The Den
3327 St Paul Street
Baltimore MD 21218
410.243.9308
http://www.denlounge.com

Baltimore glam is alive and well, a treat for those who care to find it.  It was a Saturday, first of March to be exact, just had dinner and looking a place to sweat of a couple pounds off of the groove thing, question is, where to go?  If you’re in the know and you know Heidi Klotzman of HeidNSeek entertainment, she’d point to the Den, host of this years’, “Glam Rock Hair and Fashion Spectacle”.  Beautiful people, good tunes cranking, and all the liquor you care to take in, now that’s a good time. 

I pulled up to the Den a little after ten and found a spot in the Garage across the street, convenient enough.   Even before opening the door to get in to the place I can feel the bass throbbing from outside.  DJ Ramon must already be priming the crowd for tonight’s event.  Up a flight of steps I walk into a scene that could be mistaken for the original Studio 54 only smaller, less NY attitude, more Baltimore charm, and disappointingly, no disco.

The crowd really got gussied up, not your usual jeans and t-shirt gathering, although there was some of that.  Starched shirts, nice shoes, a few high end tailored jackets, dudes were really trying to stand out.  Fruitless attempts if you ask me, the dolls totally out shined dudes with their starlet glow.  Bodies flattering, form fitting, show how good your goods are ensembles were the norm.  This was just the crowd I'm describing; the models have yet to show.

Den has a stylish cultured feel to it.  Black was the color and the theme.  A long black velvet couch ran the length of one wall.  Nice little mirrored tables sat center between the couch and mini black velvet ottomans, quite comfy and intimate.  What is more comfy, are large beds situated at the far wall.  Wow, just jump in with a few of your closest friends and watch all these people get their groove on, nice.  For those who prefer to be perched higher up, there's your traditional bar tables and a long bar that runs center.  Do try the bed, it’s divine, but remember, others may be voyeuristic

Shortly after I got my drink, the music changed and the really beautiful people were about to show, and show they did.  Blonds, brunettes, blacks, Asians, whites, males, females; these models were an eclectic mix of beauty.  Oh yes, the clothes.  Trendy, as to be expected, the good trendy, this stuff you can actually wear everyday, not the kind meant to inspire everyday garb, but the everyday garb itself, Prêt-à-Porter.  Some favorites were the skin tight plaid Capri’s worn with a tank top, very retro 80’s, and the shockadelic 60’s inspired thigh length flare bottom dresses, sexy!  Kudos to Babe Boutique in Federal Hill for putting clothes together, and Fashion Icon for finding these gorgeous people.

If you like big hair, then you’d like the gusto in which big hair was on displayed, John Waters would have approved.  I think there were Faux Hawks, Bee Hives, Glam ‘60’s, Butched ‘80’s, cannot remember all, that’s just some.  I have to check out Geometric Hair in Canton, they’re the guys who put all this hair together.  I’m not sure what they can do with the straight, stiff, porcupine needles I have on my head, it’d be a real challenge for them.

Once the strutting stopped, it was time to “bust a move”.   Hence forth, the floor was flooded with bodies moving rhythmically, gyrating to the syncopated beat that the DJ was churning.  Me? Why not, I’m all about gyrating, especially to music.  With a buzz on, and my groove on, I wouldn’t complain if my you’d told me Bush won another term in the White House, just kidding, that would not be good. 

The guys at Den know how to treat their “peeps”.  I’ve been here a couple of other times and have yet to be disappointed.  Tasty cocktails, good DJ’s, and friendly staff are the norm, good time to be had for sure.

Oh what a night, fun, friends, and fabulous eye candy; too much to take, but I’ll take it anytime.  The Baltimore scene is certainly ratcheting up, I’m glad for that.  Den, along with a handful of other clubs in town, has really made going out more than just another night at another bar stool.

Tags: charles village, lounge