In its place, the Baltimore-based restaurant group, Atlas, announced a multimillion-dollar renovation. Two new restaurants are set to open in late summer of 2025. Marmo, an Italian Choptank, and Armada – a vibrant tequila bar with half its seating along Ego Alley. 

Before we turn the page on the new additions, let’s take a walk down memory lane from three decades of the iconic restaurant and bar in downtown Annapolis.

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When we asked for memories, we received a broad-range of responses. Someone asked, “Wait, are we supposed to remember things that happened at Pusser’s?” Another wrote, “Mine are not PG”. Both sources shall remain unnamed. Below are some names we can share. 

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Staff

In late 1994, a long-time bartending friend asked Matt Partovi (known to all as MacGyver, including this writer/former neighbor/customer) to help with a new bar and restaurant called Pusser’s. MacGyver offered a year of his time, and expected to move onto a different career afterward. 

“Here I am 30 years later and still part of the Pusser’s team,” MacGyver said. “Over the years I have seen a lot of great people come and go, including awesome staff and great customers.”

He estimates over 1,000 regular customers from about every place you can think of. 

“It’s not easy to walk away from those people, so I still pull the occasional shift or even just stop in to visit,” he added. “This year will mark my 30th boat show, and I will be working with members of the staff from years ago, as we say goodbye to all those great years.”

One of longest Pusser’s tenured employees is Senior Catering Sales Manager Hilary Peret. She noted how it's often overlooked that Pusser's Catering and Banquet Department run weddings, USNA reunions, and corporate events. 

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"What I will miss most is the formed relationships,” Peret began, “like the weddings, being a part of the most special day of people's lives, and the holiday parties, collaborating with the same team to come up with new ideas year after year.”  

Chris Townsend has been the food and beverage director for Pusser’s from 2009-2024, an honor he holds dear. 

“From the employees to the customers, we had an opportunity to host some great events and parties. The relationships and memories will last forever,” Townsend said. 

Painkillers

Pusser’s and Painkillers just go together. The famous drink is a blend of Pusser's Rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, and cream of coconut, served on the rocks with an orange slice, cherry, and freshly grated nutmeg. You need to be careful, as Painkillers can sneak up on you . . . See an ordering cheat sheet: 

Level 1 – Doesn’t exist. Sounds like a French apartment. 

Level 2 – The weakest, but beware, still strong. 

Level 3 – Stronger.

Level 4 – The Strongest. 

Level 5 – (Allegedly) not offered in Annapolis, only at Pusser’s in the British Virgin Islands. Side note: Pusser’s has five BVI locations, plus one in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

For Severna Park resident, Larry Sells, Pusser’s is his “Painkiller boating stop.” 

He docked there recently in his boat named Toodle-oo and had lunch with a buddy. “I wanted to partake of the docking at Pusser's experience before it closed,” Sells began, “so, I pulled up, got lunch and had a world-famous Level 2 Painkiller.” 

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Romance

Since 1994, Pusser’s has operated all food and beverage service for the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel. This relationship has enabled Pusser’s to hold over 1,000 weddings (on average 50 weddings a year) and events. It’s commonplace to see brides in formal gowns hanging out at the dock bar. 

Many couples first crossed paths at the restaurant/dock bar. 

Kristin Fletcher met her husband at Pusser’s. “My brother also met his wife there; it was like a family tradition,” she shared. 

“Priscilla and I met at Pusser’s the night before Thanksgiving! You can meet a nice guy at a bar!,” says John A. Rosso Jr., SIOR, Principal, Rosso Commercial Real Estate.

In 2014, MacGyver got engaged during a party on the upper patio at Pusser’s. For anyone wondering, his now wife said “yes!” The Navy SEAL skydive team jumped from an airplane overhead. “Yes it was for the Father’s Day celebration, but it couldn’t have looked more like it was for me if it was,” MacGyver recounted.

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Sightings

According to MacGyver, he’s had the opportunity to meet a lot of famous people over the years at Pusser’s. From Ravens Owner Steve Bisciotti to Ravens defensive tackle Tony Siragusa, plus Bill Belichick, former GM for the New England Patriots, to name a few. 

“We had a lot of Maryland legislators stay in the hotel and frequent the bar over the years,” MacGyver added.

Don’t forget the thousands of Navy Midshipman who’ve traveled a short distance from campus. 

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Special Events 

On June 19, the owners held a reunion for former and current employees, staff, family, friends, and longtime customers at the restaurant’s dockside bar. More than 100 people attended to toast the restaurant’s legacy with none other than the signature drink: the Painkiller.

“Most of my summer memories in Annapolis in my 20s involve Pusser’s in one way or another,” said Kearny Raver, a West Annapolis resident. “I don’t know a lot of bars where people would do a ‘farewell’ night – but I had my second one recently . . . and I’m not even from here originally!” 

In 2006, Maryland Women’s Lacrosse alumni hosted a happy hour at the popular Annapolis watering hole as Hall of Fame head coach Cindy Timchal prepared to leave the University of Maryland. Timchal, with over four decades of coaching experience and eight national titles, was set to lead the U.S. Naval Academy's Women’s Lacrosse program.

“This was a crew of women who had all played under Cindy. It was a roast/honoring of all Cindy did for us as players and people going off into the world,” Meg Mallon, and former Terp Lacrosse player. 

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‍Shenanigans

‍Naturally, three decades of drinking Painkillers will lead to some shenanigans. I personally witnessed a bar fight that ended with people falling in the water. Anyone scooting by on the dock bar has feared it too. My best friend said if she ever fell in the water, she’d swim towards Dock Street to avoid the humiliation. Said best friend also always volunteered to hold my purse, so I could pretend I belonged in the middle of a dance circle.  

On Thanksgiving Eve, Pusser’s was always the place to be. So much so, that catching a cab home was nearly impossible. 

“We waited too long and had to call my dad, who thankfully picked me and my best friend up after 2 AM,” said Laura Korpon, who was in college at the time. 

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Goodbye Tour‍

Like the 29 years prior, Pussers will continue to be the place to be during the Annapolis Boat Shows. Pussers will host the annual Boat Show Bash on Friday, October 11, from 6:30–9:30 PM. Bring your dancing shoes for ’80s rock band Weird Science.

“We will forever be part of the Downtown Annapolis Restaurant scene. Raise your glass to the food, fun, rum, and good times had by all,” Townsend said.

We will all miss that indescribable feeling that anything can happen when you pull up to Pussers, whether by boat, Uber, or foot. Thanks for the memories Pussers. Unlike a night filled with Level 4 Painkillers, we will never forget you.