With so many bars and taverns to choose from, it is hard to choose just one
for 2009, but the winner of this award can be a favorite watering hole from
your neighborhood, a hip new hot spot or the corner tavern that has your
favorite bartender.

Annabel Lee Tavern opened on December 7th, 2007. The newly established tavern is located on the intersection of Fleet Street and Clinton Street in Baltimore City, calling Canton its home. Kurt X. Bragunier has owned Annabel Lee Tavern from its inception. Since then, it has already received the Best New Bar in 2008 award from Baltimore Magazine, named “Noteworthy Newcomer” by the Zagat Guide in 2009, been named one of the Top 10 Places in 2009 for Sweet Potato Fries and the #1 Most Affordable Romantic Place in Baltimore by the Baltimore Sun. The tavern celebrates Baltimore City, Maryland and Edgar Alan Poe on a daily basis. With an immense deal of pride in its city, Annabel Lee Tavern pays great attention to detail with everything geared towards comfort! Its mismatched grandmother dishes and continuously playing 1940s music make the atmosphere warm and welcoming to all guests. Every entrée ordered, from a chicken salad sandwich to a filet mignon is handled by either the chef himself or the owner on its way to one of the seven tavern tables. “It has been a lifelong dream of mine to own a bar that I could live above and display my artwork in. I am right now living that dream!” – Kurt Bragunier.

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