The Cellar Bar and Hookah Lounge

Super, super sketch. I’ve never felt so awkward in my life. Sure, we went at 9 on a Friday, but there were 4 guys and they all looked very awkward at me and my brother.
PS– NO Hookah! The bouncer said «Yeah, we got rid of that a while ago.» Even after we noted that the sign still says hookah. It doesn’t.

This place was generally undercover in Bradenton for awhile. It’s immediately north of Cortez Rd in a very central, accessible location in Bradenton. I have always thought The Cellar was ahead of the game with the dark, more updated, borderline upscale décor (large leather couches, styled, tiled bathrooms, dark woods, coffee tables). Especially for Bradenton and when compared to other local lower rent haunts like the Distillery, Clancy’s, Ace’s and BadaBing’s. They definitely captured the ‘lounge’ vibe at The Cellar. The environment in general though is still very much a casual one.
Every time I’ve gone to the Cellar, and I have been ther several times (last time around late 2009), I have experienced slow to moderate activity in terms of attendance. I’ve always had my fingers crossed that it would amp up and stick around for awhile because I liked and had high hopes for the place. The crowd, in my experience, has always been very ‘local’ (and if you’re familiar with Bradenton you know whereof I speak), but still pleasantly mixed on occasion. At times I’ve noticed some younger, hipper individuals taking up some real estate. However, I never understood why the female bar staff, at times, seemed more Drift-​In than anything else considering the environs. But I can confirm from the FL people I keep in contact with, the situation on that count has more recently improved.
For awhile the Cellar only served up beer and wine, but it seems once they got a liquor license (I think in 2009) things started to pick up and be on the upswing. I recall and expansive beer/​microbrew menu and selecting some kind of import with 13% or so alcohol. I have never smoked a hookah there so I cannot speak to that end. The inside space is moderate to large in size with a decent sized bar and a couple of pool tables (maybe three, I forget). There are also a fair amount of televisions broadcasting sports and such. There is a small stage area where bands or a DJ sets up and a small space to dance in front of it. At times (again when I was there), a slide show of pictures of attendees and inside marketing promotions appeared on some of the screens. High five on the latter, but find it a little strange and shortsighted that no official website could be found online. There is Facebook access and a passé MySpace page for more info I guess (I am a member of neither).
Anyhow, one of my good friends recently started tending bar there (she’s a testament that the bar staff has upgraded to attractive) and has informed me the place has gotten a bit busy. I can’t directly vouch for the TYPE of crowd that frequents the place these days, but I hear it consists mainly of those in their later 20’s to the gamut of 30’s. There are insane drink specials going on pretty regularly most of the week (look for them posted up on the chalkboard by the bar). And The Cellar is practically giving away the farm on ladies night with TWENTY FIVE CENT drinks for the the ladies (how do they pay the light bill?). There is generally no cover and, from what I understand, there is a dress code of some sort now. Another high five to the owner on the dress code… keeps out the riff raff or at least spiffies them up to presentable riff raff at the very least. :-) That’s the first place I have heard of in Bradenton with a dress code. I don’t know if parking has improved or been added. There is a private lot, but it always seemed pretty small to me.
If you haven’t been to The Cellar in awhile it may be worth checking out again if you’re looking for a local diversion with a modicum of environmental hipness. If not in the people, then most assuredly in your surroundings (again, for Bradenton :-). If the Sarasota/​Bradenton area ever got some Unilocal Elite events going, this may be a nice spot for a fine Unilocal soirée. Until then, go see my girl, Erin. She’ll take good care of you. :-)