History

Long considered one of the top music venues and one of the top indie and alternative music venues in Baltimore, Maryland,^[7] the Ottobar was opened in Downtown Baltimore by Craig Boarman and Michael Bowen in September 1997.^[8] It was originally located at 203 East Davis Street in the former Chambers Nightclub.^[9] The venue, which was named after Bowen's cat, Otto, was very small, providing an intimate setting for live music and performance art.^[8] Despite its size, it attracted national acts such as Blonde Redhead, Bright Eyes, Death Cab for Cutie, Fear, Jimmy Eat World, Lamb of God, Le Tigre, of Montreal, Queens of the Stone Age, Spoon, The Rapture, and The White Stripes. It also supported local artists of the time, such as Daybreak, Goliath, Lungfish, Oxes, The Goons, and The Oranges Band.^[9] The Ottobar has booked more than 12,000 acts since it opened in 1997. Performance art showcased included The 80's Prom, Salute To Satan, Tiny Couch Night, and The Death of Vaudeville Night. The Davis Street location closed on November 17, 2001.^[9]

The Ottobar reopened the same month at its current 2549 North Howard Street location in lower Charles Village, south of the Johns Hopkins University campus and the Baltimore Museum of Art. The Charles Village location is considerably larger, but still provides an intimate listening experience by permitting fans to be close to the bands.^[9] The venue is valued by artists for its clientele and sound system.^[15] Food is not served at the Ottobar.^[5] There is a bar and concert area on the main floor, a balcony with seating and a good view of the first floor, and an area for dance parties on the second floor.^[7] The second floor also has pool tables, a sofa, a small performance space, and a bar. It has been reported that there is a secret passage to the apartment next door which functions as the dressing room.^[15]

The new Ottobar also showcases emerging musical artists as well as national acts.^[7] Some of the artists who have performed at the Ottobar include national artists Animal Collective, At the Drive In, Atmosphere, The Black Keys, Bouncing Souls, Coheed and Cambria, Damnwells, David Cross, Death Cab for Cutie, Dinosaur Jr, Drive-By Truckers, Father John Misty, Jimmy Eat World, Jonathan Richman, KRS-ONE, Maroon 5, The Melvins, Michael Ian Black, Queens of the Stone Age, Quiet Riot, Sharon Van Etten, Supersuckers, TV on the Radio, The Breeders, Brand New, Movielife, Saves the Day, Frank Turner, Samiam, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. The venue also supports and showcases local artists such as Celebration, Lake Trout, Misery Index, Ponytail, and Thrushes. There are theme nights such as Underground Dance Party, Pet Wedding, Butcher Knife Throwing Contest, Spelling Bee, Ottobar Boys and Girls Choir, and Book Burning For Peace.^{[5][7][9][23]}

In 2014, tragedy struck when Thomas Malenski and another employee were stabbed by Nicholas Heath after they escorted a friend of Heath's outside.^[24] Malenski later died of his wounds. Musicians, patrons and employees were surprised and said they had never felt unsafe coming to or being inside the Ottobar. The only other reported issues had been neighbors occasionally complaining that patrons were noisy as they left the bar.^[25]

The Ottobar also hosts fundraisers and other events for various causes. In 2017, supporters of Planned Parenthood of Maryland met at Ottobar in Baltimore the day before the Women's March on Washington.^[26][27]

Management announced in November 2018 that the venue would change ownership in 2019. Status of that transition is unclear.^[8][29]

2018 Sale

On November 02, 2018 the owners of Ottobar announced on Facebook that they planned to sell the bar and seemed to suggest that they had found a buyer. They refrained from naming the potential buyer. They are asking $1.25 million for the real estate, liquor license, and a permit for daily live entertainment on all levels, as well as the furniture and sound equipment.^[29] It is not known whether the transaction has been completed.^[8]

References