Bushwaller's in Baltimore: An Australian Pub in Federal Hill
Bushwaller's is a full-service Australian pub located in Federal Hill that serves as a casual drinking and dining spot for both tourists seeking an unfamiliar accent and neighborhood regulars looking for a straightforward place to drink and eat without pretense.
What Bushwaller's actually is
Bushwaller's occupies a corner space on South Charles Street and operates as a traditional public house with Australian theming, Australian beers on draft, and a menu built around meat pies, fish and chips, and other pub standards. The venue is loud, sports-focused (televisions broadcast Australian rugby and football alongside American games), and draws a mix of young professionals, sport fans, and older drinkers who have been coming for years. The space is neither upscale nor minimalist; it's a neighborhood bar that happens to have an Australian angle rather than a tourist trap that exploits one.
Menu, drink program, and pricing
Bushwaller's pours Australian beers including Foster's and Carlton Draught on tap alongside American standards like Bud Light and Stella Artois. Cocktails follow pub conventions: straightforward mixed drinks rather than craft compositions, priced around $6 to $8. Well drinks run $4 to $5. Domestic beer is typically $4 to $5 for a pint, with imported Australian beers $5 to $6. Confirm current pricing by phone, as drink prices shift seasonally.
Food is secondary to drinking but present. Meat pies, fish and chips, and burgers anchor the menu, with entrees ranging from $12 to $18. The kitchen does not attempt fine dining; the appeal is portion size and straightforward execution. Happy hour pricing varies by day; call ahead to confirm specific times and discounts.
How Bushwaller's compares to other Federal Hill pubs
Federal Hill has several pubs that serve similar functions. The Wharf Rat, also in Federal Hill, skews younger and louder, with live music several nights a week and a stronger craft beer selection. Bushwaller's is quieter and more focused on drinking than entertainment. Slainte Irish Pub, further west, attracts an older crowd and emphasizes Guinness and Irish whiskey over beer variety. If you want Australian beer and a low-key environment, Bushwaller's is the only option in the neighborhood. If you want live music or craft beer selection, The Wharf Rat is the choice.
Who it suits and who it does not suit
Bushwaller's suits drinkers who want a casual spot to watch sports, people unfamiliar with Australian culture who are curious about it without commitment, and anyone seeking a traditional pub where nobody expects you to dress up or stay quiet. It does not suit anyone looking for craft cocktails, a wine program, or a place to impress a date with sophistication. Solo drinkers are welcome; the bar is long enough to sit without feeling out of place, and bartenders engage with regulars and new faces alike.
What the first visit involves
Walk in, order at the bar or grab a high-top if tables are available, and ask the bartender what Australian beers are on draft. The crowd is noisy but not unfriendly; during evening hours (after 5 p.m.), expect shoulder-to-shoulder conditions on weekends. If you are there for food, order from the bar or flag a server; service is casual and unpretentious. The space is warm in winter and crowded in summer, so timing matters. Sports are always playing; if a major game is on, the noise level rises and seating becomes competitive.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Bushwaller's is located at the corner of South Charles and West Cross streets in Federal Hill. Street parking is available but fills quickly during evening and weekend hours; a lot one block west on West Cross provides paid parking. The bar is open daily; confirm hours by phone, as they shift seasonally and may change for major holidays or special events. The venue is accessible by car, on foot from Harbor East, and one block from bus routes serving South Charles Street.
Bushwaller's holds a simple place in Federal Hill's bar ecosystem: it is neither the loudest nor the most sophisticated option on the block, but it is the only Australian pub in the neighborhood and has been a reliable landing spot for drinkers who want consistency and a sense of place without irony or pretense.
