Looney's Pub facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Looney's Pub |
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Looney's Pub in the Canton neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland.
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| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1993 |
| Current owner(s) | Bill Larney and Steve Litrenta |
| Food type | American, Irish cuisine |
| Dress code | Casual |
| Rating | Yelp:    Tripadvisor: 4 out of 5 (Food) |
| Street address | 2900 O'Donnell Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21224 |
| State | Maryland |
| Postal/ZIP code | 21224 |
| Seating capacity | 500+ |
| Reservations | Yes |
| Other locations | Bel Air, MD – Baltimore, MD – Maple Lawn, MD – College Park, MD |
Looney's Pub is a group of four Irish-style sports restaurants in Maryland. The pubs are famous for their tasty crab dishes, like crab pretzels, crab dip, and crab cakes.
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History of Looney's Pub
The story of Looney's Pub goes back to a building with a long history. On May 4, 1912, U.S. President William Howard Taft visited Bel Air, Maryland. He gave a speech at the courthouse and then stopped at a place called the Kenmore Inn. There, he ate a quick sandwich. Today, that same building is the home of Looney's Pub in Bel Air.
The first Looney's Pub was opened in the Canton neighborhood of Baltimore in 1993 by owners Bill Larney and Steve Litrenta. It's one of the oldest pubs in that area.
Over the years, Looney's opened more locations:
- Bel Air: Opened in 2002. In 2007, it was made much larger, almost doubling in size.
- Maple Lawn: Opened in 2009 in Howard County, Maryland.
- College Park: Opened in 2011. This location is right next to the University of Maryland, College Park campus.
What's on the Menu?
Food
Looney's offers a big menu with many foods that are popular in Baltimore. They use the local favorite Old Bay Seasoning on many dishes. The pub is well-known for its Maryland-style food, especially dishes made with Chesapeake blue crab.
Besides crab, you can find other American foods like New York strip steaks, salads, hamburgers, and Buffalo wings.
Drinks
The pubs offer a variety of drinks. The Canton location has 24 different draft beers on tap, while the College Park location has 18. Some of the taps feature beers from local breweries like Flying Dog.
A Place for Sports Fans
Looney's Pub is a popular spot to watch sports. Fans gather to cheer for Maryland's teams, like the Baltimore Ravens (football) and the Baltimore Orioles (baseball).
When both teams play teams from Washington, D.C., it's called the "Battle of the Beltways." These game days are some of the busiest times for the pubs. Fans also come to watch the Capitals (hockey) and the Maryland Terrapins (college sports). The pub is also a fun place to watch the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament.
Music and Fun Events
Looney's Pub supports local musicians by having live music almost every day. You can hear singers, bands, and DJs performing on their stages.
The busiest day of the year for Looney's is St. Patrick's Day. They host a big "Patty Party Weekend" with live bands, special food like pit beef, and a free Irish breakfast buffet.
Helping the Community
Looney's Pub often holds events to raise money for good causes and help people in the community.
- In 2012, Looney's held a fundraiser for the Believe in Tomorrow Children's Foundation. This was in memory of Patrick "Scunny" McCusker, the founder of another popular restaurant.
- In 2016, the Bel Air location hosted a benefit concert for the families of two fallen police officers from the Harford County Sheriff's Office. The event raised $140,000.
- In 2017, the Canton location joined a campaign called "ALS Bites!" to raise money and awareness for people with ALS, a disease that affects nerve cells. The campaign was started by former Ravens player O. J. Brigance.
- The Maple Lawn location often hosts fundraisers for local schools.
- In 2017, actor Josh Kelly hosted a talent show-style event at the Maple Lawn pub to raise money for the Casey Cares Foundation, which helps families with critically ill children.
Awards and Recognition
Looney's Pub has won several awards over the years for its food and atmosphere.
- 2011: Nominated for "Favorite New Restaurant" by The Restaurant Association of Maryland.
- 2013: Received the Harford Award for helping the community.
- 2014 & 2016: Named "Best Sports Bar" by Howard Magazine.
- 2015, 2016, & 2017: Named "Best Bar Food" by Harford Magazine.
