Clyde’s Restaurant Group Taking Over ‘Rye Street Tavern’ at Sagamore Spirit Distillery

The Baltimore Peninsula Development team announced today that Washington, DC-based Clyde’s Restaurant Group (CRG), a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company (GHC), has signed a long-term lease for Rye Street Tavern at the Sagamore Spirit distillery. Rye Street Tavern was opened in 2017 by New York City-based NoHo Hospitality, but closed in May 2021 to “reimagine” its concept.

Rye Street Tavern will be the first Baltimore location for CRG, which currently has 12 other properties in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia. CRG ran Clyde’s of Columbia until 2020.

CRG will make significant improvements to the 12,000 sq. ft., two-story restaurant building and create a large outdoor dining area with a 75-seat bar with views of the Patapsco River. Additional renovations will include a new kitchen and an oyster bar.

The Sagamore Spirit distillery has two additional buildings and green spaces along the water. A new park called Rye Park is also being built in between the facility and the new Vision St.

Rye Street Tavern’s culinary team is creating a menu that “accommodates both business entertaining and fun, casual dining.”

Sagamore Spirit Rye will be highlighted on the bar menu at the restaurant.

Rye Street Tavern will reopen in early 2024 and employ 150 people.

The Baltimore Peninsula development is a 235-acre, multibillion dollar, multi-decade development by MAG Partners, MacFarlane Partners, Sagamore Ventures, and Goldman Sachs Asset Management. Chapter 1B of the development is wrapping up and bought five new buildings to Port Covington.

“The neighborhood at Baltimore Peninsula continues to evolve and expand. Together, with exceptional partners like Clyde’s, we are seeing Baltimore Peninsula shift from a development site to a vibrant community,” said Kevin Plank, principal and CEO of Sagamore Ventures, in a press release. “Clyde’s Restaurant Group is an ideal partner for us, with their emphasis on high quality food and service in a fun and active environment. We expect the new Rye Street Tavern will be tremendously well-received by residents, businesses, and visitors. We anticipate Rye Street Tavern will become the heart of the neighborhood.”

“Clyde’s is honored to partner with Baltimore Peninsula and Sagamore Spirit to further invigorate this thriving community. Rye Street Tavern will celebrate Maryland culinary traditions and embrace the kindred values of the team,” said Jeff Owens, CFO and corporate development at Clyde’s Restaurant Group, in a press release. “Sagamore is the top selling rye in our restaurants. We are excited to advance our partnership to a new level and invest in making Baltimore Peninsula an inclusive and extraordinary destination. We will offer a vast selection of seasonal and classic cocktails, locally sourced beers, and a broad international wine program….but we will only expect to stock one brand of rye whiskey!”

“Dynamic, engaging retail plays a critical role in creating a sense of place and community, which is why Clyde’s is a seamless partner. Its family-friendly approach, commitment to fresh ingredients and the desire to provide a memorable experience perfectly complements our vision for Baltimore Peninsula,” added MaryAnne Gilmartin, founder and CEO of MAG Partners, in a press release.

Rye Park 

Rendering courtesy of the Baltimore Peninsula development team and CRG

About the Author: Kevin Lynch

Founder and Publisher of SouthBmore.com, longtime resident of South Baltimore, and a graduate of Towson University. Diehard Ravens and O's fan, father of three, amateur pizza chef, skateboarder, and "bar food" foodie. Email me at Kevin@InceptMM.com and follow me on Twitter at @SoBoKevin.