Federal Hill is about to get a little more spirited. Tipsy Scoop, the nation’s boozy-ice-cream chain, is opening its first Baltimore "barlour" this Saturday at 1 p.m. at 209 Key Highway. The shop will scoop liquor-infused ice cream alongside classic alcohol-free flavors, and the first 25 customers can snag $1 scoops and a shot at winning a boozy ice-cream sundae class. Owners say the menu will also feature mocktail flavors and kid-friendly scoops, so no one has to sit this one out.
Running the Baltimore location are co-owners Bianca Cropper and Brandon Bennett, alongside Bianca’s twin sister Briana. Cropper said she fell hard for the bourbon-spiked vanilla, recalling, "Oh my god, you're speaking to me," while Bennett said the concept fills a gap in the city’s dessert scene, according to WMAR2 News.
Grand Opening Deals And A Baltimore Signature
The grand-opening listing notes that the first 25 people in line will get $1 scoops, plus one raffle entry per purchase for a free boozy-sundae class. Opening-day hours run from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., per Visit Baltimore. On the menu: classics like vanilla and cookies-and-cream, mocktail-inspired flavors such as Amalfi Spritz, and a Federal Hill exclusive, the Blood Orange Crush-sicle made in partnership with Sagamore Rye Whiskey, as reported by Baltimore Fishbowl.
How Boozy Is “Boozy”?
The company says its liquor-infused scoops top out at about 5% ABV, roughly the strength of a light beer, and rely on a higher-butterfat ice-cream base to keep the texture creamy instead of icy, according to Tipsy Scoop. That balance lets the shop lean into adult flavors while still serving nonalcoholic scoops for younger guests and sober customers.
From New York To Federal Hill
Founder Melissa Tavss launched Tipsy Scoop in New York in 2014 and has since grown the brand into a national franchise with more than a dozen locations, per Forbes. What started with catering and retail points has expanded into permanent barlours and pop-ups, with Baltimore now serving as the latest permanent storefront in the region.
Licensing And Safety
Local coverage notes that the Baltimore shop did not need a liquor license because the liquor-infused scoops are treated as a non-beverage product for regulatory purposes in Maryland, and staff will card anyone ordering liquor-infused items, according to Baltimore Fishbowl. Owners say the low ABV keeps the experience indulgent rather than intoxicating, and the shop will continue to offer plenty of kid-friendly options.
The storefront sits at 209 Key Highway in Federal Hill. For hours, menu updates, and catering information, check out the Tipsy Scoop Baltimore listing and the Visit Baltimore event page. Expect boozy sundaes, mocktail scoops, and an early-bird crowd lining up for those $1 opening-day deals.
