Restaurant
Unclaimed profileAlley Cat Oyster Bar
Cleveland, OH · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Alley Cat Oyster Bar's beverage program spans creative cocktails like the Cat's Pajamas and Alley Cat Mai Tai, a wine list with international and local selections, and a draft lineup heavy on breweries. Happy Hour and brunch specials add value, and a dedicated mocktail section shows care for non-drinkers. It's a versatile, well-stocked bar with a local bent.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Bloodhound, featuring Watershed gin and blood orange liqueur, or the Cat's Pajamas with strawberry-jalapeño purée. For beer, try the pub-exclusive Collision Bend Alley Cat Lager. Weekend brunch offers bottomless mimosas and a Seafood Bloody Mary.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Craft cocktail enthusiasts, local beer fans, and brunch crowds will all find something. The mocktail list and non-alcoholic beer options make it welcoming for designated drivers and non-drinkers. Oyster bar regulars will appreciate the pairing-friendly wine list.
- When should I go?
- Weekend brunch features bottomless mimosas and specialty Bloody Marys, ideal for a leisurely late-morning visit.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails range from $13 to $16, with a $10 Cocktail du Jour during Happy Hour. Select wine is $8 and select beer $5 during Happy Hour. Brunch mimosas are $13, with bottomless options available. Non-alcoholic drinks range from $4 to $7.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- A pub-exclusive lager from Collision Bend, an Ohio ice wine, and a cocktail menu that leans into local spirits like Watershed gin. The dedicated mocktail section, including a non-alcoholic version of the Cat's Pajamas, shows attention to all drinkers.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
Creative, well-priced cocktails with local spirits and house-made elements. The menu includes playful names and varied flavor profiles, from the jalapeño-spiked Cat's Pajamas to the mezcal-based Cuyahoga Sidecar. Dessert drinks and brunch Bloody Marys broaden appeal.
Menu strengths
- — Diverse menu with creative ingredients and local spirits like Watershed gin.
- — Happy Hour offers a discounted Cocktail du Jour at $10.
Standout selections
- — Cat's Pajamas: vodka, house-made lemonade, strawberry jalapeño purée ($13).
- — Bloodhound: Watershed gin, Solerno blood orange liqueur, grapefruit, lemon ($16).
- — Alley Cat Mai Tai: Panteray dark rum, cachaca, lime, cinnamon orgeat, grenadine.
Pricing: Cocktails range from $13 to $16; Happy Hour Cocktail du Jour is $10.
Wine
A broad international list covering sparkling, white, rosé, red, and dessert wines, including a local Ohio ice wine. Pricing is partially documented, with a notable Happy Hour special. The selection supports food pairing, especially with seafood.
Menu strengths
- — Includes local Ohio ice wine (Debonne Vidal Blanc).
- — International selections from Champagne, Napa, and Marlborough.; Happy Hour select wine for $8.
Standout selections
- — NV Prosecco, Valdo 'Numero 1' (Veneto, Italy).
- — Moet & Chandon Imperial (Champagne, France).
- — Debonne Vidal Blanc Ice Wine (Grand River Valley, Ohio).
Pricing: Chandon Brut is $17; Happy Hour select wine is $8. Other prices not listed.
Beer
An exceptional local craft draft lineup, including a pub-exclusive lager from Collision Bend. Includes non-alcoholic options from Athletic Brewing and Michelob Ultra 0.0. Happy Hour pricing makes it accessible.
Menu strengths
- — Pub-exclusive Collision Bend Alley Cat Lager.; Includes non-alcoholic beer options.
Standout selections
- — Collision Bend Alley Cat Lager (OH, 5.2% ABV, pub-exclusive).
- — Jackie O's Who Cooks for You Hazy Pale Ale (Athens, OH).
- — Fat Head's Head Hunter IPA (7.5% ABV, 87 IBU).
Pricing: Collision Bend Alley Cat Lager $8; Jackie O's Hazy Pale Ale $9; Happy Hour select beer $5.
Nonalcoholic
A dedicated mocktail section with three options, plus craft sodas, coffee, and non-alcoholic beers. The mocktails mirror cocktail creativity, but prices are not listed. A thoughtful offering for non-drinkers.
Menu strengths
- — Variety including craft sodas, coffee, and non-alcoholic beers.
Standout selections
- — Cranberry Crave: cranberry juice, rosemary syrup, lime soda.
- — Lime Thyme: thyme cordial, lime soda.
Pricing: Sprecher Craft Soda $5; coffee $4; espresso $5/$7; non-alcoholic beers around $6.
Spirits
Spirits are showcased through the cocktail menu, featuring craft and premium brands like Watershed gin, Panteray dark rum, and Old Forester. No standalone spirits list exists, limiting its scope.
Menu strengths
- — Uses craft and premium spirits.; Variety of spirits across the cocktail menu.
Standout selections
- — Panteray dark rum in the Alley Cat Mai Tai.
- — Old Forester in the East Bank cocktail.
Pricing: No dedicated spirits list or prices available.
How it sits with the food
The cocktail menu's citrus and spice notes—think jalapeño-infused tequila or grapefruit in the Bloodhound—pair naturally with the briny, fresh oysters the bar is named for. The local lager and crisp whites like Sauvignon Blanc also complement shellfish without overwhelming it.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
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