Two years ago we did their World Tour of Beers. Recently it was their Tuesday night bowling league. Now matter what you are here for, the Winking Lizard had a lot to offer! A great menu, and and even greater variety of craft beers and drink options. Also their calendar of specials and happenings can be very helpful! I love trying the "glass of the month" beer, and taking the glass home. I have acquired a bunch of really cool beer glasses for my home collection that way. The staff and service are generally excellent. The only downside is that even though WL is a local chain, they have a bit of a corporate feel. (I also note that the bartenders use jiggers to measure out every liquor pour.) That being said for what it is, its a fabulous place! Also extra great for sports fans. Tons of big nice TVs. And best of all... wing night on Tuesdays!!! Don't miss out on trying that!
(5)
Magda M.
After coming home to Cleveland from my first 10 months in California, the first place that I want to go to hang out with my friends is the Winking Lizard in Lakewood. Before moving to California, I started a weekly Wing Night tradition with my friends from high school (we are now all college graduates)- I highly recommend Monday/Tuesday Wing Nights at the Wink! When I'm hungry, I'll get 10 wings and celery/blue cheese. My favorite flavors are Caribbean and Spicy BBQ. When I'm in the mood to switch it up, my next favorite is Thai. But in all honesty, you can't go wrong with ANY of the flavors. At Wing Night prices, you can't get a better deal. Besides Wings, I love the atmosphere at this place. The Bar area is huge, full of energy and friendly local Cleveland faces. Beer selection is always fantastic and I try my hardest to purchase the Glass of the Month. The free popcorn at the front of the restaurant is also a must. If you love BBQ sauce, you should also purchase a bottle to go. The Wink is a Cleveland favorite and hence I can't help but readily give it 5 stars!
(5)
Jeffery W.
Great wings great pizza. You would not think that a wing place (the best wing place) would have AMAZING pizza... I mean why would you, right? Well set those thoughts and fear aside. When you try one you will know that this is a pizza place and wonder why they have wings!! Wait, its because the wings are the best, why do they have Pizza.. You get the point! Both are amazing, really!
(4)
Benjamin N.
My favorite place to go, World Tour of Beers is amazing!
(5)
erin w.
Winking Lizard is kind of a Cleveland area staple. I recently visited the Lakewood location for the first time, and it was business as usual. I love a good beer list, and you pretty much can't go wrong here. I was very excited to see that Founder's Breakfast Stout was on draught, however I was there late-ish on 10-31 and was informed that it was a November draught pick, so I couldn't get one that night. Looks like I'll back for some of that! People, you have to try this stout...it's that good. The food was fine. I don't do a lot of meat (really any, except for the occasional sushi), so I was happy to see a few veg options. I got the portabella sandwich and was to see that all the veggies on it were grilled (instead of fried as I might have expected). I should also mention that the atmosphere here is way cooler than that of most of the locations. You can tell that it has some history, which I love. Overall Winking Lizard is a-ok, and I will be back for the Breakfast Stout...possibly on more than one occasion!
(4)
Paul G.
How can a sports bar not have Bud or Bud Light on tap. Come on man. I'll be back when the king of beers is back
(2)
Kris P.
Thursday night at Winking Lizard lakewood is well -- whatever is to be expected. Fairly busy but always able to find a table. Friend and myself grabbed a two-top in the bar. Service was spotty, always a good beer selection though. Food-wise, well I'm a very picky eater, but for a Lizard it was satisfying. Food came out fast, cooked to my specs, and even tasted decent. Just a burger and fries on special paired with Leinenkugel. Will definitely keep going to hang, eat, drink and watch sports with friends.
(3)
melanie l.
My fav of the Lizard locations.
(3)
John B.
The Winking Lizard has some pretty solid bar food and a fantastic selection of beers. One of my favorite things about the Wink is the glass of the month where you can buy a beer in a fancy-pants glass and then you get to take it home! I don't think I've spent more than $6 on this combo before, so it's a pretty good deal. Also, they have some pretty insanely awesome beer specials. You can get a 32 ounce beer for $5 pretty much every night of the week. They change beer depending on what day it is. You really can't beat that. If you're not a beer drinking, the mixed drinks leave a lot to be desired (at least if you order them off the menu). The Margarita for 2 is basically a glass of sour mix. The Lakewood Winking Lizard is by far my favorite location. The place is HUGE! It is inside an old house, which is really cool. Also, you can rent out a bowling alley in the basement for parties. You heard me right...a bowling alley. It also features a really nice patio in front. The server was fast, helpful, and very personable. He made the visit very enjoyable. I will definitely be back here many times in the future.
(4)
Dana P.
The Lakewood Winking Lizard is by far the best in town! Spacious and charming, and full of great food, just how I like my restaurants! I recently fell in love with their boneless wings. More meat, less mess! And the range of sauces they have is impressive! On Mondays (and Tuesdays, I think?) they have 35 cent wings, a wonderful deal. I have never been disappointed with my food here. Their burgers are good, their pulled pork sandwich excellent (pulled pork is always excellent), and they have a hell of a 24 oz root beer. The only downside? Don't order a non-beer drink here. Every Wink I've been to is stingy on the liquor, opting instead for more sour mix. I do not like this substitution. I want a drink made well, which doesn't usually entail simply making it stronger, just making it with accurate proportions of ingredients. However, for the beer and the bar food, this is your best bet. What's more the Lakewood location has a BOWLING ALLEY IN THE RESTAURANT. Can't argue with that!
(4)
John B.
Always good food and great beer selection.
(4)
Stephanie C.
Knowledgeable staff! I cant even explain how important it is to know about the beer you are serving when you have such a amazing selection! first thing I saw when I sat at the bar was the wall of beer "the heavens opened up and a sudden thirst came on" I was amazed so many yumms I want to try! I could have stayed all day! I had a few beers but my fav was the vanilla beer it was so different and delightful I often get cravings for this beer and can not find it anywhere?! The bathrooms were stanky and the floors were sticky but other than that I will be returning!
(4)
Nick D.
There are a dozen or so Winking Lizards in the Cleveland area, but this one has a special charm. The building use to be an old tennis club and then turned into a Elk Lodge, and then a Winking Lizard. The inside is huge, and the bar can seat plenty of beer goers. I went on a Monday evening around 7pm or so. It had decent traffic but it was not to the point were you had to wait to be seated or for someone to leave the bar. The stand out feature of Winking Lizard is their incredible beer list. About 200 beers you can choose from. You can join their World Tour of Beer, which is about 10 bucks for the membership and you get a book explaining each beer on the list and a rating a guide so you can rate the beers you like or do not like. Their food is good, but nothing special, typical American bar food, wings, burgers, sandwiches. Monday and Tuesday are their wing nights. On a typical wing night at restaurants you get the worse wings possible, but these wings were great, plenty of flavors to pick from, they are juicy and fresh. Definitely a must try here. The hostess and the bartenders are great. Friendly and knowledgeable, everything you need to complete the experience. If you are looking for a bar/restaurant with a great beer list and great atmosphere you should definitely true out Winking Lizard.
(4)
Paul S.
I'm thoroughly convinced that the Winking Lizard has the best wings in the world, bar none. Buffalo ain't got nuthin' on them...and I've had true Buffalo wings. While they have a large assortment of wing flavors, my favorite is the caribbean spice. I can easily put down a couple dozen or so! And their beer list is HUGE, best, I've ever seen, anywhere! I've never done it, but they have the 'beer club' that you can join. If I still lived in Cleveland, or if I ever live there again, I will certainly be trying that out! Cool, relaxed sports environment too, great for watching games. They have other Lizards around Cleveland as well, in Coventry, Independence, Cleveland, and Avon I believe.
(5)
Aries L.
I've always been a fan of Winking Lizard, when I was working downtown for four years, I was a regular at that location. I was super excited that there was a restaurant in Lakewood. The service was okay, but I am a huge fan of the food. Got the Strawberry Margarita with my meal and boy...that stuff made me SUPER happy lol (I wonder if it is influencing me to write this nice review? lol) The staff was very helpful, nice and pleasant without being annoying. Happy hour is from 3pm to7pm...no "I need to get down there quick" prices for the drinks but they are sooo strong and yummy. Food was good but I am a fan of Winking Lizard (no negative feedback from me) and it didn't disappoint.
(4)
Mary V.
I really like the atmosphere of this place but I have to say I had the WORST Margarita of my life here...and I'm a huge Margarita drinker (notice I give it enough respect to capitalize the name) but this place made a Margarita like whiskey sour and it was so sour that I couldn't drink it and had to send it back. In all fairness, they may have had a rookie bartender that night who didn't know how to make one and decided to just wing it, hoping the ignoramus at the table wouldn't know any better...not knowing the Margarita Queen was on the receiving end. The reason I say that is that I went to the Winking Lizard on Huron, downtown the other night, and told the waitress to ask the bartender to go easy on the 'sour mix' (thinking all Winking Lizards made them that way) to which she seemed puzzled and said, 'they don't use sour mix in a Margarita' LOL I said, 'well they need to send someone over to the Lakewood location and tell them that because they seem to be confused as to what a Margarita is and have decided it's a whiskey sour with tequila' ...other than that, I enjoyed the Lakewood location. Food is so so but good enough for a quick bite.
(2)
Dave S.
Decent bar but, the food here sucks. Typical bar food...not impressed with the food at all. I would only recommend drinking here.
(2)
Michael C.
This is a large bar / restaurant. They even have bowling lanes downstairs! Lunch was good with reasonable prices, a nice selection, lots of different brews, and good service. I ordered the Blue-Cheese-Mushroom-Burger and it was very good. Nothing too amazing going on in here, but definitely a reliable lunch.
(3)
Bethany P.
Have been here several times without writing a review, so I thought I'd write one. This place is GREAT. The beer list is just remarkable. A must for any beer connoisseurs. I've tended to enjoy this place more when I've gone for liquid than for food. Don't get me wrong, their food is fine. They make a damn fine pizza, and depending on the night, you can get pretty decent food for a great price. But their beer list has always been what keeps me coming in. Lots of different types, always changing. I have yet to tackle the world tour of beers but I will one of these years. Having moved to the East Side, I miss having this place right near my house. P.S. given that I LOVE skiball, I think it's fun that they have that available! A great place to go for drinks for sure, and I don't mind eating there either. On this particular visit I was there with family in from out of town, and we got excellent service. I would definitely recommend checking this place out.
(4)
Molly D.
I love going to Winking Lizard for their weekly specials -- the deals on personal pizzas and wings are great. While the wings often aren't as spicy as I might expect them to be from their heat chart, most of the flavors are very tasty and it's fun to get a variety. With a few wings and a small pizza of your choice (I like adding chicken and artichoke), you can have a great, inexpensive meal. Their drink selection is also fun and extensive. It's a nice place for everyone, whether you're sitting down for a family meal or heading for the bar.
(4)
Jen M.
i agree with the previous poster that Thursday nights are a winner at this place. This bar is always hoppin' with a good crowd of people. Bar service is very good and they usually play great music. I think the Lizard has THE BEST hot sauce! yum.
(4)
Jim P.
UPDATE: The menu has been redesigned so that it can be jam-packed with full page ads! There is literally a giant advertisement on each left hand page. As there are at least 5 or 6 ads, this makes the menu way too huge and INCREDIBLY ANNOYING. I'd like to puke up greasy bar food on the person that decided on such a low class and absolutely money hungry move at the expense of their customers! Now for my original review... THE UP-SIDE: Really large open space, cool atmosphere, many types of beer, and good bar food. If you're looking for a place for a party, you can even rent out the bowling alley in the basement! THE DOWN-SIDE: It's just a bar with some okay food; no great shakes. THE SUM-IT-UP: Not a bad place to hang out with some friends and have some pretty decent bar food.
(3)
Jason L.
If you come here expecting top-tier bar food, you will not be disappointed. The menu is full of traditional pub items including pizza, BBQ, sandwiches and, of course, wings! Their wing variety is solid and the sauces are yummy. I believe the Lizard ranks third in the local Cleveland area behind BW3 and Quaker Steak, but it's still worth the trip if you set your expectations appropriately. P.S. They also have awesome 36 OZ beer specials!
(4)
Jack W.
(1) The food was great! I had the shrimp burger; as if it was made in the SF Bay Area! The cole slaw was also very good; not overly spicy. (2) The selection of beer and whiskey was amazing! (3) The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. Just sitting there listening to Jamie and Crystal giving lectures on the whiskeys and the beers was worth it!
(5)
Gene G.
I live a block away from this place and since I enjoy beer and bar food I've been here about a thousand times. And yes, I have driven that one block before. It gets cold in the winter. The Lakewood location is in a pretty cool building. The space is huge with some nice outdoor seating available. They also have outdoor TV's that I like to look at when I run by in the summer. I don't think that's really a relevant detail, I just want everyone to know that I exercise (if no one knows you do it then what's the point). Like all Wink locations they have a gigantic beer list that can be a little overwhelming. Honestly, I usually select beers randomly based on how "cool" I perceive the name to be. The wait staff can usually help you out with that a little bit, but it's a huge list so asking them for recommendations almost seems cruel. I've had my fair share of mixed drinks here and I've always felt they were a little weak, but in their defense it's probably a proper pour which is certainly less than what I'm pouring at home. The food at the Winking Lizard is always going to be decent. I've never had a bad meal there, but I don't know that I've had something so fantastic that I feel the need to specifically mention it in a Yelp review. I've walked here to eat alone before which was pretty sad, but I can tell you I certainly wouldn't have done that if I didn't enjoy their food. I would also like to note that I have a small obsession with their BBQ sauce. I use it instead of ketchup with their fries and I even throw it on their popcorn because I am a disgusting individual and I have no respect for my body. Long story short, the BBQ sauce is good. Final verdict: The Wink in Lakewood is a good place for casual beers and bar food, even dinner alone if you're a lonely individual like that. Put the BBQ sauce on your popcorn, I swear it's good. Then play drunken skeeball. That's a solid evening right there. You won't regret it.
(4)
Michael G.
It looked cool from the outside. Once inside it was a bit of a chopped up layout. WE did enjoy some free popcorn while we waited. The beer menu is pretty extensive. You can drink around the world with all beers listed with thier ratings. The little macaroni and cheese bites were unbelieveable!!! But the service was slow, and the waitress seemed unconcerned. She was almost aloof to her job. We were pretty disapointed. The bathroom did not help the cause.
(3)
Sarah A.
I am actually shocked I have waited this long to review The Winking Lizard. After all, I basically live here. It's gotten to the point where they mind as well just set a bed up for under the bar. Now, I can't speak on the food really because with the exception of the Lizard Freckles (yes that is an actual item on the menu), I've never actually eaten here. What I can talk about though is their beer selection, and let me tell you: it's quite the collection. They have everything from banana bread beer to German Hefeweizens, to ol' reliable: Guinness. They safe is also very nice, and depending on who you get, very knowledgable about their extensive drink menu. Overall, I am head-over-heels for the Winking Lizard, and a little part of me likes to think he's winking at me.
(5)
Susana W.
Of course I have experienced better. Amazingly poor food. Bad wings........absolutely amazingly poorly cooked, , sauces not well made and soups are worst than canned. No, even a tavern must be good. The Lizard chain is already too comfortable and has so much clientele that they are doing a sloppy job. No, I won't go back nor tell my friends.
(2)
Cory M.
Visiting From Virginia and my family recommended the winking lizard for a family dinner. Good beer selection, and service. My wife and I ordered the margaritas, and they tasted like lemon Gatorade -- Not recommended. Food was ok at best. I'm sure there are better places for food in Lakewood.
(3)
David F.
Wings were "eh". Biggest issue is TV had the sound for women's soccer. Fine. But 25 minutes after the game ended could we get the sound for the Indians game on instead of having to listen to the Viagra commercials? 2-stars.
(2)
Chris C.
The Worst place I have been in Lakewood the service honestly was so slow it took the server 20 mins to get my drink! The food is ok but I won't be going back!
(2)
Donna W.
Went in Mentor and another location. Good bar type food!
(4)
Katie G.
Great beer selection. Average food. The beer of the month glass is always a great souvenir!
(4)
Joe H.
Normally I scoff at poor reviews as people that are just never happy or snobbish. I have a restaurant background and understand you just can't hit a home run everyday, though it is always or should be the goal. I have been to the Winking Lizard many times both in Lakewood and downtown. Usually the experience is good as I enjoy trying different beers and eating bar food while watching a game. A month ago, I had a terrible experience with less than acceptable food preparation and presentation. But wasn't going to post on Yelp because I chalked it up as one of those days. But here's why I am here. As stated earlier, I have restaurant experience in management and I know that the complaints are needed as a means to improve service and or food. So I wrote to tell of my experience. The letter was sincere, and was not attacking in any way. As I said, that was a month ago and I have yet to hear from anyone in that Lakewood store or the company. To me, it told me why the food and service are what they are there. Management is not following up with the customers. I'm not looking for free food or a discount, rather just a thank you for taking the time to write and that they would follow up with the employees. Unforgivable and I will not return to. Winking Lizard anytime soon. Joe Hempel Cincinnati, Ohio
(1)
Matt B.
Great service, food, & atmosphere. The staff was very helpful and friendly. Food was received quickly and tasted amazing. The dessert was amazing (caramel pretzel brownie sundae) and was very well priced. Will definitely return!
(4)
Bob B.
First but hopefully not last visit. Really unique place, and massive selection of beer, and bourbons. Enjoyed some laughs with friends over a flight of various aged Irish blends. Very nice.
(4)
Mike T.
My favorite Winking Lizard location, and I have been to most. Big, open, comfortable space and generally good bartenders.... even though a couple of the better ones left. Beer list is good, but has some garbage beer along with the good stuff. They have promotions that let you keep a glass with the purchase of a beer, with said beer's logo on it. Some of the glassware is nice, if you like that kind of thing. Not a huge fan of WL's food in general, but it isn't bad. I don't like the parking lot here and try to street park, as the lot is big and it can be a hike to the front door. I heard a Lizardville opened next door. I need to make a trip because the other Lizardville locations are sweet.
(3)
Liz V.
I have been to this place multiple times and each time been less and less impressed. I keep telling myself "once more chance," but that falls short every time. I do not get the hype over this restaurant that has less than mediocre food. While they have a variety of drink options, it is essentially comparable to a Chilli's or Applebee's (and I would pick either of the two over this place).
(2)
Megan C.
Awesome beer list and I love that they carry Revolution beer. Southwest eggrolls, pieroge dinner, and chopped lizard salads are fabulous. Ask for server Kyle as your server he gives great service always.
(4)
Michelle H.
This is my favorite winking lizard! We live so close to this location that we go pretty regularly. There are TVs every where! The bar is floor to ceiling TVs and there are even TVs on the patio! What a fun place to catch a game! Their food is pretty good! We like to go for their wing nights. Why the one star missing? We've run into bad service a time or two... I know it gets busy but this service can be laughably poor. We also loveeeee the basement whiskey bar!
(4)
Stacy P.
I can honestly say that I did not come here for the food. While there was no Gluten Free menu, my server was very helpful in pointing out and double checking with the kitchen what I could and could not have. In the end, I opted for some potato skins and a burger with cheese. What made the night were the drinks and the atmosphere. They were reasonably priced, and the bar had a nice tv setup. I mean watching 3 different MLB games at once was great. If I find myself in Cleveland and I'm having difficulties trying to decide which game to watch and don't want to play the channel flipping game, I will definitely keep the Winking Lizards on my bar list.
(4)
Paul W.
I'd like to visit again and see their game rooms. Been there many times when I was in Lakewood...and I'd like to go again!
(4)
Bob L.
The Winking Lizard is a ubiquitous Cleveland institution - there are 14 locations (7 of which are within 20 miles of my house) and they stretch as far south as Columbus. I've been a frequent customer most of my adult life. I cringe a little when I think about how many nights I spent at that little front bar in the Coventry location, Guinness in hand, dreading the short winter walk back to my Coventry apartment. But when it comes to Winking Lizard's, this particular location has to be the gem of the franchise. Plopped inside the renovated guts of an old Elk's Lodge building on Cleveland's West Side, it's just beautiful. Uber-elevated ceilings, dark woodwork, and a cavernous main room are all parts of what make this Winking Lizard the best. If I had to describe it in only a few words, not an easy feat for this guy, I'd say it's part Dave and Busters and part German beer hall. There are two main reasons I frequent the Lizard, beer and beer. When it comes to beer selection it's hard to compete with Winking Lizard. They have one of the best draught lists in NE Ohio (dozens of taps and hundreds of bottles) and their World Tour of Beers is a Cleveland-area institution. If you're like me and you have to have a different beer every time you're out, you can't go wrong here. They also have a glass of the month beer where you get to keep the glass. Kudos to the guys behind their beer list. It's chock full of useful data like style, brewery location, ABV, and serving size. Cheers indeed. The menu is also pretty expansive for a bar-type restaurant. Chances are if you like food they've got something for you. Burgers, ribs, salads, pizza, wraps, sandwiches...the list goes on and on. Did I mention that they've also got some of the best wings I've ever had? Crispy, hot with flavor out the ying yang. Try the spicy sesame. Just do it. I've never really had a bad meal here. The burgers are tasty and actually cooked to order, the wings, as I've already mentioned, are killer, and the grilled chicken sandwiches are always on point. Oh yeah, and their house BBQ sauce is fantastic on their fries. I've got nothing but good things to say about the Winking Lizard. As a native I grew up on them so I'm probably a bit biased. Bias aside though, they are a solid joint with better than decent bar food and a beer-geek-sized brew list. On the down side (see, I can be objective) they can get a tad loud, especially during sports-type events. Not bad I suppose, just not my thing. P.S. If anyone from WL reads this you've gotta add that German soft pretzel app you had during October to the permanent menu. IMHO anyplace with a beer list like yours needs a soft pretzel on the menu. Just sayin'.
(4)
Denell L.
i love the winking lizard. it has a great beer selection, which i have conquered (having completed two world tours of beer!). The bar area is huge. There are a ton of tvs showing whatever game is on. It can be kind of annoying during football games. Wing nights and $5 pizzas on Monday and Tuesday, Rib night on Wednesday and cheaper burgers on Thursday. i love their salads. I love the turkey burger. And i usually love whatever their seasonal food menu is. I am happy to have a Winking Lizard near my home!
(5)
Jackie F.
Good beer and upscale bar food. Who doesn't love Monday nights when wings are 50 cents and small cheese pizza is 5 something. Then throw in the amazing craft beer list, and tons of sport channels and you got a great place to spend a Monday night. Go ahead and extend that weekend one extra day.
(4)
Laura F.
This Winking Lizard is one of my favorites to go to! It is located inside a huge historical building in Lakewood that used to me an old Elks Lodge as well as a Tennis Club. I enjoy how tall the ceilings are and how it is covered in old pictures from the building as well as local sports teams and beer decor. You may choose to sit in either of the 2 different dining rooms or the big bar. Twiggy the Lizard is also a huge hit for all kids! Patio season is coming and this will be a great spot for all to enjoy with 2 patios including a smoke free undercover area as well as tv's to catch the Indians or Browns. The WL is known for its massive beer list and World Tour of Beers which if you finish you earn a sweet jacket! Choose from over 35 beers on draft and over 100 bottled beers. WL also offers monthly seasonal beers, monthly glass's of the month, and many limited availability kegs throughout each month as well as drinks of the month and shots of the month. You can also always order beer to go home if you would like to take some of your favorite beer home that you can't find anywhere else! The Menu is great and has something for everyone. WL is known for their award winning BBQ sauce and I personally love the BBQ! Monday and Tuesday nights are wing and pizza night, Weds is Rib night and Thursday is Burger night! Also, the WL always has great lunch specials as well as amazing seasonal menus that change every 3 months or so! If you are wanting something healthier have a nice salad or a veggie wrap with some steamed broccoli! This is a great location to watch any sports game! They have a numerous amount of tv's and the service is very helpful in case you would like to see a different game on any of the tv's. The ski ball, pop a shot, and dino grab are also a big hit to keep the little kids occupied so dont forget to bring some quarters! Also, they just got a new Photo Booth in the front lobby that could be a fun idea for many! One drawback is the parking, but I think everywhere in Lakewood ends up having parking problems. Now that the Lizardville is in the basement the parking has been a little worse also. I mean it has a large parking lot attached to Giant Eagle, but sometimes you may have to walk a little further than normal. It also can be a tad cold on some of those real cold cleveland winter days! All and all I love the WL and I think you all will have a great time here and will receive great service, great food and great drinks :-)
(5)
Rachel W.
This is a cool location in terms of the building. However, there isn't a lot of parking. And every time I'm here in the winter it feels cold inside. I always have to leave my coat on. Service here has been good, a little better than the other locations. Just has a lot of drawbacks compared to other Lizards.
(3)
Daniel G.
Winking lizard was such a fun bar to go to. With so many different types of beer, you can always add some novelty to your night out. It is a little more expensive than your average bar, but worth it to try out some new brews!
(4)
Ryan F.
It's easy to praise a restaurant for their efforts when everything goes perfectly, but when something goes wrong, that is when you really see how a staff handles a possibly troublesome situation. Recently I visited the winking lizard tavern, and despite my medium burger being over cooked, the manager and waitress on duty handled the situation perfectly. They were pleasant, apologetic, and made what could have been a negative experience into a positive review. I wish more places had the training and professionalism shown by the staff on duty. Congratulations winking lizard. 5 stars.
(5)
Leeann T.
We're WL fans through and through. It is one of the only restaurant our whole family can agree on, and the Lakewood location is our favorite next to the Coventry location (and that one is just for nostalgia reasons). The service is usually great, and the Lakewood location is huge, so there's rarely much of a wait for a table. The menu is fantastic; there's something for everyone with the exception of pasta. Pizza, sandwiches, steaks, grilled chicken, wraps, soups, great apps, salads, wings, fish, etc. My favorite go-to dish is either the mild wings (bone-in) with a wedge salad or the strip steak. Hubby usually gets the patty melt or pizza, and my daughter loves the boneless wings. The patio is nice in the summer (especially now that the covered area is reserved for non-smokers, because nothing ruins a nice patio lunch like someone puffing on nasty cancer sticks at the next table). There are also games for the kids to play--skee ball, arcade games and a few games of skill. It's overall a fun joint!
(5)
Sabrina F.
I was thrilled about the bowling alley but hear that it is closing soon. We had a family gathering here and it was well catered and the bar staff was great to us.
(4)
Karyn C.
I like this particular location. Wait staff is decent. Food always prepared as expected. Great beer selection. (This a definite theme in my ratings...beer selection!) Good location. Cool, historic building. I enjoy this location. I really love the building. The "Lizard" part is the same from place to place.. IMHO. The buildings are usually what make them interesting. Go here. Enjoy the history. Drink a beer.
(4)
Diana M.
I miss my Lizard and try to visit when we come up to visit. Their wings are good, and I really like their pizzas. They also offer super-sized beers which cuts down on the number of trips the server has to make!! I've been to a couple of their world tour parties as a guest and they are a blast!! It's expensive and time consuming to finish the tour but they do put on a nice event for those who do finish!! This location also offers a bowling alley.
(4)
Andrea Z.
This is by far the best Lizard location in town. The building used to be the old Elks lodge and still has just enough clues to the building's former life. There is an honest-to-God bowling alley in the basement with at least 6 lanes and a separate bar. You can rent this out for events - a really nice little option for parties that can hold a lot of people. Separate bathrooms downstairs too which is a plus. On the main level there are a couple different seating areas with TVs and also a nice patio out front for the summer months. The bar area, though is the real jewel here. The bar is HUGE HUGE HUGE. The old gymnasium/auditorium of the Elks lodge is now the bar of the Winking Lizard. Tons of seating, really long bar itself and a separate elevated area with some arcade games/skee-ball which can also be rented out for an event. The first time you see this bar area, your jaw will drop. It's just so cavernous yet somehow not as loud as you would expect. The food is average as with all the Lizards in my opinion and the service is ok but often slow in the big bar area if you're sitting at a table. Also beware of the stupid-ass rule that you have to get carded to enter the place after 5 pm. This is a Lizard-wide policy which defies logic, but it is what it is I suppose. Overall, a nice place to grab some wings and beers and watch a game or two.
(4)
Amanda K.
I was visiting a friend in the area and her daughters told me about this place. Her youngest challenged me to eat their hottest which is called Magnum. But when we got there we found that they have a new hottest on the menu with scorpion peppers (hotter than a ghost pepper). I accepted the challenge. I asked the waitress though if it was dry or sauce and she said it was not dry. However, when I got them they definitely were dry. It was almost hard for me to eat them not because of the heat (and yes they are spicy but I can handle that) but just how dry the wings were. I also ordered 5 pieces of the spicy BBQ ones which had better with more sauce and not dry but not very spicy. The beer selection is crazy big and if it had been warmer it would have been nice to sit outside. Overall, I felt out waitress wasn't very attentive, some wings were better than others and the beer was delicious.
(4)
Buckeye S.
Decent (not great) food but the service stinks. The attitude from the hostess on down is sub par and act like theyre doing you a favor. With all the great spots within a 5 minute walk the service here should be better. Give E4th a shot or walk near the casino and let these self important people sit around on their butts like they obviously prefer to do.
(1)
Mike B.
Still the best place in my mind to catch a game in Lakewood. We recently stopped in for the OSU win over Michigan and had a great time. Surprisingly got a table right away, TVs everywhere tuned to what people want to watch. Friendly service from people that get that you want to spend 3 hours there without spending a fortune. And all the free popcorn you can eat.
(5)
Josh F.
The Winking Lizard is a venerable Cleveland institution, at this point in my lifetime. I recognize that many locals still remember the opening of the Coventry/Downtown establishments, and still view them as the upstart "new pub on the block." I remember the WL Lakewood opening through the same lens, but still find myself appreciating it every time I visit. WL is not groundbreaking or novel in almost any perspective. (That being said, having an old school bowling alley in your basement grants nominal rockstar status, which is why I'll be installing one in my house someday) The food is ostensibly diverse, if diversity is served by offering a horde of tavern style food. (Wings, quesidillas, burgers, etc) They have an enormous popcorn machine outside of the main tavern area, which serves to slake the appetites of the marauding drunk sports fans until the food shows up. The beer selection here is liberally priced and offers a wealth of choices, many of which are unexpectedly good imports. There's lots to do for fun in this spot, from skeeball to pool and basketball machines, as well as dozens of large screens featuring the game du jour. That being said, the crown jewel of this spot is the service; I've been here over a half dozen times and have always been, even at the busiest of times, served promptly and courteously. The bartenders (usually all attractive women) are funny and personable, and the servers are great with everyone. (including your screaming children, which is why I'm always glad when friends with kids want to come here) Great spot, never disappoints.
(4)
Chris M.
Love the new patio expansion and beer room downstairs. Always fast services and good place to catch football on Sundays.
(4)
Chas M.
My fav location. Bowling alley is so overpriced noone ever uses it..what a shame.. Service can be great if ya get the right server. Plenty of games for the kiddies!
(3)
Samantha H.
I'm adding a star more than the last time I reviewed this place. It will never be 5 stars because the food is not 5 star food. But there are a lot of things to love about this place and it's really grown on me. I've never had a wait. I've always had great service. The prices! They have specials throughout the week like Tuesday a small pizza is $5 (or $4.50 can't remember) and 50 cents per additional topping. That's pretty good. I think there is a $5 any burger night too. They have a really great beer selection, I've been getting the Lagunitas Lil Sumpin Sumpin on draft lately and I highly recommend it. Some of their food is pretty bad like a couple sandwiched I've had and a Po Boy that was a special once, the onion rings. But some things are good like get a side of veggies instead of the fries and they are cooked perfectly and in a light italian kinda sauce. And the pizza and burgers I've had there are good. They have more tvs than anywhere to watch a game and a really great outdoor patio for the summer. I like coming here because I'm not thinking about how much money I'm spending, they have good beers and it's a nice laid back atmosphere.
(4)
Megan C.
Ive ordered here two times in lakewood location. First time to go order of a cheddar club. I specifically asked for ranch and pickle. Get there waited 10 minutes until a hostess even came over charged for the ranch and there was no ranch on my sandwich or pickle when i got home. Also no utensils or napkins. I thought id try again and give them another chance. Ordered to go told them about adding ketchup ranch and pickles. Again no pickles condiments or utensils and the portion of the fries was a joke. My friend and i counted our fries literally ten fries. I forgot to mention when i walked in and asked for my to go order she said walk to the bar as she was just standing there talking to a boy that was not a customer . Rude. Seems like the hostesses need more training learned my lesson never going to lakewood location again. Too many restaurants to choose from that will be glad for my business.
(1)
Nate P.
The coolest thing about this unique winking lizard location is the bowling alley in the basement. Talk about a sweet deal! $500 for five hours and it's all yours for a private party! Monday and Tuesday wing night, wings are average...
(4)
Sara B.
This is a great, and enormous, sports bar in Lakewood. There are tons of tvs, the food is pretty good and there is a massive beer selection. I recommend spikes on your shoes if it's winter, getting up or down the hill to parking is treacherous in the snow, but there is tons of parking in the grocery behind it, and tons of parking is always a plus.
(4)
Andrew H.
Great food quality, great customer service reminds me of a cheaper better Buffalo Wild Wings
(5)
Jennifer M.
My go to when I have a craving for near by bar food. I always get their pulled pork sandwich as a wrap with Mac n cheese... delicious!
(4)
Alyssa E.
To begin, I tend not to frequent stores or restaurants that use live animals as mascots. A shop cat or the family dog--sure. But I loathe when places use exotic animals as living decor. It's downright abusive, and it's a practice that needs to stop. (I'm looking at you, Winking Lizard and Marc's.) However, when I do have to go to the Winking Lizard, this particular spot is tolerable. It isn't crowded with too many bros, the dining room and bar are separated for less noise, and it has skee ball machines in the back. The food is good, though the beer and cider prices could be cheaper. Food and locale: pretty good. Using a live animal who's lifespan is longer than most servers' careers as a mascot: not cool.
(3)
Greg D.
Shoot me in the head. This corporate regiment of an establishment has run its course. Jack talk Thai? This is the third hottest sauce on your menu? It was sweetened red wine vinegar and a little heat. Will never eat here again. The only thing this place has going for it is the building it is in. I used to come here when it was the Elks Club back in the day and bowl in the basement when my older brother and his friends would drink here.
(1)
Jason S.
Went here for a recent work event, where we rented out the downstairs and had an open bar. Ok. Win. Definitely a great place for a casual work event, and a very cool location overall. Pros: - The upstairs is gorgeous. It used to be a indoor tennis hall, apparently, but was built back where architecture mattered, and it shows in this building. It's beautiful. - The beer list. I was very impressed, and I'm kind of a beer fan. Lots of good local microbrews, a number of different rye beers on tap, and quite a few belgians/hard to find beers in the bottle. More importantly, everything was served in appropriate glassware, which surprised me in a place this large. Kudos to them for serving me an Orval in an Orval goblet. - There's a 6-8 lane bowling alley in the basement! Never would have expected this. It was fun to bowl a few games while drinking some beers with colleagues. Cons: - The food was typical bar food. Chicken fingers, greasy pub pizza, etc. I wouldn't likely go back to eat, but I'd certainly go to drink some beers. Overall, a good bar, and a great beer bar. It was very crowded, so don't expect peace and quiet. The food docks it a star though. Not great.
(4)
Rachel B.
Just noting that their spinach artichoke dip is verrrrry tasty. And we also went for wing night (which if I'm remembering correctly occurs on both Monday and Tuesday) and the sauces were really good. I recommend the "Spicy Sesame," although it's really not spicy (the Mild has more of a kick). The Thai sauce also got high marks. I recently went to a BW3 and had their boneless wings. In comparison with the Lizard's boneless, BW's are better. But I'd still give the Lizard's wings a shot.
(4)
Lilly S.
I love the Winking Lizard. The food is not going to be gourmet, so just know that now, but it's always good and the service is almost always great. I did the World Tour of Beers and it was so much fun. The vibe at this particular location is my favorite. SUCH a cool building and a very big, fun bar area. Highly recommended if you're looking for a big, versitile American food menu. Very good specials and an amazing beer selection.
(5)
Cara L.
Looks like Winking Lizard got something right, and that "something" comes in the form of great beer lists and this particular location. Yes, the Lizard has spots all over NEO, but like many other yelpers who have written before me, I agree that Lakewood takes the cake. It's nestled inside a huge, historic building with plenty of rooms for family dinner and/or bar debauchery--whatever floats your boat. Not to mention a game room, free popcorn and a bowling alley downstairs. You walk inside this place and seriously feel tiny, that's how tall the ceilings are. I know what you're thinking... This chick probably just likes this place because of the free popcorn. Well, it's true. That does contribute to my feelings, considering my undying and intense passion for le p-corn. But that's not all. Take a glance at the insane beer menu and you'll see why. The food? Well, it's not my favorite bar grub, but it'll do. I've had better veggie options at greasier spots. The burgers are tasty, as well as the wings, but I can't see myself going out of my way to eat here. It's one of those places you go to for the brews and end up eating to soak up the large amounts of booze sloshing in your stomach. (Nice image, eh?) As far as watching sports--well, they've got a bajillion TVs and there's no way in hell someone is going to be tall enough to block your view. Not with those ceilings at least. So, sure.. go get your barley-pop sipping, wing-fingered macho time on. Lizard is a great spot to do it!
(3)
Cami T.
Jamie, we love you. What would our bowling team do without you? Drink water? The horror!!!! Every week during bowling league (btw, Wednesdays are the best!), Jamie pours us our $4.50 LaBatts and keeps us happy while we inevitably bowl gutter balls and get into fights with accountants... That's why we wouldn't know what to do without you, oh, bartender, Jamie! The downstairs bowling alley at the Lizard in Lakewood is less retro than it used to be, but still expect holiday graphics to be showing two or three months after said holiday. That's how they keep it real. There is plenty of Jon Bon Jovi on the jukebox, the popcorn is salty and like I said, Jamie is on the ball! Haha...ball...bowling review...ha! What else could you ask for? Other than maybe a bowling score over 100...but that's a different story.
(5)
Murray R.
Didn't want to review another Lizard after already doing the downtown one, but i'm in a bit of a drought and need to hit 300 reviews by my birthing day. Plus the horror that was Morgantown, West Virginia earlier in the week really made me appreciate what i have right down the street. Saturday was pretty low key there even with all the sports on tv. AND the mighty 1985 NBA draft! Shouts out to Patrick Ewing, Xavier McDaniel, Detlef Schrempf and Karl Malone(taken at 13? wtf?) for helping me relive my childhood card collecting days. Sadly, Manute Bol passed as i munched my quesadillas. They were decent, cheap and light. The beer- -A Brooklyn Summer Ale 22 for cheap, 16 oz German something or other and a bottle of domestic. Grand total was 19 Lizard skins. The bartender was way friendly and quick with the pour. I love the building! Lots of seating, long ass bar, outdoor seating by unfortunately pretty crappy stretch of Detroit and has it's own character unlike some other franchises. If i didn't need to Yelp so many other places, i would definitely stop in more. Maybe after i hit my goal.
(4)
Angie M.
4 stars for the bar (tvs and bar) 3 for the food. To start, we are from Northern Ky and drive to Cleveland for the Browns games. This is a regular stop for us to make sure we pick up the glass of the month. (Seriously, how many souvenir glasses does a man REALLY need?) This place has a great selection of beers and cocktails. The bar area is perfect for football and the service is friendly and attentive. For me, the food is just okay. The bf loves the bbq chicken dinner. Maybe I need to suck it up and order bar food instead of trying to keep it healthy with a salad or wrap...? Next time we are going to try the pretzel appetizer. Patio looks awesome, may have to check it out when it gets warmer...
(4)
Sarah F.
While the beer list at the Winking Lizard will have you drooling, skip the nachos and chicken wings. We ended up there late-night for dinner. I ordered the chicken nachos, a $2 updgrade for chicken. If there was 1/2 a chicken breast on them, I'd be surprised. The chips were food-service grade and the cheese was right out of a can. They weren't bad, but I'd expected something a little higher-quality. My husband ordered chicken wings. They are not breaded which is fine as long as they get the skin crispy. These had a big layer of fat and while the meat was done, the skin could have used another minute or two in the fryer. We had visited the WL on a previous visit and ordered burgers and fries. We were much happier with those meals. The burgers were large and cooked to our linking. The meat seemed to be high-quality. The toppings were flavorful and generous. We even splurged on the special fries with cheese and bacon. Overall, we were happy with that visit. It isn't a bad place to go, especially if you're looking to have a drink and watch the game. I'd recommend ordering burgers, not appetizers. Definitely more bang for your buck.
(2)
Joe F.
Good beer selection, solid food, and skee ball
(4)
Blue O.
Last night was wing night at the Winking Lizard. I have been to this Winking Lizard a few times and it's always pretty decent. If you can handle the Bro-Vibe of this place and get past the cacophonous 76 LCD screens blaring sports at max volume you can survive ok. There is a separate dining room which i much prefer to the Bro Sector. Anyhow, I have been here for their burger nights and they are usually pretty ok. I really enjoy coming for the wings. My friend really digs the wings so he gives me a call when he usually goes up there. We showed up around 7 or so and had no trouble getting in and were served pretty prompt. Going out for chicken wings is kind of an existential weirdness. It's so rooted in Bro-Culture that it can sometimes feel absurd to go out with the guys and smash chicken wings and beer without feeling like a total idiot and a primitive. Luckily the restaurant part and not the bar part helped me from feeling completely lame. My girlfriend got a 12 Dogs of Christmas and I got one of those huge glasses of their specialty root beer. The Root Beer is AWESOME here. They have a wide variety of flavors - between the gang we had the BBQ, the Magma, regular Hot, Cajun, Spicy Garlic etc. ALL GREAT. All meaty and hearty...no gristley grossness you'd associate with normal wings. And for .40 cents a piece I'll gladly pay the higher price for the good wings. My girlfriend had the Blackbean Burger, which she enjoys thoroughly and will usually get one to go. The server we had was really on the ball, and did a great job. Overall the food is really good, and the service is as well. I really like the wings here better than anywhere in Cleveland and everything else seems ok. I would give it five stars but too many morons go here and that room with the TV's is like a torture dimension.
(4)
Tristan R.
Good atmosphere, good prices, OK food... Not a bad place to stop for a beer after work :)
(3)
John G.
Beer, beer, bEEr, BeEr, BEER! Best Lizard location in Cleveland - one of the best bartops in Cleveland too. I don't think i've ever had a bad time here - in fact, I may have had a little too much fun here!
(4)
Jen T.
Great new patio.....almost triples their outdoor seating.....and as always...great taps!!!! My husband and I go on Thursdays because they have a cheeseburger special and we can always get a great draft
(4)
Amy T.
Lakewood Winking Lizard is a great option for lunch, to catch a Cav's game, or meet-up with friends on the weekend. Their bar is separated from the dining room so you don't have to worry about being too loud for families while you drink with your friends. YEAH! They have a small stage in the bar area and often have live bands. There is bowling in the basement! Woohoo!! This is definitely not a dive and in the top 10% of Lakewood bars, rated on cleanliness, class, and clients. Yes, you might run into some hambones and hooknasties, but it isn't the majority of patrons. You can be a bit older than the average Lakewood crowd (40-50) and feel comfortable meeting here. I like the Buffalo Chicken Salad with grilled chicken instead of breaded. They sell gluten free beer.
(4)
Peter S.
First, a big kudos to the management team of all the Lizards -- they've taken the step of adding nutrition information to their online menu, something most restaurants are very reluctant to do. While I'll be shocked at how many calories I stuff into my face when it comes out, I'm glad they're taking this step toward letting people be aware (or negligent) of their own nutrition. I do enjoy the Lizard. I don't have to get the same old beer since there's over three hundred on tap and in bottles in any given year. I'm a proud world tourist, and they make a great drink. The food is tasty, if basic. I'd love to see something a bit more daring a bit more in my face and challenging. I realize there's no sort of chef du cuisine, or any sort of that at each restaurant, but, if you're going to offer really good beer along side okay, mass produced beers, why not offer really good food to go along side pretty good food? That would create a tremendous niche for the Lizard (so long as they don't call it a gastropub, because WHO EVEN KNOWS WHAT THAT IS?!). The burgers are good, and with the option to replace your meat patty with an Angus Beef (not a style of beef or anything -- it's simply a designation of beef that goes hand in hand with Choice, Prime, etc. Doesn't mean it's better than grass fed, just that it satisfied the Angus Beef board.) or Turkey patty is great. The wing sauces are tasty, though the higher you go on the "heat" chain, the more of a broad spectrum you get. I don't know that the Cajun is spicier than the Garlic, but, they're tasty. I really dig the chicken sandwiches, too. Get the one on Garlic Bread. I think it's the Chicken Parm. Oh, you will not be disappointed, friends. My two gripes: I wish they offered a smaller fry. The gigantic steak fries are good when hot and fresh, but get soggy quick. If you're reading this, Lizard folks: You cannot go wrong with a crinkle cut fry. Don't worry about fresh cut. Crinkle cut. Second gripe: Holy, holy loud Batman. The Lakewood and Independence joints get super loud thanks to a widely expansive bar with really tall ceilings. If there's game on, good luck having a discussion in the bar. Also, I wish the management team would police the aisles. Often times, two attractive girls decide to grab a beer, and invariably, hundreds of hambones circle their table making it impossible for people to get by. If there's twenty people in the bar, fine. If there's hundreds? Plow the roads, folks. Tell people to sit or beat it. While you're a full bar, Lizard, you're still a restaurant first. All in all, you really can't go wrong with any of the Lizards. I'm partial to the one down the street from me, but, they're all very consistent, and you're getting food that'll taste the same at each. I'd cut and paste this reply to each of them throughout the area, but, I think that'd be frowned upon.
(4)
Lindsey G.
I live very close to this location so I often order take out or pop in for a meal with friends. I always experience great service and the take out service is especially good. They always make sure everything is correct with my order and it's very fast. The food is awesome for bar food. I love the boneless wings!
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Loud Music : Juke Box Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Mon, Tue, Wed Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Anna L.
Two years ago we did their World Tour of Beers. Recently it was their Tuesday night bowling league. Now matter what you are here for, the Winking Lizard had a lot to offer! A great menu, and and even greater variety of craft beers and drink options. Also their calendar of specials and happenings can be very helpful! I love trying the "glass of the month" beer, and taking the glass home. I have acquired a bunch of really cool beer glasses for my home collection that way. The staff and service are generally excellent. The only downside is that even though WL is a local chain, they have a bit of a corporate feel. (I also note that the bartenders use jiggers to measure out every liquor pour.) That being said for what it is, its a fabulous place! Also extra great for sports fans. Tons of big nice TVs. And best of all... wing night on Tuesdays!!! Don't miss out on trying that!
(5)Magda M.
After coming home to Cleveland from my first 10 months in California, the first place that I want to go to hang out with my friends is the Winking Lizard in Lakewood. Before moving to California, I started a weekly Wing Night tradition with my friends from high school (we are now all college graduates)- I highly recommend Monday/Tuesday Wing Nights at the Wink! When I'm hungry, I'll get 10 wings and celery/blue cheese. My favorite flavors are Caribbean and Spicy BBQ. When I'm in the mood to switch it up, my next favorite is Thai. But in all honesty, you can't go wrong with ANY of the flavors. At Wing Night prices, you can't get a better deal. Besides Wings, I love the atmosphere at this place. The Bar area is huge, full of energy and friendly local Cleveland faces. Beer selection is always fantastic and I try my hardest to purchase the Glass of the Month. The free popcorn at the front of the restaurant is also a must. If you love BBQ sauce, you should also purchase a bottle to go. The Wink is a Cleveland favorite and hence I can't help but readily give it 5 stars!
(5)Jeffery W.
Great wings great pizza. You would not think that a wing place (the best wing place) would have AMAZING pizza... I mean why would you, right? Well set those thoughts and fear aside. When you try one you will know that this is a pizza place and wonder why they have wings!! Wait, its because the wings are the best, why do they have Pizza.. You get the point! Both are amazing, really!
(4)Benjamin N.
My favorite place to go, World Tour of Beers is amazing!
(5)erin w.
Winking Lizard is kind of a Cleveland area staple. I recently visited the Lakewood location for the first time, and it was business as usual. I love a good beer list, and you pretty much can't go wrong here. I was very excited to see that Founder's Breakfast Stout was on draught, however I was there late-ish on 10-31 and was informed that it was a November draught pick, so I couldn't get one that night. Looks like I'll back for some of that! People, you have to try this stout...it's that good. The food was fine. I don't do a lot of meat (really any, except for the occasional sushi), so I was happy to see a few veg options. I got the portabella sandwich and was to see that all the veggies on it were grilled (instead of fried as I might have expected). I should also mention that the atmosphere here is way cooler than that of most of the locations. You can tell that it has some history, which I love. Overall Winking Lizard is a-ok, and I will be back for the Breakfast Stout...possibly on more than one occasion!
(4)Paul G.
How can a sports bar not have Bud or Bud Light on tap. Come on man. I'll be back when the king of beers is back
(2)Kris P.
Thursday night at Winking Lizard lakewood is well -- whatever is to be expected. Fairly busy but always able to find a table. Friend and myself grabbed a two-top in the bar. Service was spotty, always a good beer selection though. Food-wise, well I'm a very picky eater, but for a Lizard it was satisfying. Food came out fast, cooked to my specs, and even tasted decent. Just a burger and fries on special paired with Leinenkugel. Will definitely keep going to hang, eat, drink and watch sports with friends.
(3)melanie l.
My fav of the Lizard locations.
(3)John B.
The Winking Lizard has some pretty solid bar food and a fantastic selection of beers. One of my favorite things about the Wink is the glass of the month where you can buy a beer in a fancy-pants glass and then you get to take it home! I don't think I've spent more than $6 on this combo before, so it's a pretty good deal. Also, they have some pretty insanely awesome beer specials. You can get a 32 ounce beer for $5 pretty much every night of the week. They change beer depending on what day it is. You really can't beat that. If you're not a beer drinking, the mixed drinks leave a lot to be desired (at least if you order them off the menu). The Margarita for 2 is basically a glass of sour mix. The Lakewood Winking Lizard is by far my favorite location. The place is HUGE! It is inside an old house, which is really cool. Also, you can rent out a bowling alley in the basement for parties. You heard me right...a bowling alley. It also features a really nice patio in front. The server was fast, helpful, and very personable. He made the visit very enjoyable. I will definitely be back here many times in the future.
(4)Dana P.
The Lakewood Winking Lizard is by far the best in town! Spacious and charming, and full of great food, just how I like my restaurants! I recently fell in love with their boneless wings. More meat, less mess! And the range of sauces they have is impressive! On Mondays (and Tuesdays, I think?) they have 35 cent wings, a wonderful deal. I have never been disappointed with my food here. Their burgers are good, their pulled pork sandwich excellent (pulled pork is always excellent), and they have a hell of a 24 oz root beer. The only downside? Don't order a non-beer drink here. Every Wink I've been to is stingy on the liquor, opting instead for more sour mix. I do not like this substitution. I want a drink made well, which doesn't usually entail simply making it stronger, just making it with accurate proportions of ingredients. However, for the beer and the bar food, this is your best bet. What's more the Lakewood location has a BOWLING ALLEY IN THE RESTAURANT. Can't argue with that!
(4)John B.
Always good food and great beer selection.
(4)Stephanie C.
Knowledgeable staff! I cant even explain how important it is to know about the beer you are serving when you have such a amazing selection! first thing I saw when I sat at the bar was the wall of beer "the heavens opened up and a sudden thirst came on" I was amazed so many yumms I want to try! I could have stayed all day! I had a few beers but my fav was the vanilla beer it was so different and delightful I often get cravings for this beer and can not find it anywhere?! The bathrooms were stanky and the floors were sticky but other than that I will be returning!
(4)Nick D.
There are a dozen or so Winking Lizards in the Cleveland area, but this one has a special charm. The building use to be an old tennis club and then turned into a Elk Lodge, and then a Winking Lizard. The inside is huge, and the bar can seat plenty of beer goers. I went on a Monday evening around 7pm or so. It had decent traffic but it was not to the point were you had to wait to be seated or for someone to leave the bar. The stand out feature of Winking Lizard is their incredible beer list. About 200 beers you can choose from. You can join their World Tour of Beer, which is about 10 bucks for the membership and you get a book explaining each beer on the list and a rating a guide so you can rate the beers you like or do not like. Their food is good, but nothing special, typical American bar food, wings, burgers, sandwiches. Monday and Tuesday are their wing nights. On a typical wing night at restaurants you get the worse wings possible, but these wings were great, plenty of flavors to pick from, they are juicy and fresh. Definitely a must try here. The hostess and the bartenders are great. Friendly and knowledgeable, everything you need to complete the experience. If you are looking for a bar/restaurant with a great beer list and great atmosphere you should definitely true out Winking Lizard.
(4)Paul S.
I'm thoroughly convinced that the Winking Lizard has the best wings in the world, bar none. Buffalo ain't got nuthin' on them...and I've had true Buffalo wings. While they have a large assortment of wing flavors, my favorite is the caribbean spice. I can easily put down a couple dozen or so! And their beer list is HUGE, best, I've ever seen, anywhere! I've never done it, but they have the 'beer club' that you can join. If I still lived in Cleveland, or if I ever live there again, I will certainly be trying that out! Cool, relaxed sports environment too, great for watching games. They have other Lizards around Cleveland as well, in Coventry, Independence, Cleveland, and Avon I believe.
(5)Aries L.
I've always been a fan of Winking Lizard, when I was working downtown for four years, I was a regular at that location. I was super excited that there was a restaurant in Lakewood. The service was okay, but I am a huge fan of the food. Got the Strawberry Margarita with my meal and boy...that stuff made me SUPER happy lol (I wonder if it is influencing me to write this nice review? lol) The staff was very helpful, nice and pleasant without being annoying. Happy hour is from 3pm to7pm...no "I need to get down there quick" prices for the drinks but they are sooo strong and yummy. Food was good but I am a fan of Winking Lizard (no negative feedback from me) and it didn't disappoint.
(4)Mary V.
I really like the atmosphere of this place but I have to say I had the WORST Margarita of my life here...and I'm a huge Margarita drinker (notice I give it enough respect to capitalize the name) but this place made a Margarita like whiskey sour and it was so sour that I couldn't drink it and had to send it back. In all fairness, they may have had a rookie bartender that night who didn't know how to make one and decided to just wing it, hoping the ignoramus at the table wouldn't know any better...not knowing the Margarita Queen was on the receiving end. The reason I say that is that I went to the Winking Lizard on Huron, downtown the other night, and told the waitress to ask the bartender to go easy on the 'sour mix' (thinking all Winking Lizards made them that way) to which she seemed puzzled and said, 'they don't use sour mix in a Margarita' LOL I said, 'well they need to send someone over to the Lakewood location and tell them that because they seem to be confused as to what a Margarita is and have decided it's a whiskey sour with tequila' ...other than that, I enjoyed the Lakewood location. Food is so so but good enough for a quick bite.
(2)Dave S.
Decent bar but, the food here sucks. Typical bar food...not impressed with the food at all. I would only recommend drinking here.
(2)Michael C.
This is a large bar / restaurant. They even have bowling lanes downstairs! Lunch was good with reasonable prices, a nice selection, lots of different brews, and good service. I ordered the Blue-Cheese-Mushroom-Burger and it was very good. Nothing too amazing going on in here, but definitely a reliable lunch.
(3)Bethany P.
Have been here several times without writing a review, so I thought I'd write one. This place is GREAT. The beer list is just remarkable. A must for any beer connoisseurs. I've tended to enjoy this place more when I've gone for liquid than for food. Don't get me wrong, their food is fine. They make a damn fine pizza, and depending on the night, you can get pretty decent food for a great price. But their beer list has always been what keeps me coming in. Lots of different types, always changing. I have yet to tackle the world tour of beers but I will one of these years. Having moved to the East Side, I miss having this place right near my house. P.S. given that I LOVE skiball, I think it's fun that they have that available! A great place to go for drinks for sure, and I don't mind eating there either. On this particular visit I was there with family in from out of town, and we got excellent service. I would definitely recommend checking this place out.
(4)Molly D.
I love going to Winking Lizard for their weekly specials -- the deals on personal pizzas and wings are great. While the wings often aren't as spicy as I might expect them to be from their heat chart, most of the flavors are very tasty and it's fun to get a variety. With a few wings and a small pizza of your choice (I like adding chicken and artichoke), you can have a great, inexpensive meal. Their drink selection is also fun and extensive. It's a nice place for everyone, whether you're sitting down for a family meal or heading for the bar.
(4)Jen M.
i agree with the previous poster that Thursday nights are a winner at this place. This bar is always hoppin' with a good crowd of people. Bar service is very good and they usually play great music. I think the Lizard has THE BEST hot sauce! yum.
(4)Jim P.
UPDATE: The menu has been redesigned so that it can be jam-packed with full page ads! There is literally a giant advertisement on each left hand page. As there are at least 5 or 6 ads, this makes the menu way too huge and INCREDIBLY ANNOYING. I'd like to puke up greasy bar food on the person that decided on such a low class and absolutely money hungry move at the expense of their customers! Now for my original review... THE UP-SIDE: Really large open space, cool atmosphere, many types of beer, and good bar food. If you're looking for a place for a party, you can even rent out the bowling alley in the basement! THE DOWN-SIDE: It's just a bar with some okay food; no great shakes. THE SUM-IT-UP: Not a bad place to hang out with some friends and have some pretty decent bar food.
(3)Jason L.
If you come here expecting top-tier bar food, you will not be disappointed. The menu is full of traditional pub items including pizza, BBQ, sandwiches and, of course, wings! Their wing variety is solid and the sauces are yummy. I believe the Lizard ranks third in the local Cleveland area behind BW3 and Quaker Steak, but it's still worth the trip if you set your expectations appropriately. P.S. They also have awesome 36 OZ beer specials!
(4)Jack W.
(1) The food was great! I had the shrimp burger; as if it was made in the SF Bay Area! The cole slaw was also very good; not overly spicy. (2) The selection of beer and whiskey was amazing! (3) The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. Just sitting there listening to Jamie and Crystal giving lectures on the whiskeys and the beers was worth it!
(5)Gene G.
I live a block away from this place and since I enjoy beer and bar food I've been here about a thousand times. And yes, I have driven that one block before. It gets cold in the winter. The Lakewood location is in a pretty cool building. The space is huge with some nice outdoor seating available. They also have outdoor TV's that I like to look at when I run by in the summer. I don't think that's really a relevant detail, I just want everyone to know that I exercise (if no one knows you do it then what's the point). Like all Wink locations they have a gigantic beer list that can be a little overwhelming. Honestly, I usually select beers randomly based on how "cool" I perceive the name to be. The wait staff can usually help you out with that a little bit, but it's a huge list so asking them for recommendations almost seems cruel. I've had my fair share of mixed drinks here and I've always felt they were a little weak, but in their defense it's probably a proper pour which is certainly less than what I'm pouring at home. The food at the Winking Lizard is always going to be decent. I've never had a bad meal there, but I don't know that I've had something so fantastic that I feel the need to specifically mention it in a Yelp review. I've walked here to eat alone before which was pretty sad, but I can tell you I certainly wouldn't have done that if I didn't enjoy their food. I would also like to note that I have a small obsession with their BBQ sauce. I use it instead of ketchup with their fries and I even throw it on their popcorn because I am a disgusting individual and I have no respect for my body. Long story short, the BBQ sauce is good. Final verdict: The Wink in Lakewood is a good place for casual beers and bar food, even dinner alone if you're a lonely individual like that. Put the BBQ sauce on your popcorn, I swear it's good. Then play drunken skeeball. That's a solid evening right there. You won't regret it.
(4)Michael G.
It looked cool from the outside. Once inside it was a bit of a chopped up layout. WE did enjoy some free popcorn while we waited. The beer menu is pretty extensive. You can drink around the world with all beers listed with thier ratings. The little macaroni and cheese bites were unbelieveable!!! But the service was slow, and the waitress seemed unconcerned. She was almost aloof to her job. We were pretty disapointed. The bathroom did not help the cause.
(3)Sarah A.
I am actually shocked I have waited this long to review The Winking Lizard. After all, I basically live here. It's gotten to the point where they mind as well just set a bed up for under the bar. Now, I can't speak on the food really because with the exception of the Lizard Freckles (yes that is an actual item on the menu), I've never actually eaten here. What I can talk about though is their beer selection, and let me tell you: it's quite the collection. They have everything from banana bread beer to German Hefeweizens, to ol' reliable: Guinness. They safe is also very nice, and depending on who you get, very knowledgable about their extensive drink menu. Overall, I am head-over-heels for the Winking Lizard, and a little part of me likes to think he's winking at me.
(5)Susana W.
Of course I have experienced better. Amazingly poor food. Bad wings........absolutely amazingly poorly cooked, , sauces not well made and soups are worst than canned. No, even a tavern must be good. The Lizard chain is already too comfortable and has so much clientele that they are doing a sloppy job. No, I won't go back nor tell my friends.
(2)Cory M.
Visiting From Virginia and my family recommended the winking lizard for a family dinner. Good beer selection, and service. My wife and I ordered the margaritas, and they tasted like lemon Gatorade -- Not recommended. Food was ok at best. I'm sure there are better places for food in Lakewood.
(3)David F.
Wings were "eh". Biggest issue is TV had the sound for women's soccer. Fine. But 25 minutes after the game ended could we get the sound for the Indians game on instead of having to listen to the Viagra commercials? 2-stars.
(2)Chris C.
The Worst place I have been in Lakewood the service honestly was so slow it took the server 20 mins to get my drink! The food is ok but I won't be going back!
(2)Donna W.
Went in Mentor and another location. Good bar type food!
(4)Katie G.
Great beer selection. Average food. The beer of the month glass is always a great souvenir!
(4)Joe H.
Normally I scoff at poor reviews as people that are just never happy or snobbish. I have a restaurant background and understand you just can't hit a home run everyday, though it is always or should be the goal. I have been to the Winking Lizard many times both in Lakewood and downtown. Usually the experience is good as I enjoy trying different beers and eating bar food while watching a game. A month ago, I had a terrible experience with less than acceptable food preparation and presentation. But wasn't going to post on Yelp because I chalked it up as one of those days. But here's why I am here. As stated earlier, I have restaurant experience in management and I know that the complaints are needed as a means to improve service and or food. So I wrote to tell of my experience. The letter was sincere, and was not attacking in any way. As I said, that was a month ago and I have yet to hear from anyone in that Lakewood store or the company. To me, it told me why the food and service are what they are there. Management is not following up with the customers. I'm not looking for free food or a discount, rather just a thank you for taking the time to write and that they would follow up with the employees. Unforgivable and I will not return to. Winking Lizard anytime soon. Joe Hempel Cincinnati, Ohio
(1)Matt B.
Great service, food, & atmosphere. The staff was very helpful and friendly. Food was received quickly and tasted amazing. The dessert was amazing (caramel pretzel brownie sundae) and was very well priced. Will definitely return!
(4)Bob B.
First but hopefully not last visit. Really unique place, and massive selection of beer, and bourbons. Enjoyed some laughs with friends over a flight of various aged Irish blends. Very nice.
(4)Mike T.
My favorite Winking Lizard location, and I have been to most. Big, open, comfortable space and generally good bartenders.... even though a couple of the better ones left. Beer list is good, but has some garbage beer along with the good stuff. They have promotions that let you keep a glass with the purchase of a beer, with said beer's logo on it. Some of the glassware is nice, if you like that kind of thing. Not a huge fan of WL's food in general, but it isn't bad. I don't like the parking lot here and try to street park, as the lot is big and it can be a hike to the front door. I heard a Lizardville opened next door. I need to make a trip because the other Lizardville locations are sweet.
(3)Liz V.
I have been to this place multiple times and each time been less and less impressed. I keep telling myself "once more chance," but that falls short every time. I do not get the hype over this restaurant that has less than mediocre food. While they have a variety of drink options, it is essentially comparable to a Chilli's or Applebee's (and I would pick either of the two over this place).
(2)Megan C.
Awesome beer list and I love that they carry Revolution beer. Southwest eggrolls, pieroge dinner, and chopped lizard salads are fabulous. Ask for server Kyle as your server he gives great service always.
(4)Michelle H.
This is my favorite winking lizard! We live so close to this location that we go pretty regularly. There are TVs every where! The bar is floor to ceiling TVs and there are even TVs on the patio! What a fun place to catch a game! Their food is pretty good! We like to go for their wing nights. Why the one star missing? We've run into bad service a time or two... I know it gets busy but this service can be laughably poor. We also loveeeee the basement whiskey bar!
(4)Stacy P.
I can honestly say that I did not come here for the food. While there was no Gluten Free menu, my server was very helpful in pointing out and double checking with the kitchen what I could and could not have. In the end, I opted for some potato skins and a burger with cheese. What made the night were the drinks and the atmosphere. They were reasonably priced, and the bar had a nice tv setup. I mean watching 3 different MLB games at once was great. If I find myself in Cleveland and I'm having difficulties trying to decide which game to watch and don't want to play the channel flipping game, I will definitely keep the Winking Lizards on my bar list.
(4)Paul W.
I'd like to visit again and see their game rooms. Been there many times when I was in Lakewood...and I'd like to go again!
(4)Bob L.
The Winking Lizard is a ubiquitous Cleveland institution - there are 14 locations (7 of which are within 20 miles of my house) and they stretch as far south as Columbus. I've been a frequent customer most of my adult life. I cringe a little when I think about how many nights I spent at that little front bar in the Coventry location, Guinness in hand, dreading the short winter walk back to my Coventry apartment. But when it comes to Winking Lizard's, this particular location has to be the gem of the franchise. Plopped inside the renovated guts of an old Elk's Lodge building on Cleveland's West Side, it's just beautiful. Uber-elevated ceilings, dark woodwork, and a cavernous main room are all parts of what make this Winking Lizard the best. If I had to describe it in only a few words, not an easy feat for this guy, I'd say it's part Dave and Busters and part German beer hall. There are two main reasons I frequent the Lizard, beer and beer. When it comes to beer selection it's hard to compete with Winking Lizard. They have one of the best draught lists in NE Ohio (dozens of taps and hundreds of bottles) and their World Tour of Beers is a Cleveland-area institution. If you're like me and you have to have a different beer every time you're out, you can't go wrong here. They also have a glass of the month beer where you get to keep the glass. Kudos to the guys behind their beer list. It's chock full of useful data like style, brewery location, ABV, and serving size. Cheers indeed. The menu is also pretty expansive for a bar-type restaurant. Chances are if you like food they've got something for you. Burgers, ribs, salads, pizza, wraps, sandwiches...the list goes on and on. Did I mention that they've also got some of the best wings I've ever had? Crispy, hot with flavor out the ying yang. Try the spicy sesame. Just do it. I've never really had a bad meal here. The burgers are tasty and actually cooked to order, the wings, as I've already mentioned, are killer, and the grilled chicken sandwiches are always on point. Oh yeah, and their house BBQ sauce is fantastic on their fries. I've got nothing but good things to say about the Winking Lizard. As a native I grew up on them so I'm probably a bit biased. Bias aside though, they are a solid joint with better than decent bar food and a beer-geek-sized brew list. On the down side (see, I can be objective) they can get a tad loud, especially during sports-type events. Not bad I suppose, just not my thing. P.S. If anyone from WL reads this you've gotta add that German soft pretzel app you had during October to the permanent menu. IMHO anyplace with a beer list like yours needs a soft pretzel on the menu. Just sayin'.
(4)Denell L.
i love the winking lizard. it has a great beer selection, which i have conquered (having completed two world tours of beer!). The bar area is huge. There are a ton of tvs showing whatever game is on. It can be kind of annoying during football games. Wing nights and $5 pizzas on Monday and Tuesday, Rib night on Wednesday and cheaper burgers on Thursday. i love their salads. I love the turkey burger. And i usually love whatever their seasonal food menu is. I am happy to have a Winking Lizard near my home!
(5)Jackie F.
Good beer and upscale bar food. Who doesn't love Monday nights when wings are 50 cents and small cheese pizza is 5 something. Then throw in the amazing craft beer list, and tons of sport channels and you got a great place to spend a Monday night. Go ahead and extend that weekend one extra day.
(4)Laura F.
This Winking Lizard is one of my favorites to go to! It is located inside a huge historical building in Lakewood that used to me an old Elks Lodge as well as a Tennis Club. I enjoy how tall the ceilings are and how it is covered in old pictures from the building as well as local sports teams and beer decor. You may choose to sit in either of the 2 different dining rooms or the big bar. Twiggy the Lizard is also a huge hit for all kids! Patio season is coming and this will be a great spot for all to enjoy with 2 patios including a smoke free undercover area as well as tv's to catch the Indians or Browns. The WL is known for its massive beer list and World Tour of Beers which if you finish you earn a sweet jacket! Choose from over 35 beers on draft and over 100 bottled beers. WL also offers monthly seasonal beers, monthly glass's of the month, and many limited availability kegs throughout each month as well as drinks of the month and shots of the month. You can also always order beer to go home if you would like to take some of your favorite beer home that you can't find anywhere else! The Menu is great and has something for everyone. WL is known for their award winning BBQ sauce and I personally love the BBQ! Monday and Tuesday nights are wing and pizza night, Weds is Rib night and Thursday is Burger night! Also, the WL always has great lunch specials as well as amazing seasonal menus that change every 3 months or so! If you are wanting something healthier have a nice salad or a veggie wrap with some steamed broccoli! This is a great location to watch any sports game! They have a numerous amount of tv's and the service is very helpful in case you would like to see a different game on any of the tv's. The ski ball, pop a shot, and dino grab are also a big hit to keep the little kids occupied so dont forget to bring some quarters! Also, they just got a new Photo Booth in the front lobby that could be a fun idea for many! One drawback is the parking, but I think everywhere in Lakewood ends up having parking problems. Now that the Lizardville is in the basement the parking has been a little worse also. I mean it has a large parking lot attached to Giant Eagle, but sometimes you may have to walk a little further than normal. It also can be a tad cold on some of those real cold cleveland winter days! All and all I love the WL and I think you all will have a great time here and will receive great service, great food and great drinks :-)
(5)Rachel W.
This is a cool location in terms of the building. However, there isn't a lot of parking. And every time I'm here in the winter it feels cold inside. I always have to leave my coat on. Service here has been good, a little better than the other locations. Just has a lot of drawbacks compared to other Lizards.
(3)Daniel G.
Winking lizard was such a fun bar to go to. With so many different types of beer, you can always add some novelty to your night out. It is a little more expensive than your average bar, but worth it to try out some new brews!
(4)Ryan F.
It's easy to praise a restaurant for their efforts when everything goes perfectly, but when something goes wrong, that is when you really see how a staff handles a possibly troublesome situation. Recently I visited the winking lizard tavern, and despite my medium burger being over cooked, the manager and waitress on duty handled the situation perfectly. They were pleasant, apologetic, and made what could have been a negative experience into a positive review. I wish more places had the training and professionalism shown by the staff on duty. Congratulations winking lizard. 5 stars.
(5)Leeann T.
We're WL fans through and through. It is one of the only restaurant our whole family can agree on, and the Lakewood location is our favorite next to the Coventry location (and that one is just for nostalgia reasons). The service is usually great, and the Lakewood location is huge, so there's rarely much of a wait for a table. The menu is fantastic; there's something for everyone with the exception of pasta. Pizza, sandwiches, steaks, grilled chicken, wraps, soups, great apps, salads, wings, fish, etc. My favorite go-to dish is either the mild wings (bone-in) with a wedge salad or the strip steak. Hubby usually gets the patty melt or pizza, and my daughter loves the boneless wings. The patio is nice in the summer (especially now that the covered area is reserved for non-smokers, because nothing ruins a nice patio lunch like someone puffing on nasty cancer sticks at the next table). There are also games for the kids to play--skee ball, arcade games and a few games of skill. It's overall a fun joint!
(5)Sabrina F.
I was thrilled about the bowling alley but hear that it is closing soon. We had a family gathering here and it was well catered and the bar staff was great to us.
(4)Karyn C.
I like this particular location. Wait staff is decent. Food always prepared as expected. Great beer selection. (This a definite theme in my ratings...beer selection!) Good location. Cool, historic building. I enjoy this location. I really love the building. The "Lizard" part is the same from place to place.. IMHO. The buildings are usually what make them interesting. Go here. Enjoy the history. Drink a beer.
(4)Diana M.
I miss my Lizard and try to visit when we come up to visit. Their wings are good, and I really like their pizzas. They also offer super-sized beers which cuts down on the number of trips the server has to make!! I've been to a couple of their world tour parties as a guest and they are a blast!! It's expensive and time consuming to finish the tour but they do put on a nice event for those who do finish!! This location also offers a bowling alley.
(4)Andrea Z.
This is by far the best Lizard location in town. The building used to be the old Elks lodge and still has just enough clues to the building's former life. There is an honest-to-God bowling alley in the basement with at least 6 lanes and a separate bar. You can rent this out for events - a really nice little option for parties that can hold a lot of people. Separate bathrooms downstairs too which is a plus. On the main level there are a couple different seating areas with TVs and also a nice patio out front for the summer months. The bar area, though is the real jewel here. The bar is HUGE HUGE HUGE. The old gymnasium/auditorium of the Elks lodge is now the bar of the Winking Lizard. Tons of seating, really long bar itself and a separate elevated area with some arcade games/skee-ball which can also be rented out for an event. The first time you see this bar area, your jaw will drop. It's just so cavernous yet somehow not as loud as you would expect. The food is average as with all the Lizards in my opinion and the service is ok but often slow in the big bar area if you're sitting at a table. Also beware of the stupid-ass rule that you have to get carded to enter the place after 5 pm. This is a Lizard-wide policy which defies logic, but it is what it is I suppose. Overall, a nice place to grab some wings and beers and watch a game or two.
(4)Amanda K.
I was visiting a friend in the area and her daughters told me about this place. Her youngest challenged me to eat their hottest which is called Magnum. But when we got there we found that they have a new hottest on the menu with scorpion peppers (hotter than a ghost pepper). I accepted the challenge. I asked the waitress though if it was dry or sauce and she said it was not dry. However, when I got them they definitely were dry. It was almost hard for me to eat them not because of the heat (and yes they are spicy but I can handle that) but just how dry the wings were. I also ordered 5 pieces of the spicy BBQ ones which had better with more sauce and not dry but not very spicy. The beer selection is crazy big and if it had been warmer it would have been nice to sit outside. Overall, I felt out waitress wasn't very attentive, some wings were better than others and the beer was delicious.
(4)Buckeye S.
Decent (not great) food but the service stinks. The attitude from the hostess on down is sub par and act like theyre doing you a favor. With all the great spots within a 5 minute walk the service here should be better. Give E4th a shot or walk near the casino and let these self important people sit around on their butts like they obviously prefer to do.
(1)Mike B.
Still the best place in my mind to catch a game in Lakewood. We recently stopped in for the OSU win over Michigan and had a great time. Surprisingly got a table right away, TVs everywhere tuned to what people want to watch. Friendly service from people that get that you want to spend 3 hours there without spending a fortune. And all the free popcorn you can eat.
(5)Josh F.
The Winking Lizard is a venerable Cleveland institution, at this point in my lifetime. I recognize that many locals still remember the opening of the Coventry/Downtown establishments, and still view them as the upstart "new pub on the block." I remember the WL Lakewood opening through the same lens, but still find myself appreciating it every time I visit. WL is not groundbreaking or novel in almost any perspective. (That being said, having an old school bowling alley in your basement grants nominal rockstar status, which is why I'll be installing one in my house someday) The food is ostensibly diverse, if diversity is served by offering a horde of tavern style food. (Wings, quesidillas, burgers, etc) They have an enormous popcorn machine outside of the main tavern area, which serves to slake the appetites of the marauding drunk sports fans until the food shows up. The beer selection here is liberally priced and offers a wealth of choices, many of which are unexpectedly good imports. There's lots to do for fun in this spot, from skeeball to pool and basketball machines, as well as dozens of large screens featuring the game du jour. That being said, the crown jewel of this spot is the service; I've been here over a half dozen times and have always been, even at the busiest of times, served promptly and courteously. The bartenders (usually all attractive women) are funny and personable, and the servers are great with everyone. (including your screaming children, which is why I'm always glad when friends with kids want to come here) Great spot, never disappoints.
(4)Chris M.
Love the new patio expansion and beer room downstairs. Always fast services and good place to catch football on Sundays.
(4)Chas M.
My fav location. Bowling alley is so overpriced noone ever uses it..what a shame.. Service can be great if ya get the right server. Plenty of games for the kiddies!
(3)Samantha H.
I'm adding a star more than the last time I reviewed this place. It will never be 5 stars because the food is not 5 star food. But there are a lot of things to love about this place and it's really grown on me. I've never had a wait. I've always had great service. The prices! They have specials throughout the week like Tuesday a small pizza is $5 (or $4.50 can't remember) and 50 cents per additional topping. That's pretty good. I think there is a $5 any burger night too. They have a really great beer selection, I've been getting the Lagunitas Lil Sumpin Sumpin on draft lately and I highly recommend it. Some of their food is pretty bad like a couple sandwiched I've had and a Po Boy that was a special once, the onion rings. But some things are good like get a side of veggies instead of the fries and they are cooked perfectly and in a light italian kinda sauce. And the pizza and burgers I've had there are good. They have more tvs than anywhere to watch a game and a really great outdoor patio for the summer. I like coming here because I'm not thinking about how much money I'm spending, they have good beers and it's a nice laid back atmosphere.
(4)Megan C.
Ive ordered here two times in lakewood location. First time to go order of a cheddar club. I specifically asked for ranch and pickle. Get there waited 10 minutes until a hostess even came over charged for the ranch and there was no ranch on my sandwich or pickle when i got home. Also no utensils or napkins. I thought id try again and give them another chance. Ordered to go told them about adding ketchup ranch and pickles. Again no pickles condiments or utensils and the portion of the fries was a joke. My friend and i counted our fries literally ten fries. I forgot to mention when i walked in and asked for my to go order she said walk to the bar as she was just standing there talking to a boy that was not a customer . Rude. Seems like the hostesses need more training learned my lesson never going to lakewood location again. Too many restaurants to choose from that will be glad for my business.
(1)Nate P.
The coolest thing about this unique winking lizard location is the bowling alley in the basement. Talk about a sweet deal! $500 for five hours and it's all yours for a private party! Monday and Tuesday wing night, wings are average...
(4)Sara B.
This is a great, and enormous, sports bar in Lakewood. There are tons of tvs, the food is pretty good and there is a massive beer selection. I recommend spikes on your shoes if it's winter, getting up or down the hill to parking is treacherous in the snow, but there is tons of parking in the grocery behind it, and tons of parking is always a plus.
(4)Andrew H.
Great food quality, great customer service reminds me of a cheaper better Buffalo Wild Wings
(5)Jennifer M.
My go to when I have a craving for near by bar food. I always get their pulled pork sandwich as a wrap with Mac n cheese... delicious!
(4)Alyssa E.
To begin, I tend not to frequent stores or restaurants that use live animals as mascots. A shop cat or the family dog--sure. But I loathe when places use exotic animals as living decor. It's downright abusive, and it's a practice that needs to stop. (I'm looking at you, Winking Lizard and Marc's.) However, when I do have to go to the Winking Lizard, this particular spot is tolerable. It isn't crowded with too many bros, the dining room and bar are separated for less noise, and it has skee ball machines in the back. The food is good, though the beer and cider prices could be cheaper. Food and locale: pretty good. Using a live animal who's lifespan is longer than most servers' careers as a mascot: not cool.
(3)Greg D.
Shoot me in the head. This corporate regiment of an establishment has run its course. Jack talk Thai? This is the third hottest sauce on your menu? It was sweetened red wine vinegar and a little heat. Will never eat here again. The only thing this place has going for it is the building it is in. I used to come here when it was the Elks Club back in the day and bowl in the basement when my older brother and his friends would drink here.
(1)Jason S.
Went here for a recent work event, where we rented out the downstairs and had an open bar. Ok. Win. Definitely a great place for a casual work event, and a very cool location overall. Pros: - The upstairs is gorgeous. It used to be a indoor tennis hall, apparently, but was built back where architecture mattered, and it shows in this building. It's beautiful. - The beer list. I was very impressed, and I'm kind of a beer fan. Lots of good local microbrews, a number of different rye beers on tap, and quite a few belgians/hard to find beers in the bottle. More importantly, everything was served in appropriate glassware, which surprised me in a place this large. Kudos to them for serving me an Orval in an Orval goblet. - There's a 6-8 lane bowling alley in the basement! Never would have expected this. It was fun to bowl a few games while drinking some beers with colleagues. Cons: - The food was typical bar food. Chicken fingers, greasy pub pizza, etc. I wouldn't likely go back to eat, but I'd certainly go to drink some beers. Overall, a good bar, and a great beer bar. It was very crowded, so don't expect peace and quiet. The food docks it a star though. Not great.
(4)Rachel B.
Just noting that their spinach artichoke dip is verrrrry tasty. And we also went for wing night (which if I'm remembering correctly occurs on both Monday and Tuesday) and the sauces were really good. I recommend the "Spicy Sesame," although it's really not spicy (the Mild has more of a kick). The Thai sauce also got high marks. I recently went to a BW3 and had their boneless wings. In comparison with the Lizard's boneless, BW's are better. But I'd still give the Lizard's wings a shot.
(4)Lilly S.
I love the Winking Lizard. The food is not going to be gourmet, so just know that now, but it's always good and the service is almost always great. I did the World Tour of Beers and it was so much fun. The vibe at this particular location is my favorite. SUCH a cool building and a very big, fun bar area. Highly recommended if you're looking for a big, versitile American food menu. Very good specials and an amazing beer selection.
(5)Cara L.
Looks like Winking Lizard got something right, and that "something" comes in the form of great beer lists and this particular location. Yes, the Lizard has spots all over NEO, but like many other yelpers who have written before me, I agree that Lakewood takes the cake. It's nestled inside a huge, historic building with plenty of rooms for family dinner and/or bar debauchery--whatever floats your boat. Not to mention a game room, free popcorn and a bowling alley downstairs. You walk inside this place and seriously feel tiny, that's how tall the ceilings are. I know what you're thinking... This chick probably just likes this place because of the free popcorn. Well, it's true. That does contribute to my feelings, considering my undying and intense passion for le p-corn. But that's not all. Take a glance at the insane beer menu and you'll see why. The food? Well, it's not my favorite bar grub, but it'll do. I've had better veggie options at greasier spots. The burgers are tasty, as well as the wings, but I can't see myself going out of my way to eat here. It's one of those places you go to for the brews and end up eating to soak up the large amounts of booze sloshing in your stomach. (Nice image, eh?) As far as watching sports--well, they've got a bajillion TVs and there's no way in hell someone is going to be tall enough to block your view. Not with those ceilings at least. So, sure.. go get your barley-pop sipping, wing-fingered macho time on. Lizard is a great spot to do it!
(3)Cami T.
Jamie, we love you. What would our bowling team do without you? Drink water? The horror!!!! Every week during bowling league (btw, Wednesdays are the best!), Jamie pours us our $4.50 LaBatts and keeps us happy while we inevitably bowl gutter balls and get into fights with accountants... That's why we wouldn't know what to do without you, oh, bartender, Jamie! The downstairs bowling alley at the Lizard in Lakewood is less retro than it used to be, but still expect holiday graphics to be showing two or three months after said holiday. That's how they keep it real. There is plenty of Jon Bon Jovi on the jukebox, the popcorn is salty and like I said, Jamie is on the ball! Haha...ball...bowling review...ha! What else could you ask for? Other than maybe a bowling score over 100...but that's a different story.
(5)Murray R.
Didn't want to review another Lizard after already doing the downtown one, but i'm in a bit of a drought and need to hit 300 reviews by my birthing day. Plus the horror that was Morgantown, West Virginia earlier in the week really made me appreciate what i have right down the street. Saturday was pretty low key there even with all the sports on tv. AND the mighty 1985 NBA draft! Shouts out to Patrick Ewing, Xavier McDaniel, Detlef Schrempf and Karl Malone(taken at 13? wtf?) for helping me relive my childhood card collecting days. Sadly, Manute Bol passed as i munched my quesadillas. They were decent, cheap and light. The beer- -A Brooklyn Summer Ale 22 for cheap, 16 oz German something or other and a bottle of domestic. Grand total was 19 Lizard skins. The bartender was way friendly and quick with the pour. I love the building! Lots of seating, long ass bar, outdoor seating by unfortunately pretty crappy stretch of Detroit and has it's own character unlike some other franchises. If i didn't need to Yelp so many other places, i would definitely stop in more. Maybe after i hit my goal.
(4)Angie M.
4 stars for the bar (tvs and bar) 3 for the food. To start, we are from Northern Ky and drive to Cleveland for the Browns games. This is a regular stop for us to make sure we pick up the glass of the month. (Seriously, how many souvenir glasses does a man REALLY need?) This place has a great selection of beers and cocktails. The bar area is perfect for football and the service is friendly and attentive. For me, the food is just okay. The bf loves the bbq chicken dinner. Maybe I need to suck it up and order bar food instead of trying to keep it healthy with a salad or wrap...? Next time we are going to try the pretzel appetizer. Patio looks awesome, may have to check it out when it gets warmer...
(4)Sarah F.
While the beer list at the Winking Lizard will have you drooling, skip the nachos and chicken wings. We ended up there late-night for dinner. I ordered the chicken nachos, a $2 updgrade for chicken. If there was 1/2 a chicken breast on them, I'd be surprised. The chips were food-service grade and the cheese was right out of a can. They weren't bad, but I'd expected something a little higher-quality. My husband ordered chicken wings. They are not breaded which is fine as long as they get the skin crispy. These had a big layer of fat and while the meat was done, the skin could have used another minute or two in the fryer. We had visited the WL on a previous visit and ordered burgers and fries. We were much happier with those meals. The burgers were large and cooked to our linking. The meat seemed to be high-quality. The toppings were flavorful and generous. We even splurged on the special fries with cheese and bacon. Overall, we were happy with that visit. It isn't a bad place to go, especially if you're looking to have a drink and watch the game. I'd recommend ordering burgers, not appetizers. Definitely more bang for your buck.
(2)Joe F.
Good beer selection, solid food, and skee ball
(4)Blue O.
Last night was wing night at the Winking Lizard. I have been to this Winking Lizard a few times and it's always pretty decent. If you can handle the Bro-Vibe of this place and get past the cacophonous 76 LCD screens blaring sports at max volume you can survive ok. There is a separate dining room which i much prefer to the Bro Sector. Anyhow, I have been here for their burger nights and they are usually pretty ok. I really enjoy coming for the wings. My friend really digs the wings so he gives me a call when he usually goes up there. We showed up around 7 or so and had no trouble getting in and were served pretty prompt. Going out for chicken wings is kind of an existential weirdness. It's so rooted in Bro-Culture that it can sometimes feel absurd to go out with the guys and smash chicken wings and beer without feeling like a total idiot and a primitive. Luckily the restaurant part and not the bar part helped me from feeling completely lame. My girlfriend got a 12 Dogs of Christmas and I got one of those huge glasses of their specialty root beer. The Root Beer is AWESOME here. They have a wide variety of flavors - between the gang we had the BBQ, the Magma, regular Hot, Cajun, Spicy Garlic etc. ALL GREAT. All meaty and hearty...no gristley grossness you'd associate with normal wings. And for .40 cents a piece I'll gladly pay the higher price for the good wings. My girlfriend had the Blackbean Burger, which she enjoys thoroughly and will usually get one to go. The server we had was really on the ball, and did a great job. Overall the food is really good, and the service is as well. I really like the wings here better than anywhere in Cleveland and everything else seems ok. I would give it five stars but too many morons go here and that room with the TV's is like a torture dimension.
(4)Tristan R.
Good atmosphere, good prices, OK food... Not a bad place to stop for a beer after work :)
(3)John G.
Beer, beer, bEEr, BeEr, BEER! Best Lizard location in Cleveland - one of the best bartops in Cleveland too. I don't think i've ever had a bad time here - in fact, I may have had a little too much fun here!
(4)Jen T.
Great new patio.....almost triples their outdoor seating.....and as always...great taps!!!! My husband and I go on Thursdays because they have a cheeseburger special and we can always get a great draft
(4)Amy T.
Lakewood Winking Lizard is a great option for lunch, to catch a Cav's game, or meet-up with friends on the weekend. Their bar is separated from the dining room so you don't have to worry about being too loud for families while you drink with your friends. YEAH! They have a small stage in the bar area and often have live bands. There is bowling in the basement! Woohoo!! This is definitely not a dive and in the top 10% of Lakewood bars, rated on cleanliness, class, and clients. Yes, you might run into some hambones and hooknasties, but it isn't the majority of patrons. You can be a bit older than the average Lakewood crowd (40-50) and feel comfortable meeting here. I like the Buffalo Chicken Salad with grilled chicken instead of breaded. They sell gluten free beer.
(4)Peter S.
First, a big kudos to the management team of all the Lizards -- they've taken the step of adding nutrition information to their online menu, something most restaurants are very reluctant to do. While I'll be shocked at how many calories I stuff into my face when it comes out, I'm glad they're taking this step toward letting people be aware (or negligent) of their own nutrition. I do enjoy the Lizard. I don't have to get the same old beer since there's over three hundred on tap and in bottles in any given year. I'm a proud world tourist, and they make a great drink. The food is tasty, if basic. I'd love to see something a bit more daring a bit more in my face and challenging. I realize there's no sort of chef du cuisine, or any sort of that at each restaurant, but, if you're going to offer really good beer along side okay, mass produced beers, why not offer really good food to go along side pretty good food? That would create a tremendous niche for the Lizard (so long as they don't call it a gastropub, because WHO EVEN KNOWS WHAT THAT IS?!). The burgers are good, and with the option to replace your meat patty with an Angus Beef (not a style of beef or anything -- it's simply a designation of beef that goes hand in hand with Choice, Prime, etc. Doesn't mean it's better than grass fed, just that it satisfied the Angus Beef board.) or Turkey patty is great. The wing sauces are tasty, though the higher you go on the "heat" chain, the more of a broad spectrum you get. I don't know that the Cajun is spicier than the Garlic, but, they're tasty. I really dig the chicken sandwiches, too. Get the one on Garlic Bread. I think it's the Chicken Parm. Oh, you will not be disappointed, friends. My two gripes: I wish they offered a smaller fry. The gigantic steak fries are good when hot and fresh, but get soggy quick. If you're reading this, Lizard folks: You cannot go wrong with a crinkle cut fry. Don't worry about fresh cut. Crinkle cut. Second gripe: Holy, holy loud Batman. The Lakewood and Independence joints get super loud thanks to a widely expansive bar with really tall ceilings. If there's game on, good luck having a discussion in the bar. Also, I wish the management team would police the aisles. Often times, two attractive girls decide to grab a beer, and invariably, hundreds of hambones circle their table making it impossible for people to get by. If there's twenty people in the bar, fine. If there's hundreds? Plow the roads, folks. Tell people to sit or beat it. While you're a full bar, Lizard, you're still a restaurant first. All in all, you really can't go wrong with any of the Lizards. I'm partial to the one down the street from me, but, they're all very consistent, and you're getting food that'll taste the same at each. I'd cut and paste this reply to each of them throughout the area, but, I think that'd be frowned upon.
(4)Lindsey G.
I live very close to this location so I often order take out or pop in for a meal with friends. I always experience great service and the take out service is especially good. They always make sure everything is correct with my order and it's very fast. The food is awesome for bar food. I love the boneless wings!
(4)