Baltimore's Ropewalk Tavern celebrates Ronald Reagan's 99th birthday
SUMMARY: This weekend marks the 15th annual birthday bash at the Ropewalk for Ronald Reagan, born February 6, 1911. The tradition started the first year the McFaul brothers, Marc and William, opened the tavern's doors in 1995. The brothers placed a bust of Ronald Reagan on the bar and held a small birthday celebration that year for The Gipper. Marc says, "My father said we were crazy to display our conservatism in Baltimore. The following year, people started asking us what we were going to do for Reagan
The Ropewalk Tavern in Federal Hill is not your everyday historic tavern. It has garnered national attention for reasons other than its dating back to the days of our nation’s founders. For something more dear to people’s hearts than the discovery of a 1914 document celebrating the 100th anniversary of the War of 1812. The Ropewalk Tavern hosts a daily celebration of the life of Ronald Reagan.
This weekend marks the 15th annual birthday bash at the Ropewalk for Ronald Reagan, born February 6, 1911. The tradition started the first year the McFaul brothers, Marc and William, opened the tavern’s doors in 1995. The brothers placed a bust of Ronald Reagan on the bar and held a small birthday celebration that year for The Gipper. Marc says, “My father said we were crazy to display our conservatism in Baltimore. The following year, people started asking us what we were going to do for Reagan’s birthday.” The tradition has continued and grown ever since.
About the Tavern and its Owners
Marc says, “We grew up under an FBI dad who worked for J. Edgar Hoover. He was an agent for 52 years. My dad never pushed politics on us, but he says I’ve surpassed him.”
The antique bar against the north wall is protected by the American national standard and DON'T TREAD ON ME, the first Navy Jack. Marc and Bill have also accumulated a fine collection of cigar store Indians and a life-size statue of Ronald Reagan along with other Reagan memorabilia.
The Ropewalk has four different bars to accommodate the crowds and boasts a selection of over a hundred types of beers.
Cigar Room
To complement the cigar store Indians, the third floor bar, also known as the SmokeEasy Lounge, is available for cigar smoking anytime during hours of operation. The Ropewalk is one of only two businesses in Maryland to be granted a waiver to the statewide smoking ban.
History of the Tavern
From the Ropewalk’s website: “The tavern itself dates back to pre-prohibition and is situated on one of the oldest streets in Federal Hill. Ropewalk Lane maintained itself as a street where eighteenth and nineteenth century shipbuilders twined and spindled ropes for ships.”
“Dating back to the days of the founding fathers themselves, this cask and barrel warehouse was built to last with thick plank floors and brawny angular support beams held together with iron lag bolts. In it, the owners found a 1914 document celebrating the 100th anniversary of the War of 1812, a handful of radio tubes, some barrels that still smelled of liquor and even an old but functioning block and tackle.”
Weekend Festivities
The birthday bash starts Friday morning with a live broadcasting of the Tom Marr radio show on WCBM from 9:00-noon. Doors open at 8:00 a.m. Mr. Marr has been joining in the celebration for a number of years, and Marc says he “has had politicians call in to the show and wish us good intentions. He’s had Newt Gingrich, Pat Buchanan, and quite a few others.”
The Breakfast menu on Friday includes free coffee and $2 mamosas.
Saturday evening from 5:00-10:00 p.m., the festivities continue with special drink prices, a free dinner buffet, and a birthday cake. And of course, no Reagan event would be complete without jelly beans. The large screen TVs will be showing Reagan speeches, and the evening will be capped off with a chorus of happy birthday to The Gipper.
Every year they have new T-shirt made up for the birthday event which will be available for sale.
An online review post of the Ropewalk said, “Reagan's birthday? It’s a freakin' national celebration in there.”
Proceeds Go to Good Conservative Causes
All proceeds from the birthday bash are donated to the Reagan Library and Young Americas Foundation. The Young Americas Foundation owns and operates the Reagan ranch. It’s mission is the preserve Reagan’s legacy. The foundation also raises money to bring conservative speakers, such as Charles Krauthammer and Newt Gingrich, to colleges by paying for the speakers fee and hotel and travel expenses.
Political Opportunities
Marc spent most of our interview discussing the many political opportunities he has gotten as a result of the Ropewalk’s birthday bash and conservative involvements. He was able to go on an all-day tour of the Reagan ranch in Santa Barbara. He has met Nancy Reagan and son Michael Reagan, Dan Quayle, and George Bush, to name just a few. Marc says, “I have a hundred pictures in my basement of politicians I’ve met, from presidents to governors to congressmen and senators.” Marc’s top experience was being a chauffeur for several of Reagan’s aides and assistants. Marc has been able to work at and attend many political events and work on a lot of campaigns. “I was on the Reagan aircraft carrier for the commissioning. I never got to meet Reagan, but pretty much every other conservative I’ve wanted to meet because of the bar.”
John Ashcroft, former U.S. Attorney General under Reagan, has been to the Ropewalk.
According to Marc, Congressman Christopher Cox of California mentioned the “Reagan party in Baltimore” on the floor of the U.S. Congress. “We don’t even know how he knew about it,” he says.
Reagan Theme has Both Helped and Hurt Business
Marc says, “It’s definitely been a draw. Overall it’s been a great thing for us.”
Marc also talked about how it hurt his business ventures. “When we tried to open up in Canton, a politician was quoted in the newspaper saying he didn’t want the Republicans to get a foothold in Canton. They actually stopped us from opening. It’s cost us but it’s been a blessing too. We started with about 1,000 square feet, and now we’ve got almost 11,000 square feet.”
Reopening in Bel Air
Less than three years after the closing of the Bel Air Ropewalk Tavern, Marc and William are reopening there. The Dark Horse Saloon will be opening its door on March 6. No Reagan theme for this bar, however. They like to keep a mix of partisan and non-partisan establishments.
Next Year is Reagan’s 100th Birthday
I asked Marc how they were going to top the bash for next year’s centennial. He said, “I thought about having a cake made like a Reagan bust from the chest up. Something crazy.”
The Ropewalk Tavern is located at 1209 South Charles Street. You can contact them at 410-727-1298.
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