Harley's Sandwich Shop

"Harley's Nightshift" oil on canvas (14"x 18") 2011

Who cannot remember, at least one time, eating a Harley Burger very late at night? They cost 69 cents and were just what some of the underage drinkers needed to help sober-up after sharing too many six-packs of bargain beer or Bali Hai wine. In addition to families, Harley’s also served the night shift worker. My friend Al worked until midnight and like clockwork at 12:30 a.m. he rolled his salmon colored Corvette onto the Harley’s parking lot on Rt. 40 W in Catonsville, MD. In fact his timing was so dependable that the ladies at the counter had his favorite pizza waiting for him every week night. Harley’s was brought to you by Baltimorean Harley Brinsfield who in my memory had the best local radio show featuring jazz. Harley’s record collection was fabulous and his dedicated listeners tuned in regularly. His show included adds of course for his sandwich shops - located all over Baltimore.
At the close of each show Harley played "Sailing Down the Chesapeake." Toot Toot!

Elmer's Musical Bar- Pratt St. Baltimore

On Sunday after mass, followed by supper at grandmother’s house, my father used to drive his family around Baltimore city. One place that I always requested to drive by was Elmer’s Musical Bar at Pratt and Light Streets. Looking past the occasional boxcar sitting in the middle of Pratt Street, one could see motorcycles crowding the parking lot. It looked very exciting but I was warned that it was a very rough waterfront "joint." How rough? Well someone told me that the bands had to play behind a chicken wire cage to avoid being beaned on the head by flying beer bottles. Another man told me that patrons would ride their motorcycles right inside the bar on rainy days. Everyone agrees that the music was exceptional. Probably the draw for such a crazy mix of Baltimore males was the terrific musical venue that was open on Sundays--uncommon in those days. I don’t know if women ever ventured inside Elmer’s. For sure there was no “ladies’ entrance.”