In Search of Cleveland's Best Moscow Mule - 2013 Edition

Waaaay back in 2011 I blogged about my love of Moscow Mules. This was well before nearly every restaurant in Cleveland started serving up my absolute favorite drink of all time. I figured I should revisit my list and see if my former faves still make the cut and/or if any new restaurants deserve to be on the list.

In no particular order - Best Places to Get a Moscow Mule in Cleveland:

1. Hodge's - Downtown Cleveland (tots and mules...delicious)
2. District - Playhouse Square (new to the game but offers up a great mule)
3. Dante - Tremont (possibly my fave - love the ambiance at the bar)
4. Lava Lounge - Tremont (drank 5 too many of these on my birthday - oops!)
5. Felice - Shaker Square area (featured on the daily and late night happy hour menus!)
6. Deagan's - Lakewood (don't steal their copper mugs, ok?)
7. Washington Place Bistro - Little Italy (feel fancy pants when drinking a mule out on their patio)
8. Velvet Tango Room (perhaps the priciest in town - drink yours in the back room)
9. Market Garden (solid, as long as the bartender doesn't argue with you about how to make the drink)

I'd like to make this a top 10 list, but...I can't think of a 10th place to get a good Moscow Mule. (there are a couple watering holes around town that are intentionally NOT on this list)

And while I'm griping about the quality of Moscow Mules, would it kill more restaurants on the east side of town to offer up my favorite drink? Get with the program, east side watering holes!

If you're a fan of Moscow Mules, where do you go to get yourself a quality drink?

Review: Moscow Mules at District in Playhouse Square

I had the opportunity to drop by District in the Playhouse Square area the other night for a Yelp event. It was a little hard to find since it's sort of off the beaten path. It's directly across the street from the Hanna Theater.

I was only able to sample a couple light bites at the event including a vegetable crostini with hummus and a tomato with fresh mozzarella, but I took a peek at the menu and there seemed to be a couple vegetarian friendly items. I'll have to stop back sometime to check out their food.

But what really caught my attention was the drink list. One of their featured cocktails is a Moscow Mule. And since I love Moscow Mules so much, I had to try it.

Moscow Mule in a non-copper mug

It came in a "different" kind of metal cup. Not copper...maybe stainless steel? I'm sure that adds to the flavor profile somehow, but...since the cup has no handle, it also makes it a little difficult to hold. The cup kept coating over with ice so I had to put it down on a table. (keep that in mind if you head there for happy hour - this one's too cold to hold!) It was one of the better Moscow Mules I've ever had, honestly. And for $9, it should have been. I feel like the price range for Moscow Mules is generally $5-$7, but...it was a good, solid drink so I can't really complain. Too much.

I really need to revise my list of Cleveland's Best Moscow Mules from 2011. I definitely think District's Moscow Mule is right up there with Deagan's and Dante. (I'd also add Felice to that list if I were writing it now)

If you're a fan of the drink, where do you go to get your Mule on?