Where to Drink and Celebrate This Labor Day Weekend in Baltimore

Though the true start of fall may be weeks away, Labor Day undoubtedly marks the unofficial end of summer. While we’re not necessarily ready to celebrate the end of the season (we’re still preferring shandies and tropical style cocktails over anything pumpkin) there are plenty of ways to spend the holiday weekend seeing off summer in style.
 

Peabody Heights Brewery at the Maryland State Fair

It’s no secret that Peabody Heights Brewery’s newly opened tasting room is one of our favorite additions to Baltimore’s beverage scene this year. So, it should hardly be a surprise that we’re equally excited about their participation in the annual end-of-summer celebration, the Maryland State Fair, at Timonium Fairgrounds. With both a beer trailer and a presence in the food court area, Peabody Heights will be serving suds for the entirety of the fair (August 28–September 7). We can’t help but think this is the best accompaniment for all that fried fair food. (2200 York Rd., Lutherville-Timonium)
 

With fall comes football, and it’s time to prepare for all of those boozy Sundays on the horizon. With that in mind, BoatHouse Canton has recently rolled out Sunday Funday specials on the patio, in the pavilion bar, and in the event tent all day long. The best part? You can catch those specials throughout the entire Labor Day weekend. Grab $2 Natty Boh drafts, $5 crushes (orange and grapefruit), $10 Bud Light buckets, or $14 Corona or Corona Light buckets on one of the most expansive waterfront patios in Baltimore while the sun still shines well through happy hour. (2809 Boston St.; 410-773-9795)
 

This refurbished corner bar that housed JD’s Smokehouse until a little less than a year ago will be featuring a buy-one-get-one late night happy hour for all of Labor Day weekend in addition to specially priced draft beers on Monday to wash down all that comfort food you won’t have to make at home. Fried chicken, brisket, mac and cheese, and craft brews - what better way to welcome fall? (3000 O’Donnell St.; 410-675-4029)
 

The newest addition to McHenry Row, Piaza Fresh, serves up fast-casual, customizable Italian pizzas, piadas, and salads in a BYOB space made cozy with wood walls adorned with local photography. Eat in with your bottle of wine or some brews (no corkage fee on our last visit!), or take out, for Labor Day weekend. Those in the know (you smart Drink Baltimore readers, for example) can get a buy-one-get-one-half-off special if you mention it for brick oven pizzas, grilled piadas, or a gourmet chopped salad Saturday through Monday of Labor Day weekend. (1606 Whetstone Way; 410-468-0800)
 

BBQ on the Bay at Wit & Wisdom

Earlier this summer, Wit and Wisdom redesigned their patio to incorporate a smoker and a raw bar for the summer-long event Shuck It, Shake It, Smoke It. For Labor Day weekend, the restaurant is highlighting all of the shucking, shaking, and smoking on the patio with an event featuring meats like Natty-Boh-Wurst and brisket sliders, raw bar items like fresh and smoked Rappahannock oysters, and plenty of beer and cocktails in addition to tacos and sides like chilled gazpacho shooters, barbecued baked beans, and “mom’s” potato salad. $65 gets you access to all of the food, drinks, and the incredible view. Bonus: Chef Michael Mina will be in town to mingle with guests as well. (200 International Dr.; 410-576-5800)