🍦We got lucky #12! 🎉

Good morning, Annapolis. This is Naptown Scoop, the local newsletter that’s more satisfying than Old Bay chips on a breakfast sandwich.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

Let’s get to it.

— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, Chelsea Harrison, & Ryan Sneddon

When you think of summer in Annapolis what are the first things that come to mind? For me, it’s boating around the bay, grabbing ice cream downtown, and of course, picking crabs.

Set right on Ego Alley in historic downtown, The Choptank is the prime spot for craft cocktails, gorgeous waterfront views, and fresh seafood, including Maryland’s famous blue crabs. Whether you prefer steamed crabs, crab cakes, cream of crab soup, or crab dip, The Choptank is sure to give you an authentic taste of Maryland.

Join in on one of Annapolis’ best traditions this summer. The Choptank is your go-to place to unwind by the water, grab a drink, and enjoy locally caught crabs. Make a reservation today!

We had an eclectic assortment of stories that really caught your attention this week. The talk of town included:

🦈 Sharks in the Chesapeake Bay — yes, really. We got in on the Shark Week buzz by sharing the details on the Scoop Journal.

🎵 Annapolis Songwriters Festival released its artist slate for the big September 12–15 event. Tickets go on sale today at noon!

⚽️ The Annapolis Blues are rolling in the playoffs. They went up against Frederick FC earlier this week, and now they’ve got the Mid-Atlantic Conference Championship against Virginia Dream FC on Saturday. Buy tickets here.

Travel & Leisure readers finally know what we’ve all known for some time. Annapolis is worth the trip. Each year, T+L asks readers to vote on travel experiences around the globe for their World's Best Awards survey. Over 186,000 T+L readers completed the 2024 survey, rating cities on sights/landmarks, culture, food, friendliness, shopping, and value. For the first time, Annapolis (ranked No. 12) appeared in the rankings! Our coastal city received top marks for nautical charm, historic sites, walkable downtown, and of course, crabcakes. Many touted Navy football games as a can’t miss activity. Naturally, we agree! ⚓️ 🏈

Stories with ($) require a third-party subscription.

📸 @daviddri86 | 📍Conduit Street

Tag @NaptownScoop to get your photos in the Scoop!

ANSWER: If you guessed the outside of Chessie’s Wharf, you guessed right! Thanks for playing and congrats to @tmduck86, @clhunt5, and @sarahpfeiff17 for being the first 3 to answer correctly.

Y’all made this look too easy. We might need to go a little more challenging next week . . . stay tuned!

Got friends coming to town? If they’re not into the cookie-cutter hotel chains, they can have a much more authentic Annapolitan experience at the recently opened 1313 West. This converted 19th-century farmhouse has luxurious rooms and amenities, plus it’s right within walking distance of so many restaurants, bars, and shopping. Heck, you might even be tempted to book a staycation just for the experience!

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

What makes a great party?

✅ open bar
✅ delish local bites
✅ a scenic location

Which is good, because the Scoop’s 4th Anniversary party is going to have all those things and more, August 16, 6:30-9:30 PM. Get your tickets here.

Plus, every ticket you buy earns you an entry to win a custom Naptown Scoop duffel bag from 727 Sailbags!

“Meet one new person and learn one new thing!” That’s the Green Drinks motto, a regular get-together for people who care about the environment. We’ll drink to that! Save the date for their next meeting on July 16 in the picturesque William Paca House Gardens from 5:30–7:30 PM. Help celebrate plastic-free July with another high-quality, zero-waste event.

Nothing says summer like the Earleigh Heights Carnival, which rolled into town yesterday. It’s open now until July 20 from 6–11 PM but closed Sundays. Get ready for 40+ attractions like the Ferris wheel, carousel, games, and entertainment for the whole family. Fried Oreos, Italian sausages, funnel cakes, crab cakes, and ice-cold lemonade are a few foods to anticipate. This annual event, a Severna Park tradition for over seven decades, is both a fun summer night and a major fundraiser for the Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company. So come one, come all to have fun while supporting a great organization.

Here’s a way you can make a young person’s dreams take flight. The Pickle for Pilots tournament brings together pickleball players of all experience levels as a fundraiser supporting the Gregory S. Winton Esq. Scholarship. This year’s event is set for September 14 from 10 AM–5 PM at Safe Harbor Annapolis.

The scholarship — named after Gregory Winston, a local aviation attorney, commercial pilot, and flight instructor who passed away in 2021 — supports high school students aspiring to get their pilot’s licenses. Register or donate here.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

On the agenda for Monday’s County Council meeting:

The meeting is at 7 PM in the Arundel Center. The public is welcome to attend. Click here to submit testimony or watch online — 44 Calvert St, Annapolis, MD

Stories with ($) require a third-party subscription.

Call me entitled but I stand by that. Porta potties don’t belong at parties. Luxury restroom trailers do. If you don’t want guests using the toilets in your house (which we totally understand), the only option (if you want them to come back) is a luxury restroom trailer. And Royal Flush has the best ones around with the best amenities you’ve ever seen in a bathroom. Call 410-881-6848 or visit royalflushtoilets.com for a lightning fast quote.*

81 🌡️ 75 | 🌦️ | 83% | 💨 ESE 9 mph (8 knots)

86 🌡️ 76 | ⛈️ | 63% | 💨 SE 8 mph (7 knots)

92 🌡️ 77 | 🌤️ | 17% | 💨 SSE 9 mph (8 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 85ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

49 West | AJ Eckert & The Lovecats | 7–9 PM
Annapolis Smokehouse & Tavern | Dave Chappelle | 9 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Sidewalk Soul | 9 PM
Brian Boru | Meg & Bryan | 7–10 PM
The Choptank | Tim's Piano Show | 8 PM
Coconut Joe’s | The Sister Midnight Duo | 5–8 PM
Coconut Joe’s | Dagn Hart | 9 PM
Great Frogs | Alexander Peters | 4:30–7:30 PM
Killarney House | Pete Best | 8–11 PM
Libbey’s Coastal Kitchen | Mike Miller | 4–7 PM
Market House | Alex G and Chrissy | 8–11 PM
Market Space | Russ Jacobsen | 6–9 PM
Middleton Tavern | Brian Fitzsimons | 10 PM
Mother's Peninsula Grille | The Shatners | 8 PM
Pirates Cove | Kurt Gibbons | 7–10 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Cash Unchained | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Roadhouse | BoRoy | 8 PM
Rams Head Tavern | Emily & Chris | 5 PM
Rams Head Tavern | The Freebyrds | 10 PM
Reynolds Tavern | TBA | 7 PM
Romilo’s Restaurant and Bar | Wild Grey Hairz | 7 PM
Stan & Joe’s Riverside | Sydney Smith | TBA
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Nate & Jim | 9:45 PM

49 West | Bob Boguslaw’s Band | 8–10 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Noah Pierre Trio | 8 PM
Bread & Butter Kitchen | Michael K | 10 AM–1 PM
Brian Boru | Lauren and Rusty | 7–10 PM
Bridge’s Restaurant | Josette and Bill | 6-9 PM
The Choptank | Hunter Rich | 8 PM
Coconut Joe’s | Mark Desrochers | 2–5 PM
Coconut Joe’s | Tension | 9 PM
Dinner Under The Stars | Soul Journers | 6–9 PM
Great Frogs | Justin Singleton | 1–4 PM
Killarney House | Hyland Brothers | 8–11 PM
Market Space | Tim Atkinson | 2–6 PM
Middleton Tavern | Shiftwork| 10 PM
Mother's Peninsula Grille | The Grilled Lincolns | 8 PMPirates Cove | Mike Tony Scoglio | 3–6 PM
Pirates Cove | Luke Borchelt | 7–10 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Speidel, Goodrich, Goggin & Lille (SGGL) | 7:30 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Roadhouse | All You Need | 9 PM
Rams Head Tavern | Jesse Lee | 5 PM
Reynolds Tavern | TBA | 7 PM
Romilo’s Restaurant and Bar | A Classic Case | 7 PM
Severna Park Taphouse | Dave Tieff | 6 PM
Stan & Joe’s Riverside | Michael K | TBA
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Rockin Horsel | 9:45 PM

Bread & Butter Kitchen | Marilyn Hucek | 10 AM–1 PM
Coconut Joe’s | Dave Tieff | 2–5 PM
Galway Bay | Chris Baldwin | 4–8 PM
Great Frogs | Michael K | 1–4 PM
Market House | Elise Collette | 5–7 PM
Market Space | Anthony Broccolina | 2–6 PM
Mother's Peninsula Grille | Shwan Musselman | 12 PM
Pirates Cove | rinidad & Tobago Baltimore Steel Drum Duo | 2–5 PM
Pirates Cove | Grayson Moon | 6–9 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Fan Halen | 8 PM | Tickets
Severna Park Taphouse | Rik Ferrel | 2 PM
Stan & Joe’s Riverside | Ryan Keith | TBA
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Michael K | 9 PM

Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who makes a killer breakfast sandwich.