A Fulham Pub, Stateside

So, there isn’t any official designation or blessing from the club, but there’s now a Fulham pub in the United States. The recently opened Liam Flynn’s Ale House in Baltimore, Maryland will be showing Fulham matches every weekend, and Thursday (provided those are televised).

Which, in my book, is grounds to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Run by the most affable pub owner you’ll meet, Liam’s is located on North Avenue and a part of the Station North Arts and Entertainment District, which was recently awarded a nation-wide grant by the National Endowment for the Arts—one of just 51 across the country. Although already home to theaters, performance venues, restaurants, and other arts-based locales, I must admit the area is a little rough around the edges at night. But things are changing and as a whole there is a strong degree of buzz and vibrancy. And Liam’s is a perfect tap into that energy.

Some more info from the Baltimore Sun’s review:

Liam Flynn’s Ale House has found a way to do the Irish pub right. This new bar from the former manager of the Pint-Size Pub is everything these other bars are not: original, personable, chill and, most notably, respectful of its city’s long and rich nightlife history. Most of the bar was cobbled together out of the architectural salvage of dead venues…

The bar is made from a former bowling alley; the floor, from the store Second Chance, is vintage oak and teak tile; a nonworking fireplace was added to the darts room for effect.

A seeming underdog trying to make it’s way amidst the bigger, touristy pubs. What’s more Fulham than that? Plus, here there aren’t other footy fans doing whiskey shots at 9am on a Sunday, thankfully; just a group of fans watching and cordially discussing the game as it should be.

Liam’s has two TV’s to offer show matches for other club’s supporters’ viewing pleasure. So if you’re not a Fulham fan and want to stop in to watch a match, you won’t be shut out. However, Liam’s is also home to the Baltimore Celtic Supporters Club (Liam’s a big fan), so you may want to double check if there are several big games on when the Bhoys are playing so to avoid any conflicts.

There are 13 beers on tap, including two rotating cask-conditioned beers. Also, a kitchen is rumored to be in the works so a full breakfast should be offered at some point in the future (right now just pastries). But, really, when watching a match in the morning, I barely have enough focus left for a cup of coffee.

If you live in the area or find yourself visiting, stop by Liam’s for a pint. If it’s in the morning, come on in for a match. If you’re a Fulham supporter and doing either, you really have no excuse now do ya?

Lastly, I’d like to say thank you to Liam Flynn for his hard work in opening the pub, and Mike Murphy (occasionally comments as AEKBaltimore) for convincing Liam to morph this wonderful establishment ever so slightly into a Fulham pub. I often wonder who should be more surprised, the American- or English-based supporters.

See you on Sunday at 11am EST. And, probably Saturday too.

(Flag will hang permanently by the front door and big TV; this is the back by the smaller TV. And apologies for my idiotic smile, and if there are other US-based Fulham pubs I’ve neglected.)