Now this place is a quintessential representation of the term "hidden gem" if I do say so myself…read more It's tucked away in a corner of Tremont on an unassuming street with an all black exterior sitting between apartments and ordinary homes in the neighborhood. It definitely gives off a mysterious vibe, kinda gets you curious as to what's inside. The moment you open the door there's splashes or color in every corner, a sexy marble bar with under lighting, a neon sign lighting up the phrase "forget me not," and as you weave your way through towards the back patio, each room greets you with a fun surprise of unique decor. Butterfly wallpaper, funky art, feather boas, and more. It honestly felt like we weren't in Cleveland anymore. As for the service, our bartender was awesome. He asked if it was our first time in and since it was, he explained the menu in detail and gave us suggestions based on what we tend to like. My friend went with a custom mocktail and I landed on the calla lily cocktail. It came with Watershed gin, lemon bitters, a sparkling white wine, and a few other ingredients I'm not privy to. It was strong, but smooth. It definitely left me curious to try more of the menu but alas, I don't live in Cleveland, so I'm not sure when I'll be able to return. This is 100% a place to take a date if you're wanting to impress, a spot to grab a drink with a small group of friends, or a cool bar to explore if you're visiting from out of town and enjoy a wonderful craft cocktail. I know they are fairly new and I have no doubt that they'll be sticking around.

Flower on Freeman is a super chic cocktail bar on the edge of Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood. It…read moreis impeccably decorated and designed and could easily be in found in someplace like LA or New York. The space is pretty cozy and intimate, which was especially felt as I came in on a cold, snowy December day. The bar had maybe 6 or so seats and the marble on it is beautiful and has awesome underlighting. Their cocktail menu is pretty expansive, with lots of really descriptive drink options. You can choose a drink based on a desired flavor profile and base alcohol. The bartender was super nice and helpful. I wanted to get a mocktail, they had a few on the menu to choose from, but the bartender ended up making me something. The space is small and cozy up front, but they also have another area in the back for a small group. They also seem to have a really nice patio. I'm looking forward to returning in warmer weather to check that out.

The basement bar has the best house/dance music in the city and never has a cover charge. The…read moreneighborhood is safe enough for groups to roam responsibly at night after a few drinks.

CLE's best kept secret!…read more A few of my friends raved about Smoke & Mirrors, so I finally checked it out. I stopped in during Stargazers Ball hosted by YoreCraeft Productions. It was a fun cosmic costume party at Smoke & Mirrors. Smoke & Mirrors delivers on their promise, there are mirror accents and intermittent smoke. They also have a lot of silver accents that have a cool juxtaposition with the cave look. You can find this nightclub underground at Clandestina on West 25th. Enter the club by going through mezcalería (Clandestina) and going downstairs. The club calls themselves "subterranean catacomb club." I'd describe it as a nightclub giving off speakeasy vibes with some exposed brick, cave vibes, and sultry red illumination. It's a very mysterious dungeon looking club. It's raw and unusual for the local nightclub scene in the very best of ways. The coolest space in this club is the once upon a time coal room that serves as a little private nook to sip your cocktails. The rest of the club has one dance floor, some comfy seats against the wall, and a small bar. It's very intimate. The club is mostly known for its EDM DJs. Don't expect big names but expect good music. You can find their lineup on their IG @smokeandmirrorscle. They're open on Thursdays for karaoke, and Saturdays for DJ and dancing. The party that I attended had a lot of dancing and good vibes. The club seems to have a cover charge, but the amount is not shared on their socials. The menu consists of cocktails, craft beer, and wine, which is a generous selection for a night club. There were some themed cocktails during my visit ranging from $8-$14. I certainly plan to stop by during a regular weekend night to check out the full experience and DJ's. You should too. If you drop in, stop Clandestina bathroom for a selfie with flattering light. Can't wait for my next visit!

We recently tried Velvet Tango Room for the first time and we walked in immediately impressed. Well…read morestaffed, dim lighting, and cozy cocktail tables and bar. I had a margarita and an espresso martini and both cocktails exceeded my expectations! The lime margarita was classic, slightly tart, and made me want another. The espresso martini was enjoyed by all - very smooth, full of flavor without making you feel full like some do because of too much cream, I assume. The space is cool, speak easy vibes, and the gentleman playing the piano was a nice tough with an ideal volume.

Been wanting to try Velvet Tango for forever as I've heard so many good things about it! It lived…read moreup to the hype. The interior is huge and dark, romantic, and vibey. There was a live jazz pianist in every room. The ambiance was great. Keep in mind they don't have dinner food, just bar snacks, so don't come expecting a meal. The drinks were definitely pricey, especially for Cleveland (~$20 per drink, give or take), so I don't plan on coming frequently, but it's a fun spot for a night out.

Huge mezcal and tequila and scotch list. Club downstairs. Wonderful cocktails too. They also serve…read morefood. The pb and j burger was delicious.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I heard this was "Nightmare before Christmas" themed. I had never…read morebeen to this bar but it's definitely my vibe. I love the darker lighting, brick and wood accents. The huge jack was a nice touch. To be honest, drinks were a tad steep compared to their sister location next door but it's obvi targeted for a certain kind of crowd. No one at the bar was ordering off the holiday menu and I wonder if pricing was a factor but not sure. Bartenders were very friendly and the ambiance was dark and quiet. I'll have to come back again to give it a chance but I would've loved more decor targeted at the movie.

Your destination for dancing all night!…read more Bird of Paradise is a nightclub/cocktail lounge in the basement of the Bright Side on W 25th. I visited this establishment multiple times with my latest visit being last night. I listened and danced to DJ King DOM. You can find the entrance to the Bird of Paradise by entering the Bright Side, following the pink arrow and going downstairs to the club. You'll enter a dim space that's giving tropical vacay and bird vibes. Think a bit of tropical wallpaper, neon accents, and feathered lamp shades. There are a few VIP areas to lounge in with vibrant velvet furniture. Most guests stand with overwhelming majority dancing and mingling. It's actually the most dancing I've seen at any local clubs. The club attracts really social and well-intentioned crowd. I met a lot of cool people during my visits here. Events at Bird of Paradise can be easily found on their IG @birdofparadiseohiocity. Don't expect to see any big DJ names, but the music is always good. They are open on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday only. Cover charge varies, usually $5-10, credit card only. They don't really state the cover charge on their socials or website, so it's always hard to tell what it will be. Dress code is very relaxed, most people arrive in casual attire. Drinks include a big selection of beer, wine, and cocktails. You can find most of their menu on their website. The bar is always very busy at all times. Personally, I found cocktails to be okay. I haven't found any cocktails at the Bird of Paradise that I was crazy about. At the same time, I love cocktails at the Bright Side. Service here is unfortunately very transactional. There's no warmth coming from anyone working here - door staff, bouncers or bartenders. That's really my only criticism of this establishment. Staff at the Bright Side is considerably more friendly and social. I wish that the experience would be consistent upstairs and downstairs. Overall, if you feel like dancing, head to the Bird of Paradise. You'll find a dance partner, everyone is always dancing. Check their Instagram for the latest events.

This cocktail bar was able to seat us without a reservation. The drinks were all incredible (do…read morenote that they change their menu up every 2-3 months). This current menu is designed as a DND campaign where you can drink and play with friends through the entire menu. I got the Heretics cocktail which is tequila based and it was herbaceous and delicious.

Ugh! This place is either great or horrible! It was horrible this time. They sat us at the worst…read moretable again after we confirmed a reservation for a special occasion. The hostess was on the phone when we arrived. We weren't given the table we requested in our reservation but the absolute worst table that was broken and by the bathroom. She wasn't very apologetic. It was a 5:30 reservation on a Saturday and the place wasn't packed. We told we would be asked to leave promptly at 7pm. The food was average and came out so fast I couldn't even enjoy my drink. It's so hard for us to go out and get a babysitter and this was just so disappointing.

The Warehouse District has a new upscale spot in town! Recently opening during NBA Allstar weekend…read morein CLE, it has already had the presence of many celebrities come through their doors. The setup has a wow factor as you enter the basement level of the building through a tunnel covered in plants and leading straight to your first photo opp! The circle with pink bench is a cute preview of what's inside. Once you check in with the hostess, enter through a door and welcome to the social club. Beautiful decor that mixes a level of sophistication with a little drama as you see the bright lights. Plenty of seating and even a private room that can be rented out. The drinks are phenomenal and the staff is friendly! The menu offers a mix of unique cocktails (and can be made as mocktail a too) and small bites. Upon recommendation, I tried the F.W. Marg drink. So good! The most unique aspect is the watermelon ice cube. As it melts the drink flavor changes. Creative & fun way to enjoy a cocktail. They open at 5pm, which would be a great spot for chill happy hour. Later in the evening, you'll experience more of a lounge/club vibe. Great edition to downtown CLE!

We hosted a Young Professional networking event here, which was new for me because typically I only…read morefind myself arriving late on a weekend. I'm so happy we did because Stella made sure we had a stellar time (she put the Stella in Stellar? Sorry, nerd status) and the food provided was super fresh and the staff was so attentive. We had a pretty large group all come in at once and they got us through quickly with our first round of drinks! The ambiance is intimate enough where you can step aside to a table for a nice convo or large enough to create a dancing space where we you're at... which was exactly what some of us did because the music was just too tempting. From a more organized event to a late night par-tay mentality, the subtle and eclectic vibes of Lost put you in the right head space. Highly recommend!

This place is an absolute must visit. I've travelled extensively and this spot has earned one of my…read moretop favorite places to eat. We had the arancini, root vegetable latkes, fried calamari and veal meatballs. The sauce for the meatballs was the kind of sauce you want more of to dip your bread into. The meatball was perfectly seasoned and tender. The star is the calamari. Do not let the idea of kimchi throw you off, it made the dish. My husband does not like kimchi and he polished off more of this than I did. Service was top notch both in service and conversation. And while the tavern is small, it just adds the right vibe.

"We are really busy," the ambivalent host said when he forgot to seat us after sitting his bros who…read morejust rolled up on 1/16/26. This was after spending an hour and a half wait at the bar (said we'd be sat in 45 minutes, then blamed the bartenders for the oversight). Nope. Had a good experience here before but that was a couple of years ago. 1 and only star goes to the bartenders who made lovely cocktails for our party of 5. Cleveland has a lot of good competition.

Have I never reviewed this place?! One of my favorite…read moredaytime places in Ohio city and maybe all of the Cleveland area. Creative light fare dishes, feels very affordable for the caliber of quality. This place is fantastic to work in all day. Even better if you can have lunch with one of your best friends and a cocktail! Every guest is started off with a jar of water and a QR code that you can use to order or you can order at the bar. Using the QR code when working is so convenient. The interior is flawless, lots of old character paired with modern, alfresco design.

My friend and I went over to Patron Saint Cafe + Bar after grabbing lunch nearby. It was a cute,…read morequiet spot, and I can see why it was popular among workers and students. We helped ourselves to seats in front of the giant window and were handed menus right away by a server. My friend mentioned that spritzes were their specialties, and I noticed their expansive menu of them. I got the St. Germain Spritz with lychee flavors, and it was everything I wanted it to be. Sweet, refreshing, and fruity. I tried my friend's Spaghett's spritz. It was made with Miller High Life, which was interesting, but surprisingly good! The palate was so much different than my cocktail as it was more on the bitter side. Since we had finished lunch, I found it appropriate to get dessert at Patron Saint. We got the polar pear cake, which was an ice box cake made with pears and whipped ricotta. I liked that it wasn't overly sweet, and the pears were poached perfectly. I wasn't the biggest fan of the ricotta. Maybe a sweetened mascarpone would've been a better alternative for me.

Pins is so much fun! The duckpin bowling is reasonably priced and always a great time (but note…read morethat there can be a wait at times). The cocktails are all on the sweeter side but I think they are very good. The free skiball, arcade games, and giant jenga are lots of fun.

We love pins. But every location acts the same as if you should know exactly how it works. We asked…read moreto buy two games for our party and she laughed saying we could only buy one game at a time. Sorry! Guess we forgot to read the handbook. We never had any server come ask if we wanted drinks. We wanted to order food but the pizza place they had on their barcode wasn't accepting orders. Meh.