Bar

With the holiday entertaining season in full swing, you may find yourself lacking a dedicated space for mixing up and serving the latest cocktail. For some, a box of spirits and a six-pack in the fridge might be enough, but for large-scale entertaining, a home bar may be the answer — particularly if you are trying to get your guests out of the kitchen. Bar styles and options are as varied as those for sofas. Victorian, deco, urban contemporary, rustic, wood, metal, glass — whatever look you're trying to achieve, a custom cabinetry specialist can build you a bar to the dimensions and specifications you desire.

A 29-year-old man remained in critical condition Wednesday at Maryland Shock Trauma Center after being assaulted over the weekend outside a Baltimore County bar. Police officers from the Woodlawn precinct who responded to a call about an assault outside the Corinthian Lounge & Restaurant early Saturday found the victim suffering from severe head wounds, according to a statement issued Wednesday by the department. Detectives said that two suspects may have followed the man out of the bar on the 7100 block of Windsor Mill Road and beaten him. No motive has been determined for the attack.

If you're traveling to Baltimore for the first time, you've probably got a checklist of the standard tourist attractions. While the Inner Harbor has real gems like the National Aquarium and Maryland Science Center , it doesn't offer much in the way of nightlife, aside from a few chain restaurants. Here are three great spots that are a short, cheap cab ride from the Inner Harbor. Brewer's Art, 1106 N. Charles St. 410-547-6925, belgianbeer.com Baltimore doesn't have many brewpubs, but Brewer's Art makes one of the best ales around: Resurrection Ale. The bar is split into three areas: A semi-fancy restaurant, Victorian parlor/bar and dark, enchanting basement.

For those who claim it's hard to find a sports bar in Mt. Vernon and Midtown, there's Turp's . Named not for the Maryland Terrapins but for John Turpin, the bar's former manager, Turp's has nicely filled out that niche in the area. Yes, Terps games are broadcast, but the bar caters to sports fans of all stripes. On Ravens game days, it offers several drink specials. The bar opened two years ago, replacing bistro Neo Viccino, and has become popular with students and neighbors who were tired of going to the other quasi-sports bars around, namely Mick O'Shea's and the Midtown Yacht Club.

A celebration for freshmen members of the Maryland state legislature ended abruptly when smoke entered the Annapolis barroom in which it was held. Gov. Martin O'Malley and House Speaker Michael E. Busch were among at least 50 lawmakers who left the smoky building about 11:15 p.m. Thursday, just before Annapolis fire units arrived. Lt. John J. Bowes of the Annapolis Fire Marshal's Office said Friday that there was "no fire" at the bar, but said smoke and debris came out of vents when the heating system - which had been off for some time - was inadvertently turned on. The smoky conditions occurred toward the end of a celebration for lawmakers finishing their first terms in office.

Most people use the Charm City Circulator to commute. But some people, a fraction of total riders, use it after 6 p.m., according to the Baltimore Department of Transportation. What for? The department doesn't know. It could be more commuting. I wondered, would it be possible to use it to barhop? Recently, I put it to the test. The challenge: five bars, one night, using only the Circulator as transportation. My only rule was to have only one drink at each bar. Within five minutes at my first stop, I'd had four.

Townhouse Kitchen and Bar has announced its opening date. The restaurant will open on May 24 in Fells Point, next door to RA Sushi. This is the fourth Townhouse, which is operated by the Glenview, Ill.-based Restaurants America. The menu, which specializes in contemporary American fare with Latin, will offer a variety of shared plates, salads, fire grilled skewers, tacos and more. Bryan Perdue has been hired as executive chef. Townhouse will feature more than 40 local beers on tap, as well as" table tap" system located at four individual tables for diners.

On the eve of Easter, a religious group is coming down hard on the Fells Point bar Ale Mary's. Why? Well, its name for starters. And all of the other things the church-themed bar does for kitsch value. They decorate with photos of nuns. They post their draft list on a hymn board. They offer Father Luies Grilled Wings and Father Tom's Fried Ice Cream Sundae. And, possibly their most serious transgression according to the group: the bar's "chalice" club where people can get their beer served in a chalice.

When the Canton bar Clutch closed this spring, few mourned its passing. Some neighbors had complained the bar had been to rowdy for the area, but mainly, the news seemed to have been greeted with a shrug. The bar, which confidently called itself "Baltimore's premier sports bar," was replaced three months ago by The Americana, which I'm happy to report has less swagger than its predecessor and is all the better for it. The two-story bar has an inviting, All-American facade, marked by a peppy new logo and a warm, versatile interior that doubles as bar and brunch destination.

Remember last year's guide to the top 50 bars in Baltimore ? The controversial decision to put The Laughing Pint at No. 1 ? All the angry owners and publicists and bar fans whose favorite watering holes weren't picked? And all the overjoyed people whose favorite bars ranked higher than they'd predicted? Well, it's coming back this Fall. This year we'll be picking the top 100 Baltimore bars. And! The guide won't be limited to Baltimore City proper. This year's guide will also be arranged differently: there will be ten readers' picks, ten critics' picks and eight categories each with ten ranked bars.