Home > Baltimore Bars & Clubs > Bar Review > Inside: Poncabird Pub

We had no idea what to expect from Poncabird Pub. The Web site consists of a bikini-clad model inviting you to "Baltimore's Hottest New Party," while other people told us it was a down-home local dive bar. We found the reality to be somewhere in between those extremes, but that just means that no matter who you are, you'll most likely feel welcome at Poncabird.

Vibe: If there are three words to describe Poncabird Pub, they are: Massive image overhaul. The new owner is looking to transform the pub from small local bar to hip Baltimore hot spot, and, judging by the layout of the place, things are moving in the right direction. An enormous wrap-around bar offers tons of room to squeeze in and grab a drink (or a seafood platter). Not far away, you'll find a DJ booth overlooking a small dance floor for the more adventurous in the crowd.

Crowd: You'll find the crowd at Poncabird to be representative of the pub's new direction. There are still plenty of middle-aged locals looking to down a few beers and unwind, but in the coming weeks you'll be more and more likely to see younger groups looking to paint the town. To their younger patrons, the owners are offering VIP Cards. The holder of a VIP card can drink all night for free if he or she brings three friends along. That's a hard deal to beat.

Libations: Poncabird has an impressively well-stocked bar. If you want a quick boost to start the night, the bartenders are up-to-date on how to make all those fancy shots we love so much (we indeed had a few red-headed sluts, a tried and true classic). The real draw here, though, is ladies night, which goes down every Thursday. Girls pay $5 at the door for all-you-can-drink beer and rails. If you've been keeping your eye open for a cheap way to get your date hammered, look no further.

Sounds: The DJ booth keeps things poppin' all night with a mix of hip-hop, dance and Top 40, and anything that you request. The music selection isn't enormous, but it's good enough to dance to after your fourth or fifth drink.

Service: Despite its current goal of becoming a downtown hot spot, Poncabird still offers the friendly service of a local dive. We made friends with the bouncer on the way in, who in turn introduced us to the owner. The bartenders were skilled, professional and extremely friendly. Or maybe we just remember it that way because two of them were exceptionally hot.

Bottom line: It's a little bit of a hike to get to Poncabird from the usual bar spots. It might just be worth it, though, as we had an absolute blast. You won't find it packed to the gills like most bars, and the staff will be eternally grateful to have you. Did we already mention the hot bartenders?

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