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Tylar Calhoun
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Tylar Calhoun
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Tylar Calhoun
Old 97 has cast a love spell on many. The brick cocktail bar on an industrial stretch of Kenmore Boulevard is unassuming, so when people bring dates to the enclosed step-down patio with a stunning ivy-covered wall and potted ferns, it’s like being let in on a secret oasis.
“It’s a bit of a surprise,” says owner Debbie Chapman. “People don’t expect that much space in the back.”
The brick patio has several nooks to uncover: a bar decorated with driftwood, vintage furniture inside a French barn and raised decks where bands play during weddings. The alcoves, along with spaced-apart French brown tables with a mix of picnic benches and wicker chairs, make it feel secluded. Sparks fly at dusk when lights zigzagging overhead glow and live music amplifies the ambiance. Imaginative craft cocktails and a surprising chef-driven menu also delight.
“We’ve got a lot of little cafe lights, candles on the table — it’s a very romantic kind of intimate space,” Chapman says.
For so many couples, it’s written into their love stories from meet-cutes to I do’s.
“There are a lot of first dates here, and the next thing you know, I’m booking a wedding,” Chapman chuckles. 1503 Kenmore Blvd., Akron, 330-745-5493, theold97.com
6/28/23 This article has been updated. Old 97 is under new ownership and has a new full menu and craft cocktails.
