CLE Shops: Happy Hour Collection

Do you like Happy Hour? That was a rhetorical question-- of course you do!! Located in the 5th Street Arcades, Happy Hour Collection is focussed on the modern bar so you can make your Happy Hours even happier. The store itself is adorable-- it has this great art deco vibe, and a mix of vintage and modern bar appointments to make your bar area (perhaps its a bar cart?) oh-so-Instagram-worthy. Ever wonder where you can get those gorgeous glasses with hints of gold? Or in desperate need (want) of a gold champagne chiller? You can find them at Happy Hour Collection.

The store carries a great selection of bitters and mixes, which would be great additions to your personal bar, and also make great gifts for the drink-lover (which, lets face it, is basically everyone I know.) They offer a few pre-made gift selections, but I always enjoy walking around and creating my own personalized gift selections for the people I love.

Happy Hour Collection will be hosting events in the very near future, so make sure you're following them on social media to stay up to date. I believe there's a bourbon tasting coming up in the fall!

Made-in-Ohio decanter and glasses

 I really wanted to buy these, but Nick *might* kill me if I bring more glasses into the house, so I had to show restraint and walk away. 

I bought a set of these mixers-- I will talk more about them in an upcoming post- stay tuned!

An example of a gift package. 

More merchandise. I mean, just LOOK at that gold cocktail shaker and flash. SO chic and insta-worthy. 

Unique cocktail shaker with matching glasses-- the prices on these vintage items are really reasonable!

Another glimpse at what the store has on offer. 

Go stop by and explore-- not only is the store adorable and fun, but your bar and happy hour guests will LUUUUURVE you for it! 

Maybe someday I will find a Pearl?

Ever since N and I took a trip to Montreal last fall with Dave and Jess, I have been OBSESSED with oysters on the half shell. I literally get uncontrollable cravings, and have been known to pick restaurants solely on whether they offer oysters or not. Its really become quite the problem.

This past Friday, after months of planning, Jess and I cut out of work a little early to get some oysters at Blue Point. It was my first time there, and I feel like a complete idiot for having missed out on their happy hour for so long-- oysters are $1 a piece!! And these are some really high quality oysters too!!

Paired with a glass of crisp white wine, these oysters are sheer perfection. While both the mignonette and cocktail sauce were delicious, my favorite way to eat oysters are with a squirt of lemon and a liberal dash of tabasco. I may or may not have eaten 20. I may or may not have later developed heartburn on account of the aforementioned tabasco, but it was worth it.

Happy Hour at Blue Point runs 3:00- 6:30 pm weekdays, and 4:00 pm- 9:00 pm Sundays!! If you are an oyster lover, you should definitely check it out!!!

Happy Hour to benefit Secondhand Mutts

Happy hump day!!! If you're like me, you're already making plans for Friday, especially if you're one of the lucky ones that has this Friday off!! If you're looking for something fun to do, come join me at a Happy Hour  to benefit Secondhand Mutts, hosted at Kenilworth Tavern in Lakewood.

I had never been to the Kenilworth until last week, and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised!! Its a townie bar, SMACK IN THE MIDDLE OF LAKEWOOD!! You know the kind of bar I'm talking about: you may have had one in your college town, or even your own home town (not my home town tho; no townie bars in Mumbai);  they're a little rough around the edges visually, but have a great jukebox, fun people, cheap drinks, huge food portions, and are SO MUCH FUN!! Kenilworth has been kind enough to set aside their side room for us, and it has a pool table, darts, Golden Tee, and old school bowling (like the one at ABC The Tavern).  Their happy hour drink specials are ridiculous: $1.75 well drinks, $1.75 domestic beer, discounts on imports and other drink specials. I literally had to ask twice when they told me my beer was $1.75!!!! Except for PBR, I can't remember the last time I payed under $2 for a beer!!!

So if you're not up to anything else, come join me at Happy Hour this Friday!! The festivities begin at 5:30, although I will be participating in Spin for Strays until 6:30, so I will be there after I'm done riding!! Hope to see you soon!!

Planning your Hump Day: Happy Hour for Puppies

This Wednesday, Garage Bar in Ohio City is hosting the Second Annual HumpDay Happy Hour to benefit SecondHand Mutts and Berea Animal Rescue Fund! 

From 4-9pm local celebrities will be serving up drinks for charity! 100% OF CELEB BARTENDER TIPS, 100% OF PROCEEDS FROM SPECIAL 'HUMPDAY' SHOTS AND SPECIAL DRAFT BEER, AND 15% OF ALL OTHER DRINK SALES WILL SUPPORT ARF & SECONDHAND MUTTS! The local celebrities include (among others) Councilman Joe Cimperman, an assortment of local radio personalities, Dr. Bob and Dr. Liz from Gateway Animal Clinic, sportswriter Bud Shaw, and of course, the evening's fabulous hostess and Burning River Roller Girl Ursula Allison!


Seriously, what can be better than celebrating Happy Hour, and knowing that its all going to two GREAT causes?! And BONUS: you get to bring your well-socialized dog on a leash!! N and I will certainly be there with Otto and St. Clair; you should stop by for a drink and say hi. We'd all love to see you!!