The Iron Heart Baltimore Bash - September 18, 19 & 20, 2026
-
SEPTEMBER 18, 19 & 20, 2026
In lieu of a formal Iron Heart sponsored anniversary party in 2026, I was asked if I wanted to organize an East Coast gathering right here in my hometown.
You’re all invited.
The gathering itself will be at a local church turned brewery called Ministry of Brewing on Saturday September 19, 2026 from 4 pm – 10 pm. It’s a large venue with plenty of room but I will need to give them a head count at some point so please let me know if you plan on attending. MoB has food trucks every day, and as we get closer to the date I should have access to their calendar and will let you know but as many times as I’ve visited I’ve had just as many amazing meals. They also have a full supply of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to accommodate the masses. Children are welcome as well. Mine will not be there because I’m smart.
For any of you able to make it 1 day early, I’ll be hosting a loose pub crawl in one of our East Baltimore neighborhoods (likely either Fells Point or Canton) where there is no shortage of walkable bars for us to visit and take over. For any of you able to make it even earlier in the week I’ll be off work and available to assist with excursions and meet ups. I can recommend tons of places to visit and points of interest. Just let me know. Sunday Donut Brunch will be another loose gathering at Patterson Park (weather permitting). For those interested, directions and precise park location will be provided on Saturday evening. Coffee and Donuts will be provided but please feel free to bring any food or drink that you see fit.
The Padmores have RSVP’d already and I’ve asked them to invite anyone who may wish to join us but may not frequent the forum.
Your best option for air travel is Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) which is just a short Uber ride to/from downtown Baltimore. There’s even a Light Rail that has a terminal at the airport with a stop right outside Camden Yards, Home of the Orioles. The stop is another short walk to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor area which is just a few minutes’ walk from Fells Point and plenty of hotel options. There are also Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) but these are closer to DC and would be a much longer drive to Baltimore with traffic concerns. They’ll work though if flying into BWI isn’t an option for you.
Below is a list of hotels I’d recommend due to their proximity to the areas we’ll be visiting…
The William Fell Baltimore, Tapestry Collection by Hilton – this is a beautiful boutique hotel located in the heart of Fells Point, an historic waterfront neighborhood that used to be a wharf full of sailors and prostitutes but is now full of bars, restaurants, shops and prostitutes. There’s also an excellent record store right down the street from the hotel called The Sound Garden, a favorite of our very own @endo. The William Fell Baltimore, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
The Inn at Henderson’s Wharf, Ascend Hotel Collection – also located in Fells Point. This one’s right on the waterfront, great views. The Inn at Henderson's Wharf, Ascend Hotel Collection
Hyatt Place Baltimore Inner Harbor – this one’s in Harbor East, an area of shops, restaurants, bars and a movie theater between the Inner Harbor and Fells Point. It’s less of a neighborhood vibe and more of a shopping area. Hyatt Place Baltimore Inner Harbor
Courtyard by Marriott Baltimore Downtown/Inner Harbor – Same as the Hyatt Place in location and atmosphere. Courtyard by Marriott Baltimore Downtown/Inner Harbor
These are but a handful of the options in the area. I suggest using a map view on your preferred booking site to see what area you’d like to be in. There are, of course, plentiful Air BnB’s or Vrbo’s in the area as well.
The Baltimore Water Taxi has free weekday service and tourist prices on the weekends. You can find a route map and details here… Baltimore Water Taxi.
I couldn’t be more excited to be hosting this here in the city I love, and I can’t wait to see all of you.
If you would, please fill out THIS FORM so we can start tallying the numbers.
-
Now this is how you do outsourcing.
I shall make enquiries with the powers that be...
All I know about Baltimore I know from The Wire.
-
@Twistlock how could she not?
-
@Matt
awesome Matt
I hope we can make it happen!! -
Hell yeah! My wife Leah and I will be driving up from Richmond Friday after work. Look forward to meeting everyone. Thank you for organizing Matt.
-
saving money begins
-
Thats a bummer I live 20 minutes up the road but I will be in Greece that week. That sucks. I wanted to meet you guys
-
Lol this year. I just realized its 2026 the IH meeting so I will be good to go. I go to Greece every year. I am from Greece originally but have been living in the US since 1988