Zissimos - Baltimore

With its regular open mic nights, stand-up performances, occasional improv, and variety shows, there's always something new to experience. The upper floor exude... read more With its regular open mic nights, stand-up performances, occasional improv, and variety shows, there's always something new to experience. The upper floor exudes a cozy and intimate atmosphere, complete with a bar and ample seating, making it the ideal spot for a night out with friends or a date. The venue has a charming nostalgia, as it was once home to Lou Costello of Abbott and Costello fame, who entertained locals with his signature antics. This sense of history enhances the overall experience. The upper room is perfectly designed for live entertainment, creating a welcoming environment. As someone who has performed there with my improv team in the Lou Costello Room, and as a frequent attendee of local stand-up acts and comedy showcases, I highly recommend this place.

The drinks were fantastic, and the ghost comedy show had a wonderfully spooky vibe. read more The drinks were fantastic, and the ghost comedy show had a wonderfully spooky vibe.

Lindsay can always excite me. Best bartender in town. Just the reason I'm going to Zissimos! read more Lindsay can always excite me. Best bartender in town. Just the reason I'm going to Zissimos!

I did not know they would be playing loud as metal ? music with screaming and reverb upstairs in the usually-used comedy space, but then I came here for a glass... read more I did not know they would be playing loud as metal ? music with screaming and reverb upstairs in the usually-used comedy space, but then I came here for a glass of Chardonnay--which decades ago would 've gotten me laughed at or kicked out. Then again, this is only my third time here despite having been to most bars in Hampden and the city. Apparently, Zissimos is not nearly as sketchy as the defunct Dimitri 's on Falls now a Papi 's , which I also managed to stay far away from. Zissimos is what we call a neighborhood dive bar--or old Baltimore/Hampden, hon! You can sit in silence or be ignored, observe a guy talking to himself or is it to someone in his invisible earbuds? or chat with the bar tender, share some laughs with a character or a story with a couple, or get a whiff of sharp cologne as a local of a certain age passes by to sit at the long long bar to watch a game on TV. I came for a bar tender I like who used to work nearby for many years--and stayed for the "show. "After a small bite at the much hipper, trendier Food Market, I decided to get my Chardonnay on here no food to speak of except Cheetos, chips and pretzels . You DO get a real sense of what the world used to be like, or sometimes is, when you wanted to be on the inside not looking out! With some new bar tenders bringing some fresh ideas for food and music and possibly shortening the long bar, Ziss 's might just become bougie enough to be cool--but then nobody here really cares a fig--or should I say a hop--about all that noise. I give a solid 4 for personable bar tenders, good service and old-school atmosphere just like Uncle Joe used to like!

We stopped in on halloween and we had a blast. The kids kareoke was fun and greep the goblin enjoyed handing out treats. Food was great people were awesome we w... read more We stopped in on halloween and we had a blast. The kids kareoke was fun and greep the goblin enjoyed handing out treats. Food was great people were awesome we would def return