Waterfront Restaurant & Drift Bar

Located on the edge of the Patapsco River in Baltimore’s Canton neighborhood, this waterfront restaurant and its associated floating bar, Drift, introduce a new level of hospitality to the area. The project reimagines the waterfront experience through the lens of Mediterranean coastal culture, drawing conceptual inspiration from the Balearic Islands—specifically the quiet charm of Formentera and its whitewashed architecture.

The design integrates coastal references with material warmth and simplicity, pairing lime-washed surfaces and vaulted forms with expansive views of the harbor. The result is a calm, inviting space that feels both grounded in its Baltimore setting and subtly transported from a distant coastline. Anchored by a strong interior design narrative and attention to atmosphere, the restaurant balances casual elegance with a sense of place, offering a destination that is as much about experience as it is about food and drink.

Location
Baltimore, MD

Area
11,538 SF

Amenities

211 indoor seats 

111 outdoor seats 

116 floating bar seats 

31 ft long main bar  

35 ft long floating bar 

As the excavation begins, layers of history unfurl beneath the surface. Amongst the artifacts of time, the forms of antiquity are revealed. Vaults and arches expressed in salt-washed limestone, ceramics laid up in beautiful mosaic patterns, and hand-worked hardwood furnishings tell tales of past architectural traditions. Each stone or board, worn smooth by the relentless kiss of the sea, salt, and wind, is a silent witness to the passage of time.

The project’s major design element, referred to as ‘The Artifact,’ strings together the major program elements (i.e. entry, wine cellar, bar, circular booths, and family dining room). Designed as a series of vaults and arches and finished in lime wash plaster, ‘The Artifact’ feels as if it were an ancient excavated catacombs and acted as a foil against which the expansive harbor views play.  

EXISTING