Edited by Jess Blumberg. Written by Jess Blumberg, Jessica Leshnoff, Amy Mulvihill, and Mike Unger, with Janelle Erlichman Diamond, Evan Serpick, and Henry Hong.

Hightopps Backstage Grille
Timonium
It's an ingredient as rare in suburban bars as it is in American Idol contestants: soul. Hightopps Backstage Grille has it. There's nothing cookie-cutter about the place. The large deck out back even has a few couches in front of a fireplace, and on a chilly night, it's moderately crowded with people watching football to the sounds of an acoustic guitarist strumming Jimmy Buffett tunes. Speaking of Mr. Margaritaville, his picture and autograph are plastered all over the place, along with dozens of guitars, photos, and mementos from famous musicians collected through the bar's catering business. A lounge area with pool tables, couches, and a bank of TVs that would make some Vegas sports bookies blush is a prime gathering place for a Ravens game, and the main bar and dining room provide other distinct spots to hang out. As Buffett would say, the place is a real paradise. 2306 York Road, Timonium, 410-560-7101,hightoppsbackstagegrille.com