As a reference for touring bands we are attempting to create a library of reviews of the venues we have played. Most of these venues are in and around the Baltimore area. We attempt to review the venues from the perspective of a performing band (sound, environment, staff, money situation, etc.) For more specific information, requests, or complaints feel free to CONTACT US
The Ottobar reviewed by Curtis Crispin
2549 North Howard Street
Baltimore, MD 21218-4506
http://www.theottobar.com/
Pros: Great sound and performance area, good merch placement, decent band drinks; in-town venue with non-shitty parking
Cons: If you have a crappy show, it’s your own fault
The Dirty Marmaduke Flute Squad has been blessed with several opportunities to play at
The Ottobar. Like The 8x10, The Ottobar hosts a mix of major national acts and local bands. We’ve played supporting and headlining bills there, including a show with Duff from Ace of Cakes, and opening for national touring act World Inferno Friendship Society. Also, probably to their regret, we've even been asked to organize our own show. Our most recent, and probably most memorable show at The Ottobar was
Super Art Fight 6 last January. We were the musical support for an improv street-art cage match (a valuable lesson: be open to non-traditional shows and alternative ways to showcase your band; the Super Art Fight crowd was very receptive to our unique brand of nonsense.)
As you would expect from a dedicated music venue featuring national touring acts, you’ll get excellent sound support. The stage area is great too: sufficiently large and elevated, with good, unobstructed views for the crowd. The band drink deal isn’t lavish, but with two drink tickets per band member neither is it stingy. The Ottobar excels on the merch front. Unlike some of the major venues in town, they don’t
make you hawk your wares in the basement. The bands get a nice stretch of table space across from the bar and adjacent to the bathrooms, ensuring good traffic by your merch.
Parking is a real plus. The Ottobar has its own free lot behind the venue. It does fill up (unless nobody’s coming to your show, of course), but since you’re a professional and you’re showing up at the appointed time for load-in, it won’t be a problem for you. It’s one of the few places we play in the city where we know there isn’t going to be some kind of hassle with parking.
If you get an opportunity to play The Ottobar, there are not a lot of drawbacks. However, you need to be diligent with your promotion. Although the venue is beloved and is a place where people will randomly drop in to check out the music, there’s not a lot of restaurant/bar foot traffic like you’ll get in Station North, Fells Point, or Federal Hill. You need to get your fans out, and call in your favors. Unless you’re incredible dumb-lucky like us, you won’t get asked back if you don’t bring people in.
If you get a chance to play The Ottobar, step up, get your fans out to support you, and be ready to kick some ass. It’s one of the best opportunities you’ll get in Baltimore to feel like a rock star.
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If you like this post check out:
Venue Review: Fletchers - Where we openly bash one of the shittiest, now defunct, clubs Baltimore has ever known.
Venue Review: The Windup Space - Where we praise (and secretly wish to play again) one of Station North's best multipurpose spaces.
Venue Review: Charm City Art Space - Some "REAL TALK" on Baltimore's own longest running DIY space.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at 12:00PM 
