Spotlight on Federal Hill Businesses | Ropewalk Tavern

"I’ve always been a night owl. Even at slumber parties when growing up, I was always the last person to go to sleep. I guess it’s the people. I enjoy meeting new people and engaging them in conversations. In this business, that’s key. I’ve gained a lot of great friendships and met some of my best friends right here."

Ropewalk Tavern

Owner: Linda McFaul


“When my brothers opened Ropewalk in 1995, the Cross Street Market was the big place to go on a Friday night in Federal Hill. There was only one other bar that people would crowd into afterwards and it was right by the market. I was in my twenties at the time and I remember my two brothers asking me if they thought this location was too far from the Cross Street Market for people to check out. I was a little skeptical, but they took a chance anyway.

I came into the business 17 years ago. I was working in sales at the time and I was miserable. I think I took ‘no’ for an answer too often, so I wasn’t great at that job. My brothers had opened up another bar so they needed someone to manage the Federal Hill location.

I went from working nine to five, Monday to Friday, to working mid-afternoon until three in the morning.

I’ve always been a night owl. Even at slumber parties when growing up, I was always the last person to go to sleep. I guess it’s the people. I enjoy meeting new people and engaging them in conversations. In this business, that’s key. I’ve gained a lot of great friendships and met some of my best friends right here.


Once Ropewalk opened the Federal Hill location, several other bars followed shortly after; Mother’s and Magerk’s to name a couple. It’s been really cool to play a part in the evolution of this neighborhood over the years.

When Ropewalk first opened, there was one bar inside this space. Now we have six. We also have three other Ropewalks. Our other locations are Chincoteague, Ocean City, and Bethany Beach. We never thought it would grow into what it is today.

Being a family business has been a great experience for me, but it can be hard because you’re not always going to agree on everything. You have to work through the disagreements and remember to keep family and business matters separate. It’s been 17 years and I’m still learning how to separate them. Fortunately, my family has remained close to this day.”

About Ropewalk Tavern

Ropewalk Tavern attracts locals and visitors alike, and has the largest beer selection in the neighborhood. Our historic establishment is the ideal place to make new friends, catch with old friends, or just blow off steam with coworkers after a hard day’s work.

Business Location

1209 S. Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 727-1298

 A Big Thank You To our Sponsor South Baltimore Gateway Partnership

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