Rock Steady

As the city evolves, the Ottobar plays on in Remington.

- Lydia Woolever

On his first Tuesday in Baltimore, Sam Herring went to the Ottobar with his bandmates. “Because we were broke,” says the Future Islands frontman. “Because we were broke and you could drink a lot,” adds bassist William Cashion. In 2008, the North Carolina transplants didn’t know anyone in the city, but they knew about the Remington music venue and its infamous Two-For-Tuesday nights. “We were like, we’re going to meet some people,” laughs Herring with mock enthusiasm. “We’re going to meet some babes.” They settled into the L-shaped sofa upstairs, double fisted Natty Bohs, and didn’t make any friends that night. But that wouldn’t be their last time on Howard Street.

This month, the Ottobar turns 20, and over the past two decades, it has become a stomping ground for artists and musicians, city-dwellers and out-of-towners, who march to their own alternative beat. From its early days downtown to its present digs up north, the local rock club has witnessed thousands of concerts—some performed to empty rooms; others to a crowd packed body-to-body and covered in sweat. It has watched the city and its music scene grow and evolve, managing to stay open— even thrive—as smaller clubs closed down and larger venues opened up. Under those bright lights, audiences rocked out to The White  Stripes, swayed to the sounds of Norah Jones, and watched as a few hometown kids turned into international stars.