The Observer

Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: Focus

The Corner Alley, located on the corner of East 4th Street and Euclid Avenue provides a balanced mix of great drink specials and opportunities to bowl. [Click to enlarge]

Frank Sinatra once appropriately stated, "I'm for whatever gets you through the night," which seems to be fitting for the variety of the Gateway District. This past weekend found me exploring the bars of an area often looked at first for its outstanding restaurants, East 4th Street. This is the region of Cleveland near Progressive Field and The Q: a natural breeding ground for outstanding bars. Expect a couple more weeks of reviews from here. Cheers!

Chocolate Bar

347 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland

Website: www.originalchocolatebar.com

Overall: C-

Do not let the name fool you ­­- this place is less cool than you thought it could be. Chocolate Bar is a recent edition to the Gateway District, located across Euclid Avenue from the main stretch of East 4th Street. The premise is, as you would expect, a commitment to the use of chocolate in everything. While drinking my chocolate martini and coping with a significant loss to my manhood, I was hard-pressed to find anyone under 35. The establishment also only had seating at the bar, and no first-come, first-serve tables; so it's not really much of a bar setting at all. While their specialty may be $11 chocolate martinis, they seemed to lack an ability to make any other drinks, and had to consult their book to make a simple gin drink. I do have to give Chocolate Bar credit as the desserts looked amazing, but I wasn't interested in another fifteen minute wait for service. To sum up, I would have to say that this establishment will not be on your next stop to East 4th, unless over-priced drinks and a crowd the age of your parents.

Corner Alley

402 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland

Website:www.thecorneralley.com

Overall: B+

It is not uncommon to go out bowling and inadvertently have a drink or two, but expect the opposite at Corner Alley by going out drinking and inadvertently bowling a game or two. It's a moderately upscale bar that features a collection of pool tables and, of course, bowling lanes. While getting a lane on a Saturday night may require some waiting, I had no trouble finding a seat at the bar and being served quickly. A nice selection of tap beers, quality spirits, and Bud Light bottles shaped like bowling pins complete the bar, with average prices for a downtown bar ($5 tall drafts). The crowd was young, and the overall atmosphere was very casual, seeming to be a likely destination for after Cavs games. Bowling can get pricey, but Sundays and Mondays are all you can bowl for $20 after 8 p.m. (not a listed special) and happy hours feature $2 drafts and $3 specialty drinks. And if you really feel like getting the full experience, the food at their own 4th Street Bar & Grill is outstanding. Overall, it's a great place that could take up your entire night, but perhaps a little too loud and casual for some.

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