Entry No. 18 — the Baltimore file — filed under: speakeasy
W.C. Harlan
Marked only by the word 'Enter' scrawled in white chalk on a plain black door, this legendary speakeasy is a candlelit time capsule of taxidermy and antique furniture.
The story
In 2013, before Remington became one of Baltimore's primary dining hubs, Lane Harlan and Matthew Pierce quietly bought a former corner bar at 23rd Street and Hampden Avenue. Instead of hanging a sign or putting up neon, they left the residential row-house exterior utterly plain, scrawling only a single word in white chalk on the black door: 'Enter.' You didn't hear it from us, but that low-profile opening kicked off a micro-empire that would later spawn neighborhood staples like Clavel and Fadensonnen down the block.
Step past the plain door and you are immediately dropped into a dark, pre-Prohibition time capsule. The space is arranged like a 1920s bootlegger's parlor, outfitted with patinated walls, vintage chandeliers, antique wooden seating, and glass-eyed taxidermy staring down from above. Behind the counter, bartenders build classic, spirit-forward cocktails with seasonal botanicals alongside a rotating daily special chalked up on the board.
What it's like
You will almost certainly walk right past the building on your first try. Look closely for the chalk-scrawled door on 23rd Street, push inside, and give your eyes a moment to adjust—the interior is famously dim, illuminated almost exclusively by flickering candles. Soft jazz plays over the quiet murmur of patrons tucked into small wooden tables. The space seats only a few dozen people, so if you want to avoid standing in the dark or waiting on the sidewalk, slip in on a weeknight or right when the doors open.
The move: Spot the chalk-marked door on 23rd Street, push inside to find a cozy, 1920s-style parlor, and sip on pre-Prohibition style cocktails amidst vintage curiosities.
- 📍 Remington
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 400 W 23rd St, Baltimore, MD 21211
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- The Coral Wig — Follow founder Lane Harlan's aesthetic vision from 1920s Remington parlor taxidermy to 1980s Manila candlelit alley hideaway in Mount Vernon.
- Ghost Rivers: Sumwalt Run Walking Tour — Trace the path of Remington's buried subterranean stream on the surface before stepping below street level into W.C. Harlan's shadowy parlor.
- Bazaar Baltimore — Spend the afternoon browsing antique oddities and taxidermy in Hampden to match the glass-eyed specimens watching you drink at the bar.
- Elijah Bond's Ouija Board Grave — Pay respects to the creator of the Ouija board at Green Mount Cemetery before settling into W.C. Harlan's dim, ghost-parlor ambiance.
Good to know
How do I find the door?
Navigate to 400 W 23rd St in Remington. There is no exterior banner or illuminated sign—just a plain black row-house door marked with the word 'Enter' written in white chalk.
Do I need a password or reservation?
No password or reservation is required. Seating is strictly first-come, first-served, and the small room fills up quickly on weekends.
Is food served at W.C. Harlan?
No, W.C. Harlan is strictly a cocktail bar with no kitchen, though sister venue Clavel sits just 500 feet down 23rd Street if you need a bite beforehand.
What drinks are on the menu?
The menu focuses on pre-Prohibition style craft cocktails and rotating seasonal creations, alongside an affordable daily 'cocktail du jour', wine, and local beers.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: visitmaryland.org · onthegrid.city · bmoreart.com · imbibemagazine.com · baltimoremagazine.com
last checked: 2026-07-21