Cease & Desist Book Club is easily one of the coolest spots in downtown Spokane. Hidden behind a…read morebookshelf, this speakeasy absolutely nails the vibe--exposed brick, dark wood, warm lighting, a killer bar, and great cocktails. Moody, mysterious, and full of character. Finding the secret entrance is half the fun. Definitely a must-stop in Spokane!

Big bourbon establishment. I call it an establishment instead of a restaurant or bar since it's an…read moreexperience. An inverted escape room where it's a a bit challenging to get in (given that the bar is mostly hidden behind a bookcase), but once you're in, you want to stay. The gentleman at the bar was friendly and very knowledgeable about the many spirits they offer. It's a great date night spot, or to just hang out and enjoy the ambiance.

We were in Spokane for business and stopped in at the recommendations of several locals…read more You know that movie scene where a stranger walks into a bar and a record scratches and the music stops and all the regulars turn and stare. That's this place.

Ambiance and service reign supreme at this festive bar. For Christmas Cheer this is THE PLACE to…read morebring friends and family. Decorated like Santa's personal bar this place is hopping and they have popcorn popping. (I hear you can bring in food from Cochinitos' next door). The drinks are creative and artfully mixed and served with efficiency and a smile. If there is a waiting line outside, don't let that deter you, it's worth the wait.

I recently moved to Spokane and to be honest this bar is leagues above some of the other popular…read moreones. Clear ice cubes, chilled glasses, interesting and creative drinks from light and boozy. Everything was well balanced. The food also was better than some other spots that people recommended. Idk maybe I got lucky on a good night or something but I'll be coming back for sure!

4.5 stars This is…read moresuper cool basement bar in Spokane that also serves bomb food. I got the cider on tap, the ramen, and the PB & J burger special. I was surprised at how amazing the ramen was at a whiskey bar. The burger was also decadent and flavorful. My only nit is there only seems to be one person working and when it gets busy it's hard to get that person's attention. I get it though. The interior is cozy but a touch of sophisticated.

This place is crazy ... it's INSANELY tiny but the drinks are out of this world. If you're looking…read morefor a truly unique experience ... this is the place to go.

I've never been to a cocktail bar like this, and I can't wait to try it again. It's a unique space…read moreand quietly intimate. I liked how even though the place was small, the mixologist wasn't in our face and he paid attention to what he was doing, taking care with our orders. They have a nicely stocked bar with more options across the board than I would expect. But the reason this gem shines is because of their creative and delicious drink menu. I highly recommend trying it, especially if you enjoy trying drinks you can't get anywhere else that are made with quality ingredients and perfectly mixed flavors. Even if you aren't an adventurous drinker, I think you'll find something that will appeal (although I'm sure they can make a delicious version of your favorite drink). I write this because I'm super basic about the cocktails I like and rarely venture out of my comfort zone, until something sounds good. I don't like brandy, never heard of peacorn (peach and corn) syrup, but the Peacorn Sour called to me, and it was soooo worth it. I also tasted S's cocktail, though I've forgotten the name, and it had bourbon, which I don't like on its own at all, and I thought it was good. Not drink an entire one on my own good, but if I liked bourbon, this would be fantastic! good. (S confirmed the quality.) We'll be going back, and I'll look forward to whatever new delights they have to offer.

I will be coming back SPECIFICALLY for the hummus! They rotate flavors and they were all so…read moreincredibly delicious. The cocktails were amazing, the bartenders are super knowledgeable and can substitute or make something up--with or without alcohol. The vibes are immaculate

Such a lovely, casual place to meet up with friends! Two of my favorite people were coming through…read moretown on a long road trip back to the westside of the state, and I was looking for somewhere somewhat quiet and close to their hotel that we could catch up. Being full of plants and dog friendly added to the appeal for our crew. The service and cocktails were top notch, though I was a little sad that most of the food options I was interested in were not available. The charcuterie and hummus plates were nice, and ample servings for our whole table. Our small group had a great experience, and I truly hope more people will recognize what a gem this place is!

Agave- Stopped in here to share a small bite . Fun atmosphere, attentive and friendly service,…read moredelicious Birria tacos. Pros: - fun, beautiful atmosphere, would be a fun for a large group or evening drinks - all the drinks looked good but I asked for something off the menu- a skinny spicy margarita. I appreciated the offer to make whatever I wanted and it had a kick! Loved it! - Birria tacos were delicious and perfect to share - friendly , attentive and welcoming service! - easy parking , right next door in the pay lot Cons: - cocktails have a lot of ice, more than needed imo. I'll definitely be back!

We went to Agave tonight for dinner and drinks before a show, and honestly, this place has a lot of…read morepotential. The atmosphere was really enjoyable -- the space has a great vibe, the drinks were well made, and overall it feels like somewhere that could become a favorite spot downtown. The food was decent as well, though not especially memorable. Unfortunately, the service completely overshadowed the positives. From the moment we walked in, we felt more like an inconvenience than welcomed guests. The host greeted us while remaining seated at the bar and simply told us to "sit anywhere," which immediately set an odd tone. When I asked for paper menus, I was told they only use QR codes. Normally that wouldn't be a huge issue, but the menu was around 15 pages long with tiny font, making it frustrating to navigate on a phone. Once our food arrived, we essentially never saw our server again. No check-ins, no refill offers, no asking if we wanted another round of drinks -- nothing. Meanwhile, staff members were gathered at the bar loudly talking among themselves and openly complaining about being there, which was uncomfortable to listen to as customers trying to enjoy a night out. Eventually, we had to walk up to the front bar ourselves just to pay our bill. That was the most disappointing part because the restaurant truly has the foundation to be excellent. The ambiance and drinks are already there, but hospitality matters just as much as the food. A little attentiveness and genuine customer service would have completely changed the experience. We absolutely would have ordered more drinks and likely stayed longer if anyone had checked on us. Hopefully management takes service more seriously, because this place could be great with the right staff culture and attention to guests.

This place is SOOOO cute. I went with a girlfriend, super chill atmosphere, dark, mellow. The…read moreowner was also our server and she really knows her cocktails. Absolutely delicious and we had the charcuterie plate which was fabulous. Will definitely go again.

Tucked away in downtown Spokane, this is a great spot for girls' night or date night. It's cozy and…read moremoody in all the right ways. The espresso martini flight is a must if you like espresso martinis!

I've given Bistango multiple chances over the years because I enjoy the atmosphere and want to…read moresupport local Spokane businesses, but unfortunately the customer service has been consistently disappointing. Most recently, on a Friday evening around 7 PM, my party was seated near the end of the bar by the restroom area. A server approached me in a confrontational manner and told me to move my chair because it was blocking the walkway. I immediately complied and moved it where he directed. Despite that, he repeatedly pushed and squeezed past the chair in an aggressive way several times afterward and then returned to confront me about it again. The interaction felt hostile, unnecessary, and unprofessional. Unfortunately, this wasn't an isolated incident. On a previous visit, a female server was rude and controlling toward our table, and on another occasion when we were unhappy with a menu item, the response was essentially, "You ordered it, you pay for it," with no attempt to address the concern professionally. The atmosphere is great, which is why we've continued to come back. However, after several visits involving rude and confrontational interactions with staff, it feels more like an ongoing culture issue than a one-time bad experience. I don't expect special treatment, but I do expect basic courtesy and respect. Hopefully management takes these concerns seriously and works to improve the customer experience.

Cozy bar with a fun bartender. Martinis and mojito. The food we had was all good; truffle fries,…read morecalamari , and lots of fish tacos. We're going to recommend this place to all our friends!

4.5 stars This is a…read morecool sophisticated bar spot in downtown Spokane. The interior is dark and sexy. There is an upstairs and a downstairs with spacious table + bar seating. The kitchen is also an open kitchen - how cool! The service staff are enthusiastic about the food and very polite. Both the food and cocktails are SO GOOD. I had some sort of spritz and it was super sweet. We split the mussels ($29), Market Fresh Fish (cod, $32), and the steak tartare ($22). The steak tartare is SUPER garlicky be forewarned, but really good. The mussels are huge and tasty, and the fish of the day was fresh and beautifully plated/cooked.

Service 10/10 We made reservations the day of and got a…read moregreat table! The waitress/ hostess was attentive and friendly, but not overly enthusiastic which I really like. Our drinks were always full and she answered all our questions. She brought me beer samples to figure out which one I wanted. The waiter was busy but always greeted and said goodbye to all guests coming and going. Food 10/10 For the tablet we got calamari, the Durkins famous double cheeseburger and the fried bologna sandwich. The food was extremely fresh! The cheese was melted to perfection. We left with full bellies but not feeling heavy. The food was decadent but not greasy. My husband got a mocktail, spiced cranberry and it was fabulous! My husband and I can't wait to go back. We paid approximately $100 with tip, so it's not cheap, but WORTH IT for the quality of food and service.

It's time for our annual trip to Spokane for my wife's immersion and if you follow my reviews at…read moreall, you know that my job on vacation is to coordinate the food. This evening we decided we would go to Sorella. A gorgeous photo of their focaccia brought us in. Since finishing chemo and radiation for my breast cancer, food has been an interesting experience for me, so when I want something, I go for it immediately. I will note, if you're interested in trying Sorella, BOOK A TABLE! We were able to snag seats at the bar, but even on a Tuesday, this place is in demand, and after enjoying our meal, I can see why. When we walked in, we were stunned. Beyond the natural light flooding into the roo,m there were gorgeous deep teal walls with a gallery wall and gold accents. The bar was adorned with gorgeous counter tops that had low lights, and a mix of velvety chairs gave it a soft luxe feel. The aroma of the food was lightly sprinkled throughout, and the décor were simply stunning. It would be a great place to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, date night or just a casual moment with friends. A full menu is available at the bar and the staff was incredibly attentive - more details on our experience are below, after the food review. Now let's talk about what we ordered. We got the Focaccia (of course), Arancini, Dante's meatballs, the Cesare, the Limone and a Pasta Speciale. Focaccia - 10/10 I love when food tastes as good as it looks. The focaccia melted in my mouth and carried so much flavor on its own. The whipped brown butter was such an excellent addition and truly a masterpiece to add to it. I could have easily ordered two more (and I should have). Arancini - My rating 7/10, My wife's rating 9/10 The presentation was beautiful on this dish. My rating centers around my taste buds not aligning with the flavor profile, and not really knowing what to expect. I find myself preferring a stronger, almost cheesy flavor now, and this was a bit more subtle. My wife, however, fully enjoyed them and loved the flavor they carried even without the sauce. Dante's Meatballs 10/10 Spectacular, give me 12! These were so delicious, the meat was so flavorful and the sauce, WHEW the sauce was delicious. Yes, we did dip the focaccia in the sauce. Cesare - 10/10 I love a good salad, and Caesar is my favorite. At other restaurants, I find myself wanting more dressing or more flavor ,and I often feel like pieces of the salad are missed when preparing. This salad was dressed from end to end. We squeezed the lemon on top, and it sealed the deal. Every bite was fresh and had a slight crunch and crisp that was exactly what we were looking for. Limone - 10/10 When we looked at the menu, my wife glanced over and immediately knew what I was ordering, and after my first bite, I was so glad that I did. The execution of this dish was perfect. The noodles were thick and almost creamy alongside the butter, and there was the perfect balance with the parmigiana reggiano. When I order it again (because we will be back), I will definitely add prawns. Pasta Speciale - 8/10 I meant to snap a photo of the menu, but this was on the special menu. There were prawns, mornay, garlic, arugula and a few other things that I am forgetting. The prawns were incredibly fresh, as were the noodles, and the flavors blended very nicely in this dish. Lemonade - 10/10 The lemonade was delicious! I don't know that I've mentioned this on any of my reviews before, but I love lemonade and order it with every meal outside of breakfast. This lemonade was the perfect balance of tart and sweet. Limoncello - 10/10 We shared two of the housemade limoncello shots to go as we were checking out, and I wish I had recorded our reaction. The execution of the flavor was perfect, and it definitely packed a punch! Our server/bartender was Mary Katherine, and beyond being the sweetest, she was also incredibly knowledgable of the menu. As luck would have it, we ended up sitting next to the owner's family and got to chat with her amazing Mother throughout the night (who was kind enough to let her try some of her delicious lasagna) and ended up meeting the owner. Lauren, the owner, took a pause to talk to us, and it was so evident that she is truly such a brilliant and sweet soul. She radiates, and who she is as a person aligns exactly with how Sorella feels: ethereal. Overall, we had an amazing experience, from the ambiance to the service, the conversation at the bar, and the delicious food. We cannot wait to try Fratello's, the sandwich shop also owned by Lauren, this week.

This is a cool little spot. The decor is really fun in a gothic antique kind of way. While also…read morebeing classy. It is tight inside, not a lot of space. Which normally would be cozy, but I wanted to feel less intimate with my neighbors on a date night with my husband. The service was fine. There when we needed, but didn't hover. The food: from the very thing I'd heard and how busy this place seems to be I expected perfection. I anticipated being blown away. Unfortunately, I wasn't. In my opinion it was just okay. The lasagna my husband got was okay, but pretty typical. The steak with the yellow chimichurri that I got was not good at all. My steak didn't have a lot of flavor on its own and I did not like the Chimichurri at all. It was quite the bummer. I'm glad we finally gave it a try. It was okay, but I can't say I'm in a rush to go back.