From Business Insider:
According to the US government, there are upwards of 35,000 museums in America. For comparison, there are about 13,000 Starbucks across the country.
These thousands of museums are filled with countless works of priceless art, historical artifacts, and natural marvels. But, which museums are the best?
Using data provided by Foursquare, INSIDER ranked the top 25 museums in America.
The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) was ranked second only to New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. Not bad, but for locals, the CMA has always been #1.
Get the whole list here.
According to the US government, there are upwards of 35,000 museums in America. For comparison, there are about 13,000 Starbucks across the country.
These thousands of museums are filled with countless works of priceless art, historical artifacts, and natural marvels. But, which museums are the best?
Using data provided by Foursquare, INSIDER ranked the top 25 museums in America.
The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) was ranked second only to New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. Not bad, but for locals, the CMA has always been #1.
Get the whole list here.
Nate Silver has a lot to learn about Cleveland
From this article on fivethirtyeight.com:
First, though, our dear colleague Clare Malone is vacationing in Cleveland this week, so we’re joined today by Anna, who mostly reports on public health for us but has covered the immigration debate pretty extensively too, instead — welcome, Anna!
anna (Anna Maria Barry-Jester, senior writer): Hello!
natesilver (Nate Silver, editor in chief): I was going to make fun of “vacationing in Cleveland.” But people from Michigan actually vacation in Cleveland, or at least Sandusky (Cedar Point! Woo-hoo!).
Hilarious, Mr. Silver, and so original, but then again, weren't you the guy who had this to say about a forthcoming Trump GOP nomination?
"For my money, that adds up to Trump’s chances being higher than 0 but (considerably) less than 20 percent."
Um ... as a matter of fact, you were. Funny thing though, it was here in Cleveland where your prediction proved to be 100 percent wrong. Feel free, however, to bring some of "your money" to our fair city anytime and see what we're all about.
And if you're broke, no worries. Our editor will pick up the tab.
First, though, our dear colleague Clare Malone is vacationing in Cleveland this week, so we’re joined today by Anna, who mostly reports on public health for us but has covered the immigration debate pretty extensively too, instead — welcome, Anna!
anna (Anna Maria Barry-Jester, senior writer): Hello!
natesilver (Nate Silver, editor in chief): I was going to make fun of “vacationing in Cleveland.” But people from Michigan actually vacation in Cleveland, or at least Sandusky (Cedar Point! Woo-hoo!).
Hilarious, Mr. Silver, and so original, but then again, weren't you the guy who had this to say about a forthcoming Trump GOP nomination?
"For my money, that adds up to Trump’s chances being higher than 0 but (considerably) less than 20 percent."
Um ... as a matter of fact, you were. Funny thing though, it was here in Cleveland where your prediction proved to be 100 percent wrong. Feel free, however, to bring some of "your money" to our fair city anytime and see what we're all about.
And if you're broke, no worries. Our editor will pick up the tab.
On Friday, Sept. 2, Jill Stein, Green Party candidate for President, and Joe DeMare, Green Party candidate for US Senate, will speak at the Natatorium, 2345 4th Street, Cuyahoga Falls. Doors open at 6 p.m. DeMare will speak at 7 p.m. Stein will speak at 8:00 p.m.
During this free event, Jill Stein will discuss her plan to help the American people with the Green New Deal, a stimulus package that will create 20 million new jobs by transitioning to renewable energy by 2030, as well as halting the devastating effects of climate change. Other topics will include her policies such as tuition free higher education, cancelling student debt, healthcare as a human right, $15 minimum wage, and foreign policy based on international law, diplomacy, and human rights.
For more information, visit the Ohio Green Party's page.
During this free event, Jill Stein will discuss her plan to help the American people with the Green New Deal, a stimulus package that will create 20 million new jobs by transitioning to renewable energy by 2030, as well as halting the devastating effects of climate change. Other topics will include her policies such as tuition free higher education, cancelling student debt, healthcare as a human right, $15 minimum wage, and foreign policy based on international law, diplomacy, and human rights.
For more information, visit the Ohio Green Party's page.
Fresh Water editor Erin O'Brien has extolled the virtues of Sabor Miami's rich, creamy and downright decadent Cafe con Leche (Cuban latte) as "the best cup of coffee she's ever had" both publicly and privately. It seems she's not alone.
The shop at 4848 Broadview Road, which we reported on in back in April, has been named the "Best Coffee Shop in Cleveland," by Cleveland Hot List.
Click here to see the list of venerable cafes Sabor Miami topped, but do so at your own risk - peruse this list and you'll be craving a cappuccino in no time.
Congratulations to proprietor Mariela Paz and kudos to all the nominees.
The shop at 4848 Broadview Road, which we reported on in back in April, has been named the "Best Coffee Shop in Cleveland," by Cleveland Hot List.
Click here to see the list of venerable cafes Sabor Miami topped, but do so at your own risk - peruse this list and you'll be craving a cappuccino in no time.
Congratulations to proprietor Mariela Paz and kudos to all the nominees.
Insider's cheat sheet: LeBron James' Cleveland Hustles debut
Fresh Water was treated to a preview of the first edition of executive producer LeBron James' Cleveland based reality show Cleveland Hustles, which debuts tomorrow night, Aug. 24 at 10 p.m. EST on CNBC. The show features local entrepreneurs and investors - which is something we know a thing or two about. After all, we've been covering Cleveland's biz scene and the people that fuel it for more than five years.
Hence, we offer these fun insider tips to watch for during the show:
- Be on the lookout for Brandyn Armstrong. Fresh Water first broke his winning story about his Studio Stick project back in March.
- One of the primary players on Cleveland Hustle is one Kumar Arora, whom we loved learning all about when we published this one about the edgy Cleveland-based clothing and accessory endeavor iLTHY.
- The man behind CLE's urban winery movement, Mansfield Fraizer … he's in there!
- Do those still photos of Alan Glazen featured in tomorrow's episode look a bit familiar? Of course they do ... Fresh Water's managing photographer Bob Perkoski shot them for this article.
- And just for fun: how does King James behave when he's amid his royal subjects? Why, we've got a photo essay for that!
- Lastly, if you're looking for the real skinny on the Gordon Arts neighborhood: we invite you to enjoy it as a perfect slice of Cleveland.
Good luck to the entire cast and crew of Cleveland Hustles.
Hence, we offer these fun insider tips to watch for during the show:
- Be on the lookout for Brandyn Armstrong. Fresh Water first broke his winning story about his Studio Stick project back in March.
- One of the primary players on Cleveland Hustle is one Kumar Arora, whom we loved learning all about when we published this one about the edgy Cleveland-based clothing and accessory endeavor iLTHY.
- The man behind CLE's urban winery movement, Mansfield Fraizer … he's in there!
- Do those still photos of Alan Glazen featured in tomorrow's episode look a bit familiar? Of course they do ... Fresh Water's managing photographer Bob Perkoski shot them for this article.
- And just for fun: how does King James behave when he's amid his royal subjects? Why, we've got a photo essay for that!
- Lastly, if you're looking for the real skinny on the Gordon Arts neighborhood: we invite you to enjoy it as a perfect slice of Cleveland.
Good luck to the entire cast and crew of Cleveland Hustles.
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED/CANCELLED.
In support of the Sierra Club's Ready For 100 Campaign - an effort to urge the City of Cleveland to commit to 100 percent clean energy by the year 2050 - the Lake Erie Development Corporation (LEEDCo) is asking northeast Ohioans become part of a human wind turbine, which will require more than 100 bodies this Sunday, Aug. 14 at 3 p.m. at the Abbey Road Overlook, 1402 Abbey Ave.
Participants are asked to wear orange or brown to be most visible for the planned aerial photo. Refreshments will be provided.
Sign up here.
In support of the Sierra Club's Ready For 100 Campaign - an effort to urge the City of Cleveland to commit to 100 percent clean energy by the year 2050 - the Lake Erie Development Corporation (LEEDCo) is asking northeast Ohioans become part of a human wind turbine, which will require more than 100 bodies this Sunday, Aug. 14 at 3 p.m. at the Abbey Road Overlook, 1402 Abbey Ave.
Participants are asked to wear orange or brown to be most visible for the planned aerial photo. Refreshments will be provided.
Sign up here.
Bon Appetit takes a CLE foodie tour
From Bon Appetit:
“People ask me why I left Portland, and I tell them that Cleveland now is very similar to what Portland was 15 years ago,” said Robert Stockham, general manager at the city’s premiere coffee roaster, Rising Star. Except Cleveland is a city with its own swagger, and a cost of living so low that Stockham said, “You can buy a house for less than a car, and you should never pay full retail price for anything here.” Also: Cleveland is the place for a hipster hotdog hangout that puts Froot Loops on its dogs, a brewery that has residents lining up for Christmas-spiced beer, and one of the world’s best symphony orchestras. Come hungry, and let Stockham be your guide.
Take his whole tour here.
“People ask me why I left Portland, and I tell them that Cleveland now is very similar to what Portland was 15 years ago,” said Robert Stockham, general manager at the city’s premiere coffee roaster, Rising Star. Except Cleveland is a city with its own swagger, and a cost of living so low that Stockham said, “You can buy a house for less than a car, and you should never pay full retail price for anything here.” Also: Cleveland is the place for a hipster hotdog hangout that puts Froot Loops on its dogs, a brewery that has residents lining up for Christmas-spiced beer, and one of the world’s best symphony orchestras. Come hungry, and let Stockham be your guide.
Take his whole tour here.
School supplies, screening and music to round out "Back to School" celebration
On Saturday, Aug. 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Esperanza Inc., a stalwart local advocate for education in the Cleveland's Hispanic community, will host a "Back To School" celebration for the West 25th Street neighborhood.
The event will include distribution of 1,500 backpacks and school supplies to area students, as well as community dental and medical screenings. In addition, students and families will be able to sign up for Esperanza’s array of mentoring, leadership and tutoring programs. Music and vendors will round out the festivities, which will be held in the parking lot of Esperanza Offices at 3104 W. 25th Street.
Dental screenings will be provided by Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, while MetroHealth System and the Cleveland Clinic will provide health screenings. Local vendors, as well as representatives of educational institutions, human services, and childcare services will also be on hand. Cleveland's Hispanic radio station, La Mega, 87.7 FM, will provide music.
Event sponsors include McDonald’s of Northeast Ohio, and Cleveland Indians Pitcher Carlos Carrasco.
To donate to this event, contact Esperanza’s development director Laurel Wirtanen-Siloy at 216.652.7178 or mail donations to: Esperanza, 3104 W. 25th Street, 4th floor, Cleveland, OH, 44109. Donations can also be made online.
The event will include distribution of 1,500 backpacks and school supplies to area students, as well as community dental and medical screenings. In addition, students and families will be able to sign up for Esperanza’s array of mentoring, leadership and tutoring programs. Music and vendors will round out the festivities, which will be held in the parking lot of Esperanza Offices at 3104 W. 25th Street.
Dental screenings will be provided by Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, while MetroHealth System and the Cleveland Clinic will provide health screenings. Local vendors, as well as representatives of educational institutions, human services, and childcare services will also be on hand. Cleveland's Hispanic radio station, La Mega, 87.7 FM, will provide music.
Event sponsors include McDonald’s of Northeast Ohio, and Cleveland Indians Pitcher Carlos Carrasco.
To donate to this event, contact Esperanza’s development director Laurel Wirtanen-Siloy at 216.652.7178 or mail donations to: Esperanza, 3104 W. 25th Street, 4th floor, Cleveland, OH, 44109. Donations can also be made online.
An officer's voice came over the police radio: "I have a group of people fighting -- one of them is dressed like a robot."
Another officer, in reference to a group of protesters on Wednesday night: "They’re playing duck-duck-goose in the park."
Such was the radio traffic during the Republican National Convention, where officers' voices on the publicly available radio broadcast conveyed the tension, monotony, and occasional humor involved in keeping Cleveland safe.
Get the whole story from USA Today here.
Another officer, in reference to a group of protesters on Wednesday night: "They’re playing duck-duck-goose in the park."
Such was the radio traffic during the Republican National Convention, where officers' voices on the publicly available radio broadcast conveyed the tension, monotony, and occasional humor involved in keeping Cleveland safe.
Get the whole story from USA Today here.
Starting this Wednesday, the Ohio City Merchants Association will offer Wednesdays on the Square, a family friendly concert series featuring two local performers from 6 to 9 p.m. in Market Square Park on the northwest corner of Lorain Avenue and West 25th Street. There will be a variety of local merchants selling their goods and activities for kids and adults alike. The event aims to carry on the good vibes from July's Ohio City Stages and keep the community coming together on Wednesdays in August.
The line up is as follows:
August 3: Morgan Mecaskey and Shawn & Shelby
August 10: Jul Big Green and Corduroy Season
August 17: Samfox and The Mason District
Everyone is invited to this free mid-week booster.
The line up is as follows:
August 3: Morgan Mecaskey and Shawn & Shelby
August 10: Jul Big Green and Corduroy Season
August 17: Samfox and The Mason District
Everyone is invited to this free mid-week booster.
Gingrich, Huckabee, Trump family amid RNC speakers
Jeff Larson, CEO of the 2016 Republican National Convention, today released a partial list of the speakers who will participate in the week-long event starting July 18th:
Get the list here.
Get the list here.
All eyes are on Cleveland, with concerns waxing over Ohio's open carry law.
From the New York Times: Dallas Shooting and Open-Carry Laws Loom Over Cleveland Convention Plans
Cleveland officials are promising increased security during the Republican gathering, with resources from city, state and federal authorities. And within the convention area, the Secret Service will set up a smaller perimeter near the Quicken Loans Arena that will have stricter security and prohibit guns. Delegates to the convention, for example, will not be able to take their guns onto the convention floor.
From TIME: Why Guns Won’t Be Allowed at the Republican Convention
Delegates to the Republican national convention would do best to leave their guns at home.
The Secret Service and the Quicken Loans Arena hosting the convention next week are both barring firearms within the convention, though state law allowing open carry will still apply to unsecured areas within the convention’s event zone.
From NPR: Some Delegates May Carry Guns Around Cleveland During Republican Convention
The list of items banned from downtown Cleveland during this month's upcoming Republican National Convention includes tennis balls, grappling hooks and canned goods.
But not guns.
From the New York Times: Dallas Shooting and Open-Carry Laws Loom Over Cleveland Convention Plans
Cleveland officials are promising increased security during the Republican gathering, with resources from city, state and federal authorities. And within the convention area, the Secret Service will set up a smaller perimeter near the Quicken Loans Arena that will have stricter security and prohibit guns. Delegates to the convention, for example, will not be able to take their guns onto the convention floor.
From TIME: Why Guns Won’t Be Allowed at the Republican Convention
Delegates to the Republican national convention would do best to leave their guns at home.
The Secret Service and the Quicken Loans Arena hosting the convention next week are both barring firearms within the convention, though state law allowing open carry will still apply to unsecured areas within the convention’s event zone.
From NPR: Some Delegates May Carry Guns Around Cleveland During Republican Convention
The list of items banned from downtown Cleveland during this month's upcoming Republican National Convention includes tennis balls, grappling hooks and canned goods.
But not guns.
Forward Cities nominee wins scholarship for "mapping the world" idea
Forward Cities may have had their last convening here in Cleveland last month, but the movement continues to have an impact.
The organization successfully nominated Jerry Paffendorf of Loveland Technologies to receive a scholarship to the Aspen Institute's Ideas Festival earlier this month. In addition to be able to attend the event for free, Jerry was invited to pitch his idea of mapping the world, which he discusses here with The Lift on Aspen 82.
The organization successfully nominated Jerry Paffendorf of Loveland Technologies to receive a scholarship to the Aspen Institute's Ideas Festival earlier this month. In addition to be able to attend the event for free, Jerry was invited to pitch his idea of mapping the world, which he discusses here with The Lift on Aspen 82.
The Lift | Jerry Paffendorf from The Lift on Vimeo.
The city of Pittsburgh will send a team of police officers to Cleveland to help keep the peace during the Republican National Convention via legislation Pittsburgh City Council approved preliminarily on Wednesday.
Cleveland originally requested 70 Pittsburgh officers. After assessing resources available and local needs. Pittsburgh is planning to send 23 city police, including seven traffic officers, 12 SWAT officers, four members of the police command staff, and one legal adviser from the city law department. Pittsburgh Police Chief Cameron McLay, said an additional 35 crowd-control officers could be sent to Cleveland in the event of an emergency. They all would be part of a security force of several thousand police assembled from various jurisdictions.
Read the whole story from Pittsburgh's Action News 4 - WTAE here.
Cleveland originally requested 70 Pittsburgh officers. After assessing resources available and local needs. Pittsburgh is planning to send 23 city police, including seven traffic officers, 12 SWAT officers, four members of the police command staff, and one legal adviser from the city law department. Pittsburgh Police Chief Cameron McLay, said an additional 35 crowd-control officers could be sent to Cleveland in the event of an emergency. They all would be part of a security force of several thousand police assembled from various jurisdictions.
Read the whole story from Pittsburgh's Action News 4 - WTAE here.
Trustees of Burton D. Morgan Foundation voted this month to make a grant of $10,000 to benefit those impacted by the recent terror attack in Orlando. The grant was made to Volunteer Florida Foundation, which is administering the Florida Disaster Fund.
The Foundation primarily supports entrepreneurship initiatives in Northeast Ohio, but occasionally supports programs unrelated to entrepreneurship that benefit the surrounding community, or communities experiencing natural disasters or unprecedented tragedy.
“Our Morgan Foundation trustees and staff are deeply saddened by the recent tragedy in Orlando, Florida," said Deborah Hoover, foundation president and CEO in a release. "We believe it is important to demonstrate our support for the victims, the families affected by the tragedy, and the entire Orlando community, as residents cope with loss and recovery," she added.
"It is about one community reaching out to another with hope and encouragement."
The Foundation primarily supports entrepreneurship initiatives in Northeast Ohio, but occasionally supports programs unrelated to entrepreneurship that benefit the surrounding community, or communities experiencing natural disasters or unprecedented tragedy.
“Our Morgan Foundation trustees and staff are deeply saddened by the recent tragedy in Orlando, Florida," said Deborah Hoover, foundation president and CEO in a release. "We believe it is important to demonstrate our support for the victims, the families affected by the tragedy, and the entire Orlando community, as residents cope with loss and recovery," she added.
"It is about one community reaching out to another with hope and encouragement."
Per Politico:
A slot at the Republican National Convention used to be a career-maker — a chance to make your name on the big stage and to catch the eye of the Republican donors and activists who make or break campaigns.
In the year of Trump: Not so much. With the convention less than a month away, POLITICO contacted more than 50 prominent governors, senators and House members to gauge their interest in speaking. Only a few said they were open to it, and everyone else said they weren’t planning on it, didn’t want to or weren’t going to Cleveland at all — or simply didn’t respond.
Read the whole story - including who they queried - here.
A slot at the Republican National Convention used to be a career-maker — a chance to make your name on the big stage and to catch the eye of the Republican donors and activists who make or break campaigns.
In the year of Trump: Not so much.
Read the whole story - including who they queried - here.
Cleveland expat and 216 sports fan Krista D'Amore tells Thrillist about her exhilarating journey back home to celebrate the Cav's historic win.
She begins:
After the Cleveland Cavaliers won Game 6, the plan was to write an article reflecting on Game 7 as a displaced East Coast Cleveland fan.
I wrote an entire draft assuming they’d lose -- waxing poetic about the values of Cleveland, and how we keep loving despite our continued losing.
And then they won it all.
Read her entire essay on Thrillist.
She begins:
After the Cleveland Cavaliers won Game 6, the plan was to write an article reflecting on Game 7 as a displaced East Coast Cleveland fan.
I wrote an entire draft assuming they’d lose -- waxing poetic about the values of Cleveland, and how we keep loving despite our continued losing.
And then they won it all.
Read her entire essay on Thrillist.
Tomorrow, June 25, from 2 – 5 p.m. in Lincoln Park on W. 11th Street in Tremont, the fourth annual Cleveland Big Wheel Relay to benefit the Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center will roll out.
Adult teams have raised funds to compete in a tournament racing Huffy Green Machine three-wheel bikes, which are designed to handle adult bodies. This year, an additional track will allow individuals to participate in timed, individual races. The event is free to attend.
The Big Wheel Relay is organized and hosted by the New Partners of Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center (CHSC), an associate board of young professionals focused on advancing CHSC’s mission both through service and fundraising. For more details about CHSC New Partners and this event, please visit this page.
Adult teams have raised funds to compete in a tournament racing Huffy Green Machine three-wheel bikes, which are designed to handle adult bodies. This year, an additional track will allow individuals to participate in timed, individual races. The event is free to attend.
The Big Wheel Relay is organized and hosted by the New Partners of Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center (CHSC), an associate board of young professionals focused on advancing CHSC’s mission both through service and fundraising. For more details about CHSC New Partners and this event, please visit this page.
It seems Cavs fever has spread to news outlets far and wide and .... above.
Laramie, Wyoming, loves LeBron as evidenced by this local fan roundup: "Larry Shyatt recently stepped down as the Wyoming men’s basketball coach. In 1964, he was there to see Cleveland win its last championship before Sunday night, when the Browns beat the Baltimore Colts 27-0 in the NFL Championship Game, two years before it was dubbed the Super Bowl."
Ever concerned about the high and mighty dollar, earlier this month the San Francisco-based Market Watch explained Why it pays to be a Cleveland Cavaliers fan.
And then there was this from the Manila Times ahead of the historic Game 7 win: "Despite the feat of LeBron James and Kyrie Irving pulling the Cleveland Cavaliers within 3-2 in the ongoing best-of-seven series of the National Basketball Association Finals, the majority of Filipino NBA fans see the Golden State Warriors retaining the crown."
Or not.
But perhaps most notably, the Onion reported this from The Heavens: "Despite allowing the Cavaliers to win the city’s first major sports championship in 52 years, God Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth, confirmed Sunday that He still hates Cleveland fans. 'I just figured that enough is enough, so I decided to throw them a bone and finally give them a title, but believe me, I still can’t stand Cleveland teams or their fans,' said the Lord."
Well then, perhaps we can win God Almighty over for the Indians during this year's World Series.
Laramie, Wyoming, loves LeBron as evidenced by this local fan roundup: "Larry Shyatt recently stepped down as the Wyoming men’s basketball coach. In 1964, he was there to see Cleveland win its last championship before Sunday night, when the Browns beat the Baltimore Colts 27-0 in the NFL Championship Game, two years before it was dubbed the Super Bowl."
Ever concerned about the high and mighty dollar, earlier this month the San Francisco-based Market Watch explained Why it pays to be a Cleveland Cavaliers fan.
And then there was this from the Manila Times ahead of the historic Game 7 win: "Despite the feat of LeBron James and Kyrie Irving pulling the Cleveland Cavaliers within 3-2 in the ongoing best-of-seven series of the National Basketball Association Finals, the majority of Filipino NBA fans see the Golden State Warriors retaining the crown."
Or not.
But perhaps most notably, the Onion reported this from The Heavens: "Despite allowing the Cavaliers to win the city’s first major sports championship in 52 years, God Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth, confirmed Sunday that He still hates Cleveland fans. 'I just figured that enough is enough, so I decided to throw them a bone and finally give them a title, but believe me, I still can’t stand Cleveland teams or their fans,' said the Lord."
Well then, perhaps we can win God Almighty over for the Indians during this year's World Series.
Tomorrow evening at 7 p.m. at the Market Garden Brewery, 1947 West 25th St., local publisher Belt Books will launch its Cleveland Neighborhood Guidebook with readings by Janice Lowe, Sally Errico and Sam McNulty. Several contributors and sponsors will be at this free event.
As a preview, the publishers have shared the following "Editors' Pick" from the volume, an "homage to The Velvet Tango Room."
Visiting Cleveland for the first time? Have an event to celebrate? Go to the Velvet Tango Room.
Paulius Nasvytis was early to the cocktail trend when he opened this inimitable, only-in-Cleveland bar in 1996. Nasvytis’s staff mix Pisco Sours and French 75s for loyal patrons, suits, local politicos, and out-of-towners who make it a destination spot. Finding it is part of the experience, as the VTR is located on a desolate stretch of a post-industrial street that is always neither here nor there.
Signs outside are off-putting, warning “no big hair” and “no golf shoes,” but everything inside is inviting. Somehow the VTR manages to be pretentious and down- to-earth at once.
Nasvytis is a first-generation Lithuanian immigrant who opened the bar after working for years at Cleveland’s upscale French hotel restaurant, Classics. Many nights he floats throughout the bar, dressed in a three-piece suit, sometimes presenting women with long-stemmed roses. VIPs are ushered into the hidden “members only” back room where, because everything is surprising at the VTR, busts of Lenin, Mussolini and Mao—“deposed dictators doomed to live in this capitalist hell,” Paulius explains — line the shelves.
The backstory, location, and atmosphere of the VTR mix Cleveland ambitions, failures, and distinctiveness, and the drinks are no less complex and delightful. The staff make their own maraschino cherries, ginger ale, and bitters. The bartenders have ripped biceps from shaking cocktails by hand. They flambee orange slices and shake egg whites into soft peaks for Ramos Gin Fizzes. It is expensive (for Cleveland) and cheap (for what you get) at once. At the VTR, some weird alchemy makes it all work.
As a preview, the publishers have shared the following "Editors' Pick" from the volume, an "homage to The Velvet Tango Room."
Visiting Cleveland for the first time? Have an event to celebrate? Go to the Velvet Tango Room.
Paulius Nasvytis was early to the cocktail trend when he opened this inimitable, only-in-Cleveland bar in 1996. Nasvytis’s staff mix Pisco Sours and French 75s for loyal patrons, suits, local politicos, and out-of-towners who make it a destination spot. Finding it is part of the experience, as the VTR is located on a desolate stretch of a post-industrial street that is always neither here nor there.
Signs outside are off-putting, warning “no big hair” and “no golf shoes,” but everything inside is inviting. Somehow the VTR manages to be pretentious and down- to-earth at once.
Nasvytis is a first-generation Lithuanian immigrant who opened the bar after working for years at Cleveland’s upscale French hotel restaurant, Classics. Many nights he floats throughout the bar, dressed in a three-piece suit, sometimes presenting women with long-stemmed roses. VIPs are ushered into the hidden “members only” back room where, because everything is surprising at the VTR, busts of Lenin, Mussolini and Mao—“deposed dictators doomed to live in this capitalist hell,” Paulius explains — line the shelves.
The backstory, location, and atmosphere of the VTR mix Cleveland ambitions, failures, and distinctiveness, and the drinks are no less complex and delightful. The staff make their own maraschino cherries, ginger ale, and bitters. The bartenders have ripped biceps from shaking cocktails by hand. They flambee orange slices and shake egg whites into soft peaks for Ramos Gin Fizzes. It is expensive (for Cleveland) and cheap (for what you get) at once. At the VTR, some weird alchemy makes it all work.