Going Out | Prelim | Main Event | Wind Down |
With the Family | See an African giant black millipede at the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center. 28728 Wolf Road, Bay Village, (440) 871-2900 | Dinner followed by simulated Harley, strike fighter and 18-wheeler rides at Dave & Buster's. 25735 First St., Westlake, (440) 892-1415 | A scoop of cookie dough or caramel fudge brownie at Mitchell's Homemade Ice Cream. 26161 Detroit Road, Westlake, (440) 250-0952 |
With Your Wife | Gallery hop in Tremont, from Pavanna Gallery (2250 Professor St.) to Kelly Randall Gallery (2678 W. 14th St.) and beyond. | Anything from pizza to java and mustard-crusted pork tenderloin at Fahrenheit. 2417 Professor Ave., Tremont, (216) 781-8858 | Great martinis, live music and an ambiance that encourages both conversation and cutting a rug at 2527. 2527 W. 25th St., Ohio City, (216) 771-2527 |
With a Client | Hit the sushi bar at Century at The Ritz-Carlton. 1515 W. Third St., Cleveland, (216) 902-5255 | Courtside seats to see LeBron. Anywhere from $325 to $500 from Executive Tickets (216-524-7277), Amazing Tickets (216-591-1800) or Tickets West (440-777-9378) | Bubble-gum martinis (vanilla Smirnoff, banana liqueur, Baileys and more) at Pickwick & Frolic's Kevin's Martini Lounge. 2035 E. Fourth St., Cleveland, (216) 241-7425 |
With Your Friend (Male) | Wager dinner at the Alliance Sports Dome's driving range. 6060 W. Canal Road, Valley View, (216) 447-7878 | Seventeen kinds of wings, 78 TVs and 24 satellite feeds at Harpo's Sports Café. 5777 Smith Road, Brook Park, (216) 267-7777 | Workingmen, sports lovers and boat freaks watch freighters ply the Cuyahoga at Major Hoopples. 1930 Columbus Road, the Flats, (216) 575-0483 |
With Your Friend (Female) | A foot salt scrub ($10) and lip treatment ($10) at Essentials Healing Spa. 1331 Linda St., Rocky River, (440) 333-2615 | Dinner at Treats, an old home turned into a tearoom/restaurant. 1325 Linda St., Rocky River, (440) 331-3414 | Flan and a bottle of Torres Vina Esmeralda 2002, a sweet white Spanish wine, at Viva Barcelona. 24600 Detroit Road, Westlake, (440) 892-8700 |
On the Prowl | Two-dollar happy-hour beers draw a hip, fun-seeking crowd to the Blind Pig Speakeasy. 1228 W. Sixth St., the Warehouse District, (216) 621-0001 | Ages 25 and younger, Velvet Dog; 25 to 35, Dive Bar; 35 and older, D'Vine Wine Bar. All in the Warehouse District | For an ultra-hip bar in an intimate setting with vintage plush decor, check out Mercury Lounge. 1392 W. Sixth St., the Warehouse District, (216) 566-8840 |
On a Blind Date | View "Cupid and Psyche" by Jacques-Louis David at the Cleveland Museum of Art, which is open late Fridays. 11150 East Blvd., University Circle, (216) 421-7340 | Dine in the old carriage house at That Place. 11401 Bellflower Road, University Circle, (216) 231 4469 | Going well? Canoodle over a bottle of wine at La Cave du Vin in Coventry. 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, (216) 932-6411 |
With Another Couple | Stroll through Willoughby's quaint downtown, stopping at Scooters to buy old-fashioned candy for the kids. 4127 Erie St., (440) 946-7632 | Sit at the tiki bar in summer at Lure Bistro. 38040 Third St., Willoughby, (440) 951-8862 | Enjoy live music and the cigar lounge at the Willoughby Brewing Co. 4057 Erie St., Willoughby, (440) 975-0202 |
To Pop the Question | Tell her to dress up for your "company party." Bring a camera, but don't let her see it. Act normal (women can sniff out surprises). | Reserve a private deck of the $2 million luxury yacht Majestic for dinner and a three-hour cruise. $1,194. (440) 243-5141, www.aquacharterllc.com | Share a celebratory bottle of 1997 Pierre Peters Blanc de Blanc Grand Cru at Market Avenue Wine Bar. 2526 Market Ave., Ohio City, (216) 696-9463 |
To Break Up | Place the "we need to talk" phone call. | Provide comfort with meatloaf, then drown his sorrow in a shake at 24-hour Chuck's Diner. You pay! 2194 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, (216) 321-9911 | Drop your ex off and head to Starbucks for some personal reflection. Flirt with a barista. 2175 Lee Road, (216) 371-6100 |
Best of Going Out
Just got paid -- now what? It depends on your posse, your baggage, your compadre. Check out our chart below to discover how to have the most fun, whoever you're with.
best of cleveland
12:00 AM EST
September 22, 2004