The Crown Baltimore, a night spot that has become one of the anchors of Baltimore’s Station North Arts District, is closing permanently.
Owners disclosed Thursday on social media that the 11-year-old bar, restaurant and entertainment venue at 1910 N. Charles St. is shutting down one week after the Artscape festival on Aug. 2 to 4.
“With a heavy heart, today we announce that The Crown will be ceasing operations as of August 12, 2024” their message said. “Shows and business will be going on as planned through the August 11th weekend, and we will be hosting some very special farewell events and specials throughout our remaining time!”
The front door of The Crown Baltimore at 1910 N. Charles St. Photo by Ed Gunts.
The Crown opened in 2013 and offers Asian comfort food, karaoke, DJ shows and live events, from bands to open mic nights. It occupies part of a 10,000-square-foot building owned since 2007 by Charles & North LLC of Alexandria, Virginia, according to state land records.
The announcement comes two days after a local group disclosed plans to open a night club at 1813 to 1817 N. Charles St., where Gatsby’s and Trip’s Place operated for many years. Last year, a local artist painted a mural on The Crown’s front façade in preparation for Artscape.
The Crown’s operators could not be reached early Friday. In their messages on social media platforms, they didn’t give a specific reason for closing, saying only that the “difficult decision” was made “due to circumstances beyond our control.” They indicated that they would be establishing a GoFundMe site “for some of the workers” and updating information about where shows and performers will be moving after Aug. 12.
They said programming during their final days of operation will include: “VERSION: A Queer Dance Party” on July 27; an all-ages “SubScape ’24 Underground Music Festival” on Aug. 2 to 4, and a “Farewell to The Crown” send-off party on Aug. 10 and 11.
“We want to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts for supporting the Crown and collaborating with us through the years,” they said. “From when we first opened as a hole in the wall speakeasy, to the Red & Blue Room era, to the epic remodel into the Pink Rom and Back Bar Spaces – throughout the years we have FELT THE LOVE of our community and experienced the joy of bringing independent music and arts culture to Baltimore. We could not have done it without you, and we thank you so much for your time with us. It has been a hell of a ride and has meant the world to us.”
Commenters on social media said they were sorry to learn about the closing and speculated that the COVID-19 pandemic may have been a factor. They pointed to other Station North and midtown businesses that remain active, including Mobtown Ballroom & Café and The Club Car in the North Avenue Market; Club Charles; Metro Baltimore; and The Royal Blue.
“I remember when they were just one room all covered in foil, and maybe a couch sometimes,” one commenter write about The Crown on Reddit. “The Red Room Blue Room era was my favorite. I danced for miles in that place.”
“What a loss for dance spots in Baltimore,” a second commenter said. “Good food, too.”
“The Crown is a space that not only allowed all sorts to come through and dance, sing and perform freely, but it was a space that queer/bipoc crowds could thrive for a night,” a third said. “The Crown was a light.”