Best of Baltimore Readers’ Poll Results 2025: Arts & Culture

CONCERT SERIES/VENUE

WINNER: WTMD FIRST THURSDAY FESTIVAL
Finalists: Merriweather Post Pavilion; Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

DANCE PARTY

WINNER: BUTCH GARDEN AT PEABODY HEIGHTS BREWERY
Finalists: Save Your Soul at Lithuanian Hall; Wu Wednesdays at The Point in Fells

EXHIBIT

WINNER: THE CIVIC PRIDE OF THE BALTIMORE SALTBOX AT THE ENOCH PRATT CENTRAL LIBRARY
Finalists: Art and Process: Drawings, Paintings, and Sculptures from the 19th-Century Collection at The Walters; Joyce J. Scott: Walk a Mile in My Dreams at the Baltimore Museum of Art

FESTIVAL

WINNER: ARTSCAPE
Finalists: Christmas Village in Baltimore; Baltimore Pride and Fells Point Fun Festival (tie)

GALLERY

WINNER: CURRENT SPACE
Finalists: Manor Mill; Baltimore Art Gallery

KARAOKE BAR

WINNER: WALT’S INN
Finalists: Nobles Bar and Grill; Ottobar

LIVE THEATER VENUE

WINNER: HIPPODROME THEATRE AT THE FRANCE-MERRICK PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Finalists: Baltimore Center Stage; Everyman Theatre

LOCAL AUTHOR

WINNER: JENNIFER VIDO
Finalists: Irene Ivy; John Waters

LOCAL BAND

WINNER: DOC MARTEN AND THE FLANNELS, GLORIAN (TIE)
Finalists: Kelly Bell Band; Turnstile

LOCAL DJ

WINNER: DJ KISSICK
Finalists: DJ Ducky Dynamo; DJ Nate

LOCAL MUSICIAN

WINNER: GLORIAN
Finalists: Caleb Stine; Ashley LaRue

LOCAL POET

WINNER: RAHSAAN “WORDSLAVE” ELDRIDGE
Finalists: Tony “El Tigre” Koolege; Olu Butterfly and Maggie D. Brace (tie)

LOCAL VISUAL ARTIST

WINNER: LANDIS EXPANDIS
Finalists: Autumn Lidke; Akio Evans

LOCAL MOVIE THEATER

WINNER: THE CHARLES THEATER
Finalists: The Senator Theatre; Warehouse Cinemas Rotunda

MURAL

WINNER: GRAFFITI ALLEY
Finalists: “The Alligators” by John Ellsberry on 28th Street in Remington; “Towson Flock” by Jordan Lawson (ArtByJLaw) at Dulaney Plaza Shopping Center

MUSEUM

WINNER: AMERICAN VISIONARY ART MUSEUM
Finalists: Baltimore Museum of Art; The Walters Art Museum

MUSIC VENUE

WINNER: THE OTTOBAR
Finalists: Cat’s Eye Pub; Manor Mill

TATTOO ARTIST

WINNER: CHRIS DOMINICK, LAYER 3 COLLECTIVE
Finalists: Tony Deville, Deville Ink; Eric Willis, Drilled by Willis

TRIVIA HOST

WINNER: LIZZIE DOVE
Finalists: Charm City Trivia; Greg’s Shitty Trivia

Explore more of our Best of Baltimore Readers’ Poll winners, here.