Full disclosure, here: The managers of the West End are family friends of mine. But they didn't put me up to this. Especially since I'm going to call them out on a few finer points.
Their menu is a welcome step-up from the usual bar fare. The salads, and yes, they have salads, are fresh and creative. Any chicken dish is sure to please. The soups are delicious. I come here with my family during the dinner hour and the cacophony of most sports bars is not felt here. The wooden benches and faux brick walls remind me of a New York City bar, but the waitstaff are all Mid-Western warmth.
But there is still room for improvement. On a busy Saturday night, you cannot get near the bar. It's just teaming with frat boys. Waitstaff could and should circulate the dining area more, fill the empty glasses and just keep the area flowing. I've also always thought that what this bar was missing - which many Lakewood bars don't have anyway - is a deck. How great would that be? Of course, with due respect to the neighbors, I can understand why. But this would probably be my favorite bar with some kind of outdoor element.
If you do drop by the West End, I'm sure you'll feel all of these familiar elements, and you'll want to become a familiar face, as well.