Hootch Banter - Frederick

The food at this restaurant is quite good, while the drinks can be inconsistent. The upstairs cocktail lounge, which is only open a few days a week, offers a fantastic atmosphere and is definitely worth a visit when you get the chance. They do have some outdoor seating, but be aware that there can be occasional disturbances from people fighting outside, so I wouldn't recommend dining outside unless you're prepared for that situation.

The food and cocktails were excellent. The seating areas both indoors and outdoors were very nice, and you can reserve the upstairs space for larger groups. If you enjoy bourbon, definitely give the cocktail called "It's About Time" a try—you can thank me later! For an appetizer, I highly recommend the mac and cheese; it's delicious!

We've visited about seven times and we absolutely love it! It has quickly become our favorite spot in downtown Frederick. The food is consistently excellent, and the service is spot on. Jeff, the bartender, provides impeccable service and is incredibly friendly. It's impressive to see the owner actively working there as well. The drinks are fantastic. I honestly can't think of a single thing wrong with this place!

We sat at the bar on the upper level, which had a charming and eclectic atmosphere. Although the bartender was quite busy, making it hard to place our orders and get our drinks in a timely manner, we still enjoyed our beverages and meals. However, I’m not sure they were worth the price. The tater tot appetizer was definitely the highlight of the meal, while the crab dip I ordered as my main dish was just mediocre; I’ve actually made better crab dip at home. We might return for drinks before an event, but that’s likely all we’ll do.

I absolutely adore this place! The atmosphere is incredibly chic and cozy. We visited last night for some drinks and, of course, couldn’t resist ordering a few late-night appetizers. They were fantastic! We tried the chicken empanadas, crab dip, and Montreal poutine, and each one was delightful—especially the poutine! You have to try it! It’s classic poutine but with an added twist of corned beef and a delicious mushroom blend. The cocktail called "It's About Time" was reminiscent of an old fashioned; it had a slight smokiness and was incredibly easy to enjoy. All the other cocktails we ordered were excellent as well!