You know that saying “you can’t judge a book by it’s cover”? The Velvet Tango Room in Cleveland, Ohio, was a double whammy for me.
I’ve been visiting Cleveland – well technically the suburbs of Cleveland – for 20+ years, visiting family. For years, the visits were focused around weddings, anniversaries, or other celebrations so we were busy focusing on family, not sight-seeing. But about five or so years ago, I told my cousins that it was time to start introducing me to Cleveland, something unique and fun that represented the town.
Family bonding with tasty cocktails!
I’ve always thought of Cleveland as a solid sports and beer town. And as a girl who likes both sports and beer, that was just fine. But on a whim, shortly before my last trip, I Googled “Cleveland and gin.” To my surprise, the Velvet Tango Room popped up. And then the evening before I arrived, a cocktail writer was posting video from Velvet Tango Room on Instagram. So, I figured I had to check this place out.
The Bar
We pulled up to the bar, and weren’t sure we were in the right place. To say the outside
Not what I expected…
is unassuming is an understatement. And one certainly wouldn’t expect a craft cocktail bar in the area. We were the first to arrive on a Thursday around 5 pm, but within 30 minutes, the small bar was packed. We were immediately welcomed by a lovely bartender who handed us the extensive cocktail menu and encouraged us to help ourselves to the small happy hour platter of fresh bread, cheese, and olive oil.
Inside, the bar was charming, with a long, wood paneled bar filled with spirits, a row of pub tables adjacent to the bar, and other room with comfortable couches and dim lighting. Later, I found out they have a beautiful garden patio, which I’ll be visiting my next time in town.
I started with the Berkshire Martinez, VTR’s recipe inspired by Michael Ruhlman, a prolific, food author from Cleveland. It was delicious and complex. I followed that with the White Lady, which had Hendrick’s, Cointreau, simple syrup, lime, and egg white. I also tried a nip of Nolet’s Silver Dry Gin as well as Bulldog gin, both which were new to me. My cousins did not have gin, however one had a drink called The Boudoir, which was appropriately named as one sip elicited inappropriate noises from all three of us!
The History
Paulius Nasvytis – the man, the myth, the legend.
I was fascinated by this unassuming bar with excellent cocktails, an air of pure class and great service. So, I reached out to the owner, Paulius Nasvytis, a native Clevelander and all around interesting guy. He opened the Velvet Tango Room 20 years ago (!) this November, before craft cocktails were cool again. He said people absolutely thought he was “stone cold crazy.” But Paulius had a vision, inspired by New York bars like Milk & Honey. So, he found a spot and took a chance with a very specific cocktail program that “demanded a sense of decorum.” For example, Paulius put a non-smoking ban in effect years before made to – he knew that not only does cigarette smoke dull the palate, but that the clientele he fostered would support the change.
He focuses on delivering great service as he knows it can be overwhelming for a customer to come in for the first time, so he and his staff have to focus on education, continually raising standards.
I loved this bar. They have a detailed, varied menu with something for everyone, and a
Gin happiness.
staff that’s ready to give recommendations. The atmosphere after work was perfect for happy hour with friends or colleagues, and as it got later, the small live band gave the bar a good date-night atmosphere. The gleaming wood bar lends to the classy, but not snooty atmosphere. I can’t wait to go sit on the lovely patio and try the Ramos Gin Fizz the next time I’m in town.
You can follow Velvet Tango Room on Facebook and on Twitter.
