Urban Discoveries Baltimore

If you’d like to know what Lent is supposed to feel like, go outside. That howling, frigid, soul-scouring wind is just nature’s version of Catholic guilt. And it’s not even Lent yet. This Tuesday, take a stand for reckless self-indulgence and celebrate the last night of Ordinary Time with a teeth-clenching, wince-inducing Mardi Gras here in the G.C.I.A. We’ll start slow.

We usually don’t prefer to cross the county line (it makes us nervous), but we’ll make an exception for free pancakes.  Drag yourself out of bed and into Baltimore’s favorite spot for international cuisine––the Towson IHOP (6820 Loch Raven Boulevard). In honor of Shrove Tuesday, the preferred haunt of gothy teenagers and sad bar staff everywhere will be giving away free short stacks of buttermilk pancakes to dine-in customers from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. All they ask is that you chip in with a donation to the Children’s Miracle Network.

If you’re looking for good, clean, early-evening recreation, swing by the Kenwood Bingo Hall in Belair (6639 Belair Road) for a predictably-themed bingo gathering hosted by the Baltimore Nighthawks. That’s right, the Baltimore Nighthawks, our fair city’s all-female professional football team. It’s twenty games for twenty bucks, plus a portion of proceeds will go to Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland.

Pre-game at Mother’s Federal Hill Grille (1113 S. Charles Street) with the modestly rowdy, NOLA-conscious crowd you can generally expect there, and take advantage of their $2 Miller Lites, $3 SoCo drinks, and half-priced burgers and gumbo.

Finally, if what you really want is unflinching depravity, stroll proudly into Bourbon Street (316 Guilford Avenue), the downtown club named after a street named after alcohol. It’s $15 for all you can drink, which, if you find yourself there, is presumably a great deal. Get your money’s worth,  and make sure to ogle the jugglers, fire eaters, sword swallowers, and requisite bikini contest. And if you’re really watching the budget, remember, those ladies are eligible for $1,000 in prizes.

At any rate, enjoy yourself. And tell us, how do you plan to spend as little as possible in the week of Lenten transition?

Posted in: Downtown, Federal Hill, Frugal TuesdayNo Comments