Ivy Lounge

We stopped in Ivy to get out of the rain on a walk towards OTR on Saturday night. I am not a big club goer, but I’ve always passed by this space and thought it looked interesting. It was about 9:30pm and the place was less than half full, but they still had all of the seating blocked off as «VIP», so we just stood in what I’m guessing is where they expect people to dance. There was also some sort of party going on in the upstairs space and at one point some employees brought a sign that said «congratulations» with champagne and lit sparklers up there through the main space.
The music wasn’t very good– and they had the Bengals game on, which is what most people were focused on.
I probably wouldn’t go back there– but Ivy might be a good space if you’re looking to spend some money in what could be perceived as a higher class club for the area, or have a party or girls night out celebration.

I really enjoyed Ivy. Sheena, our server was quick with serving our drinks. The bathroom looks nice. Nice crowd. I would like to have my wedding rehearsal there eventually!!! Nice place!!!

I really feel that it is unfair to compare a new business to the previous business that just happened to have occupied the building. After all, they have nothing to do with one another. Unfortunately for Ivy Lounge, they associated themselves with Obscura. To the devastation of several regulars, Obscura closed their doors very quietly by saying that they were making some renovations. We were told they would reopen in a few short months, but that nothing would be changing. Then we were informed via social media that they were opening under a new name, but were planning to keep several of Obscura’s popular cocktails. I wasn’t particularly surprised that Obscura needed a makeover. While it was a fantastic and delicious place to hang out, it was never particularly busy because it felt like a doll house; not exactly a place that everyone felt comfortable. So I really looked forward to Ivy Lounge because I expected good drinks and a more welcoming and laid back atmosphere.
Oh Ivy Lounge, how you let me down. The makeover they were referring to was some brown paint and replacing the doll house furniture with cheap black pleather furniture that looked like it belonged in a bachelor pad. When we asked the waitress what Obscura drinks they had available, she looked at me as if I were speaking Swahili. She seemed even more perplexed when I asked for a cocktail menu. After speaking with a bartender, we presented with a stained and crumpled menu printed on a piece of paper that didn’t impress. She recommended the Vaportini, which I genuinely think may be the only thing she knew how to make. It sounded unusual and intriguing, but we decided to give it a try. We were presented with a clear glass bowl with a tea light lit under it. As the tea light warmed up the alcohol, we used a straw to inhale the alcohol vapors. When I was 19 and 20 I consumed cheap alcohol because my main goal was getting drunk. As I got into my mid to late 20’s, I began consuming alcohol for flavor. The Vaportini is clearly meant for someone who’s looking to get a quick buzz and nothing more. No thanks. After about 10 minutes, we abandoned it.
I would normally give a place more than one chance before giving such a terrible review. But I strongly feel that we were duped by Ivy Lounge. I wouldn’t have had such high expectations if they hadn’t associated themselves with Obscura’s name. Do yourself a favor and save you money for a place like Igby’s or just head to OTR for something hand crafted with love.

I’ve been to this bar back when it was Obscura. I didn’t really like it that much as Obscura, but the music was good and we used to come here for dancing. Now that it’s Ivy Lounge, it looks like they’re trying to be more of a cocktail bar, but they’re not doing a very good job.
First of all, we went up to the bar and I asked for a cocktail list. They looked at me like I was crazy and they said they don’t have one. Then I asked them what wines they have. The bartender didn’t even know… So I just got a bottle of beer (Fat Tire for $ 5.50 a bottle). They must be hiring bartenders based on looks, and not actually bartending skills. We got our drinks quickly though, so that was nice.
The music was so loud at 10pm on a Saturday that we had to yell at each other, but no one was even dancing. It was just a really weird atmosphere… You couldn’t dance, you couldn’t talk… There was almost nothing to do but awkwardly stare at your drink or the weird décor. I don’t think I’ll be back.

I echo the other reviewer here. Obscura was one of the most unique bars in the city with a slightly European feel, great small food bites, perfect table service, and best of all the most delicious cocktails in the city. When they closed for renovations I was disappointed but had high hopes since it was promised to be the same Obscura drinks with a new look and feel.
Let me just tell you what this meant: they painted the walls a dark color, kept the light fixtures and half the art, ran extension cords all around for cheesy dance club lighting, tossed the nice furniture and bought some cheap modular fake leather booths and threw up a stage and some enormous speakers. It looks as if the family with great design taste moved out, left the fixtures and a bunch of college kids moved in with their yard sale finds. It has lost the nice feel it had but didn’t quite make the whole transition to lounge.
The owners had such vision and taste in designing the original Obscura and I guess they got impatient and figured they’d make a quicker profit by selling vodka by the bottle and hosting tacky DJs. I am sure the crowd that goes there at 11pm and later doesn’t notice any of this.
We went in to check it out about 8pm for their «happy hour.» No one was there except a few friends of the bartenders. There were 3 cocktails on the menu and what we ordered was good (though it was $ 10 during their supposed happy hour) but it was nothing like what used to be there. As I had my drink I was almost sad thinking of the amazing place that used to be here now destroyed and turned into this cheap, sticky-​floor, cheesy club.
I will never be back, but I would love the chance to ask the owner: WHY???

Let me start out by saying that Obscura was one of my favorite bars in the city. They had such amazing craft cocktails. When they «closed for renovations» an article from
, which Ivy shared on their Facebook, stated that they would be keeping Obscura’s popular cocktails. So I went in with the expectation that the place would be rebranded but the cocktails would still be there and they feel would just be a little less imposing. This could not have been more wrong. I walked in and could tell that everything I loved about Obscura was lost. I still held out hope for the cocktails. We sat down and waited for a bit and realized that they had done away with table service. Another reason why I loved the place. I do not want to go up to a bar and wait for a drink. That is not the way I like to have a night out. So still hoping I went up to the bartenders and asked to see a menu. They looked at me like I was crazy and asked if I was wanting food. I clarified that I was looking for the cocktail menu. Still looking confused she went to consult with the other bartender and came back with a sheet of paper which was their guide as it had the measurements on it and told me that they could make 4 of the 5 cocktails listed. They were slightly original but nothing like the hand crafted ones from Obscura. Going from a 4 page list of craft cocktails to a sheet that has a couple unique ingredients is not the same as keeping the Cocktail menu. Against my better judgement I ordered one of their signature vaportinis because I am always intrigued by new things. I waited uncomfortably at the bar for a while stared at by the 60 something guys sitting there as she poured a small amount of vodka into a ball and placed it on a candle. If you are looking to get completely smashed without enjoying drinking a cocktail, get one of these. It is exactly what is sounds like. You inhale the the evaporating alcohol through a straw to get drunker faster. No thanks. And since the bartender recommend you get a drink to go with it I’m sure people get very drunk. After and inhale or two I was thoroughly done with the «drink» and the bar. I was also crushed that Obscura was gone for good. Despite what I was led to believe.

They wouldn’t give me
A water. They said its $ 3 dollars for a water when they’re supposed to give you a water for free