W.C. HARLAN

I asked for an espresso martini and was told they don’t make them. Later I saw in the menu that they had a drink with espresso in it. So I was already confused by that mishap. Ordered a French 75 and old fashioned instead. Both drinks were insanely strong to the point of being undrinkable. French 75 just tasted like lemon juice and a splash of gin. And the old fashioned just tasted like they filled the glass with whiskey. This was my second time coming here after not having good drinks the first time. Everyone seems to love it which is why I came back again. But to my disappointment, it still wasn’t good. Definitely won’t be back for a third time.

I’ve been on a recent quest to check out all the speakeasy style cocktail bars in Baltimore. W.C. Harlan is a cute speakeasy style cocktail bar. There’s only a sign outside that says “Enter” so it’s a blink and you’ll miss it kind of place. Parking is street parking you’ll have to find. It’s a very small place with bar seating and some tables in the back. I tried going on a Saturday night once and it was too crowded for me and I didn’t stay but some people might like it crowded. I came back during the week and it was much more cozy and intimate. The place is only lit by candlelight which is really cool. Most people were there either with close friends or on a date. This is a cocktail only bar, no food. You have to order at the bar and pick up the drink yourself if you are sitting by a table. They make craft cocktails with high quality ingredients. I really like the barware and glasses they used for the drinks. I got to try the pisco sour, traditional daiquiri, and amaretto sour. The amaretto sour wasn’t on the menu but the bartender gladly made me one. It was my favorite drink. I think this establishment’s real draw is it’s Amaro selection. I didn’t try it this time but they have a huge Amaro selection and Amaro flights so you can taste different ones. The price range for drinks was about $10-$20. The only thing I didn’t like is that even though I had to order the drinks at the bar and pick them up myself, they have a 20% automatic gratuity on all drinks. I like to tip but at that high percentage, for already expensive drinks, they should at least bring the drinks to you even if you order at the bar. This automatic gratuity is mentioned on the menu. Bluebird Cocktail Lounge is still my favorite speakeasy style cocktail bar in Baltimore but overall I had a good time at W.C. Harlan. The drinks were good and I would go back.

Whenever we travel to other countries, we check out cocktail places featured in "top/best" lists. WC Harlan should be in ALL prestigious cocktail lists. We are so fortunate to live about 20mins from this speakeasy. The vibe is unmatchable; the drinks are balanced. There is something for everyone. Menu changes so make sure to visit often, but the classics are always available.

So I'm sure you're exploring reviews right now because you've heard the hype and want to know more. Is W. C. Harlan a speakeasy? Well, if you mean is it camouflaged to blend in with the early 20th-century architecture of the surrounding neighborhood, exists without signage, and off the beaten path, then yes! According to local lore, this place was originally called the Kitty Kat and was a dive bar for skinheads. Otherwise, this place abandons its speakeasy facade as soon as you enter since it is as busy as can be! Good luck finding seating! Best advice is to go very early to ensure you find anything, especially on a weekend. We were lucky enough to find two seats at the bar only because someone I was shouldering up against was leaving. Atmosphere? Quaint, intimate, otherworldly day-of-the-dead decor. If you like dripping candles, fake flowers, taxidermy, dusty tomes, and strange portraits hanging on the walls, this place can't be beat. It is also exceptionally dark as well. So watch your step or bring your reading glasses because the drink menu itself is about as pretentious as you can imagine with ingredients that will challenge your vocabulary as much as they attract your attention. As for the drinks? We tried six different drinks, but I would not say they were exceptional mixology experiences. I found a number of them bitter, bland, or just unremarkable. Only the Roman Ruin tasted more complex than other selections. And for a menu with three different Mezcal cocktails, I would expect something other than an Espadin varietal, which is like the rail brand of Mezcal agaves. For the money, I had better drinks at the Bluebird in Hampden. Otherwise, the bartender was incredibly friendly, helpful when making selections, and talkative despite the volume of traffic. Also be warned, this place includes the tip in the bill. You will see a service charge on your bill followed by a line for an additional tip. EDIT: To the owner/responder - You really put a lot of effort into addressing a throwaway comment, so allow me the same opportunity. I think you missed my point. I was attempting to make an analogy that those uninitiated into Mezcal would understand. Espadin (Agave Angustifolia) makes up about 90% of available Mezcal on the market, as I'm sure you know, due to its short cultivation period. A species of agave so widely available means there will be inevitable oversaturation in its production - it makes sense - go to your local liquor store like I do and try to find something other than Espadin. Analogously, rail drinks use alcohols much more readily available. In many drinking establishments across the world, top rail drinks are not always available as market demand focuses on supply of cheaper liquors, and so my point had to do with availability not quality. I don't understand your response about rail brands cutting the spirit down to 40% abv or less, as my point had nothing to do with rail brands mixed with Espadin. If you are saying a mixed drink on the spot would cut the alcohol to below 40%, well, that's not true . If you mean a "rail" brand of Mezcal (which I don't understand since we don't refer to Mezcal in terms of rail brands due to its lack of time on the market - rail brands tend to have staying power built over time) would cut the abv to under 40%, well, then, it couldn't be sold legally in the United States. Not really following you. The point again was novelty and rarity since the express draw of your establishment is novelty and rarity. I would expect to see experimentation with the other agave species such as the ones available at your restaurant up the street. Please accept my humble correction as well, and remember to focus on the positive aspects of the review. If you put as much effort into your drinks as you did your response, you wouldn't feel the need to answer reviews like these. P.S. I'm glad the flowers are real.

I asked for an espresso martini and was told they don’t make them. Later I saw in the menu that they had a drink with espresso in it. So I was already confused by that mishap. Ordered a French 75 and old fashioned instead. Both drinks were insanely strong to the point of being undrinkable. French 75 just tasted like lemon juice and a splash of gin. And the old fashioned just tasted like they filled the glass with whiskey. This was my second time coming here after not having good drinks the first time. Everyone seems to love it which is why I came back again. But to my disappointment, it still wasn’t good. Definitely won’t be back for a third time.