The Ottobar facts for kids
Ottobar wall, June 2017
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| Location | 2549 North Howard Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218 |
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| Type | Music venue |
| Genre(s) | Acoustic rock, alternative rock, blues, blues rock, electronic, folk, garage, groove, hard rock, hip hop, heavy metal, indie, punk, reggae, rock, surf, rhythm and blues, singer-songwriters |
| Opened | 1997 |
| Website | |
| http://www.theottobar.com | |
The Ottobar is a popular place in Baltimore, Maryland, where people go to listen to live music. It's located in the Charles Village neighborhood. In 2018, Rolling Stone Magazine called the Ottobar one of the top 10 best live music spots in America. The Washington Post described it as a special place for unique music, where artists and fans gather to hear great touring bands. The Ottobar also hosts fun theme events and dance parties.
History of The Ottobar
The Ottobar first opened in September 1997 in Downtown Baltimore. It was started by Craig Boarman and Michael Bowen. The venue was named after Bowen's cat, Otto. The first location was quite small, which made concerts feel very personal and close-up. Even though it was small, many famous bands played there. These included Blonde Redhead, Bright Eyes, Death Cab for Cutie, Jimmy Eat World, and The White Stripes. The Ottobar also supported local bands from the area. Since it first opened, the Ottobar has hosted over 12,000 different performances! They also had special events like The 80's Prom and Tiny Couch Night. The first Ottobar location closed on November 17, 2001.
The Ottobar quickly reopened in the same month at its current location on North Howard Street. This new spot is in Charles Village, near the Johns Hopkins University campus. The new Ottobar is much bigger than the first one. However, it still feels cozy, allowing fans to be close to the bands. Musicians often say they like the Ottobar because of its great sound system and friendly audience. The venue does not serve food, but it has a bar and concert area on the main floor. There is also a balcony with seats that offer a good view of the stage. The second floor has a space for dance parties, pool tables, and a sofa for relaxing. It's even said there's a special passage to the next-door apartment, which is used as a dressing room for performers.
The new Ottobar continues to feature both new and well-known musical artists. Some of the famous groups who have played there include Animal Collective, The Black Keys, Coheed and Cambria, Dinosaur Jr, Maroon 5, Queens of the Stone Age, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. The venue also supports local Baltimore artists like Celebration and Lake Trout. The Ottobar is known for its fun theme nights, such as the Underground Dance Party and Spelling Bee.
The Ottobar also hosts events to raise money for different causes.
The Ottobar Sale in 2018
On November 2, 2018, the owners of the Ottobar announced they were planning to sell the venue. They hinted that they had found someone to buy it. The sale included the building, its liquor license, a permit for live entertainment, and all the furniture and sound equipment.
In May 2019, it was announced that the Ottobar was sold to Tecla Tesnau. She had been a bartender at the Ottobar since it first opened. Tesnau told WTMD that she didn't want to change anything about the Ottobar, except maybe clean the bathrooms!
The Ottobar During COVID-19
Like many places, the Ottobar had to close its indoor space to the public in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 global pandemic. To help cover costs like employee pay and rent, the Ottobar started a GoFundMe campaign in August 2020. This helped them get the supplies needed to keep staff and guests safe when they could reopen.
In November 2020, the Ottobar released a music collection called "No Stagediving." This two-volume album featured music from Baltimore musicians and helped support them during the pandemic.
