Cocktail selection is not too great. Ordered a side or sweet potato fries. They are heavily breaded with pepper and the red sauce given did not go at all. My sister ordered a beer and got a 4oz and paid $8. Way overpriced and why is it served in a cocktail glass? I wanted ranch dressing for my fries and couldn't even get that. Very disappointed to say the least read more

Cool little trendy bar / restaurant in the Tremont area of Cleveland. The have a real nice selection of designer beers (Some I'd never heard of before) and the food was pretty good. We were there during the expansive "Happy Hour" which I think lasted until 7:30p. Big standouts were the Hummus and the Tacos. I'd definitely come back here for drinks and apps. read more

Banana split, Espresso, Creamsicle. Yeah, those are names of the martini's I tried at Lava Lounge - and that's not even close to a complete list. Tack on other candy-like concoctions like the refreshing Blueberry Basil Lemonade and you've got yourself hooked! And just at 9-10 bucks to drink your dessert! Oh yeah - and the food is making me hungry just thinking about it! A very stand American menu except everything is just a little bit special - in a good way. Take the Cobb salad. - it's got a poached egg right smack dab in the middle of it! And avocados, roasted red peppers, bacon and chicken - but ask for the red wine dressing - perfect-o! I'm so glad we ended up their for a girls night! The only thing that was holding me back was the volume level since the girts had to talk, but even that was tasteful. And the music was just my style too: pop electronica. I even discovered a new band. It must have just been that my super loud Lava Lounge experience was right after Micheal Jackson passed away and they had to pay some cranked up tributes. read more

I LOVE this place. I have been here several times with just one other as well as medium size groups. The happy hour menu is extensive. The waitstaff and the food are wonderful. The apple slaw is especially good. The draft beer selection is somewhat limited though. read more

This is one of those bars that makes me want to spend more time in Tremont. It is cozy yet modern, with an inventive menu and delicious drinks. I look forward to trying more items on the menu, but I have to say that the hummus with tomato jam was a rather odd dish. The flavor combination was off, although I expected it to be good. If you get the hummus, don't mix in the jam like I did! The Perfect Pear martini is delicious - great flavors and not too sweet. I enjoyed the music, both the background music earlier in the evening and the DJ later on. I'm curious if people dance here - it is perfect for it! I may be a bit picky since I am always cold, but I would ask that they not run the ceiling fans on high during the winter - it made the place a bit chilly when the place wasn't that crowded. I am excited about returning! read more

Love this place. Definitely a hidden gem in Tremont. The food is fantastic. I highly recommend the Noodles & Curry and the Mac & Cheese. They always play great music and oddball movies/videos. It's a pretty dimly lit, intimate venue with some bar seating and community tables. You can also rent a party room upstairs for private events and enjoy a nice quaint patio in the back on nice summer days. My only critique would be when they have DJs spin, it can be very loud in such a small venue and hard to have a conversation. read more

Tremont is a restaurant oasis and Lava Lounge is the hidden gem in this neighborhood. The food is insanely good. They have a regular menu with an always rotating specials section that provides a good selection of edibles. The food is interesting and unique, but always tasty to the palate. My girlfriend and I, being locals, frequent Lava once a week and are excited to try the new items on the specials list. There are a large number of drafts available along with a bottled beer list that is quite large for any beer aficionado. The wine list is just as well thought out as the beer selection. Although there are other restaurants more well known in Tremont, Lava Lounge is the neighborhood's best kept secret. read more

The happy hour is incredible! I love that it lasts later than most happy hours and the Calamari is fantastic. Seriously...amazing. The drinks are strong and worth the prices. read more

I will admit my first experience was not the greatest. Upon arrival, shortly after opening I assume, the bartender was not happy to have to remove himself from his seat to wait on strangers. The music got louder, and the ambiance was lost, like my hearing. I left shortly after for a quieter, more friendly location. On my next visit I was greeted and promptly served. Every time since the food has been spectacular. I have tried many menu items along with specials, and I am very impressed. The crowd is mixed with regulars, randoms, and in betweens, which I enjoy. I enjoy the intimacy of the hidden back patio, it is closed off and comfortable. I truly enjoy a few of the bartender's personalities now, where as I did not my first time. I am glad I gave it a second chance. read more

Lava is a local Tremont bar. It has two floors and an outdoor patio. It is located by Lincoln Park. The atmosphere is full of character just like Tremont! Everything from local artists' work to the classic leg lamp in the window of the second floor. If you are from Cleveland you know all about the leg lamp. The bartenders are tentative and personal. My favorite dish is the calamari!! One word AMAZING! The dishes are unique and prices are moderate. Check it out and feel like a Tremont local! read more

man, people HATE hipsters. i am amazed how many bar reviews always contain commentary about the clientele. as i've said before - are you there with people you like? is the music good? is there still alcohol available for sale? COOL. your night should RULE. what's ironic about this is that we ended up at lava on a night that we went to prosperity and it was too weird for us (not with hipsters, but with olds) and so here we were. if i can hear snoop, michael jackson and jay-z on a saturday night at a bar when i am hanging with one of my friends making fun of other people and drinking beers then i think its a success. i didn't see any hipsters here on saturday, but i had a great time regardless and until the dj started playing extended remixes of sister sledge i was down. no food, just booze, but i've heard the food is nothing to complain about. i am sure i will be back, i have been haunting tremont like a ghost. read more

and now, a song to commemorate my dining experience at the lava lounge. yum yum yum yum food in my tum tum tasty hummus complete with a wine list ..um..and this is where my lyric writing falls to shit. poor lyricist skills aside, the lava lounge shouldn't be overlooked for food. of course they have a great selection of good beers on tap, plenty of wines, and a martini list including a whatchamacallit martini (!!!) but man, the food is TAST-EEE. the hummus is soooo good. warm fat pita bread. and the rest of the menu doesn't skimp either. really great stuff. veggie wraps, unique burgers, cheese plates, i mean, good eats. my first experience at the lava lounge years ago wasn't so hot, but i'm glad i went back. they get kudos in my book. Edit 1/5/08: another venture to lava produced more good experiences. friendly staff, great people at the place, and a good dj. as a stop on my birthday scavenger hunt, the following experiences occurred: a) i was proposed to by a stranger b) three hot boys signed a birthday card made for me, one of which told me he's always loved me and we are supposed to do it. c) a haiku was written for two strangers sitting on the couch, together, but text messaging others in silence. there was much laughter when presented, being that the last line was "talk to each other" d) the dj did not mind posing for pictures with the bday girl and throughout all this insanity the staff and patrons of this fine establishment were not only pleasant, but extremely fun and kind. lava lounge will be much more predominant on my tremont outing list. one more star for them. read more

I went for happy hour on a Monday and the place was really dead. But, I was with a group of girlfriends so we were content with it being just us in the bar. We all ordered a bunch of food, calamari, wings, sweet potato fries and everything was really good. All the food was devoured accordingly. The martini's we had were mixed just right and chilled to perfection. The patio is great for those of us who chain smoke while we drink. All in all, I think this is a great choice for happy hour. read more

This place definitely screams after-hours bar. I went with a friend to have post work dinner and drinks. The chicken satay was overcooked and dry, and the accompanying peanut sauce was runny. The chicken had a good flavor but still... Bar service is good. Very dark in there. read more

I got food poisoning from eating their cheeseburger- BAD. I passed out on my floor at home upon returning from there, and I had all of the *glorious* other symptoms of food poisoning. I have never got it that bad. No one else in my group got it, and no one else had the burger, so DON'T ORDER THE BURGER!!!!! read more

Had the pleasure of visiting Lava Lounge on 11/10/13 for the first time....for a Sunday it was laid back and quiet just what I wanted for a quick night cap before the work starts....the barmaid Shelly was awesome and my drink "Ruby Red" she made to perfection.....definitely will be back....so give em a try I think you'll like them! read more

Went here on a late night to meet up with a friend for drinks and I must say I enjoyed myself. The atmosphere was relaxing and the drinks were perfect. It was very easy to talk and the service was wonderful! read more

My husband and I wanted to stop somewhere before going to the Elton John concert and were so glad we stopped here. It's a small dimly lit bar with a lot of character. Lorraine, our server, was fantastic. She is very friendly and makes a great Tequila drink. The food was really good and there are a lot of "not your ordinary" choices on the menu. We had roasted garlic hummus, roasted cauliflower and a goat cheese appetizer which were all great. They have a great happy hour as well. We did notice that wine is served in a cocktail glass instead of a wine glass which we thought was a bit odd but other than that, we are looking forward to returning and trying some of the other items on the menu especially the wings. read more

Best happy hour in the city! My Lava love runs deep for several reasons, but happy hour is number one. It goes until 8pm, which is awesome for a happy hour since most end by 7pm at the latest. That extra hour is a treat. And the food is fantastic! Full disclosure time: I would kill a man for their sweet potato fries. Luckily they're only $3 during happy hour, so I don't have to, but they're THAT good. They're almost like jo-jo's with a tempura batter. Delicious. The rest of the happy hour menu tops out between 5-7$ for some pretty tasty food, and they have a decent range of $5 cocktails, which means you can get a full dinner AND a fancy cocktail for around $13. You can't beat that. If you don't catch happy hour, the regular menu isn't bad price-wise either. I'd recommend the chorizo mac & cheese, which is incredible. For a long time I avoided this place because I remembered when it opened and was THE place to go. Even all these years later, in my mind, that meant it was douchey and full of people trying too hard. That couldn't be further from the truth. It's definitely "cool" inside (we are in Tremont), but It's totally relaxed and full of regulars just looking to hang out. No one's trying to impress anyone here. And the staff is super friendly! With the awesome happy hour, delicious food, friendly staff, and relaxed environment, you absolutely cannot go wrong here! If you want to make an evening out of Tremont, this is the place to start. read more

Favorite place when i come to the west side. Great food and atmosphere. The bartenders are always friendly and knowlegable about the liquors and drinks. Im a gin girl but i like to mix it up. read more

It may not be the best food in Tremont, but it's likely served with the least baggage here. This is kind of an un-Tremont place. The vibe is laid back, and though you may see a hipster or three, there is no sense that they dominate the place. The patio is great -- it feels like the back yard of a good friend. The food's pretty tasty too. read more

One of our favorite happy hours! Excellent food & great cocktails. Wonderful weird movies on the tv, too.

What a gem ! The service is quite extraordinary.Lorraine is by far the best bartender in Cleveland ! She has made my husband and I feel like we were dining in a 5 star restaurant. Have only sat at the bar , linen knapkins and killer cocktails . The menu is wonderful many choices curry noodle bowl and mac n cheese are phenominal. Will definitely be back . Not to be missed . Small intimate atmosphere read more

I like it here, it's a once every two months stop for me. The upstairs is great for parties and my favorite part of the restaurant. I only drink when I come, never had the food. I kinda find myself wishing they'd maintain the building more... 1st floor bar area is a little beat, but it's a cool place nonetheless and I usually don't remember leaving because they have a nice little IPA selection. read more

Lava is probably my most favorite bar in Cleveland! It has a great atmosphere with cool artwork, and the staff is friendly and attentive. There's good music and various djs every night. Plus, the food is delicious, fresh and priced very reasonably... best thing is that the kitchen is open until 2:00 am! read more

I like this place a lot. On the weekends I work at another restaurant in the area. This place is close enough to walk to after I'm done. I have a feeling going that is going to be a tradition. The bar tenders were great, the drinks good (albeit a little pricey). The pommes frites were good. Sweet potatoes dipped in tempure batter and served with garlic aoli. They were great. read more

We always end up at the lava lounge. It's a nice little bar, cool decor, comfy couches, great DJs. But be careful about opening a tab...four of us had $120. tab in an hour, a little ridiculous! read more

Holy veggie tacos! So delicious! I also chose to enjoy a happy hour drink here recently. It was ok, though it tasted more like a glass of Skyy vodka than a citrus flavored cocktail. Oh well. I powered through it and didn't have to drive home! read more

Lava Lounge has a great happy hour, M-F from 4 to 8. Perfect time for dinner. I love the sweet potato fries and burger. The crowd here is always very diverse and I love that -- it's multi-racial and good combination of youngins, yuppies, and old guys. read more

One of the best happy hours in the area. Runs till 8pm, and has a great app/small plates menu. The Havarti Cheeseburger is really delicious. Sweet/savory combo makes it. Had the tapenade last night. It was good, but there was still a whole olive in there! Not the end of world, just and oversight on chef's part. If you've ever been a chef, take note of their kitchen. Teeeny tiny! But they make it work. read more

Nice, chill, intimate atmosphere. Very friendly staff, food and drinks are tasty.

If I'm in the neighborhood drinking, this will be a stop. Good food, good prices. There's a memorable pear martini that is a must...

This place was recommended to me by one of my coolest vegetarian friends and I can see why. Lots of items on the menu are meat-free - I tried the hummus plate ($4 during happy hour). It was tasty! A little heavy on the garlic but good. My burger was just okay - I don't like horseradish sauce so I wish I knew it was going to be on there to have them hold it. Crispy chicken sandwich was tasty not too greasy. Fries are tempura style which I've never had before. Overall, I would definitely go back to have a beer especially with a vegetarian friend but I will definitely pass on the burger and try something else. read more

This is our "go to" hang out in Tremont as I live 10 minutes away. I always enjoy the bar staff, great menu and great cocktails. My only wish is they'd throw a few more decent stouts on the beer list. It's bar food on steroids.... Hangar steak with chimichuri and frites are amazing and you can beat it for $11 or so. This is the kind of place you come to after being out of town for a week and need to get a bite to eat at 10pm and a drink. read more

Don't sit by the door in the winter! other than that it's pretty good food and atmosphere.

I wish I took a pic of my food, but it was so good I ate it before I could even remember to snap a pic! I got 4 items in the menu. 2 orders of wings, one buffalo and one Thai. The Thai ones were reaLly distinctive, I can almost taste them now. Very crispy in the outside and meaty, and the peanut sauce was memorable. The buffalo wings tho!!!! We're heaven!!! My husband only let me get 2 before he made them all disappear! Spicy and the blue cheese was everything!! Enough about the wings....the tacos! I got 2 tacos. One was a falafel taco, the other was veggie I think it had mushrooms and cilantro and other stuff, not too memorable. The falafel taco, however, was best of both worlds for me. Mediterranean meats taco?!?! Heaven again ! All in one night! The atmosphere was very chill. We went on a Friday night. It was dark, music was loud n people were minimal. Bar was popping, we sat at a dine in table. Low key. I would love to try more menu options! read more

I used to love Lava's burgers. I am a take out person but apparently they care less and less about carryout because my meals have been getting progressively worst. Last night I wish I would have checked my food first I ordered a cheese burger well done and got home with a BURNT burger!!! That includes the damn bun also, burnt people...for $9.00! Any one could have seen if they were cooking that it needed to be redone and they weren't even busy! The fries were so salty and limp they weren't edible. Honestly I'll never recommend them again hopefully Fat Cats has not gone down hill as well! read more

Dive bar of my dreams! Awesome music, great lighting, down to earth people. Everything just fits.

So the food is really tasty. But the bartender seems to be upset to have guests every time I go in. I end up just doing carry out.

Awesome place for just dinner and/or drinks! Best chicken sandwich ever! Had a great party in the upstairs. I was totally pleased as I am every time I come here! Service is great! read more