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  4. I spent $70 to stay in an Airbnb that used to be a bar. Here's a look inside — and why next time I'm bringing my friends.

I spent $70 to stay in an Airbnb that used to be a bar. Here's a look inside and why next time I'm bringing my friends.

Joey Hadden   

I spent $70 to stay in an Airbnb that used to be a bar. Here's a look inside — and why next time I'm bringing my friends.
The author stayed in tiny home Airbnb that used to be a bar and she thought it would be more fun with friends.Joey Hadden/Insider
  • I recently spent two nights in a studio I found on Airbnb that the owners say used to be a bar.
  • The 500-square-foot space cost $70 a night and featured small details paying homage to its days as a bar.

During a recent trip 2-night trip to Baltimore, I stayed in a studio apartment listed on Airbnb for $70 a night. The owners say it used to be a bar in the 20th century.

During a recent trip 2-night trip to Baltimore, I stayed in a studio apartment listed on Airbnb for $70 a night. The owners say it used to be a bar in the 20th century.
The author relaxes in the Airbnb.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Airbnb

For full disclosure, Insider paid for the Airbnb accommodation, according to our reporting standards.

"We believe the bar was first established in 1948 as Mickey's Gay '90s, a reference to nostalgia for the 'happy' 1890s," owners Jay and Olivia Trucker told Insider.

"We believe the bar was first established in 1948 as Mickey
An old photo shows the bar that once was.      Courtesy of Jay and Olivia Trucker

The Truckers said the space remained a bar "in different iterations" until the 1990s, adding that the house had the same owner from 1948 to 1999, according to the deed.

The Truckers said the space remained a bar "in different iterations" until the 1990s, adding that the house had the same owner from 1948 to 1999, according to the deed.
A photo in the bar from the 20th century.      Courtesy of Jay and Olivia Trucker

The home had two other owners between 1999 — when the bar closed — and 2016, which is when they bought the house, they said.

The home had two other owners between 1999 — when the bar closed — and 2016, which is when they bought the house, they said.
The outside of the Airbnb.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The home is in Baltimore's Fells Point neighborhood, south of the downtown area.

The home is in Baltimore
Fells Point is a neighborhood in Baltimore.      Google Maps

The former bar operated in what is now the ground floor apartment in this house, the Truckers said.

The former bar operated in what is now the ground floor apartment in this house, the Truckers said.
The Airbnb from the outside.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Inside, the portion of the home where the bar used to be — now the Airbnb — is about 500 square feet, the owners told Insider, adding that they live in the apartment upstairs.

Inside, the portion of the home where the bar used to be — now the Airbnb — is about 500 square feet, the owners told Insider, adding that they live in the apartment upstairs.
A wide view of the interior.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The home still felt like a bar, in my opinion, with dark walls and artsy details, from colored chalkboards to stickers and pictures alluding to bands and musicians.

The home still felt like a bar, in my opinion, with dark walls and artsy details, from colored chalkboards to stickers and pictures alluding to bands and musicians.
Close-ups of details in the home.      Joey Hadden/Insider

All the windows in the apartment are stained-glass, with black-out curtains and artwork on display.

All the windows in the apartment are stained-glass, with black-out curtains and artwork on display.
A window sill in the Airbnb.      Joey Hadden/Insider

In the living area are two couches and a mini-fridge.

In the living area are two couches and a mini-fridge.
One of the couches in the Airbnb.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Inside the fridge, I found two complimentary beers brewed in Baltimore with a note from the owners. I don't drink beer, but I thought it was a nice touch.

Inside the fridge, I found two complimentary beers brewed in Baltimore with a note from the owners. I don
Free beer in the Airbnb.      Joey Hadden/Insider

On a desk next to the fridge, I saw old photos from the bar that once was occupied this space.

On a desk next to the fridge, I saw old photos from the bar that once was occupied this space.
A desk inside the Airbnb.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The Truckers told Insider that after purchasing the home, a former Baltimore resident who grew up in the neighborhood stopped by to give them memorabilia from the home's bar days, including these pictures.

The Truckers told Insider that after purchasing the home, a former Baltimore resident who grew up in the neighborhood stopped by to give them memorabilia from the home
Old photos in the Airbnb.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The listing includes a queen-sized bed; an additional blow-up mattress may be provided for larger parties. I thought the bed was comfortable and slept well.

The listing includes a queen-sized bed; an additional blow-up mattress may be provided for larger parties. I thought the bed was comfortable and slept well.
The author poses for a picture with the bed in the background.      A bathroom in a tiny home that used to be a bar

Source: Airbnb

I saw extra pillows in a chest near the bed. Since I was traveling alone, they weren't necessary.

I saw extra pillows in a chest near the bed. Since I was traveling alone, they weren
A chest of pillows.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Next to the bed, a coffee bar was stocked with essentials, but I didn't end up using it.

Next to the bed, a coffee bar was stocked with essentials, but I didn
A coffee bar in the Airbnb.      A bathroom in a tiny home that used to be a bar

The home also comes with a kitchenette equipped with small appliances, which I would have used if I stayed longer.

The home also comes with a kitchenette equipped with small appliances, which I would have used if I stayed longer.
Kitchen supplies in the Airbnb.      A bathroom in a tiny home that used to be a bar

For entertainment, the TV offered access to streaming services like Netflix and Hulu.

For entertainment, the TV offered access to streaming services like Netflix and Hulu.
The Airbnb's living space.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I thought the bathroom was pretty typical ...

I thought the bathroom was pretty typical ...
The Airbnb's bathroom.      Joey Hadden/Insider

... aside from the additional slop sink. This sink is the only remnant of the house that's original to the bar, the Truckers said.

... aside from the additional slop sink. This sink is the only remnant of the house that
The original slop sink from when the Airbnb was a bar.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I also appreciated that the shower appeared modern and clean.

I also appreciated that the shower appeared modern and clean.
The shower in the Airbnb.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Overall, I thought this was a unique stay for an affordable price. But it felt more like a place to hang out with other people than to stay in by yourself.

Overall, I thought this was a unique stay for an affordable price. But it felt more like a place to hang out with other people than to stay in by yourself.
A chalk drawing in the Airbnb.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I would stay here again, but next time, I'll bring my friends.

I would stay here again, but next time, I
The living space in the Airbnb.      Joey Hadden/Insider

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