CLEVELAND, Ohio — A new cocktail lounge is set to debut this fall in Playhouse Square, promising an immersive, theatrical experience designed to extend the magic of the stage beyond the curtain call.
Named Encore, the 45-seat bar will specialize in innovative craft cocktails enhanced by curated fragrances and bar snacks, offering guests a sensory experience that complements the surrounding arts scene. The venue aims to serve as a stylish post-show destination, enriching Cleveland’s growing nightlife offerings.
“Encore is a continuation piece… something you do after a show so the show can continue,” said Abbas Mandviwala, one of the project’s partners. “It will be upscale and elegant. We are really being mindful of paying homage to the theater district.”
The lounge will occupy a space within the Lumen apartment complex, offering views of the newly installed theater marquees. Construction is slated to begin this week, with the grand opening scheduled for September to align with the launch of the new Broadway series.
Mandviwala is joined in the venture by Ben Lyons and Michael Trebilcock, both of whom bring experience from hospitality projects in New York City and Europe. While the team is withholding some details until later this summer, they confirmed that food service will center on refined bar snacks—such as nuts, chocolates, and cheeses—crafted to pair with the drink menu rather than offering a full dining selection.
The concept takes cues from high-end cocktail venues like Aviary in Chicago and Alchemist in London, both celebrated for blending mixology with experiential storytelling. The identity of the lead mixologist is expected to be announced in mid-July.
Mandviwala views the project as part of a broader revitalization of Cleveland’s entertainment district. “I think Cleveland is in a renaissance and, in a way, Encore represents Cleveland’s next act as well,” he said. “We want to elevate it to be a nightlife district. I hope people look at it as a place they can go out for the night.”
Encore is part of a larger initiative to expand dining and nightlife options in Playhouse Square, with three additional restaurant concepts also in development nearby.
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