Running Monday through April 3, the first Light City Baltimore festival will soon take over the Inner Harbor with 50 installations of tech art, while potentially drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors.

While the event's success remains to be seen, one thing is for certain: It's going to be harder than usual to get a drink downtown. But whether you're a tourist or simply haven't bar-hopped by the Inner Harbor in a long time, there are plenty of options to avoid the chains and usual suspects — all within walking distance of the festival.

Argosy Cafe (7 N. Calvert St., 443-869-2942; argosycafe.com)

Hours: 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday

When it came time to choose a location for his cafe-meets-lounge, the father-son team of Jay and James Shaffer picked downtown for its potential. They liked the combination of Inner Harbor foot traffic and the ongoing development of surrounding apartment buildings.

James Shaffer hopes to draw crowds for meals in the morning and drinks later in the day. For Light City attendees, Argosy will sweeten the deal with a free house drip coffee with the purchase of a breakfast burrito or sandwich. They will also receive 10 percent off their food and drink bills after 7 p.m. during the week.

What makes it worth a stop? Argosy Cafe has the right combination of house-made food (bacon, roast beef and matchstick French fries that “have been described as crack by most people that have them,” James Shaffer said) and beer options (eight rotating drafts of local and craft favorites from $4-$8).

Peter's Pour House (111 Mercer St., 410-539-5818, peterspourhouse.com)

Hours: 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Monday; 8:30 a.m.-2 a.m. Tuesday-Sunday

Peter Kimos' pub looks like an ideal neighborhood hangout, so much so that “House of Cards“ shot there for Episode 2 of the Netflix drama's latest season.

“People come in from New York City, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, and say, ‘Oh my God, it's like being home.' It's the same atmosphere [of their local bar],” owner Peter Kimos said.

The prices reflect the approachability, with all-day specials that include $5 32-ounce National Bohemian, $4 Jagermeister, $3 Fireball, $4 vodka bombs, $5 crushes and $5 Bloody Marys.

What makes it worth a stop? “Even strangers walk in the door and two minutes later, they're full-tilt into a conversation and feel like they've been customers forever,” said Kimos.

Pratt Street Ale House (206 W. Pratt St., 410-244-8900, prattstreetalehouse.com)

Hours: 11 a.m.-2 a.m. daily

Pratt Street Ale House offers the space (six bar areas across three floors and a patio) to enjoy locally made beers without feeling overcrowded. If you mention you're a Light City attendee, the bar will take 10 percent off your total bill.

And you will want to try these beers, made by the bar's Oliver Breweries. (For drafts, you'll have 24 options of mostly Oliver brews to choose from.)

What makes it worth a stop? Pratt Street Ale House makes an ideal first stop for out-of-towners, sales director Stephen Walsh said. “Often, we're a gateway, and from here people realize they should go see this and that as well,” he said.

Water Street Tavern (102 Water St., 410-605-9495)

Hours: 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-midnight Sunday

Water Street Tavern and its Key West-inspired patio will allow you to escape the heavy foot traffic without retreating indoors to a low-lit bar.

It's always happy hour here, and its regular prices back it up: $2.95 rail drinks, domestic bottles, 16-ounce National Bohemian and Yuengling drafts; $3.95 imported bottles and house wines; $4.95 22-ounce Boh and Yuengling drafts.

What makes it worth a stop? “We welcome you as you are,” said bar manager Candis Horney said, pointing out the relaxed vibe and lack of strict dress code.

17 Light (17 Light St., 410-454-8904, 17-light.com)

Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday; 5 p.m.-11 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday

Once in a while, a hotel bar is the overlooked oasis among the throngs. At 17 Light, inside the Residence Inn by Marriott, the handsomely designed bar could be the setting you need to catch a breather.

Weekday happy-hour specials include $4 draft beers, $4 house wines, $4 single rail liquors and $5 small plates like Buffalo shrimp and potstickers.

What makes it worth a stop? For travelers using the Metro subway, 17 Light's location makes it a prime stop before the Inner Harbor, general manager Patrick Miner said. “It's a good place to pregame before going out to the festival,” he said.

wesley.case@baltsun.com

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