BEL AIR, MD — A Bel Air establishment has earned the title of Maryland's favorite bar. Looney's Pub was presented with the award during a special gala over the weekend in Ocean City.

Looney's Pub in Bel Air was officially named the state's "favorite bar or tavern" for 2018 at the Restaurant Association of Maryland's Stars of the Industry Awards. "We are very humbled and honored for sure," Looney's said in a statement to Bel Air Patch on Monday. The business attributed its success to its employees, saying the award was earned "all because we have the best staff."

This was the 64th annual awards ceremony for the Restaurant Association of Maryland, an organization dedicated to promoting and improving the restaurant industry, to honor what it says are the state's elite establishments. More than 30,000 people voted online to help determine the winners for a variety of awards, from favorite new restaurant (The Elephant in Baltimore) to chef of the year (George Batlas, The Manor Tavern, Monkton).



To be named the 2018 favorite bar or tavern, the association said Looney's met the criteria of being "the 'watering hole' you frequent where the drinks are great and the bartenders are beyond compare." Looney's beat out these other contenders in the category for Maryland's favorite bar or tavern:

Hanover Dock Street Bar & Grill - Annapolis

The Horse You Came In On - Baltimore

Upper Deck Sports Bar and Grill - Mt. Airy Winners were announced May 6 at the Restaurant Association of Maryland's Stars of the Industry Awards Gala in Ocean City.

Image courtesy of Looney's Pub of Bel Air.