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| - Sorry I'm not sorry--I'm a major fan of this hip new lounge in CLE.
Not only have I been waiting for what seems like forever for a new, boutique hotel in downtown Cleveland, but I've also been waiting for a non-sleazed out, upscale lounge with delicious cocktails and zero dance-club vibe. These two things just happened to come together in one package, which I adore.
First off, this lounge is in the lobby of the new Aloft Hotel and honestly, you feel a little like an out-of-towner when you're here--in the best way possible. It's trendy without the douche-factor that almost every CLE lounge eventually gets. It boasts modern, high-end decor and interesting guest. I admit, I haven't been back in a little over 2 months, but when I was there I was so relieved to find reprieve from booty-grinding 22 year olds and overly tanned Affliction shirt-wearing gym rat dudes. Thank you, Jesus.
Yes, Cleveland. We can have a nice, classy cocktail lounge without it becoming completely ruined by drunken idiots, inappropriate behavior and pucker shots. At least that's my hope for this spot.
Secondly--the balcony connected to W XYZ is fantastic. It's not huge, but in the summer it is really cool to stand out there, sip a cocktail and watch boats on the Cuyahoga, lit up bridges, the Rapid zipping by and the slow rebuild of The Flats. Again, you start to feel like you're out of town.
There's also tons of lounge space indoors with trendy, comfy seating and a late night menu that brags gourmet grilled cheese and tomato soup, veggie flatbreads and other delicious-looking items. I haven't eaten here, yet, but I intend to.
If you're looking for a change of pace from brewpubs, hipster bars, townie traps, dives, douchey dance clubs, cover charges and carbon copies of the same places--I'd check out W XYZ at Aloft.
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