Blue Bird Tavern

Been dying for an ice cold draft beer without having to take a mortgage out on the house. Really the cost of a Yingling draft wasn't too bad at $2.29 per mug.

I was hungry too and started to peruse the placard style menu. The Blue Bird actually has a decent size menu; the only problem is the print is in 10 pitch font and you need reading glasses.

This close to the river and bay I was hoping they had a half decent selection of fresh seafood items...not. They did have fresh local blue-crab, and soft-crab. The bar tender told me to forget the soft-crab as they were super tiny.

I had a crab cake sandwich....mmmm, that was yummy!! That crab cake was chock full of crab, very little filler if any. It comes with chips, but I wanted fries. I was very happy to see the Blue Bird uses shoe string fries, so quick and easy to cook to a nice crispy texture.

The place was clean (men's room too), with a lock on the door in case you need privacy, otherwise the restroom is built for three. The restroom looks like it was redone within the last year.

As a 9-ball player, I was thrilled to see they have 3 bar-tables. Next time I up I will bring my cues.

The atmosphere was less than casual, but then you could see that the Blue Bird was an iconic establishment here next to Washington College.

Many good memories at the Bird, including at least one cram session for an exam. The interior hasn't changed at all since at least '83 (my freshman year), but it's well-kept and cozy.

The beer is cold, the sandwiches are good, and you get a good town/gown mix in there most nights. Just a really good bar.

I have a somewhat ambivalent attitude toward this dive bar. On one hand, the Blue Bird is not a place I would like to envision myself in a couple of years or that I would pick out if I were unfamiliar in the area. On the other hand, there are several reasons to come here and I have to admit I come here about once a week on average. If I were personally more into this kind of bar, the Blue Bird would get four stars.

Let's start with the bad things first: it is called the "Dirty Bird" for a reason. The interior looks like it hasn't been refurbished in a decade or two and the neon singns make this place look a little trampy. The ceilings are low and the ventilation isn't all that, which results in a sweaty, clammy atmosphere when it's busy. The Gentlemen's Room is a little hole in the wall lacking both space and privacy. After a few beers I can appreciate the charm of all this but it's not a place I would take my parents or my special lady friend.

On a more positive note, however, there has to be good reason why "The Bird" has been a staple of Chestertown nightlife and an instittution among the local college students. My guess is that the primary reason is cheap booze. I forgot the exact prices but they are considerably less than those of Andy's, its more upscale counterpart in town. During the Bird's signature night, Team Tuesday, pitchers of Bud Light are $4,50. Shots, cocktails and mixed drinks are not of very high quality but they are reliably strong,and affordable. Essentially the same goes for the food. The Bird has a fairly large food menu, which covers the basics of burgers and wings quite well. It has come to my ears that a certain professor at the college's Environmental Studies department eats his lunch here every day. I have only eaten here once; all I can say about the hot buffalo wings is that they were good and affordable. Furthermore, there are three pool tables. Fearing I'd ruin the carpet I don't play myself, but I often see people do. Finally, the lady behind the bar is a real sweetheart and service is generally good, unless it gets too busy. They should hire somebody extra during the real busy nights.

So, in conclusion, what the Blue Bird does, it does well. It is a good place to go for a quick burger or a cheap beer, which I will do relatively frequently while I still go to college. I doubt, however, I will come by here often after I graduate.