First look: Muggsy's Mug House

Fed Hill beer bar taps plenty of brews, few surprises

By Michael Cook

Special to Metromix
March 14, 2008

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Muggy's Mug House debuted on the Federal Hill scene with a strong start. The Tuesday night two weeks after its opening, Muggsy's had a good-sized crowd. Owned by Ryan Cooper, Brent Puckman and Danny Young—a trio with ties to the nearby Ropewalk—Muggsy's seems to be working. "We couldn't be happier. We blew all my expectations out of the water," Young said. There's nothing wrong with sticking to a solid format, but we hoped to find out what the space, previously Sean Bolan's and Clayton's, can provide that we can't get down the street or around the corner.

Food: Muggsy's full menu isn't available yet, but the offerings seem to lean heavily toward the sandwich realm. The current menu relies on salads, paninis, wraps and burgers, with a couple traditional apps and sides. The peanut butter and chocolate panini dessert sounds intriguing, though.

Drinks: The location Muggsy's has commandeered has always featured a lot of drafts. The current owners fill these taps with interesting, but not uncommon, brews. Those who know beer will be pleased but not surprised, while those looking for a domestic light on tap will be disappointed. The wine selection is minimal, as well. Luckily, there's a full bar of libations. Danny said they're still searching for the perfect house shot, but we'd say the Tuacas he poured us served pretty well.

Digs: Muggsy's features exposed brick and almost-too-bright walls the color of shamrocks. Most bars are dim places. Not Muggsy's: Even without house lights, the overwhelming TVs provide plenty of ambient glow. Right now, the upstairs consists solely of tables and a small cash bar, but three dart boards and a foosball table are coming soon.

Vibe: The crowd—a solid collection of preppy 20-somethings—and vibe at Muggy's isn't so different from Ropewalk or Drifters. Pop and indie rock dominated the speakers the night we were there, though we suspect hip-hop takes over on weekends.

Bottom line: Muggy's is a fine place for a beer, but nothing you haven't seen before.