Nicole and I love many restaurants in Frederick, and this town offers some fantastic meals. However, few experiences excite me more than securing a table or bar seat at Hootch and Banter in downtown Frederick.
The only downside is that getting a seat at Hootch and Banter can be quite challenging. If you’re able to snag one for a meal or just drinks, consider yourself lucky!
What Makes Hootch and Banter a Difficult Table to Get
Hootch and Banter is best described as an elevated pub-style restaurant. I’d compare it to White Rabbit Gastropub in Frederick, but they are quite different in many ways.
Hootch and Banter offers everything that makes a casual restaurant exceptional:
- A menu featuring hearty entrées and fantastic sandwiches
- An impressive drink menu
- A casual, trendy atmosphere that isn’t too loud
- An ideal location (the best in Frederick) they are very different.
Hootch and Banter: Basics
Hootch and Banter may have the best location for any restaurant in Frederick. It sits right at the intersection of Market Street and Carroll Creek Park in downtown Frederick:
- Address: 49 S Market St, Frederick, MD 21701
- Web: hootchandbanter.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/hootchandbanter
- Phone: +1.301.732.4971
- Price Range: $$
- Reservations: none!
- Menu: Hootch and Banter Menu
When planning a visit to Hootch and Banter (H&B), it’s important to remember that they do not accept reservations, except on special occasions like Easter and Mother’s Day. The restaurant operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you arrive on weekends or even during most evenings, be prepared for a waitlist, which can get quite long. However, don’t let that discourage you. Securing a table at H&B is well worth the wait, and there are plenty of nearby places where you can enjoy a drink while you wait.
Frederick's Best Location for a Restaurant of Bar
If you’ve visited downtown Frederick, you’ve probably walked past Hootch and Banter. It’s located at the corner of Market Street and Citizen’s Way in a brick building shared with La Paz Mexican Restaurant.
Hootch and Banter is situated at a busy intersection where Carroll Creek Park meets Market Street, which are the two main pedestrian areas in Frederick. This prime location makes H&B a central spot in the heart of downtown.
The Vibe Inside Hootch and Banter
Hootch and Banter has two levels. The lower level is long and narrow, featuring a mix of standard and high-top tables, with the bar located towards the back. The atmosphere strikes a balance between a restaurant and a pub, but it never feels like a loud, crowded drinking establishment.
Upstairs at H&B is The Hootch Lounge, a more upscale space with a distinct restaurant vibe. It features another fabulous bar at the back.
Great Bar, Amazing Drink Menu
The downstairs bar at H&B is small, with only ~8 seats, but it’s one of my favorite bars in Frederick.
There’s nothing particularly fancy, but they serve creative cocktails and lots of local beer and whiskey—pretty much all Nicole and I ever need.
If you like local beer from Frederick, you’ll find plenty on the menu, usually in drafts. This includes Olde Mother Brewing, Steinhardt Brewing, and Rockwell.
The Hootch and Banter Menu
Make no mistake, H&B is a fantastic bar and a great place for drinks. However, the food will truly have you coming back. The menu is outstanding.
To start, we often choose spectacular appetizers, like the Crab Dip or Twice-Cooked Infused Wings.
For a date-night-worthy entrée, H&B has you covered with options ranging from a Filet to Old Bae (crab cakes) to Tag Your It! (tagliatelle pasta).
If it’s your first time at H&B, I highly recommend checking out the Dinner Handhelds section of the menu. The sandwiches are some of the best in Frederick. I’ve tried all of them, and you really can’t go wrong.
The “Kidd” Prime Burger stands out as one of the best burgers in Frederick, and the Smoked Turkey Sandwich served on a baguette is also delicious.
However, their signature sandwich is probably the best of all: the Banter 2.0, which features corned beef and Swiss cheese on rye bread!
Brunch at Hootch and Banter
With family in town, we recently tried Hootch and Banter for brunch. Fabulous!
Brunch at H&B is a whole new world to discover. You can of course still get The Banter and other regular favorites. But the H&B Brunch menu has some elite new items that will make your weekend.
Our group tried several dishes, including the Carne y Huevos Rancheros and the Breakfast Prime Burger. The latter features an 8 oz breakfast burger topped with a sunny side up egg!
I’m pretty sure I won the brunch prize at H&B because I was smart and ordered the Old Bae Crab Benedict. If you haven’t tried this version of Eggs Benedict before, add it to your brunch list.
What Else You Need to Know About Hootch and Banter
- The Hootch Lounge upstairs, which is often used for events, typically serves small bites and drinks.
- H&B is not suitable for large parties, specifically those with more than six people.
- If you manage to get one of the two tables in front of the restaurant by the window, consider yourself very lucky! Enjoy!
