornbread bread pudding, of which the bread pudding was the stand out. Wines by the glass not too shabby either. I'm definitely coming back and bringing friends.
(4)Drew K.
We made a reservation and upon arrival were checked in and told the hostess would seat us upstairs. Mind you a group who walked in ahead of us was seated with no reservation. Upon being greeted by another hostess she attempted to check us in again and we needed to tell her about 5 times someone already did. She then attempted to seat us at community high top table. We asked to sit at a normal table and we're told they were all reserved. When we said we have a reservation the hostess said "well I can sit you at the bar" when we said we made a reservation and would like a normal table. She replied they were first come first serve . At this point this place is fairly empty downstairs with two open tables. After trying to explain to what might have been the dumbest hostess I have ever met the contradiction of her statements I gave up and walked out. I will not be returning unless they hire a work staff with the some semblance of lucid thought. If I could give 0 stars I would.
(1)Tom D.
Excellent cocktails , interesting food makes for a good place to relax and explore . Worth the visit
(5)Stephanie I.
PHEnominal!!! We went here for drinks....prepare to be impressed! This isn't your usual cocktail list. I had the Milano Mule.... Can't wait to have another ! Speak easy like atmosphere....love the design. Bring a sweater though....the AC is kickin!
(5)Wynn C.
This place serves fancier cocktails. I really like the atmosphere, very loungey and a great place to chill. We went on a Saturday night and it wasn't very crowded. However I think that was an anomaly because there were protests earlier that day, hence keeping people out of town. There was plenty of seating that night, but from the waitress it sounded like that wasn't typical. Apparently most people have to call in a reserve a table ahead of time to guarantee a seat. The cocktails seem a tad bit expensive for the Baltimore area. However I'm from San Francisco, so what do I really know about Baltimore? This place really reminded me of speak-easys that I've visited in SF and NY however. More luxurious and expensive cocktails, a similar environment, an inconspicuous entrance, and even the "call in the reserve a seat" thing. Personally I think that kind of thing is pretty awesome, so if you're into the speak-easy environment definitely check this place out!
(4)Cady K.
Absolutely awesome! Very cool atmosphere. It's classy without being snobby. It feels like a speakeasy with a very understated entrance. So much fun! The cocktails are amazing! The make their own tinctures, bitters, and shrubs, which adds to the experience. They have a list of classic cocktails and house specialty cocktail. I would highly recommend the What is and What Should Never Be, but everything we tried was fantastic! Can't wait to go back!
(5)Diana C.
This place was fabulous. The food was divine, starting with a wide array of amazing appetizers, hearty and appetizing entrees and amazing cocktails. I must recommend the fried oysters and shrimp & grits croquettes, but besides that there were many appetizers I'm saving for next time. The same goes for cocktails. Besides a list boasting of classic favorites, they have their own version of cocktails that were just as great. Service was great--fast and conscientious.
(5)Casey C.
Amazing cocktails, cool ambiance and good food, but it is pretty expensive for Fed Hill. The burger is worth getting but they only offer a certain number per day so it would be a good happy hour thing.
(4)Ayo F.
Tonight was my first visit to bookmakers and I am very impressed. The occasion was my best friends surprise birthday and the hosts and or server were very accommodating. They really did their best to make sure our guest was surprised and I loved how pleasant and ready to serve the staff was. The decor of the restaurant is super cute. Very chic with an old time feel but very modern look. I ordered a Milano mule cocktail but opted to get it without the fernet (lol). The menu is small and a tad on the expensive side but I was able to find two items I know I would like. The fried oysters were really tasty and the mac and cheese was very tasty. I am very pleased with my dining experience. :)
(4)Audrey K.
Didn't even stay to eat. Based on the inability of 3 staff (greeter & hostesses) to provide good customer service, we weren't going to stay to learn how badly the rest of the experience would go. Made me miss Nevin's even more
(1)David W.
4 stars for my first visit, 1 for my second. Listed is my email to the establishment. Let me start by saying my fiancé and I visited your establishment a week ago and were very impressed. Your carefully concocted cocktails were inspired and delicately crafted, not to mention delicious. Our bartender, whose name we didn't get, really seemed to enjoy making our drinks and his patience and attentiveness paid off. We were so impressed that we decided to bring some friends along last night for our next go around. Unfortunately, the second time was not as enjoyable as the former. I ordered an old fashioned as I did the week before. Instead of using 1792 bourbon, as listed on the menu, they used old grandad instead. When I inquired, 2 bartenders stated that the menu had changed and that old grandad was "a far superior bourbon". Now, while I enjoy old fashions on a weekly basis, I still may not be the biggest bourbon enthusiast in the world, but even i know that old grandad is not a "far superior" beverage. All this came with a smug attitude I would expect at other bars in Federal Hill. One bartender initially offered to remake the drink using 1792 and I wish I took him up on the offer. What I got was a watered down, uninspired drink that everyone in my group agreed tasted like a flat old fashioned. Far less quality than my first visit. It wouldn't really bug me if I was somewhere else or didn't pay $50 (including everyone else's drinks) for the tab. Honestly, after such a pleasant first experience I really expected more, but it seems like the customer service and craft cocktail skills are quickly disintegrating to the level of the surrounding area. We will most certainly not return to Bookmakers. I can only hope that the employees there do not continue to mislead patrons while copping a superior (though mislead) attitude.
(2)Andrew M.
Great atmosphere, awesome drinks. First! Bartenders are really accommodating and it's conveniently located. Come with a group of friends, won't be disappointed. Favorite drink - pimms cup!
(5)Art C.
This is, quite possibly, the worst "classic cocktail experience" I've had in a long time, and that's considering I just got back a trip to Liberia. Sorely disappointed. Much potential here with a gorgeous renovation, but the service simply falls far short, especially given the high price point. Like another said, the "classic cocktails" simply aren't, and are delivered with attitude the barstaff hasn't earned. The table waitress was great and I tipped her well, but only because I felt bad that she was such a gem stuck in this godforsaken place. If you've never had a decent cocktail outside of Baltimore, you may think this is a neat adventure, but it's simply, realistically, awful. Except the renovation/interior, which earned the place 2 stars instead of one.
(2)Tracy e.
What an amazing renovation! Wow! Great drinks, food was tasty and service was perfect. Soooo happy cross street has something different .. Finally!
(5)Robert M.
As a professional and resident of Federal Hill of 15 years. I am excited when the renaissance of our area continues to upscale the commercial spaces with good resturants. However Bookmakers failed to achieve this. The ambience was compared to a book with a beautiful cover but a bad story. Let me begin with the very simple task of a cocktail of grey goose vodka and cranberry. This Lounge failed to provide the simplest and most common drink. The meal which followed and recommended by the server was their innfomous fried chicken(Leg and thigh) What happend to the Breast?? Garnished with burnt kale, and brussel sprouts, very dark experience. Sorry to be so critical, My second disappointment their hamburgers are numbered( limited production) Well good Luck sorry I will not be back.
(1)Sarah C.
Only tried the drinks but coming back for food. Only criticism is lack of seating but the drinks were awesome!
(5)Christine R.
Bookmakers is a cool bar in Fed Hill, definitely different than most other places in the area. The cocktails were good but my issue was with the bartenders. They were extremely rude and made everyone in my group feel as though we were inconveniencing them. At one point a bartender audibly scoffed and rolled his eyes when we asked to split the check (it was over $150 - not something one person is going to pay for). Just seems ridiculous for people in a service industry to make everyone feel like they'd be happier if they just left.
(3)Mark K.
My wife, son, and grandson (no daughter-in-law because she divorced my son) were given the upstairs special table at Bookmakers. Boy did we enjoy ourselves! We had the deviled eggs that tasted unseasoned and old, but the steaks made up for it! Wowzer! They came with a poached egg on top and my grandson nearly choked trying to cram the damn thing into his mouth at once! We had specialty non-alcoholic cocktails and they hit the spot! It's been said that the head mixologist squeezes his own honeycomb (although he gets the honeycomb from a farm in Southern Ohio, I don't know, you know how rumors start). Don't ask me why my family was in Baltimore, LONG STORY, anyway, Bookermakers IS a find and a buy, and I'd go back in a heartbeat. Great service and beautifully decorated.
(5)Nicole Q.
By Far the Best new addition to Federal Hill!!!! I have had most of the menu items and almost all the cocktails on their menu. Never disappoints! The cocktails really take you back to the early cocktail days and are simply Devine. They change the menu and add cocktails seasonally with a couple of drinks/food that seem to stay with a little change. Only bar that has Chartreuse on tap! You have to try the chartreuse hot chocolate. It doesn't seem right, but it is! taste so good! They even have a couple of absinthes to choose from that are done correctly: slow dripped water over sugar cube. Great atmosphere and very friendly servers, bartenders/mixologists and manager. I highly recommended making a reservation to eat.
(5)Jason L.
Quite simply, I love this place. This is what bars are supposed to be; a great place to hang out with friends, and be served by bartenders who take pride in making amazing cocktails. I didn't have any of the food, but instead had a liquid diet. My friends and I were blown away by the variety of cocktails on the drink menu, and gladly went down the list and tried almost all of them. Every drink was unique and unlike anything I've experienced before, and made by someone who was clearly a master at their craft. I love that Bookmakers is so much different from everything else in Fed Hill. It's an upscale bar, with no tvs, and no frat bros I could see. Definitely will be back.
(5)Rocky B.
Bookmakers is so beautiful inside and the cocktails are made with such care! They make their own nasturtium, chai, and lavender bitters! I loved the witch's word and heart shaped box. The food is also a reason to go! The oysters are the best I've ever tasted. The chefs incorporate the liqueurs they offer in their cuisine! I find myself there a few times a week. I get excited just thinking about going back.
(5)Andrew T.
Bookmakers is as close to perfection as it gets for cocktails, and a welcome addition to Federal Hill. The price of the drinks is worth it, and it helps to control the crowd. The food is also very good, and like nothing else in the neighborhood.
(5)Amanda B.
pricey but breathtaking food and drinks.
(4)Chelsey H.
I would highly recommend Bookmakers for both dinner and drinks. I had an amazing experience there and was impressed every step of the way, from the ambiance, to the decor, Unique food and beverages, Bookmakers had all aspects covered. I tried multiple cocktails from the creative, classic cocktail inspired menu. The Cross Street Mule and the Heart Shaped Box were two of my favorites. Both drinks were well balanced and had a great flavor combination. The bartenders were extremely efficient and knowledgeable. They take bartending to a whole new level. The food was also on point. I was able to try the ricotta cheese, roasted squash and strip steak. Everything was absolutely delicious and I was bummed when the last bite was gone. All I can say is Bookmakers has really set the bar for good food and fabulous drinks. It's not your classic federal hill establishment with mediocre food and sticky floors. It is a classy establishment that will hopefully raise the bar for everyone in fed hill!
(5)amanda w.
Four stars for cocktails and service. Three stars for food. The cocktails were perfect. I would love to try more next time. The food was presented nicely but lacked flavor. We shared the frog legs for an appetizer and they were decent. We enjoyed the spicy sauce they came with. However, they had bones, which was a first for me. We ate them like wings. I ordered the vegetable risotto because it was the only veggie entree. It was filling but otherwise just fell flat. As my date summed it up, "it tastes like ketchup". They nailed the risotto part of it at least. My date had the sea bass and loved it. He said it was worth the $27. We were too full for dessert. The service was fantastic. Our waters were constantly being topped off (without being annoying) and the ordering was prompt and friendly.
(4)Ben H.
Dinner for four this evening: Atmosphere was perfect. Fabulous decor with a welcoming vibe. Staff was polite...attentive....pretty spot on. Food and drinks were served in a timely manner...zero complaints. Cocktails and mocktails were quite delicious and properly prepared. Appetizers: Mac and cheese was extremely tasty, but a bit on the cool side. Calamari was great with some delicious spicy cucumbers in the side. Pork belly was good, however it lacked that soft delicateness we were expecting. Dinners: Fried chicken was amazing. Perfectly breaded and extremely well cooked. The burger was out of this world and the fries were fantastic. The ribs however.....well that's what dropped this from a 4 to a 3 star review. They were served almost room temperature. I can't complain about the taste, as they were about as bland as they could have gotten.....absolutely sub par. I've had better ribs taking my fat in-laws down to Denny's. Overall, I'd definitely recommend this place and certainly try it again....just stay away from the ribs.
(3)Teri P.
Walking in, it was hard to believe that it used to be dirty ol' Nevins! This place is gorgeous! Great atmosphere & lovely furnishings. We were well-attended to by the hostess/waitress, and she made several suggestions upon our request. Hubs was the winner with his ordering, me- definitely second place... I got the watermelon & beet salad, which I found to be very blah. Very small portion size & not much flavor going on. I also chose the Pot Roast, upon our server's suggestion. It was good, but not knock my socks off great. I did not care for the rabini/broccoli rabe, and the carrots could have been cooked a little longer. The meat was tender & tasty, but seemed like a small portion. Hubs started with the Pork Belly appetizer, which was outstanding. Nice portion size & had a ton of flavor. I even recommended it to the table next to us. For his entree, he opted for the Lamb Ragu Ravioli's. The lamb ragu was phenomenal!! SO much tastiness in a stew like bowl, with several large ravioli's, also with lamb inside. I asked for several bites of his ;) For dessert, we shared the donuts, which may have been made onsite, but could have also been Entenmann's. Tasty, but not outstanding. We will definitely return & I will get the brussel sprouts that the table next to us ordered, and I had food envy over!
(4)Chuck R.
Just started with the whole craft cocktail and was very pleased with this place! Staff very friendly and eager to explain their craft. Only had a few days in Baltimore and was surprised to know that like minded craft masters came together and they have their own guild ( bmorebarguild.com ) and helps to identify who is where in the city. An outstanding place to go for drinks, didn't have food but it sounded very good. A large area and got a little loud and busy, but watching the bartenders do their stuff was mesmerizing and enjoyable. All enjoyed what they do and the drinks were phenomenal!
(5)Emily L.
On a chilly winter night, my friend suggested Bookmakers for drinks, and I'm glad I listened to her! Exquisite craft cocktails and prompt, professional service. The prices are neither economical nor astronomical, but the housemade shrubs, abundance of fresh garnishes and unusual liqueurs won me over. The Sazerac was exactly what a Sazerac should be; we tried several others, but since their menu changes so frequently (good for them!) I'm unable to jog my memory with it now. The neighborhood is overrun with drunk frat boys, but this place has done a good job of filtering that out -- dark interior, thick curtains, huge bouncer, loud music. I definitely could have done without the last one, and in fact, the overall atmosphere was a little too slick for me: I felt underdressed in nice jeans, and we spent most of the evening trying to fend off an obnoxious guy who had a thing for my friend. (In his defense, she is unbelievably beautiful. But she was also clearly not interested. In fact, this guy's own wingman abandoned him in disgust after an hour of intrusive conversation. Ay yi yi.) I would definitely return, maybe even for dinner, but I can't see coming here frequently. I just couldn't afford it!
(3)Aurise R.
So, the most uninterested bartenders, barely made eye contact. They were more interested in creating their new cocktail than interact with existing customers. Menu didn't look interesting enough to stay.
(1)Margaret N.
Love love love the interior design. Like the name, the bar/restaurant are mimics an old school library/book store. And the dim lighting gives it a nice, romantic feel. Went by for drinks and their fancy cocktails are $2 off till 7 pm. The Milano Mule is a must, and yes, they serve it in a copper mug so the drink is refreshingly cool till the very last sip. Definitely planning another trip to try their food.
(5)Nora K.
I've been consistently impressed with this place each time I've gone (about 2 or 3 times now). The cocktails are fantastic. I recommend the What Is and What Should Never Be (A concoction comprised mainly of rum, cognac, and Laphroaig-soaked raisins, YUM!). Be careful, though, it sneaks up on you and hits you hard. I highly recommend the seafood and grits. The fried oysters appetizer with bacon jam can't be beat. I also liked the Short Rib French Dip, but not as much as some of the other dishes that I've enjoyed there. Service has always been quick and friendly. It is clear that a lot of thought was put into the trendy, eclectic design of the space.
(5)Nicole J.
Bookmakers Cocktail Club is one of my favorite restaurants in Baltimore - What a gem! The ambiance is very speak-easy, but the service is nothing close to elitist. What really stole the show at Bookmakers is the food and cocktails. We started off with one of their specials, the Buffalo Polenta. Wow, the crispy shell and the crunch vegetables, combined with the steaming hot polenta provided the perfect texture. The Buffalo sauce sitting beneath was the perfect balance of acidity, heat, and salt. Next, I tried their shrimp and grits. Mind you, shrimp and grits is possibly my favorite dish of all time - I've ordered it at Langerman's, Founding Farmer's, Warehouse, Iron Bridge- nothing's come close to the shrimp and grits at Bookmakers. The grits are so creamy and the cajun seafood flavors come through like I've never experienced before. I ordered the What is and What Should Never Be cocktail which really lived up to its name - Definitely a cocktail to try. The only thing that fell short and made me waver between 4 and 5 stars was the dessert. We ordered the Small Sweets which is composed of 2 different types of cookies, fudge, brownie, and cookie nutella sandwich. The texture was a bit off, as though there weren't enough eggs, which made the desserts taste like it was gluten-free. Also, the flavors were lacking (not enough sugar too?), which made it taste like carbs without the sugar. Overall, a wonderful experience with a great deal of potential. Definitely worthy of a second visit.
(5)Eileen H.
A little ritzier than the typical Fed bar. Props for: the atmosphere and decorations, the ambiance inside is awesome. Also, the staff is very helpful and willing to discuss recommendations. Cocktails were delicious, and the food was good, though somewhat unconventional. We ordered the Pork Shoulder Pot Roast and the Bison Meatloaf - the meat was wonderful, carrots were perfectly cooked (was less of a fan of the garlicky greens and the mashed potatoes) One thing that bothered me is that the menu in the restaurant had fewer options than the one online., so keep that in mind if trying to look before going.
(4)Suzanne J.
Their highly walkable location in Federal Hill makes this a solid choice on our cold nights we've had in the city thus far, without parking debacles. Visited on a Thursday night with a mild crowd, with easily available bar and table seating. With an (almost) overwhelming selection of bourbon, rye and scotch to my naive palette, I'm sure enthusiasts would be able to take advantage more than I would have. I chose to dig into cocktails like the Autumn Mule and Smashing Pumpkins. These were both expertly made, smooth and accented well. Shared the chicken confit, chicken gravy and grits, not too terribly rich at all, well balanced and comforting while remaining appropriately polished. Very much enjoying this neighborhood addition!
(4)Brie V.
In short, atmosphere: A+, drinks: A+. Food: B+. CUSTOMER RESPECT: D. Unfortunately, I had to cut down on this review because it was initially MUCH too long. As a result, I don't say enough about the fabulous drinks and good food (but take my word for it). Myself and 2 friends made a reservation and boldly ventured from virtuous Mount Vernon to the most unscrupulous and shameless territory in Baltimore, Federal Hill, on a Friday night to see what Bookmakers Cocktail Club had to offer. We started off with a round of specialty cocktails. Having already had the opportunity to sample "The Grayson" at the Ryes up against cystic fibrosis charity event, I knew this place was the real-deal when it came to cocktails. Our waitress was fantastic. Super knowledgeable of their drinks and really threw out some fantastic suggestions which suited the thirst of my friends. Round #1 of drinks ( "Bittersweet October," "The Grayson," and "What is & what never should be") came out promptly and were consumed with pleasure. We ordered the buffalo polenta to share as an app. It's worth mentioning that they offer a specials menu in addition to their regular (online menu). The polenta was unique in flavor profile and texture. It was very tasty and well-portioned. To accompany dinner, we ordered round #2 of cocktails ( "Children of the Grave," "Ring of Fire," & "The Witches Word"). Once again, fantastic and promptly-served drinks. For dinner, I had the bison meatloaf w/ scallion mashed potatoes and peppers & onions. The meatloaf was tasty, pleasantly hefty in size, and fairly priced considering the quality bison meat used ($21). It was moist, adequately flavored, and overall, a good dish. Both of my friends opted for the Roseda cheeseburgers. These were also quite good and well-priced. Interestingly, they only prepare 15 burgers a night, and when you order one, it comes out with a numbered mini flag sticking out. When we asked our waitress why the limited quantity, she replied saying the chef only wants to prepare 15 with that type of quality meat (?). They should really come up with a better response to that question, especially if they plan on continuing to serve burgers with mysteriously numbered flags popping out of them. But whatever. The burgers were juicy, tasted great, and were cooked to a perfect medium-rare, as requested. The large side serving of shoe-string fries were satisfyingly good. After dinner, we moved onto round #3 of cocktails. We were served our bill about 5 mins later. We paid & continued to converse & drink. We were having a fantastic time and coincidentally (I kid you not) were talking about how awesome this place was when we were interrupted by the hostess. The hostess asked us if we could clear the table because they have another party that needed to be seated. Her tone & phrasing were completely CRUDE and off-putting. Honestly, she made it sound like it was our fault those people hadn't been seated. Customer shaming is not a good business practice. I have to admit, we were all pretty astounded by the delivery of her "request" so there was some awkward silence. When the hostess recognized our astoundment, she added "of course you don't need to...but.." Now don't get me wrong, I totally understand the struggles this place faces when it comes to people first dining at a table & then staying there to drink while other hungry diners wait to be seated. But we hadn't even been seated for 2 hrs. If they don't want people to sit as long as they usually do during typical dining experiences at other restaurants, don't promote a traditional dining experience. Their menu lists traditional categories like, "STARTERS", "ENTREES," "DESSERT," "AFTER-DINNER COCKTAILS." What do they expect? Or better yet, keep the current menu and dining experience the same, & offer some etiquette classes to your staff. The phrasing & tone of voice the hostess chose to use was A COMPLETE TURN-OFF. We agreed to move to a high-top & the hostess literally stayed & watched us gather our things and migrate. And that was it. No apologies. No "thank you guys, how about your next drink is free.." or anything! I consider my friends and I to be friendly and easy-going people and we would have moved no matter what. But I was much more reluctant to bc of the way she "asked." After we moved, I flagged down our waitress to inform her of the situation & that if they really want to keep local & loyal customers coming back, they should really treat them with some respect (wasn't our waitress's fault at all). I hope she relayed the message to management. Will we be coming back? If you had asked me during the first 1 hr 50 mins of our experience, I would have said most definitely. Now, not so sure. If I do, it will only be to the bar. Perhaps Fed Hill is the perfect locale for this place. After all, it's nice to keep all of the unmannerly people and places confined to one area. If only their service were as classy as their cocktails.
(2)Rachel L.
In Federal Hill, a new cocktail bar recently opened called Bookmakers. I was there for drinks right after it opened and I loved what I ordered. But I also noticed that the food going by looked delicious. I finally had the chance to return to Bookmakers the other evening for dinner and I was not disappointed. The evening I ate at Bookmakers, there was a special for Cheddar Potato Croquets. These were delicious, fried nicely on the outside while still remaining creamy on the inside. There was also a mustard aioli for dipping which was delicious. For our main courses, my friend ordered the Bison Meatloaf. It came with scallion mashed potatoes, peppers & onions. The meatloaf was incredibly flavorful. I don't normally order meatloaf so I don't have much to compare this to, but this was one of the best I've ever had. It was not at all dry like some meatloaves tend to be. For my main course, I have a hard time turning down a Short Rib French Dip when I see it on the menu. This version came with caramelized onion, on a baguette with a side of au jus. The sandwich was delicious, but nothing particularly noteworthy. I much preferred my friends meatloaf. My sandwich came with chips on the side, I'm not a huge fan of chips so I substituted for the Creamed Spinach. The spinach wasn't so much creamy as it was drenched in cream. While this isn't the typical creamed spinach I was expecting it was still delicious. My friend and I noticed plenty of desserts filling the nearby tables so we decided to try one. We picked the Salted Caramel Pot De Creme which came topped with candied nuts. A pot de creme is similar to a custard and this was perfect, not too dense and loaded with salty caramel flavor. The candied nuts also added a nice crunch to this dish. If you're looking for a beautiful atmosphere among the throng of bars in Federal Hill, Bookmakers is sure to delight.
(4)Ryan B.
The first thing I noticed when I walked into Bookmakers was the literally unbelievable array of liquor bottles that make up the bar, artfully arranged along the wall. It almost looked like a nonused display but upon closer look I saw that the bottles were all full and being used by the bartenders. The service was great but did have a bit of a snooty air that some craft cocktail, farm-to-table, artful establishments seem to sometimes take on. Not a large issue but the interaction could be more warm. After all, it's just food and booze and I'm here to give you my money, right? We had some oysters....artfully presented over huge chunky rock salt rather than the traditional ice. Bookmakers kept true to tradition with lemon wedge, cocktail sauce, and a vinegar sauce. I just had a Union beer but my friend tried one of their speciality cocktails, an impeccably blended drink that bursted with aroma as I brought the drink to my lips. The myriad flavors were distinct and bold but also very well balanced; everything came through very clearly and complemented the other flavors. Unfortunately, on Sunday they have a very limited menu so we didn't get any deeper into Bookmakers food. Both my friend and I expressed that we are looking forward to returning to check out the full menu and the rest of the drinks!
(4)Joe G.
Bookmaker Cocktail Club should consider dropping the cocktail out of their name. Nothing wrong with the drinks, but a place serving this good of food shouldn't give off the impression that cocktails are the only thing they do right. My girlfriend and I were in Baltimore visiting for a weekend. Before coming down we scoured Yelp looking for places to go out. We both bookmarked BCC as an option. We weren't going to dinner until late so we decided to come here to kill two birds with one stone and get quality drinks with dinner. Boy did we make the right decision. The cocktails were all very well done. They had an extensive list so it was fun trying the different concoctions. For food we started with a salad and chicken dip. They dip was cheesy and delicious. For entree we shared the Pork Shoulder Pot Roast with veggies and did Mac and cheese as a side. The pork shoulder was money. So tender juicy and a ton of flavor. One of the best dishes! This is a Baltimore must try for any one visiting! It's in Federal Hill which is a cool neighborhood with a ton of bars and its only 5 minutes away from the Harbor.
(5)Shaw C.
What a kickass cocktail bar?! Killer cocktails! Killer vibe. Great and simple food! My waitress is very knowledgeable about all the drinks and spirits! I will be back as soon as possible!!!
(5)Sonya L.
I am reviewing based on drinks only as I have not yet tried their food. The scene here is lively with a good crowd. I am so happy to have this place in Federal Hill since most of the bars in this area are for sports and a college crowd. They have a big selection of craft cocktails that were in the range of $10-$13. I was pleased with my selections and the group I was with also liked their drinks. They were well made and pretty well balanced. We came after dinner and had a great time socializing with tasty drinks. The staff is really nice but did seem to get extremely busy as the late night crowd rolled in. It was somewhat difficult to get their attention but they handled it very well and they never acted rude or appeared stressed. There is a good amount of seating for dining and the interior has a dark, speakeasy vibe. They did an excellent job creating the ambiance of this place and I look forward to going back.
(4)Supriya M.
The ambiance of this place transports you out of Fed Hill and puts you in NYC or SF. The vibe is that of a cocktail bar but without the nose-up-in-the-air. We were seated promptly and we could not decide what to pick from their huge cocktail list or eat from their amazing looking menu. The two men got beer and concluded that they had a decent beer list and the two women opted for cocktails, both agreeing that they were absolutely fantastic. If our server wasn't gone for a while at the end, we may have ended up with 1 more cocktail each - perhaps it was for the better she was gone! The food was very good - they only make 15 burgers a night starting at 5PM but at 8PM on a Friday night, they still had 2 left which makes me think they didn't have too much traffic that night. Our server was very knowledgeable and helpful. The service was top notch overall. Highly recommended especially if you, like me, are always looking for good cocktails in Baltimore!
(4)