- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Talkinghead Club
Sonar Lounge
407 Saratoga Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 327-8333
407 Saratoga Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 327-8333
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Sat, Sun
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
3 reviews for Talkinghead Club
I was at the "old" Talking Head space on Davis only once and the show was so jam packed that I don't have any feelings for or remembrance of the venue, other than the fact it was very crowded and the show ran over so the owner or whoever was flicking the lites trying to get us out. Then the club moved to its new location attached to Sonar. I was there a few months ago and it had a pretty nice big space with the bar off to the side and lots of couches. I was there again the other night and Sonar has expanded some of its other piece parts into the Talking Head space, thus creating a little niche near the bathroom where the bar used to be. If you sit in this niche you probably won't be able to see the band and you will have too good a view of people going potty but the bands solve this problem by sticking their gear in the space. I just wish they'd move the couches out so one could sit on them elsewhere in the club because the floor in this place slants so bad it's hard to sit on a barstool without feeling more tipsy than the beer is making you.
You also used to be able to get into the Talking Head from inside Sonar but the other night at least, they made everybody walk down the alley alongside the building and go in by another door. The alley is unlit and very long. It's a lovely spot for some kind of mugging, but if you want the feeling of sneaking off to a secret hipster speakeasy, I guess you'll get that.
Seeing a show here is just like seeing a show in a basement, complete with cement floor, ducts in the ceiling, the aforementioned ratty old couches, exactly one unisex toilet that gets quite raunchy by the end of the night, and basementy-sounding sound. By the way, the toilet is up on a platform so you need to actually climb up to it. Don't get too drunk or you run the risk of slipping and landing in nasty puddles left by the previous drunk person. Also be sure and lock the door while you're in there or half the bar will get a gander at you on the throne when someone else tries to barge in.
I don't know if the bartender was the same one mentioned in the previous review, but she was cute, pleasant and spent half the night chatting with her friends and ignoring people trying to get drinks. Also you can apparently order Chinese here and have it delivered.
If Sonar has any shows going on you'll get to hear all the bass from those coming right through the wall, whether you want to hear or not. You also might get the joy of confused people from Sonar walking into the Talking Head by mistake because they thought they were going out an exit. Depending on what show they were seeing at Sonar and what is actually happening on the Talking Head stage, the expression on their faces can be priceless.
If you want that old punk-dive-basement feeling you'll enjoy yourself at the Talking Head (bathroom issues aside - really if you're a guy you might just want to check out using the dark alley). If you want a club with a decent bar, better layout, better sound and no unwanted bass shaking the ceilings, then go to Ottobar and hope the Talking Head finds someplace else to move to soon.
The Talking Head is not dead.
There, I said it.
Everyone told me this place was closed down, but I was there for a show last night. It wasn't crowded (probably because everyone thinks it's closed down).
The Talking Head was indeed closed down for a considerable amount of time. Then they opened back up. Then they moved to their current location, inside Sonar on Saratoga Street.
I used to really like this place. I loved the old space, especially when it was the Ottobar. And even when it switched to the Talking Head I still loved it. Then they ripped out the old, historic hardwood bar and put in a plywood bar. Then they ripped out the windows.. Then there was no heat. I still went. The music was good, the vibe was good, although it was headed downwards. It was still a great place to see heavy rock without the pretentiousness and attitude of the (new) Ottobar.
No more. Sadly, this place has just become a horrible, horrible club. The sound is terrible, and when I say terrible, I mean unbearable. Everything sounds like mush, no matter what. It's not the soundman's fault -- it's the room. The stage is tiny -- barely big enough for a 3-piece. And the worst part? The "bartender."
Now, if passing notes back and forth to her friends and giggling while ignoring customers were her job, she'd be fantastic. But last I checked, the bartender is there to serve customers. I heard everyone around me talking about how bad she was -- and it was true. She would literally pour half a drink, then walk away from it and start talking to her friends again like she wasn't in the middle of something. Several reminders were needed to get her to finish. When you placed an order, you might get a couple things you asked for, but not all of them. So again with the reminders. This was on a night with 30 people, tops. And it wasn't just forgetfulness. She made sure everyone in the room knew that she felt utter disdain for all of them. Her rudeness cannot be compared. It was astounding.
So yeah, check out their new digs if you like crappy sound and really, really bad service. As for me, I won't waste my time (or money). I'll just keep heading down to DC where people are friendly and without attitude.
