In the midst of its final Annapolis Boat Show, longtime Ego Alley fixture Pusser’s has big news. The restaurant and dock bar will live on—opening a new, larger space on Baltimore’s Canton waterfront.
Fresh off our rocking Friday night Boat Show Bash at Pusser’s, Chesapeake Bay Magazine has learned that Pusser’s is not gone for good, despite losing its Annapolis location. The company signed a lease with Monument Marine, owners of Oasis Marinas’ Lighthouse Point Marina, Saturday afternoon, Oct. 12.
By Saturday evening in Annapolis, there was a new sign lighting up the boat show to announce the news:
Pusser’s Caribbean Grille will soon become Pusser’s Landing at Lighthouse Point Marina, arriving in Baltimore’s Canton neighborhood in spring 2025. The 15,000-square foot space will include a restaurant with seating indoors and a floating dock bar. The square footage inside and outside is more than double the space Pusser’s has at its Annapolis location.
Chris Townsend, co-owner and Director of Food and Beverage at Pusser’s, calls the move to Lighthouse Point an upgrade. In addition to boasting increased capacity (the restaurant will seat more than 300 and the floating dock bar can accommodate 200), it will have plentiful slips for boaters to dock and dine.
“This location offers a great waterfront value given the docking capacity,” Townsend says.
The restaurant space, which some may remember from years past as Bo Brooks Restaurant, is undergoing a total renovation under Oasis Marinas management. That gives Pusser’s a chance to make it their own. They’ll also take over the marina’s floating, summer-vibes Drift Bar.
Oasis Marinas founder Dan Cowens says Pusser’s aligns perfectly with its brand and what boaters want. From the first time the Pusser’s team toured the property, Cowens says it was an obvious match.
Monument Marine Managing Director Tom Wood agrees. “Pusser’s has such a legacy and rich history in the boating world, it seemed like a perfect fit with our boater-centric mentality around marina ownership and development.” Wood knows the Pusser’s legacy well: when he got married, his rehearsal dinner and after-party were held at Pusser’s in Annapolis.
Townsend promises the new restaurant and bar will hold onto the charm of the old Pusser’s. “It will have a similar feel to what Pusser’s has always been. We will be true to the brand, serving our world-famous Painkillers, fresh squeezed orange crushes, and a mix of local and Pusser’s staple fare.”
The menu will retain favorites like Pusser’s coconut shrimp, crabcake and crab dip, and the pineapple jerk chicken quesadilla. The company describes the indoor bar as having “a British pub feel,” and will keep the original wooden bar, crafted in Wales, from the old location. The dining room will have Pusser’s vibrant Caribbean feel.
A major perk for marina slipholders and transients: Pusser’s Landing will have “boat service”—like room service to your slip. Boaters will be able to order food and drinks to be delivered straight to their slip. “For example, you could order sandwiches and a half-gallon of Painkillers,” Townsend says.
Along with the addition of Pusser’s Landing, Lighthouse Point Marina is also fully renovating its offices and marina amenities, including a new gym and shower facilities. The marina has already undergone a total replacement with modern floating docks. It holds over 350 vessels in slips, plus extensive side-tie dockage.
“It will be phenomenal for a weekend getaway,” Cowens says.
The deal comes just two and a half weeks before Pusser’s closes its existing restaurant. They will host an all-day party to celebrate 30 years in Annapolis on Sunday, Oct. 27 with live bands and DJ sets. A 6:30 “final toast” will mark the end of this era, with popular local musician Tim Metz performing an evening set to close out.
“We want to make this a happy occasion, not a sad occasion,” Townsend says. “It’s a celebration of the legacy and history here. We’ve always been ones to throw a good party.”
The restaurant will continue operating through Oct. 31 with limited hours.
A year ago , Pusser’s shocked its longtime patrons with the news that the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel did not renew the restaurant’s lease after 30 years onsite. The hotel is bringing in Atlas Restaurant Group, which owns The Choptank on nearby Compromise Street, to create two new restaurant concepts and a renovated event space.
For many Annapolis residents and visitors, and especially for boat show attendees, there’s a feeling that the waterfront won’t be quite the same without Pusser’s. But the restaurant team has their eyes on the future.
Pusser’s Landing at Lighthouse Point is looking to open in the spring of 2025 when renovations are complete. The company will work with an architect and design team, aiming to begin construction Jan. 1, 2025 and open with a target date of April 1.
“Now we’ll have the opportunity to build and design our new home in this space where we intend to stay for quite awhile,” Townsend says.
Pusser’s Landing will be hiring in Baltimore, but also hopes to bring several front- and back-of-house staff who have been with the restaurant for more than a decade.
Pusser’s signed a long-term lease with the marina and Townsend looks forward to getting involved with the Canton community, hosting parties and events and partnering with nonprofits. Located two blocks from Canton Waterfront Park, the Pusser’s team says it is excited to be part of a vibrant new community.
