Great spot in Annapolis that is just a little different. Drinks were top notch. Jake the bartender knows his spirits and makes great recommendations as well as drinks. Definitely try the Mai tai (it’s not your sugary punch version) and the NY sour. Cheeseburger was good. Staff was very friendly, and we will return!
Amelia Urbanski
Phenomenal date spot Jake and "Jake" were a hoot. Realy great drinks.
John Gilman
Very cool little gem in the basement of Aqua al 2. Craft cocktails and vintage photos of old Annapolis.
William Wallace
Great place and great service from Madison. Didn't have a reservation, but the hostess made an exception once I explained I was visiting from Texas to celebrate my birthday. Even comped us a dessert! What a vibe..
Dining at Harold Black was an extraordinary experience. Finding the building was a bit confusing which had another restaurant name on it. We whispered to the host “is this Harold Black?”. We were escorted through the upstairs restaurant to the stairs leading to HB. It was pretty dark as they used candles at each table. The tables were close but still enough to have a private conversation. The food- EXCELLENT! We ordered the meatballs, shrimp, and fries. It was so delicious! The menu is limited but chef kiss to the food.
KG M.
Stopped in late on a Friday afternoon for a couple drinks and snacks. Perfect timing because they don't let guests in until 5. Nice and dark. They manage the space so we weren't crowded at our bar seats. Had a few cocktails - all tasty but the martini stood out. The mussels were delicious - just wish they came with bread because it was a crime to leave so much deliciousness in the bowl!
datenightdiner
Its not exactly a "speak easy" as much as a bar in the basement with no special entrance at all. The vibes and ambiance are really cool, especially if you like the dark. Our drinks were great, service was fine but waiter was meh. Only got a couple of apps and they were good!
Colin McLaughlin
Cocktails: excellent. Food: step below excellent, but good. Slightly pricey side but I think it's standard for downtown, Annapolis. Fun experience!!
Natalie Caldwell
In the basement below Acqua Al 2, Harold Black is a bar/speakeasy for a fun late night spot. I was definitely expecting “more” when you call yourself a speakeasy, but it was fine enough for an after dinner drink. The bartender didn’t seem to know much of drink making and was confused when we shared the ingredients of a drink. Ended up getting poured enough port for three glasses so it all worked out in the end. Will probably try another place next time.
Natalie C.
In the basement below Acqua Al 2, Harold Black is a bar/speakeasy for a fun late night spot. I was definitely expecting "more" when you call yourself a speakeasy, but it was fine enough for an after dinner drink. The bartender didn't seem to know much of drink making and was confused when we shared the ingredients of a drink. Ended up getting poured enough port for three glasses so it all worked out in the end. Will probably try another place next time.
If you where a Fan of the Old Harold black, when it was in DC, then you will be extremely Disappointed. Although the ambiance is "quaint"in its own right; this iteration of Harold Black is less "mystique" than its predecessor. The Good: It's placement in the back basement of the restaurant gives it the Speakeasy vibe that it was going for. You will be pleasantly surprised by the menu and the skills of the bartender. As much as I enjoyed the skills, my one complaint was how tight the restaurant was. There is not a lot of standing room and when the place gets a little crowded it feels like people are standing right on top of you. I live the is place with an average size crowd but on a weekend it isn't the place for you if don't like people right next to you getting loud. Additionally, the music gets turned up to compensate for the noise, and hard to hear your conversation... hence the removal of the star. If I could give 3.5 I would, but it was an easy round up.
Erica D.
Food is basic. We ordered shrimp, fries and calamari, None of us finished our food. Service and and ambiance is great We had a good time
Vanessa
We had a chance to get some help and info for our reservation from Audrey! She was so helpful. Loved the music kind of loud at the end of our stay but great music. Alive! And our server was excellent.
kristen figuerado
First time visiting, and I can't wait to go back.
FredP
The decor and vibe of this place is very nice. Unfortunately, you wont be able to hear any of the people around your table. And the night i was there, some guests were dressed up in ridiculous one piece pajama sets. If you like roudy bars this is the place for you. if you are looking for a laid back mature lounge setting, run. Cocktails were decent, food is extremely salty.
Great spot in Annapolis that is just a little different. Drinks were top notch. Jake the bartender knows his spirits and makes great recommendations as well as drinks. Definitely try the Mai tai (it’s not your sugary punch version) and the NY sour. Cheeseburger was good. Staff was very friendly, and we will return!
Phenomenal date spot Jake and "Jake" were a hoot. Realy great drinks.
Very cool little gem in the basement of Aqua al 2. Craft cocktails and vintage photos of old Annapolis.
Great place and great service from Madison. Didn't have a reservation, but the hostess made an exception once I explained I was visiting from Texas to celebrate my birthday. Even comped us a dessert! What a vibe..
Dining at Harold Black was an extraordinary experience. Finding the building was a bit confusing which had another restaurant name on it. We whispered to the host “is this Harold Black?”. We were escorted through the upstairs restaurant to the stairs leading to HB. It was pretty dark as they used candles at each table. The tables were close but still enough to have a private conversation. The food- EXCELLENT! We ordered the meatballs, shrimp, and fries. It was so delicious! The menu is limited but chef kiss to the food.
Stopped in late on a Friday afternoon for a couple drinks and snacks. Perfect timing because they don't let guests in until 5. Nice and dark. They manage the space so we weren't crowded at our bar seats. Had a few cocktails - all tasty but the martini stood out. The mussels were delicious - just wish they came with bread because it was a crime to leave so much deliciousness in the bowl!
Its not exactly a "speak easy" as much as a bar in the basement with no special entrance at all. The vibes and ambiance are really cool, especially if you like the dark. Our drinks were great, service was fine but waiter was meh. Only got a couple of apps and they were good!
Cocktails: excellent. Food: step below excellent, but good. Slightly pricey side but I think it's standard for downtown, Annapolis. Fun experience!!
In the basement below Acqua Al 2, Harold Black is a bar/speakeasy for a fun late night spot. I was definitely expecting “more” when you call yourself a speakeasy, but it was fine enough for an after dinner drink. The bartender didn’t seem to know much of drink making and was confused when we shared the ingredients of a drink. Ended up getting poured enough port for three glasses so it all worked out in the end. Will probably try another place next time.
In the basement below Acqua Al 2, Harold Black is a bar/speakeasy for a fun late night spot. I was definitely expecting "more" when you call yourself a speakeasy, but it was fine enough for an after dinner drink. The bartender didn't seem to know much of drink making and was confused when we shared the ingredients of a drink. Ended up getting poured enough port for three glasses so it all worked out in the end. Will probably try another place next time.
Restaurantji Recommends
If you where a Fan of the Old Harold black, when it was in DC, then you will be extremely Disappointed. Although the ambiance is "quaint"in its own right; this iteration of Harold Black is less "mystique" than its predecessor. The Good: It's placement in the back basement of the restaurant gives it the Speakeasy vibe that it was going for. You will be pleasantly surprised by the menu and the skills of the bartender. As much as I enjoyed the skills, my one complaint was how tight the restaurant was. There is not a lot of standing room and when the place gets a little crowded it feels like people are standing right on top of you. I live the is place with an average size crowd but on a weekend it isn't the place for you if don't like people right next to you getting loud. Additionally, the music gets turned up to compensate for the noise, and hard to hear your conversation... hence the removal of the star. If I could give 3.5 I would, but it was an easy round up.
Food is basic. We ordered shrimp, fries and calamari, None of us finished our food. Service and and ambiance is great We had a good time
We had a chance to get some help and info for our reservation from Audrey! She was so helpful. Loved the music kind of loud at the end of our stay but great music. Alive! And our server was excellent.
First time visiting, and I can't wait to go back.
The decor and vibe of this place is very nice. Unfortunately, you wont be able to hear any of the people around your table. And the night i was there, some guests were dressed up in ridiculous one piece pajama sets. If you like roudy bars this is the place for you. if you are looking for a laid back mature lounge setting, run. Cocktails were decent, food is extremely salty.