Ottobar   

2549 N Howard St
Baltimore, MD 21218
410-662-0069
www.theottobar.com/

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Otto the cat no longer roams the bar and concert spot that bears his name -- he's home, retired. But that's a small trade-off for the expanded space that holds the Ottobar near Johns Hopkins University. The bar was renovated recently to accommodate its growing audience and bigger bands. The scruffy, casual venue provides a wide range of music -- mainly indie or punk rock, but also hip-hop, folk and electronic. The downstairs area holds a stage and scuffed dance floor dappled by ceiling-mounted strings of lights and a disco ball. On a typical night, a DJ bobs to the music emanating from his equipment, while a young crowd in T-shirts and baseball caps watches from the floor and mezzanine. In the back, a bar, old video games and pool tables entertain those keeping an ear cocked to the music.Upstairs, a jukebox, second bar, pool tables and motley collection of couches and chairs provide a respite for those who need a breather from the show. Works by local artists decorate the walls. While the main bands play downstairs (about 80-100 bands a month), occasional performers, including jazz musicians, perform upstairs. The downstairs level is open to those 18 and older; the upstairs is open to those 21 and older.