2008 Woodie Awards
For Youngstown bars, you can always go downtown
Chelsea Pflugh, Features Reporter
Issue date: 2/12/08 Section: Entertainment
Though some students mourn the temporary closing of Shenanigans Bar and Grille, downtown Youngstown offers an alternative to going deaf in a crowded club swarming with underage alcohol consumption. Better yet, downtown is within walking distance.
Many Youngstown State University students drive right past the heart of downtown on their way to distant entertainment destinations, missing a vital part of the city.
Discover the hidden treasures of Federal Plaza.
Downtown Draught House
219 West Federal St.
Also known as the D House or The D, the Downtown Draught House is one of the relics of Federal Street, especially with newer bars being built nearby, but it's proven itself as a true Youngstown bar.
It's filled with YSU memorabilia, SteelHounds gear and old Youngstown photos. It isn't the most picturesque of hangouts, but the drink prices can't be beat.
Food selections range from wings to burgers, the perfect food to eat when you're drinking one of The D's perfectly priced beers.
The Draught House has pool tables, booths and old arcade games to appeal to the drinker who likes to do more than just sit at the bar and talk the night away. This is the main hangout for hockey fans after SteelHounds games.
The Draught House has 16 beers on tap and has a choice of microbrews and imports.
Imbibe Martini Bar
124 Federal Plaza West
With decor and design that could be straight out of New York City, Imbibe offers guests a variety of alcoholic choices as well as an intimate conversational setting.
The classy, chic and elegant atmosphere of Imbibe is an escape from Youngstown.
Pore over the 121 martini choices on the menu by candlelight. Every flavor, combination and color of martini seems available, including classics gimlets.
Rare treats at Imbibe
Starburst martini
Peanut butter and jelly martini
Grasshopper martini
Pumpkin pie martini
Key lime pie martini
Java, mocha and espresso martinis
For the more adventurous, the bar serves up the purple haze and orgasmic martinis.
Imbibe also offers cocktails, wine and beer in addition to their vast martini selection. Beers from 14 countries and 10 states are available, including imports, microbrews and domestics. Beer that might be hard to find other places on Federal Street may be found here.
A word to the wise — made almost entirely of alcohol, martinis can hit a little harder. "Just one more" might be more than expected. The only thing stronger than five martinis is the hit it takes on your wallet.
Imbibe also offers a prize to the those prolific enough to try all 121 martinis within 18 months.
Barley's
21 West Federal St.
Barley's could be considered a typical college hangout.
There are great drink prices and specials to save some extra cash for more books — or alcohol — and good food at decent prices.
After an ID check at the door, it's a typical bar and grille scene with dim lights, a few tables, a stocked bar, and that smell of smoke and good conversation.
Food served at Barley's is typical bar and pub food including American classics like sandwiches and fries.
With an intimate stage setting, Barley's boasts a good music scene.
Tuesday is an open mic night, Wednesday features DJ Killin, and Thursday is '80s Night with J-Scratch. Barley's offers a variety of specials throughout the week on drinks and music.
Barley's Specials
Monday — $1.50 domestics,
$2 imports
Tuesday — $2 cocktails
Wednesday, Flip Night — Guess the bartender's coin toss correctly, and the drink costs a quarter. Guess wrong, and it's regular price.
Saturday — $1 beers
Rosetta Stone Cafe
110 Federal Plaza West
A new addition to Federal Plaza is the Rosetta Stone Cafe, a self-proclaimed upscale dining establishment for downtown Youngstown.
Rosetta Stone is definitely a very fancy place with food on their menu that many students will never have heard of. Even if the menu may look like alphabet soup to some, there's no mistaking the product.
For college students familiar with Wendy's and Taco Bell drive-through menus, the prices may be intimidating at first, but everyone deserves a nice dinner now and then.
The menu consists of appetizers and soups, salads, entrees and desserts. Some highlights on the menu are the Chilean Caesar salad, a variety of steaks, surf and turf, and even some vegetarian options. Finish your meal off with lemon souffle or French cheesecake.
The cafe offers a bar menu after kitchen hours.
Live music events are also starting to pick up at Rosetta Stone. Jazz shows, including YSU ensembles, play the cafe on Wednesday and Thursday nights.
Off Federal Street
If you decide to take a turn off Federal Street, don't miss Cedar's Lounge and Restaurant.
Famous on campus for having a swing dance night on Thursdays, this hangout is well known for being on top of the Valley's music scene.
Musical acts as well as some YSU jazz and instrumental groups play regularly. Cedar's also has Teddy Pantela's at Cedar's on Tuesdays, and Casey and Ultimate Donny on Thursdays. Straub on tap for $1 isn't a bad deal, either.
Closer to campus, Inner Circle Pizza and University Pizzeria and Italian Eatery both serve solid drinks from respectable bars.
Specials include $1 bottles at University Pizza on Mondays and Bucket Night on Thursdays at Inner Circle.
Buffalo Wild Wings on Wick Avenue also offers over 10 beers on tap as well as amazing cocktails — but they cost a pretty penny.
Many Youngstown State University students drive right past the heart of downtown on their way to distant entertainment destinations, missing a vital part of the city.
Discover the hidden treasures of Federal Plaza.
Downtown Draught House
219 West Federal St.
Also known as the D House or The D, the Downtown Draught House is one of the relics of Federal Street, especially with newer bars being built nearby, but it's proven itself as a true Youngstown bar.
It's filled with YSU memorabilia, SteelHounds gear and old Youngstown photos. It isn't the most picturesque of hangouts, but the drink prices can't be beat.
Food selections range from wings to burgers, the perfect food to eat when you're drinking one of The D's perfectly priced beers.
The Draught House has pool tables, booths and old arcade games to appeal to the drinker who likes to do more than just sit at the bar and talk the night away. This is the main hangout for hockey fans after SteelHounds games.
The Draught House has 16 beers on tap and has a choice of microbrews and imports.
Imbibe Martini Bar
124 Federal Plaza West
With decor and design that could be straight out of New York City, Imbibe offers guests a variety of alcoholic choices as well as an intimate conversational setting.
The classy, chic and elegant atmosphere of Imbibe is an escape from Youngstown.
Pore over the 121 martini choices on the menu by candlelight. Every flavor, combination and color of martini seems available, including classics gimlets.
Rare treats at Imbibe
Starburst martini
Peanut butter and jelly martini
Grasshopper martini
Pumpkin pie martini
Key lime pie martini
Java, mocha and espresso martinis
For the more adventurous, the bar serves up the purple haze and orgasmic martinis.
Imbibe also offers cocktails, wine and beer in addition to their vast martini selection. Beers from 14 countries and 10 states are available, including imports, microbrews and domestics. Beer that might be hard to find other places on Federal Street may be found here.
A word to the wise — made almost entirely of alcohol, martinis can hit a little harder. "Just one more" might be more than expected. The only thing stronger than five martinis is the hit it takes on your wallet.
Imbibe also offers a prize to the those prolific enough to try all 121 martinis within 18 months.
Barley's
21 West Federal St.
Barley's could be considered a typical college hangout.
There are great drink prices and specials to save some extra cash for more books — or alcohol — and good food at decent prices.
After an ID check at the door, it's a typical bar and grille scene with dim lights, a few tables, a stocked bar, and that smell of smoke and good conversation.
Food served at Barley's is typical bar and pub food including American classics like sandwiches and fries.
With an intimate stage setting, Barley's boasts a good music scene.
Tuesday is an open mic night, Wednesday features DJ Killin, and Thursday is '80s Night with J-Scratch. Barley's offers a variety of specials throughout the week on drinks and music.
Barley's Specials
Monday — $1.50 domestics,
$2 imports
Tuesday — $2 cocktails
Wednesday, Flip Night — Guess the bartender's coin toss correctly, and the drink costs a quarter. Guess wrong, and it's regular price.
Saturday — $1 beers
Rosetta Stone Cafe
110 Federal Plaza West
A new addition to Federal Plaza is the Rosetta Stone Cafe, a self-proclaimed upscale dining establishment for downtown Youngstown.
Rosetta Stone is definitely a very fancy place with food on their menu that many students will never have heard of. Even if the menu may look like alphabet soup to some, there's no mistaking the product.
For college students familiar with Wendy's and Taco Bell drive-through menus, the prices may be intimidating at first, but everyone deserves a nice dinner now and then.
The menu consists of appetizers and soups, salads, entrees and desserts. Some highlights on the menu are the Chilean Caesar salad, a variety of steaks, surf and turf, and even some vegetarian options. Finish your meal off with lemon souffle or French cheesecake.
The cafe offers a bar menu after kitchen hours.
Live music events are also starting to pick up at Rosetta Stone. Jazz shows, including YSU ensembles, play the cafe on Wednesday and Thursday nights.
Off Federal Street
If you decide to take a turn off Federal Street, don't miss Cedar's Lounge and Restaurant.
Famous on campus for having a swing dance night on Thursdays, this hangout is well known for being on top of the Valley's music scene.
Musical acts as well as some YSU jazz and instrumental groups play regularly. Cedar's also has Teddy Pantela's at Cedar's on Tuesdays, and Casey and Ultimate Donny on Thursdays. Straub on tap for $1 isn't a bad deal, either.
Closer to campus, Inner Circle Pizza and University Pizzeria and Italian Eatery both serve solid drinks from respectable bars.
Specials include $1 bottles at University Pizza on Mondays and Bucket Night on Thursdays at Inner Circle.
Buffalo Wild Wings on Wick Avenue also offers over 10 beers on tap as well as amazing cocktails — but they cost a pretty penny.
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