Melba’s Place

I came in on a Friday night with a friend. It was an older crowd so I wasn’t really interested. If that is your cup of tea this will be the perfect spot for you. They were cash only when I came, but there is an ATM. It was clean, but the bartenders were a bit rude. They do have ample security so that is good considering the area.

Where everybody knows your nameeee… And they’re always glad you cameee…
Lots of laughs but yes it’s like a High School reunion everyday — Drinks are well made — so if you’re not a drinker take it slowwwwww — a Melba’s drink is not for the traditional beginner. The music is great Hip Hop/​some RnB — I love the Lounge area in front but if you want to dance and Party hard — come thru the doors and head straight towards the back area Club — Go with friends or stop in solo you’re bound to spark up a conversation with someone– most people who come are over 30 — it is a 25 an older establishment– I also have a blast

If you want to enjoy old school and new school music with a mix of house then this is your spot. I’m a DC native but travel frequently to experience the native Baltimore culture of dance and showboating. The culture is; no wallflowers allowed. The food is good (the chicken wings are a must!) The bar tending staff is awesome and the liquor pours are in abundance. The crowd ranges from the young and free to the recently retired but the majority are the grown and sexy. Must try at least once.

I was at Melba’s to celebrate two family members birthdays. It was located on a «questionable» stretch of Greenmount Ave. and l was reluctant to get out my car let alone enter this place, but decided to give it a try (after saying my prayers and making the sign of the cross). Upon entering Melba’s, we were met by a tall, heavy man with a «security» shirt on, a heavy woman with the same shirt on and a lady sitting at a table with a metal cash box. The lady with the «security» shirt had a metal wand that she used to scan us ladies up and down and our purses (which we had to open for her to inspect and she wand those too). We had to pay $ 5 because we got there after 9, before that time it was free.
As we made our way towards the back, where our party was, you went pass a massive bar area in the front that was well lite with numerous bar stools surrounding it. There was a small, what looked like a dance floor in one corner. The music was blasting, as you could hear it before you even got inside. The music was a mix of R&B, Club, house, rap and old school. If this is your taste in music, you will not be disappointed.
As we made our way past the first bar area, we went through a narrow hallway, which housed a men and ladies restroom, and entered the rear of the establishment, which was huge. From the outside you would not think Melba’s was this large. The rear area housed two nice sized bar areas, a large dance floor with a DJ booth, and additional restrooms. There were chairs and tables scattered towards one side of the area in addition to a counter that ran the entire length of the wall opposite the 1^st bar area with bar stools.
There were numerous security people in the rear area as well, which made me breath a sigh of relief. The bartenders were identically dressed in white shirts with black vests, pants and bowtie, which was impressive. I didn’t get a chance to order any drinks, but judging from the crowd, almost everyone had something to drink from exotic mixed drinks to beers and bottles of wine/​liquor. Melba’s also serves food and l hear the lake trout is good.
The music had me on my feet the entire time l was there and all in all, l had a nice time. If this place wasn’t so far from where l lived, l would have visited it a while ago, but l may give it another chance.

Theres not a bad thing I can say about melbas. Ever since I was introduced to it I loved it and still do. Its on the other side of town from where I live but ill take that trip to guarantee a good night. The music is a mix of old and new school, the drinks are the best ive had in Baltimore and the crowd is 25 and older which Is always a plus. Ive witnessed one scuffle on a Saturday night but it didn’t get too out of hand and I don’t even think many people noticed.
They do have a dress code that some say is strict but if youre grown and sexy than the dress code isn’t a problem. If you don’t like melbas you have issues and need to grow up and stop going to these bars that have no class. If I could give them 10 stars I would!

Word to the wise: Will. Remembers. Everything. And everyone. Seriously man, this guy has got to have one of the sharpest memories that I’ve ever witnessed. At one point, I hadn’t visited Melba’s in close to two years. Walked in one day and asked if I was the guy singing «A Change Is Gonna Come», on the night Obama was elected. Needless to say, it’s easy to remember someone that remembers you so effortlessly. Nothing but First Class service from Will and the rest of the bartenders there.
Melba’s has been a favorite of mine for some time. Good music, mature and unpretentious crowd (25+) and Lake Trout made to order is what kept me coming back. As someone said below, don’t let the surroundings fool you. It’s on the main Greenmount Ave. strip, true. But, you’ll definitely be missing a diamond in a rough [spot], if you let that keep you away. I never miss an opportunity to put my friends on to this joint. Tuesdays are my favorite night, by far. It’s also the cheapest. Not that Melba’s is expensive, but Tuesday’s are just ridiculously cheap. Make plans to call in sick one Wednesday morning and give it a look. All in all, Melba’s Place is highly recommended.

I use to really like this place. However this time when I went there I just was not impressed. No credit cards accepted. I don’t really know how I want to describe the people that were there on this particular night. This is no longer a place for me. But, I believe it is because my age.

What an awesome spot! Nice old school mature crowd. Will, a bartender is GREAT! Kept our drinks on point. Food was good, had the whiting, Buffalo wings, and a side of greens. I will say the wait/​service @ the kitchen was lacking, but good food nonetheless! Tuesday is «sing-​a-​long night». Had a blast, good food, good music, good fun! Oh and yes its jive sketchy from the outside, but you should never judge a book by its cover :)

I think I want to give 2 and a half stars, but this will do. It’s a nice little spot for an older crowd, the Drinks are A Plus (oh yeah this is why it gets 3 Stars). The crowd is cool, I went on Friday, everyone was dressed nicely and behaved. Its location is in a sketchy area, Ladies be careful walking alone. I’m open to giving it another shot one day.

Weds Nights. Drink specials are really good. $ 2 off all drinks, including top shelf. Oh, and DJ One Luv kills it on the dance floor with a mix of hip hop, reggae, and house. The happy hour starts at 5pm-​12pm. They have a free buffett of fried chicken, mac and cheese, greens, etc from 7pm-​9pm or until its all gone. They always swith up the food selection which is good since they dont have you eating the same thing all the time. No cover charge also. They dont have a dress code either. Just come as you are. Unfortunately, they are going to change the dress code which is stupid to me because it’s a neighborhood bar/​lounge not DC or downtown Baltimore were you have to wear prada loafers and button downs and no jeans. I think they will lose alot of clientele with that change IMO. The bar/​lounge is pretty decent and the crowd is 25 and older mature adults, so no nonsense. If you are in the area and looking for a place on Weds nights were you can come as you are and enjoy food and drink specials, Melbas is cool.

My brother had been telling about Melba’s for a few months. We gotta go to Melba’s, I’m telling you! He’d say. Now, i’m not too much into driving 45 minutes for just anything, so even with his recommendation, it took me another two months to try it. I’m glad I did!
From the outside, you might think, blah — nothing special. You go inside and it’s lit up pretty well. The front bar is decent, a neighborhood bar vibe, but walk down the aisle pass the front bar, turn and whallah! You will be pleasently suprised. No! It’s not H20 or Dream. It’s Melba’s. There are nice tables setups, two bars, enough bar stools to seat 100, a generous dance floor, a DJ playing a good mix of r&b, hip hop and house and the lighting is inviting.
Let’s talk clientelle. The ages, 25+. A good mix of ladies and gents. The bouncers are not like look at me, I’m a bouncer! The dress code is casual, no athletic wear. A collar shirt and no sneakers isn’t too much to ask. If you get there early, there’s no cover. Show up later, it’s only $ 10! What more can you ask for? I can’t judge the food, as we’ve only had the wings far, but the weren’t bad at all.
To sum it up, Meba’s is a cool spot to just let loose and have a good time. This isn’t the spot for being seen, or putting on airs. This is a spot for checking your DC/​MD ego at the door and remembering why you used to go out back in the day: To have a good time with friends and talk about the fine lady you honey you danced with on the ride back home.
Highly Recommended for all the reasons I just listed and a few more that you’re going to have to find out for yourselves.

Nice place to hang out, older bring your sexy crowd.

Melbas is a cool laid back place old school r&b in the front lounge and rap and up to date r&b in the back… their bar food is delicious we had the fish and shrimps… and i am told the bday drink glasses are way bigger than the one that is pictured here… Me and my man had a nice time.