Blue Ruin Bar - Cambridge MD Cocktail Bar Will Have You Coming Back for More

As specialty craft cocktail bars become more popular in busy metropolitan areas across the U.S., it is a refreshing surprise when you find a top tier kind of place in the rural town of Cambridge, MD. Blue Ruin Bar is the charming and innovative new cocktail bar that opened in downtown Cambridge, MD in August 2019. It is quickly becoming a highly sought after venue to enjoy unique and flavorful fresh from scratch cocktails that will stimulate your taste buds and open your eyes to the world of mixology. 
We spoke with Paul Derndorfer, head mixologist of Blue Ruin Bar to learn more about the increasingly popular cocktail bar.  Paul has been in the food and beverage industry for over 20 years. His experience has taken him from through New York and Washington, DC. Ten years ago, Paul moved to Cambridge, MD, where he has family in the area. Working at local establishments, he further honed skills that he had acquired and developed over his many years as a mixologist.

Happy with the new place he called home, one day Doug Kyle approached Paul about opening a bar in Cambridge, MD. The idea was something Paul had thought about pursuing for a while already. So after about 4 years of extensive research, planning, renovation, and hustle, and with a lot of support from the community of Cambridge and beyond, Blue Ruin Bar opened its doors in August 2019. 

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It clearly was a combination of perfect timing, innovation, skill, and drive for a town that is experiencing an economic rebirth thanks to the opening of several boutiques, restaurants, and gift shops over the past few years. Paul had been envisioning what this new venue would look like. With his long time interest with  the Pre-Prohibition era, he went with the Speakeasy vibe and everything that goes along with it. Expect to step back in time when you enter Blue Ruin Bar. Follow them on Facebook to find out what happens if you and you friends reserve the “Mafia Booth” for the evening. Also in the pipeline is a couples’ dinner night exclusive to 35 couples that will need password access to the restaurant, which will be blacked out and closed to the public for the special evening.

With a long cue of fun and innovative events to come, expect to enjoy superior quality craft cocktails, made only with fresh locally sourced produce like basil, mint, thyme, oranges, and grapefruits.  Drinks honor early- time pre-Prohibition classics such as the “Brandy Crust” Father of Sidecar and the French 75 while also including new age concoctions, fine red wine, and beer on draft and by can offerings. Another unique thing about the Blue Ruin Bar is not only the experience, but the consistency of their product. Rest assured that the “Corpse Reviver” you order on a Wednesday at 7 pm will be exactly as delicious and fresh on a busy Saturday night at 9pm.  The team prides itself on precision, service, and using only the freshest and best local produce and ingredients, from freshly squeezed juices to made-from-scratch syrups. On top of that, you’ll be pleased to know you’ll get amazing craft cocktails at prices much more palatable than you’ll find in the bigger metropolitan cities. 

Soon you will be satisfying your hunger during your visit to Blue Ruin Bar, as Paul and his team are putting in a full service kitchen that will be ready for service around the end of March 2020. There will be seating for 83 guests total, 13 at the bar. In addition to dining hours of 4pm to 9 pm during the week and 4 pm to 10 pm on weekends, Blue Ruin Bar will be serving a 6-item menu of savory handheld bites perfect for the late night crowd looking to extend their fun and memories into the wee hours of the night.  Also stay tuned for an impressive Sunday Brunch that will be sure to please. 
Blue Ruin Bar is attracting attention. Customers come from Easton,  St. Michael’s, Salisbury, Berlin, Ocean City and beyond, thanks to word of mouth, hosting local seasonal and holiday events, hosting guest bartending nights for local charities, and collaborating with other local businesses in Cambridge. 
With all their exciting plans for this year, be sure to follow them on facebook and check them out at their website ​www.blueruinbar.com. Visit them at 400 Race Street, Cambridge, md 21613. Phone 410-995-7559. Hours Mon- Thurs 4 pm to 12 am. Friday and Saturday 4pm to 2 am. Sunday 4 pm to 12 am. 

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