Speakeasy-style bar 'Society Lounge' opens Saturday on East 4th Street in downtown Cleveland

CLEVELAND - A new speakeasy-style bar is opening this weekend in Cleveland’s growing Gateway District.

Society Lounge opens Saturday in the basement of the Frederick Building on East 4th Street, located between Saigon and Zocalo restaurants. Apartments are located above the lounge.

Society showcases a 1950s essence and features a menu of hand-crafted cocktails and small plates. The lighting is dim, the floor concrete and the bar is accented with modern lighting.

The investors, who also own Windows Nation, said the concept was inspired by their visits to other cities like New York.

Owner Andrew Pucella has actually lived in an apartment on the street for the last six years.

“I’ve always said the only thing lacking is somewhere to go after dinner,” said Pucella in a news release. “The customer has already committed to valet parking- and maybe they have a baby-sitter until midnight -- they don't want to get in a car or cab and go someplace else for an after-dinner drink.”

Check out Society's menu here: http://on.wews.com/13jwppN

The space was previously unoccupied and is one of the last to fill up on the street since developer MRN, Ltd. redeveloped the block in the last decade.

The final open space on the street remains the storefront where clothing store Dredger’s Union called home. A source told NewsChannel5 an announcement for a new tenant of that space is expected soon, but no details have been released.

Meanwhile, around the corner, construction on the new “Red, The Steakhouse” restaurant is well under way. A person associated with the project said its opening date is set for July 1, 2013. The owner is also looking into options for its rooftop, which may mean open air dining or an outdoor bar.

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