Winking Lizard Tavern

OldFrothingSlosh

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -8.7%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | food: 3

Stopped here to stuff our bellies before heading next door to Buckeye Brewing. A crowded, smoky sports bar with all sorts of TV's tuned to the ESPN's of the world, plus one fat guy at the bar who was WAY too into the horse racing they were showing. L-O-U-D music blaring from the overhead speakers. Decent tap list, with some good locals as well as brews from across the pond. $6 souvy glass of Bombardier ESB went home with me. Beers are broken down by style on your placemat. Huge bottle selection as well. Food was tolerable. Pizza is kinda hard to screw up, but it certainly wasn't memorable. Service was OK as well. Not too much beer knowledge here, which is a shame, as there is certainly the potential to educate the masses about non-macro beers. Good visit, but I'll eat somewhere else before heading to Buckeye next time.

04-16-2005 01:07:53 | More by OldFrothingSlosh

wailingwench

New Mexico

4.78/5  rDev +22.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5

Cheers: The winking liz indeed has a winking lizard (iguana). I think that it smiled at me. Bartender took the time to explain the story behind the Lizard, show me the beer selection, and give us big ass pours. Tons of bottles, wide range of regional/international selection. Reasonable prices. Nice guidebook with explanations. Bartender attempted to get us to join the club, stated that we could do a every other weekend thing. She personally knows Lee Evans (Bills WR). Former Syracuse football players are patrons. Ice cold H2O in the bathroom to sober you up. Buckeye is within crawling distance. Told that we could camp out in the future. Made my top 5 reuben list. Special agreement with Great Lakes, had the Christmas on even though they were out at the brewery. Easily could have stayed here and chatted and hung out, but Buckeye and Great Lakes were beckoning.

Jeers: Macros on tap. Shiner Bock was not as good as I remembered it way back in 1999 prior to my tastebuds finally growing up. Seeing smoke in a bar is strange to me, since I live in one of the most liberal states, yet one of the most ridiculous in terms of laws. I didnt like it (the smoke). Bottles should be served with a chalice or goblet to make them extra special.

03-04-2005 01:12:00 | More by wailingwench

WVbeergeek

Ohio

3.95/5  rDev +1.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4

After stopping by Buckeye for some bottled offerings, my brother and I caught some lunch at the Winking Lizard after finding out that there was no food at all and no draft samples offered until 4pm at Buckeye. Winking Lizard's parking lot was jam packed many folks arriving it was hard to get into the front door, luckily there were two seats at the bar no waiting for a table, score! Crowded restaurant/bar with TVs lining the wall behind the bar and there was also an impressive vintage beer can collection directly behind where we sat. Place mats list drafts and bottles along with a beginner's list full of macro's. Draft list I wasn't overly impressed some rarities like Unibroue's Maudite but other than that nothing jumped out at me. Bottle list was spanned many styles and I got to try beers from Founders, Arcadia, and Thirsty Dog. Service was great for how packed the place was, and the bartender was working solo much props for her patience and on the ball service we recieved. I had an Asian chicken wrap my bro had a salad with feta and all the fixings, good stuff definitely did the trick.

09-10-2004 02:17:14 | More by WVbeergeek

Ahhdball

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -3.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 5 | food: 3

OK So what do 100 different beers and a giant freaking lizard have in comimon? Nothing until you come to this place. It looks average with wood floors and sports memorabila all around but when they give you the beer menu everything changes! I can't remember the last time I had this many choices for my favorite beverage. My new sister-n-law and her husband suggested this place the last time I visited them in Cleveland and I'll be sure to hit this place the next time I'm up there!

From Aass Bock to Young's Waggledance I'd be in touble if I lived as close as they do to this place. The food was OK, average munchie type eats. The waitress could've been a little more knowledgable/coherant of the types pf beers she was serving. I'm not saying I expected her to know the difference between malt and hops, I just would like her to know her menu a little more.

I had a great time with my family while up there and I hope I can start making regular trips to that area again. No, not JUST because of the Lizard but it does add a little to the visit! :)

06-16-2003 19:18:53 | More by Ahhdball

Wildman

Ohio

3.68/5  rDev -5.4%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3

Okay, this Cleveland bar is located now in several areas nearby but this is the first location. They hand you a beer menu that has to be in small print because they have so many beers they rotate. The food to me is standard pub fare. But the beer selection is great.

07-17-2002 17:24:20 | More by Wildman