GOING OUT

Nightlife, Night clubs, lounges, Bars and where to go in Cleveland, OH

How do YOU beat the January blues?

by Laura DeMarco/Friday Magazine Editor

Thursday December 04, 2008, 2:42 PM

It seems a long way off now, but January is just around the corner. Once the fun of the holidays is over and the snow has set in, what are you going to do? E-mail us your favorite ways and places to beat the January blues, and we may include them in a Friday magazine story: Friday@plaind.com.

Your weekend hotlist

by Alana Munro

Thursday December 04, 2008, 10:31 AM

BREATHE AND STOP! After A Tribe Called Quest disbanded in 1998, Q-Tip pursued a solo career and his first solo singles, "Vivrant Thing" and "Breathe & Stop, were chart-toppers. The group reunited in 2006, but Q-Tip is still touring and brings his hip-hop act to the House of Blues Thursday night with the 2K Sports Bounce Tour. Tickets are $25-$30. Four-packs are available for $74.

LAUGH TRACK
Sebastian Maniscalco was hilarious as one of the comics in "Vince Vaughn's Wild West Comedy Show" on the big screen this year, joking about 35-year-olds who order drinks like apple martinis. "You're 35 years old. You're walking around drinking something green? . . . You go get a beer or something that tastes like gasoline." He's funny on the small stage, too, talking about his fastidiousness, how his friends raise their kids, shopping at discount clothing stores, his own family's quirks and everything else that affects his life. Sebastian Maniscalco performs at 8 p.m. Thursday through Sunday at Hilarities 4th Street Theatre inside Pickwick & Frolic.

Continue reading "Your weekend hotlist" »

Dinner, drinks & a movie: Steve's Gyros, Caipirinha at Sergios & `Fitzwilly' at Cedar-Lee

by Plain Dealer

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 2:16 PM

DINNER

Steve's Gyros
Stand E-13, West Side Market, West 25th Street and Lorain Avenue, Cleveland

Well, I'm now certain that great gyros exist. A buddy and I confirmed it at Steve's Gyros in the West Side Market. A while back, Maxim magazine claimed that Steve's had the best gyros in the nation. With that kind of buildup, we each ordered the jumbo ($9) and were handed two small barbells in foil -- inside were about 2 pounds of tomato, onion, sauce and, of course, slicings from the sacred cone o' meat. It was all sitting on top of a thick, fresh pita.
-- John Campanelli

DRINK

Caipirinha
Sergio's
1903 Ford Drive, Cleveland
216-231-1234

Sergio's was the first to import cachaca (sugar cane liquor) to this area. It's now exclusively used in their signature Caipirinha ($7.50), a summery treat that provides a perfect seasonal respite from the snow. This citrusy libation muddling fresh lime and sugar on the bottom, topped off with a healthy dose of cachaca and citrus vodka. A perfect date-night drink that goes well with the soft Latin jazz flowing from Sergio's ceiling speakers. -- Greg Burnett

MOVIE

"Fitzwilly"
Not rated; 102 minutes.
Add some larceny and charity to your holiday schedule. "Fitzwilly," the 1967 comedy that stars Dick Van Dyke as a butler who cooks up crimes (including a Christmas Eve heist) to fund his boss' philanthropy, also features the film debut of Agent 99, Barbara Feldon. The Cedar Lee Theatre in Cleveland Heights shows the movie at 2 p.m. Saturday and at 7 Sunday evening. Admission is $5 or the donation of a new winter hat, scarf or pair of gloves. The screenings benefit the Center for Families and Children's Adopt-a-Family program. - Clint O'Connor

Laugh Track: Sebastian Maniscalco at Hilarities, 'Midnight Swinger' at Improv, Mike Conley at Bogey's

by Michael McIntyre/Plain Dealer Reporter

Tuesday December 02, 2008, 12:00 PM

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the host of the Laugh Track column, a man who loves the Browns . . . Mike McIntyre. Thank you, Cleveland. A lot of fans are down on the Browns, but I love the way they're always so generous at holiday time. Just when schedules get hectic and life gets frantic, the team is kind enough to give us a gift: Free time on Sundays. No need to plan the day around the Browns game. Feel free to weatherize the windows and clean the garage.

Or, if you really miss that feeling you get watching the Browns play, scrub the toilets.

Making his name:
Sebastian Maniscalco was hilarious as one of the comics in "Vince Vaughn's Wild West Comedy Show" on the big screen this year, joking about 35-year-olds who order drinks like apple martinis. "You're 35 years old. You're walking around drinking something green? . . . You go get a beer or something that tastes like gasoline."

He's funny on the small stage, too, talking about his fastidiousness, how his friends raise their kids, shopping at discount clothing stores, his own family's quirks and everything else that affects his life.

Continue reading "Laugh Track: Sebastian Maniscalco at Hilarities, 'Midnight Swinger' at Improv, Mike Conley at Bogey's" »

Wurlitzer pipe organ could toot (and clang and boom and clop) again in Masonic Auditorium

by Michael O'Malley/Plain Dealer Reporter

Saturday November 29, 2008, 5:17 AM

In a basement room cluttered with the guts of a giant theater organ, Don Frerichs, handling a hot soldering iron, connects tiny electrical wires inside the instrument's marimba mechanism.

He is one of 10 volunteers restoring and installing a 1924 Wurlitzer at the Masonic Auditorium theater on Euclid Avenue and East 36th Street.

Over the last 15 months, the volunteers -- members of the Western Reserve Theatre Organ Society -- have been working two nights a week on the $100,000 project. They hope to be playing fugues by June.

"We're giving it our best," said volunteer Frank Sillag, slapping shellac on one of the thousands of wooden parts, this one a gizmo that strikes a crash cymbal.

Unlike a church or a concert organ, a theater pipe organ is fortified with percussion, orchestral instruments and an array of crazy sounds: doorbell, train whistle, thunderstorm, horse hoofs, gong, glockenspiel, castanets, car horn and more.

Continue reading "Wurlitzer pipe organ could toot (and clang and boom and clop) again in Masonic Auditorium" »

Charm Thai in Parma joins elite group of flavorful tropical kitchens

by Debbi Snook/Plain Dealer Reporter

Wednesday November 26, 2008, 2:29 PM

Wasn't it just yesterday we were desperate for Thai restaurants? The best were always too far away and, at peak times, too crowded. Now there are plenty of tropical kitchens blossoming in Northeast Ohio, notably Mint Thai in Cleveland Heights and Peppermint Thai in Pepper Pike. Both have raised the bar on broad flavor appeal and artful presentation.

Add Charm Thai in Parma to that group. Although no relation to the spots mentioned, they have some of the same talents, plus a few extra, well, charms.

A few kinks, too. We got a great welcome on a Saturday night when we popped into the polished room with summery, citrus-colored lamps.

Continue reading "Charm Thai in Parma joins elite group of flavorful tropical kitchens" »

Cleveland Nightclub is taking a Balkan point of View

by Chuck Yarborough/Plain Dealer Reporter

Wednesday November 26, 2008, 12:21 PM

When was the last time you said to yourself, "Self, we absolutely have to go imbibe some native Balkan beers, wine and liquor, listen to some real Balkan music and catch a belly dance"? Well, it's that time now, buddy.

Ostpolitik is happening Friday at the View Nightclub, 618 Prospect Ave., downtown Cleveland. Doors open at 9 p.m. The first 150 people get a free shot of Jack Daniels (not quite sure what part of the Balkans Lynchburg, Ky., falls in, but hey, who cares, right?). And if you feel like dropping some serious green, you can get Finlandia vodka bottle service in the VIP lounge.

For reservations and details, call 440-318-5499 or e-mail clubromacleveland@gmail.com. You can also check the Web site of the organizers, Club Roma Europa.

Comedy legend David Brenner coming to Cleveland: Laugh Track column

by Michael McIntyre/Plain Dealer Reporter

Tuesday November 25, 2008, 12:53 PM

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the host of the Laugh Track column, a man who'll spend today getting mauled at the mall . . . Mike McIntyre. Thank you, Cleveland! They call today "Black Friday," the busiest shopping day of the year. It is followed by "Black and Blue Saturday" after the grandmas start throwing elbows in the toy aisle at Wal-Mart.

A comedy legend
David Brenner -- who has more appearances than anyone on the Tonight Show (158), four HBO specials, five books and instant recognition as a master of the stand-up form -- headlines Hilarities this weekend.

The native Philadelphian, who began his career making television documentaries, is very topical, scouring the news for new premises every day. He's also in the midst of launching Funnydeli.com, a Web site that will feature comedy by baby boomers for baby boomers.

Continue reading "Comedy legend David Brenner coming to Cleveland: Laugh Track column" »

Dinner, Drinks & a Movie: Felice, Cranberry Kiss Margarita at Champps, "The Scarlet Empress"

by The Plain Dealer

Monday November 24, 2008, 2:12 PM

DINNER
Felice Urban Cafe
12502 Larchmere Blvd., Cleveland. 216-791-0918
Opt for the luxuriously tender, crisp-fried calamari appetizer ($9.50), paired with a robust garlic aioli; the orange, roasted beet and gorgonzola salad ($5); and a tender bean soup ($5) with down-home richness and integrity of texture. Get warmth, too, from a bowl of the cheesy polenta with utterly fresh grilled vegetables ($14). Desserts ($6.50) weren't blissful, except for the lemon cheesecake special. -- Debbi Snook

DRINKS
Cranberry Kiss Margarita
Champps Americana Restaurant
5835 Landerbrook Drive, Lyndhurst (other locations include Valley View and Westlake). 440-605-9222
Recently, a few folks and I gathered to take in a Cavaliers game at Champps sports bar. I can't imagine anything cooler than watching LeBron bulldoze his way to a dramatic leap on six 50-inch connected screens. My drink of choice that evening was a seasonal concoction called a Cranberry Kiss Margarita ($6.99) Its a little tart and a lot sweet. It contained Cabo Wabo Tequila, liqueur and cranberry and lime juices. Cheers and happy holidays! -- Greg Burnett

MOVIE
"The Scarlet Empress"
Not rated; 104 minutes.
Hailed as one of the most visually impressive movies of its era, Josef von Sternbergs 1934 film charts the rise of Catherine the Great (Marlene Dietrich) from German princess to empress of Russia. It screens at 7 p.m. Friday and 1:30 p.m. Sunday in the lecture hall at Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd. in University Circle. -- Clint OConnor

After Dark bar Guide featured bar: Marcals Restaurant & Lounge

by John Petkovic/Plain Dealer Reporter

Monday November 24, 2008, 12:44 PM

6786 Pearl Road, Middleburg Heights

440-885-5510

Everything is starting to blur. Where am I, in Middleburg Heights or Casablanca? Last Saturday, or 30 years ago? What does it matter anyway -- so long as I'm at Marcals. The mirrored walls, retro stools and curved bar of this Middleburg Heights joint are straight out of the 1970s. Imagine the Regal Beagle from "Three's Company" crossed with some early-D-I-V-O-R-C-E era spot, where you can party hearty or drown heartbreak in a cocktail. Then there's the Spanish flair and red lanterns, which approximate a faraway place -- New Mexico? Spain? Morocco? The look and vibe come together on weekends, when Gary Ryan tickles the ivories and emotes with his gritty but soothing voice. The piano player rolls out oldies but goodies, like "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" or "Mack the Knife." You can even take a seat at the piano-shaped bar around his keyboards. Bartender, bartender . . . One Harvey Wallbanger, please.-- John Petkovic

Find reviews of 168 bars online with our searchable After Dark Bar Guide: www.cleveland.com/afterdark