Baltimore, MD — A dockside bar that shut down its Annapolis branch last year has recently reopened in Baltimore with new management.
Pusser’s Landing, famous for its Painkiller rum drinks,cut the ribbon on July 21at Lighthouse Point Marina in Canton. Situated at2780 Lighthouse Point E, Pusser’s filled the gap created by Drift Bar.
Previously called Pusser’s Caribbean Grille, the casual restaurant closed last Halloween following three decades of operation in downtown Annapolis. The former Pusser’s location will be taken over by two more upscale businesses.
Pusser’s promised to come back and looked for alternative waterfront spots in the area. A few weeks before shutting down, Pusser’s revealed that it would relocate to Baltimore.
MathHotels.com later reported that two long-time employees of Pusser’s Caribbean Grillebought the iconic pubsold by its retiring ownership group for an unknown amount.
Related:“Iconic” Dock Bar Acquired by 2 Employees, New Owners Unveil Ambitious Plans for MD Move
New owners Chris Townsend and Jim Lepley intend to keep the brand’s maritime atmosphere. Townsend, known as CT, served as the general manager at Pusser’s Annapolis. Lepley previously worked at the bar for a decade.
It’s bittersweet,” Townsend said in an interview with MathHotels.com last year. “It was a lot to process … but we’re very excited about the chance to make our mark on the brand and carry forward the legacy of Pusser’s as we move to Baltimore.
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Vision For Baltimore
The updated space includes a floating dock bar. Within, the year-round dining area is inspired by the British Virgin Islands, the location where Pusser’s was established 46 years ago. Guests will continue to enjoy Painkiller cocktails crafted with Pusser’s branded rum, and they’ll discover some historical items from the Annapolis pub.
“We are truly relocating the interior bar from the Annapolis location, which was specifically built in Wales during the late ’80s and early ’90s,” Townsend stated. The mirrors situated behind the bar also accompanied the move to Charm City.
Boating will continue to be a central part of Pusser’s identity. Approximately one-third of the marina’s docks are available for temporary, visiting boaters. Additionally, there will be 10 to 15 more docking spots at the floating bar specifically for Pusser’s customers.
We will actually have significantly more chances for boats to dock, eat, and do other activities than we had in Annapolis,” Townsend stated. “We’re truly just a short boat trip from the location we had in Annapolis.
The updated lease spans 10 years along with three distinct five-year extensions.
“I am completely confident that they [will] perform exceptionally well,” said Clyde Culp III, the outgoing co-owner of Pusser’s Annapolis, to MathHotels.com last year.
Work was scheduled to start in January. JP2 Architects, based in Canton, was responsible for the design. JP2 is recognized for its projects at the Merriweather District in Columbia and Foundry Row in Owings Mills.
Townsend praised Lighthouse Point Marina, stating that Pusser’s shares “their vision.”
They’re seeking Pusser’s. Pusser’s holds a very recognizable image in the Chesapeake, so they’re really interested in that brand,” Culp stated. “You have a 350-slip marina, why wouldn’t you want a brand that eases the daily stress and brings enjoyment.
Priced Out Of Annapolis
Last October, Pusser’s announced its forthcoming moveTraveling to Baltimore by displaying a message on the side of its building. Pusser’s decided to announce the news during its Annapolis Sailboat Show party, when many regulars were at the bar and employees were considering their next steps.
Townsend is hopeful that his Annapolis regulars will travel to Baltimore. Employees were encouraged to move to the new site, so Townsend anticipates that the family-like environment at Pusser’s will continue.
We were familiar with many of our customers by their first names,” Townsend stated. “The restaurant is a bit further away, but when you build connections like the ones we established in Annapolis, those people will still make the effort to visit you.
With a lease about to expire, Pusser’s announced in October 2023 that it wasoutbid for the spaceat 80 Compromise Street on the first floor of the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel.
The hotel did not renew the Pusser’s lease, instead bringing in the Atlas Restaurant Group.
Townsend didn’t view the negotiations as a personal matter. He recognized that the hotel needed to make a business choice and go with the highest offer.
I don’t have an issue with Atlas. They have a lot of funds,” Culp stated. “Whether the restaurant is suitable for what should be here in the market, I’m not sure, but they are definitely going to create nice restaurants.
Famous for its fine dining, Atlas will introduce an upscale Italian steakhouse called Marmo and a Mexican tavern named Armada in place of Pusser’s Annapolis during the summer of 2025. Atlas will also upgrade and enlarge the venue’s banquet hall to accommodate 350 guests. Work has already begun.
Atlas also owns The Choptank, a coastal seafood eatery located just a few storefronts away from the former Pusser’s. Atlas has recentlyassumed control of the historic Stevens Hardware building, which was home to Mission BBQ until itclosed in January 2024. Atlas is transforming that asset into thesecond venue of The Admiral’s Cup, a tavern whose main bar is located in the Fells Point area of Baltimore.
History Of Pusser’s
Pusser’s is famous for its Painkillers. This chilled drink combines Pusser’s Rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, and cream of coconut, finished with freshly grated nutmeg.
The Painkiller was first created on Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands at theSoggy Dollar Bar, which lacked a dock. Shoppers had to swim to the shore, resulting in their money getting wet and giving rise to the name of the waterfront bar.
Pusser’s was the designation for the rum issued by the British Navy from 1655 to 1970. Entrepreneur and worldwide sailor Charles Tobiasresurrected Pusser’s rumas a commercial brand in 1979, introducing distilling operations in the British Virgin Islands.
The original Pusser’s on Tortola later incorporated the Soggy Dollar’s Painkiller formula and utilized Pusser’s-labeled rum. A representation of the Caribbean, the Painkiller evolved into a popular tropical beverage enjoyed by sailors around the globe.
Pusser’s currently operates in several locations across theBritish Virgin Islands, Germany andFlorida.
Customers may find additional information herepusserslanding.com.
Related:
- The Start of the Admiral’s Cup at Annapolis’ Stevens Hardware Building
- Famous MD Dock Bar Acquired by Two Employees Who Have Grand Ideas for a New Location
- Pusser’s Opens New Baltimore Dock Bar Following Closure of Annapolis Restaurant
- Pusser’s Sales of Decorative Items Prior to Closing Annapolis Dock Bar
- Atlas Replacing Pusser’s With Marmo, Armada At City Dock’s Ego Alley
- 2 New Eateries Will Take the Place of Pusser’s Once It Closes in Annapolis
- Pusser’s Annapolis Restaurant to Close Next Year: Report
The article Pusser’s Landing Opens at Canton’s Lighthouse Point Marina appeared first on Annapolis MathHotels.com.
