Today, we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Spangler and Allison Crowley.
Hi Hannah and Allison, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hannah and I (Allison) have worked in the service industry for many years, including bartending together at a beer bar in Federal Hill. We didn’t exactly plan to open our place together, but when, on a whim, we looked at the historic Griffith’s Tavern, we were smitten by its cozy floor plan, wood paneling, and rich history.
That history includes the tavern being a stag bar–no women allowed–as recently as the 1980s. Now owned by two queer people, we strive to nurture an environment that’s laid back and inclusive. And we feel lucky to have been embraced and supported by our community.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s never smooth opening a bar, but with the help of friends and professionals, we navigated the complexities of lightly renovating the bar and upgrading certain aspects to appease city inspectors.
The most memorable of these changes was the addition of our utility sink, the installation of which cost us fifty percent of our already meager budget–money we’d hoped to spend on inventory for our opening.
We chafed against the relatively new and unnecessary regulation, but as soon as the sink was installed, we found it indispensable. Its image became our logo, a big part of our brand.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
More than anything, we strive to nurture a comfortable and safe place for all folks, which means there are rules to follow. It means our colleagues behind the bar operate with radical openness and keep a close eye on the safety of everyone at Mel’s at any given time, serving impeccable beverages and vibes.
The result is a robust regular customer base. We know the people coming in, their favorite drinks, hobbies, and troubles. It may be worth mentioning that while we are an approachable dive bar where you can get a beer and a shot, we pride ourselves in quality cocktailing. We fresh-squeeze our juices and usually have a homemade shrub ready for mixing.
Our house, Old Fashioned, is one of the best in the neighborhood, and we’re poised to sling all the classics, along with some twists of our own. We have house infusions with flavors based on whatever’s fresh and often what our neighbors have brought in for us to use. Currently, we have a guajillo chili mezcal that makes a particularly tasty Mezcal Negroni.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @melanies_griffithstavern
