With a large dance floor, video bar and saloon, The Hippo has been the setting for a wide range of events, as well as the backdrop for annual Pride block parties.
If CVS goes through with the project, it would mean the end of the nightclub, which opened in 1972 and has been a venerable anchor institution for Mount Vernon’s “gayborhood.” MONDAY, MAY 11, UPDATE: Chuck Bowers confirmed today in a statement to the media that The Hippo will close “sometime in the fall of 2015” and will reopen as a CVS pharmacy. I'll go to Central or drive to DC if I want to party.The Hippo, one of Baltimore’s oldest gay and lesbian clubs, is apparently hanging up its disco ball.Ĭhuck Bowers, owner of the Mount Vernon nightspot, is negotiating to turn the building at the southwest corner of Charles and Eager streets into a CVS store, according to city representatives who have been in contact with CVS Health Corp. This was the last time they get my money. Then he kept coming on over the song with something like "come on party people, get out on the dance floor." Lame! If they played some decent music then people would dance without his lame "encouragement". Our friend asked the DJ to play something danceable, but when he finally did he cut the song off half way through. We went back up front and the back dance floor opened 10 minutes later. We were irritated, but didn't want it to ruin our night. No bar should ever be rude to paying customers. However, a bit later some staff person comes over and rudely tells us "you are going to have to move" because they were going to use the spot we were using for some drag contest. The DJ there was playing pretty good music. When we came back to Hippo, the karaoke/video room was open. So we left and went to Central for a drink. They should have been passing out razor blades. Went here last night and they were playing "Everybody Hurts" by REM in the front room. I will continue to go to DC or the club across the street if I want a real nightlife experience. Also, I would like my $4.00 back, but I will never step foot back in there to get it. Maybe then, the dance side will be packed and they can keep the music going until 2 AM like a real club. This place seriously needs an entire image makeover.
My only complaint about this section of the club is the fact that the bartenders were once again OLD - and I mean like 60 years old! Also, the lights came up way before 2 AM when I still wanted to dance some more.
GAY BAR BALTIMORE MD FULL
The music here was surprisingly good! There weren't a lot of people there but the dance floor was full with young people and there were actually hot boys dancing in their underwear. After paying $10 to get in, I noticed that the event they were having that night was advertised as only $6 (not sure why they put event posters up to where you already have to pay to get in to see them) but it was only $4.00 more so I just rolled my eyes and accepted it. Not to be discouraged, I wanted to check out the dance side. also it looks like they are in the middle of some sort of remodeling. The bartenders are OLD and the music in the bar area was whiny and outdated. Walked in and I thought I was in a funeral home. My first club experience after just recently moving to Baltimore.