XYZ lowres.jpg
Happy Hour at XYZ, in Cleveland's Gordon Square district, is a simple, yet savory affair.
(John Petkovic/The Plain Dealer)
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- I wasn’t expecting much from Happy Hour at this Gordon Square bar-eatery. Not because there’s anything wrong with XYZ. Rather, the after-work deal is so simple, so spartan: “select craft beer and a slice - $5.”
Happy Hour
XYZ the Tavern
6419 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland
216-706-1104; xyzthetavern.com
Happy Hour: 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday
Happy rating: Four out of five olives.
Ah, but this deal breaks down to a BOGO deal and then some. XYZ’s New York-style pizza comes with various toppings and a generous serving. The slice was thick, big and savory. (Btw, you can get an entire pie for $10 on Mondays.) As for the beer, I went with a New Belgian Fat Tire, one of many craft brands on tap. That it’s an American beer and not Belgian is a case of hand-crafted geography – but the beer was fine.
Just as impressive as the deal is the vibe of XYZ, a laidback spot, especially at the end of the work day. These kind of simple deals used to be the norm in the early days of Happy Hour. I’m glad this place keeps it simple – because it makes for a fine way to the end the day.