The Elk Room — Restaurant in Baltimore

It’s really sad for me to write this post as I’ve been a fan of this bar, along with my wife who actually thinks this is the best bar for cocktails in the region and I’ve agreed with her before.

I’ve been to Elk Room a few times as a customer and really enjoyed the drinks and they always brought fantastic service. Fate would have it that I’m a musician and just tonight got contracted to work as a vendor for the Elk Room for 4 hours this Saturday night.

Once I was there as a vendor and a worker the friendly faces disappeared, attention for my needs ignored, blatantly disrespected as a human being by the entire bar staff.

We were contracted a certain tab limit to cover our food/drinks during our performance. During the first break band had ordered food, which came out relatively quick.

With the food at our table we were unable to eat as no silverware/napkins/water were served to the band. All three members of the band tried getting the attention (and multiple times successfully) of the bar staff to express our needs for these items. Each time we were able to speak with the staff (other times completely and openly ignored) they said “it is on the way right now” except for 30 minutes we weren’t given any accommodation.

Eventually we’re allowed silverware and a single napkin for the group of 3, and finish the food and play the next set.

We’re taking a break after the second set and time is now around midnight. Before we go back to the stage I had to ask them for water since I was getting tired and dehydrated. One waiter refused to respond to me after I made my request for water. I grabbed the attention of the bartender next to him and asked him for a glass of water. After a moment of silence, he looked at the same waiter who ignored me earier and said “he’s working on your waters right now”. I thank them for their efforts and make my way back to the stage.

Next set starts and about 30 minutes pass and now I am getting more dehydrated and physically suffering. While playing I call out to the waiter serving a table in front of me as he’s leaving that table and verbally ask for a glass of water to which he nods his head. The song ends about 5 minutes later and there is still no water. Before the next song began I told the band that I must get water if I’m going to be able to play any more music.

At the end of the night, after performance had concluded, I go to the same waiter asking to receive our check for any items that exceeded our bar tap so we can pah the remaining balance, and the check is served to me by the same individual within 10 seconds.

This was extremely abusive, destructive behavior pur forth by them. Behind their smiley faces and kind service they are treating anyone who works for them with disgrace, disrespect, and malice. I cannot believe this place can’t let their vendors have water while vendors are doing physical service for their bar.

I will NOT return to the Elk Room both as a patron...

Wow! What an amazing place, in the true "speakeasy" fashion, which is a little hard to find at first. You have to go down an alley that belongs to another restaurant and open a door that is not labeled with the name nor the building number. But once you open the heavy wooden door and enter the secretive foyer you are led through a dark room with a bar at the end, very eclectic furnishings and prohibition-period decor, until you are lounging on classically upholstered couches and "love" seating. The staff are friendly and attentive and the music is just perfect for the setting, a classy, jazzy blend of old school r&b and mellow lo-fi hip-hop that rolls into your ears like a soft melodic cotton ball. The drinks are to-die-for! I ordered one "Over the moon" (in the highball glass) and my lady ordered one "Midnight Oil." (Round rocks glass). Over the moon is a complex and dynamic drink that tastes like a boozy sangria, but the flavor changes over time to become a little sweeter and tart. The Midnight Oil tasted almost like a smokey piña colada, a smooth and refreshing drink with the presumption of citrus flavors. And all without having any pineapple or coconut or mezcal in it. It was a very impressive palette experience, to say the least. My next drink is the "Chupacabra" (in the clay Japanese-tea-style cup) and my lady orders the "Passion Pit." (Round rocks glass with flowers). The "Chupacabra" is a sweet and smokey drink with citrus undertones. The "Passion Pit" is an amazing floral drink with herbal undertones and deliciously sweet overtones. The third round was to be one "Love in a Cage" (in the black cocktail glass) and my lady was to enjoy a "Sowing Seeds." (Double-flared champagne flute). "Love in a Cage" is a frothy and warming beverage with hints of cinnamon and spice. "Sowings Seeds" is a sweet Caribbean fruit with floral undertones drink. The final round was an order of "Kiwanis Wallas" (in the wooden cup) for myself and an order of "Hemlock" (in the black Collins glass) for my lady. The "Kiwanis Wallas" is a pleasant herbal blend of flavors, that include booze, basil/oregano notes, and piney subtleties. The "Hemlock" was a lightly chocolatey drink with a woodsy bite and a clean finish. So smooth and fantastic was this whole place and the entire experience of visiting The Elk Room. It was like stepping into an old-school gangster movie, but during the part where the gangster is living it up, and not the part when the government comes down hard on them and their operation. There are many more drinks and dishes to be had at this lovely little speakeasy, but that will be another story for...

If you’re in Baltimore and looking for an elevated, intimate cocktail experience, Elk Room is absolutely worth checking out. It’s tucked away like a proper speakeasy should be, and the second you walk in you know you’re in for something special.

First off, whoever runs the hospitality here really deserves credit. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted warmly and offered the choice of sitting at the bar or in one of their cozy lounge areas. We chose the lounge, which was a great call—the furniture was beautiful and actually comfortable, the lighting was warm and inviting, and the whole space just felt perfectly curated without being the least bit pretentious.

Service was honestly some of the best I’ve experienced anywhere. Our server was friendly, knowledgeable, and super attentive without hovering. They presented us with their cocktail menu as well as an impressive spirits list. Coming from New York, I’ve seen plenty of well-stocked bars, but Elk Room’s list was legit and clearly put together with care.

Cocktails were top-notch. Every drink we tried was balanced, creative, and well-executed. Prices were totally fair too, with most drinks ranging from about $15 to $22. For the quality and the vibe, that felt more than reasonable.

One of the biggest highlights was the live music. It added such a great layer to the experience without ever being too loud or intrusive. It felt like the perfect soundtrack to an evening out.

Honestly, Elk Room was one of my favorite stops during my trip to Baltimore. It’s the kind of place you want to linger for hours in good company over multiple rounds. Highly recommend for date nights, special occasions, or even just a chill evening if you appreciate a great cocktail in a beautiful space.

5 out of 5 stars for me. Can’t wait to come back next time...