Leon’s Backroom

This is an excellent dive bar. It's dark, full of neon, the drinks are cheap, and the bathrooms are clean. There are two bars - one in the front and one in the back, so you can experience two different vibes. The back room is almost pitched black, and the whole room is taken up by an oval shaped bar, which is great for people watching. There are so few true dive bars left in the neighborhood, this one is a gem.

Disclaimer: I must admit, the above rating is based on my experience this past December **compared to** years ago with defenses in the end. I went to Leon's Backroom restaurant-side (don't know the difference anymore, really) in late-December. I ordered a custom drink I've been getting lately whenever somebody passes, and it costed twice the price of usual. Also, the bar couldn't be more dead; most of the time, it was just me and the bartender. It's quite lacking in decor comparatively. **However**, in their defense, I got there a hour after they opened (slowest hours). They still have karaoke like they did many years ago when I frequented this place a lot, and I could imagine the karaoke is just as good as it used to be. When asking for the custom drink, the bartender asked "what kind of Vodka" and I being clueless said any, so he may have given me the most expensive (and strongest) kind, as I did said any. If I came here 5 hours later, it probably would be 4 stars! This place has an amazing history too it. It used to be a secret place for gay people to go to half a century or more ago when being gay was frowned upon. When I lived in Baltimore, they showed American Horror Story at Leon's when it aired and karaoke at Steampunk Alley at the same time. They haven't served food for half a decade at least, and that's hands down the biggest bummer of the place... no longer a restaurant after decades of being so. Also, no wi-fi and that bothered me a bit!In the end, the best I can say is, I assume this is a great gay bar for out-of-the-closet gay people to have fun at late at night and mingle with themselves while drinking. Do look up it's history! I hope they'll go back to food one day!

An old fashioned gay bar with no pretense- it's a neighborhood bar with cheap beer specials, great juke box and lovely bartenders.

Seriously why did they stop hosting drag on Thursday? I heard because the management felt they were losing money but come on, now the place is empty and one less night for the gay community to come out in Mt Vernon! The drag was so amazing and fun here, I can't believe it stopped. So disappointed and definitely will be going elsewhere.

I checked into the wrong bar lol , good thing a female was with me lmao.... I asked the bartender to spike up my angry orchard and he said "how bout a angryBalls" .. I said "Hell naw man , hold the balls !!" You can keep them to yourself!

We were lured here by the interesting name and, frankly, the dearth of other options in the area. Upon entry, the bar seemed promising with eclectic decor and eclectic clientele, so we grabbed some seats at the bar.Ultimately, though, the mediocre beer selection, the weak drink my friend got, and the flagrantly disinterested service from the bartender, make this an unlikely spot to return to. Other staff people were cool, so maybe it'd be worth a visit for grub some day.

(3/13/2016) Stopped after the rained out parade. Place is kinda sticky, drinks are cheap though, 2-4-1 during happy hour. Food mostly dumped from the freezer to deep fryer, was sufficient if you're drunk enough. With the Irish pub next door out of commission, it's the default spot on Chase.

First place in Baltimore to make shrimp scampi exactly how I want it. It was delicious, filling and perfect. The bartender is sweet and the owner does stop in to ask you how the food is. This place has totally changed with a nice new atmosphere. The food is phenomenal and I can not wait to come back. Honestly maybe my new favorite stop. For any steampunk fans come here and give it a chance :) I know for a fact I can't wait to dress up and arrive and drink White Russian and eat escargot. Oh yea they have escargot!!!

Waited over 15 minutes at the bar to get a drink and ended up leaving because I guess this place only decided to have one bartender on shift that night. Also, what kind of place only has ONE BATHROOM for two rooms full of people??? The line was insane.

Went out for drinks with a friend on October 12 and couldn't believe how little the bartender, Sven, cared. A customer knocked over a glass and it shattered onto the floor. He made no effort to clean up the broken glass despite multiple patrons asking him to. He kept saying "I'll get it after my shift." It was hardly midnight and he was just going to let a safety hazard sit there for another 2 hours. Someone could have easily gotten hurt. That's just not acceptable