The exterior of the Trophy Room patio at the Graduate Annapolis Hotel

 

When the Graduate Annapolis hotel opened in October 2019, it was a welcome addition to our hospitality scene, with creative décor that reflected us well including maritime signal flags behind the reception desk, an atrium filled with vintage ship paintings, and a life-size photo of USNA grad-turned NBA played David Robinson standing in the lobby.

 

the lobby area of the Graduate Hotel Annapolis.

The Grand lobby and Reception Area of the Graduate Annapolis Hotel.
Image courtesy of the Graduate Hotel.

 

The hotel’s original restaurant, named Camp Severn Shore, shut its doors early on in the pandemic, but reopened on Thursday April 8 as the rebranded Trophy Room, a concept that runs across multiple Graduate Hotels. The redesign kept the airy open floor plan, with oversized windows, loads of seating, and doors that lead to a wide patio with a sofa-style conversation pit and a covered, street-facing gallery for outdoor dining. They added trophy cases filled with vintage trophies, in keeping with the name. But they kept much of the existing décor, including the wall of the cheeky sea-captain portraits by the bar.

 

The Trophy Case in the Trophy Room bar and Restaurant at the Graduate Annapolis Hotel

Trophy cases filled with vintage trophies are an homage to the new restaurant's namesake.
Image courtesy of the Author.
 

The big change is amping up the fun level with games galore: two foosball tables by the open kitchen, table shuffleboard, plus deluxe Scrabble, Jenga sets and other games scattered about the tables. Outside on the patio is a cornhole set, with navy and gold bean bags. And they’ll have live music and DJs to add to the atmosphere.

 

A view of the newly refurbished and rebranded bar and restaurant at the Graduate Annapolis Hotel.

The Trophy Room’s overall aim is to be like a spacious, comfy living room, where hotel guests can feel like home.
Image courtesy of the author.

 

For dining, the reimagined focus is retro comfort food. Frito pie (think chili over corn chips, topped with cheddar and sour cream) will have you back in your dorm-room days in a good way, and the PB&J burger—two all-beef patties with a dollop of peanut butter and a spread of grape jelly—is surprisingly tasty. You can also get your beef burger topped with American or Pimento cheese, and they all come with a side of Old Bay-dusted crinkle fries. Chicken and waffles, buffalo fried cauliflower, and a BBQ bowl topped with grilled chicken or salmon are other tasty options.

 

PBJ Burger and Fries with a Guinness Open Gate Brewery Blonde

The PB&J burger—two all-beef patties with a dollop of peanut butter and a spread of grape jelly—is surprisingly tasty.
Image courtesy of the author.

 

At the bar, try creative cocktails like the Maryland mule, made with rye whiskey; an Adult Capri Sun, with vodka, blue curacao and pineapple; or an Orange Crush made with naval (get it?) orange. There are a slew of options on tap, including Fordham & Dominion’s Oak Barrel Stout from Delaware, and Virginia’s Bold Rock Cider, plus more brews by the bottle or can. And in case you really want to relive your college days, they have jello shots as well.

 

Scrabble and shuffle board and foosball can be played at the Trophy Room at the Graduate Annapolis

Games, jello shots and comfy décor transport you back to your college days.
Image courtesy of the author.

 

The Trophy Room’s overall aim is to be like a spacious, comfy living room, where hotel guests can feel like home. But it should also be a stop on the locals’ hit list. I’ll see you at the shuffleboard table.