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Literary Tavern

4.5 (117 reviews)
ModerateCocktail Bars
Open • Closed

Literary Tavern Photos

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LITERARY TAVERN ATMOSPHERE

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Moderate noise
Hipster
Casual
Trendy

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Recommended Reviews - Literary Tavern

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Through the window
Jennifer T.

Great Cocktails. We were told to come here and the recommendation did not disappoint. The Espresso Martini was just ok. Too sweet for me. My second drink was amazing, Through the Window. I have never had a Cantaloupe cocktail with black pepper, sage etc. The only disappointment was coming back the next night and they were sold out. The downfalls of pre-batched cocktails. We have been back several times now and have always had delicious cocktails and good service. It gets very busy and it's very loud.

Anna H.

I love this place and if I lived in Tremont I would be a regular. We sat at the bar for a drink and had fries to snack on. Very good, and great, friendly service. My cocktail was unique and quite good. Wine poured on top. The Tavern Fries were so good, and came with both ketchup and a black garlic aioli that I loved. Cozy seating in the front room with the bar, and a dining room beyond.

LIT burger
Brendon B.

Unique themed drinks all with a mocktail or thc option great for anybody with specific drink taste. The burger was delicious and a great environment

Pira K.

Went to Literary Tavern to meet up with some friends after work and was able to get seated quickly! We didn't make a reservation so I'm glad we got a table! Ordered a couple of cocktails and shared some amazing truffle fries! Drinks were creative and delicious, and the truffle fries were delicious when paired with the garlic aioli! The vibes of Literary Tavern was laid back and chill and super cute!

Blood Fountain
Jacqueline P.

Slipped away into a slice of unnoticed Tremont but yet steps from Lincoln Park and the Professor strip is this little spot...Don't blink, you might miss it! There are so many great eats in the coolest neighborhood in the 216 but I encourage you to add this one to your list. Walking in the door of this narrow establishment, you can tell it's a gathering spot for regulars. I love their slogan of come in as strangers but leave as friends because sweet Katie who was working as hostess, bartender and server extraordinaire proved it true! When I spoke to her on the phone, I already I liked her because she ended with See You Soon! Guess who greeted us with a beautiful smile? We sat on the patio which is really the alley between the blogs but in Tremont, that adds to the funky vibe. We paused at first, but sat next to another table of guests and before we left 1.5/2hrs later, most of the tables had filled. The drinks were wonderful and if you like unusual, craft drinks...here ya go! The sidecar did not miss and was on point and the Blood Fountain was as pretty as delicious! How can you go wrong mixing bourbon and malbec! The selection of creativity is spectacular! I enjoyed the chicken swarma, full of tender chicken and dipping goodness and truffle fries! Archie took over as server and he filled in every bit as well as Katie. We really enjoyed the music, the vibe and interesting taste offerings, whether bits or sips. Stop by... drink a "Corny as Kansas", on me (psyche). Drinks constantly change!

Old fashioned
Jacob B.

Not what you expect from the outside. Absolutely a cozy date spot with great cocktails, shareable and entrees. Sit at the bar and ask for the bartenders favorite for an exception time with great service.

Coconut curry muscles and broccoli dip (my favorite)
Amanda D.

Enjoyed the flavorful food, the atmosphere and the quick service. Wasn't too busy for lunch on a Wednesday. The falafel balls were a bit salty, but I still enjoyed them.

Blood Fountain and Godzilla Water
Katie B.

Godzilla Water and Blood Fountain - we celebrated my birthday well. Literary Tavern provides a vibe, delicious cocktails, and great service.

Colette W.

Absolutely amazing . I was the only one there so the service was good, got a smash burger and truffle fries, and the drink I got was amazing too (it's called the Princesa something). Literally zero complaints! Good music/cute inside too.

Mark R.

Have had cocktails here before but our dinner on Friday was the first time we have eaten here. Our food was excellent all around and the cocktails on point. Service was friendly and attentive. Vibrant atmosphere - really fun.

Calamari
Katy C.

I was expecting some literary references at the Literary Tavern, but what I got instead was a great cocktail and the best snack we had while in town, so I'm not mad. Nate and I stopped in and grabbed a seat at the bar. I got a very tasty old fashioned for only $11 which was a steal. Nate ordered the Tony, Toni, Tonic, which we both loved. Great cocktails here! We were a bit hungry so we went with the calamari, which was a very generous portion and had an Asian twist with the sauces and kimchi. When I tell you this is some of the best calamari I've had, I mean it. Tender and not at all rubbery and so flavorful and delicious. We devoured this and both agreed it was our favorite food we ate in town. I think this would be my spot if I lived in the area. Not sure when we'll be back in Cleveland, but Literary Tavern would be on my "let's go back" list.

Comfortable, uncluttered
Keith M.

Wonderful location, easy to park. Quaint, comfortable community. Walk in, grab a seat, get comfortable. Service is easy going, friendly, efficient and effective. Good music... just enough, not too much. Perfect for having a conversation. And to top it all off the food is GREAT!!! I honestly believe I had the best burger I have ever had in my life. And my wife had the veal meatballs that were excellent. Two glasses of good wine. What else could you possibly ask for? Oh ya, and we shared the blueberry bread pudding. It was so absolutely fabulous I thought we would get into a wrestling match over the last piece. Best bread pudding ever, ever, EVER!We have now been there 4 times for lunch and the consistency is astounding... this is no accident. I love this joint. You will love this joint. Just go...right now... just go.

Ben R.

This place is the bomb. Great and fun staff. If you like wine like me, it has a good list. My friends that like beer tell me they love the selection there. The food is great. Try the golden duck! Best I have had in a long time! As well as the torte! A friend of mine that is more burgers and beer raves about the fries. I had a few on a previous visit and they are quite good! Love the windows and look of the bar and tables!

Bolgogi sandwich

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1 year ago

Great food, great service, great atmosphere very welcoming and nice people. I went with some work clients and they enjoyed themselves.

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10 months ago

Good cocktails. High level old fashioned! Good ambiance and the bartenders were very nice!

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Smoke & Mirrors - Mirrors

Smoke & Mirrors

5.0(2 reviews)
0.9 mi•Ohio City

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!

Photos
Smoke & Mirrors - Coal chamber

Coal chamber

Smoke & Mirrors - Mirrors

Mirrors

Smoke & Mirrors - Crowd

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Crowd

Lost Social Club

Lost Social Club

4.2(11 reviews)
1.5 mi•Warehouse District

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!

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Lost Social Club
Lost Social Club
Lost Social Club

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Flower on Freeman - Bee Bright, Honey

Flower on Freeman

4.6(31 reviews)
0.6 mi•Tremont

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.

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Flower on Freeman - Persian Love Cake

Persian Love Cake

Flower on Freeman - Back room

Back room

Flower on Freeman - Main area

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Main area

Birdietown Mini Golf + Lounge - The upstairs bar

Birdietown Mini Golf + Lounge

4.2(55 reviews)
4.5 mi

I visited for the first time for lunch in late October 2025 with friends. After lunch, we all went…read moredownstairs to play mini golf and we had so much fun. FOOD -- I ordered the Slow Braised Pork ($22) which includes sweet potato gnocchi, fennel, crispy sage, and apple cider glaze. This was a delicious and very hearty meal. I hardly eat pork so I'm glad that I enjoyed the dish. The sweet potato gnocchi was perfectly paired with the pork. Everything in the dish just blended well together. All my friends enjoyed their food too, from the meatballs, calamari, burger with fries, ratatouille, and more. I nibbled on a few of them and loved it especially the wagyu meatballs. The food was all full of flavour. Service was nice all afternoon as the server came to check on us a few times including refilling our water glasses. MINI GOLF -- Head downstairs to play some games. You pay a fee and are then given score sheets. A friend's friend had surprisingly paid for all of us and I had no idea until the next day (for some reason I thought the mini golf was included in the lunch cost...LOL). Each golf game has a different course with some being more challenging than others. I recommend Birdietown Mini Golf and Lounge for a fun day of mini golf plus lunch. I can see myself coming back again. **** GOAL of 250 reviews in 2026 - 48/250 total reviews in 2026 - 889 total Yelp reviews - Reviewed on 24 April 2026

Went here on December 19 of 2025, so this review is a little late. We went for the happy hour mini…read moregolf and they were able to accommodate our group. We have 8-10 people so they just had us split into two, which was fine. The vibe was great, felt very upscale. My group mostly got mocktails. I felt like for just juice it was definitely over priced, because I felt like I was just drinking lemonade as we were playing mini golf. We only paid to play the upstairs holes, and it was good enough for us. We did not make a reservation for dinner which we regretted, but they were able to get us two tables in the downstairs area. Not a traditional seating, it was very comfy with one side being a booth and the otherwise having two comfy lounge chairs. I ordered the chicken sandwich, which was large and delicious. The chicken was well fried and the bread was so good. The fries were good, but the aioli was 12/10, so so so good! The food did take some time to come, but they were busy and were kind enough to find a spot for us. I told the staff it was someone birthday in our group and they brought a special birthday dessert which we al tried and it was great. Their menu is worth the price and the vibe is definitely jeans and a nice shirt, or a casual dress. Perfect for date night or a birthday dinner, and I look forward to coming back. The TLDR: staff was really nice, food was great, mocktails a little expensive, and the mini golf was super fun.

Photos
Birdietown Mini Golf + Lounge - The Club bar (upstairs)

The Club bar (upstairs)

Birdietown Mini Golf + Lounge - Upstairs barrrrrr

Upstairs barrrrrr

Birdietown Mini Golf + Lounge - Bar area

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Bar area

Literary Tavern - cocktailbars - Updated May 2026

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