Destination for an imaginative Modern American menu served in a sophisticated yet relaxed space.
After days of looking into the best restaurants in Frederick it came down to the wire to choose a brunch spot for Father’s Day. Hootch and Banter unfortunately does not take reservations but if you read the fine print on their website you will see that there are some exceptions for certain holidays (Father’s Day being one of them). I was excited to celebrate my father but also have a good meal. It took a little bit to get our table set up but we had no problem. Our host was FANTASTIC, extremely considerate and kept the energy high. She was a gem. My family shared a bunch of appetizers such as the empanadas, crab dip, and wings. The crab dip stood out the most. I got the burger and it was awesome. The home fries were a great touch. My family loved their dishes. We brought a cake for my dad’s birthday and they helped to cut and serve the cake. What an experience. They treat us like family as soon as we walked in. Look forward to going back.
The food was great, especially the Brussels sprouts — super tasty. Service was excellent, Amanda was very friendly and attentive. The burger was good, though I prefer a soft bun like a potato roll over the toasted one. Just a personal preference! Next time I’ll ask for that option. The place is small, but cozy. It doesn’t bother me, but some people might find being so close to others a bit uncomfortable when eating side by side.
Been wanting to check this place out.... beautiful Saturday early afternoon so we snagged the last outdoor table...for 145PM it was BUSY... So the food was good....not spectacular but good...we ordered "The Banter" and while stuffed with pastrami it was a bit dry... We also split the "Chicken Empanada" starter and that was really good! Service was hit or miss...took order promptly but took 15 minutes to have a beer dropped at our table. The meal service was quite slow, but we were enjoying the outdoors so the wait was OK. However our server didn't return till AFTER we were done eating so no beer #2 😊. I will come back though because overall it was very relaxing sitting out front ..as long as you are not in a hurry.
Fast service, no wait to be seated and delicious cocktails! We ordered a few rounds of drinks, specifically “Cloud 9” and “Last Word”. They were fantastic. We will definitely be back to sample food next time.
Loved our experience at Hootch & Banter! The drinks were creative and well-crafted, and the appetizers were delicious — perfect for sharing. The vibe was lively yet relaxed, and our server was incredibly attentive and friendly, which made the night even better. Definitely a great spot for cocktails and small bites in downtown Frederick. We’ll be back!