Father's Day at the Dizz

A snapshot of the decor at the Dizz: booze and vintage boobs.

I had drinks with dad at The Dizz for Father's Day. The Dizz is one of those classic Baltimore spots. Like Nacho Mamas, Nicks, or Brewer's Art, you won't be in Baltimore long before someone starts reciting love poetry to one of these classics. And yet I'd never been to the Dizz. Shame on me.

Dad and I remedied that with a couple Sam's Summer Ales. We also solved a couple of the world's problems and my dad informed me he was once again handing out my personal information to someone so I could recommend Baltimore bars and restaurants to them. (I should mention to all the bar/restaurant owners reading this that I do take bribes.)

The Dizz's tap selection is pretty standard for a bar these days, with Yueng, Guinness, Stella and a few other good options. I can't say anything about the food, since we didn't eat. But what the Dizz does so well is what Baltimore in general does so well at its best bars. Friendly, relaxed service that matches a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Just looking around the Dizz at the mix of young and old, you could tell that anyone would be comfortable here. Comfort is a weird thing to compliment in a bar. Shouldn't I, as a critic, be concerned about style or drinks or newness? Nah. Other cities care about style or newness in their bars, and that's fine. Baltimore ain't like that. Deal with it, hon.

Now, those who have been to the Dizz know that it's directly across the street from Charm City Cakes, where Ace of Cakes is filmed. The windows are blacked out at Charm City, and with a wait list for cakes at something like a year long, don't expect to walk in and buy a slice. But while at the Dizz I saw my buddy, a Dizz employee, come in the door with a cake and I asked him if he'd gotten it from across the street.

"Hell no," he replied. "I made this. I'm making the desserts. They're way better than Duff's cakes."

Now that's something I have to taste. I can tell you one thing already, though. Dessert at the Dizz will be a hell of a lot more affordable than dessert from Charm City.