The Park Bench Pub stands out from the other bar/restaurants within walking distance. It's got better food and a nicer atmosphere than just about anything near it in Locust Point, and you don't have to deal with the crush of people like you would in the heart of Fed Hill. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, and make a point to tell you about the new drinks and/or food on the menu. Everything I've tried from the menu so far has been very good (nachos, BBQ, burger).
(5)
M B.
I can't believe I've lived so close and never knew this was here. Think this is a new place we will have to go regularly. Gravy/cheese tots were so yummy and took the other record and got the Park Bench roll (and the SoCal roll for my toddler who loves sushi). Topped it off with the pepperoni flatbread. All were great. Will definitely be back! Also liked the local art around. Has tvs behind the bar. Place is small but clean and inviting.
(5)
Kris L.
Park bench is a local (small) bar offering a unique array of food options including flatbreads, sandwiches, salad and sushi. I was intrigued to try the sushi and found it about average and the choices were a bit limited. The service is friendly and the Orange crush (often $5) is fabulous and stiff. Food 3 stars Drinks 4 stars Atmosphere 3 stars Service 4 stars
(3)
George G.
I traveled from NYC to visit someone in this area. Got to this unassuming bar/restaurant in a quiet neighborhood. Once I got inside, I was surprised to see a nice place with full bar and tables. Nice. Then tried out the food. Awesome. I had the burger with blue cheese done medium well. It was the best burger I have ever eaten. Seriously. Seriously amazing. On top of that, I tried the sushi rolls. Also, the best Japanese rolls ever. Out of this world. This unassuming spot had the best food I have ever tasted. I will heartfully consider visiting this place again just for the food. As for the ambiance, it is a neighborhood spot. Friendly and unpretentious.
(5)
Teri H.
Great neighborhood spot! The food is delicious and the prices are very reasonable. The sushi is incredible!! Also the burgers and anything with the pulled pork on it are also delicious! Love this place and come to it frequently. I live in the area and I pick this place over Hershs and Homeslyce (These places are great too but can be on the more expensive side). Show this place some love and stop in and give it a chance.
(4)
John S.
Best burger in Baltimore. Best sushi in Federal Hill. Best beer selection in Charm City. Best bar staff, cooks and owner on the Mid Atlantic. Our favorite restaurant for sure.
(5)
Rachel L.
In Federal Hill, there are plenty of bars serving up some pretty great bar food (Brewers Cask) but on a Friday or Saturday night, grabbing dinner at a bar can be a little bit of a madhouse. Fortunately, The Park Bench Pub serves up your standard bar food, without the Federal Hill crowds. On a Saturday evening, my friend and I were craving some greasy bar food so we headed over to The Park Bench Pub because it was close by and we knew there wouldn't be massive crowds. When we sat down, we were greeted immediately by the friendly bartender and we decided to put in an order for Cheesy Tots. They were your standard tots but smothered in cheesy sauce. Nothing special but exactly what we were craving. Next up, we decided to order the Buffalo Chicken Nachos. They were house-made crispy tortilla chips topped with cheese, salsa, onions, sour cream, olives, sour cream and chicken smothered in buffalo sauce. We were expecting fried chicken bits and were pleasantly surprised with the well cooked and marinated grilled chicken. This was really great except I would have preferred more real cheese as opposed to cheesy sauce. We also decided to order a Margherita Flatbread. It was topped with mozzarella, parmesan cheese, tomatoes, pesto and olive oil. The pizza was good, but again nothing particularly special. If you're looking for a place to have some great nachos, head over to The Park Bench Pub in Federal Hill
(4)
John K.
Glad I found this place through the Yelp reviews. I came here to grab a drink and bite for dinner on a random weeknight and I'm really glad I did. The place is modern looking and clean and the staff is very friendly. They're not going to look at you cross-eyed because you're not a regular or because you didn't walk in with someone who grew up with them in the neighborhood. Park Bench Pub has a good selection of beer along with a decent selection of food. Note that I'm usually wary about places that serve sushi along with other items so I didn't go for the sushi. We did have the tots, nachos, a burger and fries. Everything was quite good. The nachos were especially on point (my girlfriend inhaled them without breathing much)! I'd say the food is a cut above "bar food." Maybe I'll give the sushi a shot next time. I'll definitely go back here to try more things (or just to have a beer).
(5)
Lindsey N.
This is my favorite neighborhood bar! We live down the street and come here at least once a week. Everyone is so friendly. I think I have tried everything on the menu at this point. My favorites are the pulled pork flatbread, the nachos, the grilled cheese, and the park bench roll (you may not expect it but the sushi is excellent!). Sunday brunch is also great- check out the kitchen sink burrito and the eggs chesapeake. Always a good selection of beers on tap as well.
(5)
Jim B.
This is a great neighborhood gem. Drinks are a little on the expensive side, but happy hour is fair and 1/2 bottle of wine night is a winner. Good food and great management!
(5)
Katie B.
Awesome place! Recommended by a friend and it was definitely worth it. It's off the beaten path, but if you're looking for a casual, quaint place to grab a brew and some good food, check it out! We visited on a Thursday night and they had a crush and roll special- $10 for a sushi roll and a crush (they have orange, watermelon, lemon, and grapefruit). We opted for some drafts ($5 happy hour special till 8pm) and flat breads, as well as the chicken Caesar wrap. All the food was great (nothing really over $10)- more than enough to fill you up. The wrap also came with an optional side of edamame which is unique. The servers and bartender were super friendly-even let us try some drafts before we ordered. The place wasn't crowded but we were greeted right away. Overall if you're looking for a nice place not in the hustle and bustle of things, check out Park Bench Pub. Definitely a nice neighborhood pub, but would not consider it a dive bar if you're in to that sort if thing. Their Sunday brunches are coming back for football season and we will definitely be returning!
(4)
Melanie H.
Great neighborhood spot! Tasty food including the sushi. Super friendly staff!
(4)
Rowan H.
Fantastic neighborhood bar. Sleek and modern decor. Small draft beer selection, but it frequently changes and has a nice variety...from sours to IPAs to stouts. Steve (bartender) is great. The sushi is some of the best in Baltimore. Going against the grain of many places that serve sushi, there aren't a hundred different rolls with various overly-sweet sauces poured all over them. There are typically around 8 different rolls and all are simple - yellow tail tuna, eel, spicy tuna, etc. The fish is fresh and the prices are fair. The chili and flatbreads are not to be missed. Great portion sizes, fresh ingredients. Burgers were recently added to the menu. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed. Bingo nor trivia are offered as of yet, but either would be a welcome addition.
(5)
Katie H.
A great place to grab a drink after work!
(5)
Jaimie W.
Now this is a great neighborhood bar! Its low key, offers great special, has an awesome beer offering and the menu is excellent. I particularly like the sushi...simple but fantastic. Pricing is very good and the portions are large. I wish this place was open when I was living on Jackson 8 years ago but glad to discover this gem now that I'm back in the Riverside Park hood.
(5)
Larry C.
Just can't say enough about this great little gem of the city, great beer, friendly staffs, great sushi and great for parties .
(5)
Christie G.
Best kept secret in Federal Hill! In addition to great pub grub like burgers, flatbreads and salads, they have a great (and ever changing!) draft beer menu, and one of the best sushi chefs in the city! Best part, their pleasant suggestion we put the kids at the corner table with cartoons on, so the adults can actually finish a sentence. Also a fave of cable-less Orioles (and Ravens) fans who come and stay till the last inning- #thisisbirdland!
(5)
J P.
I stumbled here shortly after this neighborhood restaurant re-opened in October. Previously known as The Park Bench, now under new ownership as Park Bench Pub, this place is great. I've been in several times since it's re-opening, most recently for a wine tasting night. It's a little off the beaten path, you won't really find many other places in the immediate area. However, make the effort, find the parking (street... and not a lot of it at that) and stop in. Honestly, I wished I lived in the neighborhood. The owner, Rich, is very friendly. He tends to venture out from the kitchen where he's the head chef and chat up the patrons at the bar. Speaking of which, a nice wine and tap beer selection can be found. I've enjoyed the meals that I've had here each time. Rich explained that he's been tweaking the menu from the existing menu gradually, and recently added some really amazing and fresh sushi. I also really enjoyed the house made chips and salsa. My date enjoyed her flat bread pizza as well. Rumor has it that on the weekends, it has a pretty good Brunch. I'm definitely going to have to venture down there and check it out.
(5)
Amy B.
Great neighborhood bar--its quiet, though I think it gets fairly full on weekend evenings. We've gone in during the later afternoon, so its been low-key. The bartender (Brittany?) is awesome and knows a lot about the local brewing/bar scene and the owner Rich is quite friendly and has definitely been interested in soliciting feedback as he revamps the space. We haven't been yet, but they have a happy hour from 5-7:30pm and seem to have food specials on certain nights. We tried the sushi, which was tasty and fresh. Overall, I'm excited to stop in again soon, maybe for one of the wine tastings or brewery events. The only downside is that the space doesn't have a ton of character-the bar is the focal point, but the gray walls and generic baltimore bar decor doesn't make the space feel particularly inviting. But the awesome beer selection and friendly staff make up for it!
(5)
Joe I.
Richie Chung is the owner and cares a lot about the food and the customer experience. He has just upgraded the kitchen and you can be sure that the same care and attention that he has brought to the sushi, salad and flatbread will now be applied to the expanded menu. It's a neighborhood bar, so it's not the kind of place that you would come to if your coming to Baltimore for a special occasion, but I guarantee you, if your visiting friends in Riverside, they will bring you here and you'll be glad they did!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Matt A.
The Park Bench Pub stands out from the other bar/restaurants within walking distance. It's got better food and a nicer atmosphere than just about anything near it in Locust Point, and you don't have to deal with the crush of people like you would in the heart of Fed Hill. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, and make a point to tell you about the new drinks and/or food on the menu. Everything I've tried from the menu so far has been very good (nachos, BBQ, burger).
(5)M B.
I can't believe I've lived so close and never knew this was here. Think this is a new place we will have to go regularly. Gravy/cheese tots were so yummy and took the other record and got the Park Bench roll (and the SoCal roll for my toddler who loves sushi). Topped it off with the pepperoni flatbread. All were great. Will definitely be back! Also liked the local art around. Has tvs behind the bar. Place is small but clean and inviting.
(5)Kris L.
Park bench is a local (small) bar offering a unique array of food options including flatbreads, sandwiches, salad and sushi. I was intrigued to try the sushi and found it about average and the choices were a bit limited. The service is friendly and the Orange crush (often $5) is fabulous and stiff. Food 3 stars Drinks 4 stars Atmosphere 3 stars Service 4 stars
(3)George G.
I traveled from NYC to visit someone in this area. Got to this unassuming bar/restaurant in a quiet neighborhood. Once I got inside, I was surprised to see a nice place with full bar and tables. Nice. Then tried out the food. Awesome. I had the burger with blue cheese done medium well. It was the best burger I have ever eaten. Seriously. Seriously amazing. On top of that, I tried the sushi rolls. Also, the best Japanese rolls ever. Out of this world. This unassuming spot had the best food I have ever tasted. I will heartfully consider visiting this place again just for the food. As for the ambiance, it is a neighborhood spot. Friendly and unpretentious.
(5)Teri H.
Great neighborhood spot! The food is delicious and the prices are very reasonable. The sushi is incredible!! Also the burgers and anything with the pulled pork on it are also delicious! Love this place and come to it frequently. I live in the area and I pick this place over Hershs and Homeslyce (These places are great too but can be on the more expensive side). Show this place some love and stop in and give it a chance.
(4)John S.
Best burger in Baltimore. Best sushi in Federal Hill. Best beer selection in Charm City. Best bar staff, cooks and owner on the Mid Atlantic. Our favorite restaurant for sure.
(5)Rachel L.
In Federal Hill, there are plenty of bars serving up some pretty great bar food (Brewers Cask) but on a Friday or Saturday night, grabbing dinner at a bar can be a little bit of a madhouse. Fortunately, The Park Bench Pub serves up your standard bar food, without the Federal Hill crowds. On a Saturday evening, my friend and I were craving some greasy bar food so we headed over to The Park Bench Pub because it was close by and we knew there wouldn't be massive crowds. When we sat down, we were greeted immediately by the friendly bartender and we decided to put in an order for Cheesy Tots. They were your standard tots but smothered in cheesy sauce. Nothing special but exactly what we were craving. Next up, we decided to order the Buffalo Chicken Nachos. They were house-made crispy tortilla chips topped with cheese, salsa, onions, sour cream, olives, sour cream and chicken smothered in buffalo sauce. We were expecting fried chicken bits and were pleasantly surprised with the well cooked and marinated grilled chicken. This was really great except I would have preferred more real cheese as opposed to cheesy sauce. We also decided to order a Margherita Flatbread. It was topped with mozzarella, parmesan cheese, tomatoes, pesto and olive oil. The pizza was good, but again nothing particularly special. If you're looking for a place to have some great nachos, head over to The Park Bench Pub in Federal Hill
(4)John K.
Glad I found this place through the Yelp reviews. I came here to grab a drink and bite for dinner on a random weeknight and I'm really glad I did. The place is modern looking and clean and the staff is very friendly. They're not going to look at you cross-eyed because you're not a regular or because you didn't walk in with someone who grew up with them in the neighborhood. Park Bench Pub has a good selection of beer along with a decent selection of food. Note that I'm usually wary about places that serve sushi along with other items so I didn't go for the sushi. We did have the tots, nachos, a burger and fries. Everything was quite good. The nachos were especially on point (my girlfriend inhaled them without breathing much)! I'd say the food is a cut above "bar food." Maybe I'll give the sushi a shot next time. I'll definitely go back here to try more things (or just to have a beer).
(5)Lindsey N.
This is my favorite neighborhood bar! We live down the street and come here at least once a week. Everyone is so friendly. I think I have tried everything on the menu at this point. My favorites are the pulled pork flatbread, the nachos, the grilled cheese, and the park bench roll (you may not expect it but the sushi is excellent!). Sunday brunch is also great- check out the kitchen sink burrito and the eggs chesapeake. Always a good selection of beers on tap as well.
(5)Jim B.
This is a great neighborhood gem. Drinks are a little on the expensive side, but happy hour is fair and 1/2 bottle of wine night is a winner. Good food and great management!
(5)Katie B.
Awesome place! Recommended by a friend and it was definitely worth it. It's off the beaten path, but if you're looking for a casual, quaint place to grab a brew and some good food, check it out! We visited on a Thursday night and they had a crush and roll special- $10 for a sushi roll and a crush (they have orange, watermelon, lemon, and grapefruit). We opted for some drafts ($5 happy hour special till 8pm) and flat breads, as well as the chicken Caesar wrap. All the food was great (nothing really over $10)- more than enough to fill you up. The wrap also came with an optional side of edamame which is unique. The servers and bartender were super friendly-even let us try some drafts before we ordered. The place wasn't crowded but we were greeted right away. Overall if you're looking for a nice place not in the hustle and bustle of things, check out Park Bench Pub. Definitely a nice neighborhood pub, but would not consider it a dive bar if you're in to that sort if thing. Their Sunday brunches are coming back for football season and we will definitely be returning!
(4)Melanie H.
Great neighborhood spot! Tasty food including the sushi. Super friendly staff!
(4)Rowan H.
Fantastic neighborhood bar. Sleek and modern decor. Small draft beer selection, but it frequently changes and has a nice variety...from sours to IPAs to stouts. Steve (bartender) is great. The sushi is some of the best in Baltimore. Going against the grain of many places that serve sushi, there aren't a hundred different rolls with various overly-sweet sauces poured all over them. There are typically around 8 different rolls and all are simple - yellow tail tuna, eel, spicy tuna, etc. The fish is fresh and the prices are fair. The chili and flatbreads are not to be missed. Great portion sizes, fresh ingredients. Burgers were recently added to the menu. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed. Bingo nor trivia are offered as of yet, but either would be a welcome addition.
(5)Katie H.
A great place to grab a drink after work!
(5)Jaimie W.
Now this is a great neighborhood bar! Its low key, offers great special, has an awesome beer offering and the menu is excellent. I particularly like the sushi...simple but fantastic. Pricing is very good and the portions are large. I wish this place was open when I was living on Jackson 8 years ago but glad to discover this gem now that I'm back in the Riverside Park hood.
(5)Larry C.
Just can't say enough about this great little gem of the city, great beer, friendly staffs, great sushi and great for parties .
(5)Christie G.
Best kept secret in Federal Hill! In addition to great pub grub like burgers, flatbreads and salads, they have a great (and ever changing!) draft beer menu, and one of the best sushi chefs in the city! Best part, their pleasant suggestion we put the kids at the corner table with cartoons on, so the adults can actually finish a sentence. Also a fave of cable-less Orioles (and Ravens) fans who come and stay till the last inning- #thisisbirdland!
(5)J P.
I stumbled here shortly after this neighborhood restaurant re-opened in October. Previously known as The Park Bench, now under new ownership as Park Bench Pub, this place is great. I've been in several times since it's re-opening, most recently for a wine tasting night. It's a little off the beaten path, you won't really find many other places in the immediate area. However, make the effort, find the parking (street... and not a lot of it at that) and stop in. Honestly, I wished I lived in the neighborhood. The owner, Rich, is very friendly. He tends to venture out from the kitchen where he's the head chef and chat up the patrons at the bar. Speaking of which, a nice wine and tap beer selection can be found. I've enjoyed the meals that I've had here each time. Rich explained that he's been tweaking the menu from the existing menu gradually, and recently added some really amazing and fresh sushi. I also really enjoyed the house made chips and salsa. My date enjoyed her flat bread pizza as well. Rumor has it that on the weekends, it has a pretty good Brunch. I'm definitely going to have to venture down there and check it out.
(5)Amy B.
Great neighborhood bar--its quiet, though I think it gets fairly full on weekend evenings. We've gone in during the later afternoon, so its been low-key. The bartender (Brittany?) is awesome and knows a lot about the local brewing/bar scene and the owner Rich is quite friendly and has definitely been interested in soliciting feedback as he revamps the space. We haven't been yet, but they have a happy hour from 5-7:30pm and seem to have food specials on certain nights. We tried the sushi, which was tasty and fresh. Overall, I'm excited to stop in again soon, maybe for one of the wine tastings or brewery events. The only downside is that the space doesn't have a ton of character-the bar is the focal point, but the gray walls and generic baltimore bar decor doesn't make the space feel particularly inviting. But the awesome beer selection and friendly staff make up for it!
(5)Joe I.
Richie Chung is the owner and cares a lot about the food and the customer experience. He has just upgraded the kitchen and you can be sure that the same care and attention that he has brought to the sushi, salad and flatbread will now be applied to the expanded menu. It's a neighborhood bar, so it's not the kind of place that you would come to if your coming to Baltimore for a special occasion, but I guarantee you, if your visiting friends in Riverside, they will bring you here and you'll be glad they did!
(5)