The reputation of this seafood restaurant and bar technically comes from its muscles... I mean, mussels. Eh-hem. Apparently, since I don't eat them, I clearly don't know how to spell the word. Bottom line is - Bertha's is known for their muscular mussels :-/
This hole in the wall spot is located in the heart of fells next to Brick Oven Pizza (B.O.P.) - a local pizza place that stays open after the bars close; Holler (BOP review pending). Bertha's is right off of the square in Fells; a prime location to lure people in by keeping the bar door open and having live music blare into the street!
Bertha's was founded in the 1970s by a classical guitarist, Tony Norris, and his wife, who was also a musician. It was originally named "The Lone Star." The Norris' passion for music during a difficult time in the Fells point area was the inspiration to the beginning of this live music bar. Bertha's, along with The Whistling Oyster and The Horse You Came In On, was one of the first entertainment bars to move into the waterfront area during a transitional period in Baltimore City. It quickly became popular, and contributed to the young and hip culture that the modern Fells point neighborhood offers.
Although dark and small on the inside, the live jazz and blues music you'll hear when you walk in, or walk by, brightens the ambiance of the place. To give you a taste of the flavor of jams you'll hear at Bertha's, check out these short video clips:
I apologize that they may not be the best of quality, but hopefully you can get a taste of the flavor of musicians that Bertha's welcomes.
There is live music every weekend, and on most nights during the week. Bertha's mostly brings in talented jazz and blues trios or quartets, usually featuring a lead guitarist and/or vocalist. Even though I have never been there, I imagine this is what New Orleans feels like!
The bar offers a decent selection on tap - Local Baltimore taps include: Bertha's Best Bitter, Oliver's Cream Ale, Oliver's IPA, and Oliver's Darkness. They also have your Stella, Guinness, Bass, Sierra Nevada, and Hoegarden. As with most of these types of places, the hard liquor selection is limited, but that's to be expected.
On their food menu, Bertha's offers an array of seafood options - soups, salads, appetizers, and shellfish, fish, and oyster entrees. And of course, MUSCLES! There is a plethora of mussel options - you can order your mussels with tomato, anchovy, basil, garlic butter, sour cream, or with dumb-bells (nah - just kidding. But did you get it?).
They do have a few veggie options I noticed, although I cannot comment on the taste, as I didn't eat here! But they have a veggie ravioli, veggie platter, veggie burger, and sauteed mushroom dish. They also offer some typical bar food options - burgers, etc.
Bertha's is definitely a "Go you will. Try you must!" place on our list! It's fun, hip, and you feel like a total bad ass hangin' out at the bar while bobbin your head to some New Orleans blues; I did anyway. This is a definite gem, and although I want you to check it out, I'm hoping it doesn't become too trendy. Because we know what happens to trendy places - they lose their flare!
For more information on Bertha's, check out their website:
http://www.berthas.com/home.html
And don't forget to purchase your "EAT BERTHA'S MUSSELS" bumper sticker or tee-shirt!
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