friend in town!

I am so excited the weekend is here!

My college roommate is in town from the big apple and I am always SO THRILLED to share with here the fun and fabulousness of the "land of Cleve!"



We have tons planned for the weekend, from good eats & swanky drinks to a Broadway show, holiday art fest, to a cruise with Santa, perhaps a walk in Ohio City, a light festival and maybe a rockin flea market!

There is so much to do here, I gotta run, let the weekend begin! Cheers. :)

be quiet & SPEAKEASY

A speakeasy was an establishment which illegally sold alcoholic beverages during the period of United States history known as Prohibition (1920–1932). During this time, the sale, manufacturing, and transportation (bootlegging) of alcohol was illegal. The term comes from a patron’s manner of ordering an alcoholic drink without raising suspicion—bartenders would tell patrons to be quiet and “speak easy."

Wondered what the glow of light from below Bar Cento on West 25th was? Have you seen the dimly lit staircase leading to the murmur below? Do you know the secret handshake? Hmmm? What's down below?

Located in a dimly lighted basement below Bar Cento/McNulty’s Bier Markt, unmarked with no sign. Speakeasy is open every Friday and Saturday night 8pm-2am. (Thursday Live Music Nights coming this Fall)



“I’ve always thought that going out for a cocktail is a great way to escape the mundane realities of life,” says McNulty. “And I was thinking: What was the ultimate escape? The speakeasy during Prohibition.” The concept started brewing in McNulty’s head last year, 75 years after the repeal of Prohibition, which banned the sale of alcohol for consumption.

Check out the culinary cocktail list inspired by Cleveland’s long history of bootlegging and raved about in the New York Times…

Speakeasy Cocktails
The Rosemary–rosemary gin, dry vermouth
Bee’s Knees–honeycomb gin, cane syrup, fresh lemon
O’Sweet Brandy–brandy infused with toasted honey walnuts
Manhattan Pig–caramelized bacon bourbon, sweet vermouth, bitters
Pepperoncini Martini–pepperoncini vodka, fresh lime, seltzer
Rome with a View–Campari, dry vermouth, fresh lime, cane syrup, seltzer
Pimm’s Zingiber–pimms No.1, fresh lemon, cane syrup, fresh ginger root, seltzer
Spanish Lover–cachasa, fresh lime, fresh ginger, cane syrup, seltzer

Speakeasy Punches (serves 4)
Claret Jug–red wine, fresh lemon, luxardo, cane syrup, seltzer
Rum Runner–coconut rum, brandy, cranberry, fresh orange, pineapple

For more information and details about the new kid in town visit www.bier-markt.com/blog/

Mojito Making

Every wanted to play "Bartender" for an evening?

The Rumbar Patio Bar & Grill adjacent to the Intercontinental Hotel hosts "Learn to make mojitos" every Friday at 5:30. Kick off your weekend in style with a sweet summer drink under your belt...or in your belly.



The Rumbar transports you away from the city and into your own Caribbean hideaway. This outdoor, seasonal hot spot is the place to be for tropics-inspired music, tapas-inspired spicy small plates and festive cocktails made with a collection of 30 rums. A choice of 10 mojitos awakens the senses with flavours such as mango, cucumber and watermelon.

$25 per person, per class. For directions and reservations visit http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/intercontinental/en/gb/locations/hotel-features/dining/restaurants/cleveland-suites

Fashion Feud (5/18)

Monday, May 18th, 2009

SCION is thrilled to present Fashion Feud a "Project Runway"-esque event in which two emerging local designers compete to create the best possible outfit, all from a bag of raw clothing material, scissors, needles, thread and a few accessories.

Each designer will have an hour to create an outfit for one of two female models, and the audience will vote for their favorite designs by applause. The event will run 7pm-10pm. The winning designer will receive a cash prize from SCION.

Fashion Feud Cleveland is held at the Grog Shop (www.grogshop.gs) free, 18+ event. Hair and make up is provided by Erin Ferguson and Sara Tanno.

Melvis Strikes Back

Saturday, April 25th, 2009

Run-DMC tunes (3/04)

Saturday, April 4th, 2009

This Saturday, while the city fills with music-industry legends and celebs, why not pay your respects to this years Rock Hall Inductee Honoree Run-DMC* at Touch Supper Club (www.touchohiocity.com) as they welcome “The Kings” (a tribute Run-DMC band). Free until Midnight, $10 after. Music by DJ Steph Floss, DJ K-Nyce & DJ Majette, spinning the best in old school hip hop.



If you can make it for happy hour, Touch offers free sushi from 4-8! Come for a bit of free fish, stay for a bit of mixing and good beats!



*Founded by Joseph “Reverend Run” Simmons, Darryl “D.M.C” McDaniels, and Jason “Jam-Master Jay” Mizell, Run-D.M.C. took hip hop from the streets of New York to the national stage. Formed in Hollis, Queens, the group is arguably the most important and influential act in the history of hip hop. They were the biggest act in hip-hop throughout the 1980s and is widely credited with breaking hip hop into mainstream music. In 2004, Rolling Stone named them one of the greatest musical artists of all time. In 2007, the trio was named Greatest Hip Hop Group of All Time by MTV.com. They were also named Greatest Hip Hop Artist of All Time by VH1.

Bistro Happy Hour

Before I head off to the Ben Taylor show I am going to happy hour at the Bistro On Lincoln Park (old Sage location) in Tremont.

Their $5 specials, including Lamb Sliders, Croque Monsieur, Country Sausage Ragout, Pizzelle and Tuscan Beef Stew all sound super yummy. Along with great food deals the Bistro offers $5 wine pours, Orange Cosmos, Raz Martini and Margarita Martinis, also with $3 draft beers.

If you can't make it to happy hour, the Bistro offers these specials in the later hours. Early: Monday - Friday from 4:30-6:30, Late: Monday - Thursday 9:30-Close, Friday 10:30-Close

www.bistroonlincolnpark.com

Christmas in July (7/25)

Friday, July 25th, 2008

Christmas in July featuring The Ohio City Singers : Every Christmas for the past 5 years The Ohio City Singers gather up friends and family to record a batch of holiday cheer. Tonight the band will perform their FIRST EVER Christmas live show at the Southside in Tremont to celebrate Christmas in July. Yes, a random excuse to be stupid!

The band features a crazy collective of Cleveland musicians including Chris Allen, Doug McKean, Chris Hanna, Tom Prebish, Brent Kirby and Bobby Latina of the Jack Fords, Dan Rose, Austin "Candy Cane" Charanghat, Kelly Wright and many more.

Show time is at an early 8 pm and will consist of classic cuts such as "Egg Nogg", "Real Good Christmas Time" and "White Cleveland Christmas."

For more information visit www.chrisallenmusic.com. For directions to the Southside visit www.southsidecleveland.com

Also, even though last nights Great Lakes Brewing Co. "Christmas (Ale) in July Party" was sold out...if they have any of that liquid gold left over, you may be able to grab yourself a pint or two tonight! It's never too early to celebrate the holidays!