Many folks throughout the Mid-Atlantic chose to ring in the new year at one of several local bars featuring specials in the way of live music and other forms of in-house entertainment. The Baltimore scene was certainly buzzing with no shortage of optimal options, including familiar favorites throughout historic Fell’s Point. One example of such an offering could be found at The Horse You Came In On Saloon, where DJ Tonez was leading live, ongoing performances throughout the evening, which started at 8:30 p.m. and ran through a 12:30 a.m. wrap-up.
While the New Year’s Eve show was a special event, live musical performances are fairly common occurrences at The Horse You Came In On. Aside from their reputation for standout snacks, sandwiches, and other fan-favorite food selections, signature cocktails, and classic libations, one of their biggest bragging rights is presenting live musical performances daily. But the establishment has an arguably more notable claim to fame worth noting—a storied longevity that even predates the American Revolution.
In this Flashback Friday Feature, I’m providing a historic overview of The Horse You Came In On Saloon as one of our nation’s oldest still-operating restaurant establishments and the only one to survive from before, during, and after prohibition.
Long-Lived Longevity
Throughout its long and enduring history, this beloved Thames Street-based bar has only ever served as a noted area watering hole. Aside from changing hands in ownership and being renamed at various times, storied accounts from its vast, far-stretching past tell of its ongoing, unending saloon operations through the centuries.
“The Horse,” as it’s frequently shortened to today, was built in 1775. It was originally known as the Fountain Inn, operating under the name Al and Ann’s for most of its tenure. The clientele on the scene (and throughout much of Fell’s Point back in those earlier days) primarily comprised miscreants, sailors, and shipbuilders.
Poe’s Last Stop Here
With its long-lived legacy, it only goes without saying that many a famous face made its way through the pub doors over the years. One such famed and fabled mainstay happened to be the one and only Edgar Allan Poe. As one of Baltimore’s most widely regarded, timeless literary celebrities, this was a favorite frequent haunt of Poe’s both in life and death (according to various ghost hunters).
The Horse, in fact, is often touted as being the last place Poe stopped to have a drink before being found in disarray on the streets of Baltimore and dying on October 3, 1849, at Washington Medical College.
Today, there is even a sign at the bar and a designated seat to both signal and commemorate the event of “Poe’s Last Stop.”
Horsing Around with Ownership and Names
Despite the changing clientele over the years, the fact remains that throughout most of its time, the saloon was familiarly known as Al and Ann’s. That all changed in the 1970s when a new 20-something young man came onto the scene.
Having scored big winnings during the Pimlico Races one year after successfully betting on a horse he liked, Howard B. Gerber had enough money at his disposal to at long last purchase the famed bar directly. At the time of Gerber’s takeover, the saloon hotspot was quoted as being “kind of an urban cowboy bar without the mechanical bull.” The crowded scene throughout much of the 1970s consisted largely of country music fans, more so than those who were into rock and other popular mainstream hits. It was even reported that on opening day, a friend of Gerber’s came in dressed in a full cowboy getup—a publicity ploy.
As for the nifty new name, it was done as a tribute of sorts to the horse responsible for Gerber’s winnings. The name denotes the horse he came in on, which made it all possible!
A Timeless Area Attraction
Gerber operated The Horse from 1972 on through 2006, when it was sold at auction to new owners Eric Mathias and Spiros Korologos. They still run the bar today and are the ones responsible for having contributed to maintaining its standards as a timeless area attraction.
Some needed renovations helped to fortify the building’s lasting legacy, forever keeping with its cowboyish charm and standout theming. Just check out those saddle-shaped seats!
Younger, more pop and rock-inclined fans have since started making this their place to come out and hang, especially with the daily live musical entertainment that now occurs here. Then, there are other elevated events and endeavors to take in here as well.
The Horse is even known for playing host to the Jack Daniel’s Bottle Club. How it works is that customers purchase and store a bottle of the whiskey onsite at the saloon until it can be fully consumed.
Then, there is that enduring famousness, or rather infamy, as Poe’s last stop, as previously mentioned. It’s a draw for Poe fans specifically, including Poe Society members and paranormal experts.
The Horse You Came In On certainly is a horse of a different color as far as saloons go. It ranks forevermore as a one-of-a-kind Baltimore favorite worth visiting. Experience it yourself at 1626 Thames Street, Baltimore, MD 21231. Visit the website for more at www.thehorsebaltimore.com.