By Julie D’Aloiso
Hidden in plain sight, in an unassuming building in Northfield Center is a mom and pop 60’s Vegas cocktail lounge. I talked to the owner, Kevin Moore the other day on Zoom. See video further down in this article.
Kevin and his wife Hadley (who is also a old school photographer http://www.retroactivephotography.com/) run the bar. You can see some of her work on the walls of the bar.
Kevin is a retired sewer maintenance department for the City of Twinsburg for 20 something years. He has been playing in a rock band called 45 Spider for about 10 years. You can find Kevin on Thursday nights at the bar carving Tikis for Tiki Night.
THE TIKIS
He learned the craft from his grandfather. Kevin has always loved art. Kevin is a Nordonia graduate who first discovered his talents in art class. Kevin said “I was pretty good with clay and ceramics in high school. I went to Nordonia and had the two best art teachers in the world: Mr. Mayer and Ms. Dressig. They were very instrumental in inspiring me when it came to working three dimensionally. I actually took a gold key in New York for ceramics in high school.”
Once he graduated one thing led to another and he started carving Tikis. He is still utilizing this talent and has, at times, put on shows as the Hot Rod Tiki Carver in which he utilizes a flame thrower exhaust pipe (where allowed). After charing the Tiki with the exhaust pipe he then carves the Tiki with a chainsaw. He then finishes it up with some sand paper. He has done this on TV shows and car shows.
He does not use the chainsaws and flame throwers at our local bar. He does the carvings there traditionally with a mallet and a chisel. He also has been know to teach people how to carve as well.
THE COCKTAILS
Their cocktails at the bar are not like what you would get at a traditional bar. Kevin had some friends help him with the cocktail menu. Lucky the Fameproof Man (aka Richard Schwartz) and Tim Barnett, taught Kevin and his staff the best way to make the best drinks.
The drinks are made with the original ingredients that they are supposed to have and are not the watered down like some other bars. Kevin said “People rave about how much better our drinks are compared to some of the fancier/classier places downtown. We are very proud of our quality and were doing really well until the COVID-19 hit.”
They do not have a kitchen, but customers are welcome to bring food or have food delivered.
THE DECOR
Follow their Facebook page for specials nights and events: https://www.facebook.com/TheMoonglow/
They can be contacted via phone: (234) 808-4139
They are not affiliated with the former Moonglow Lounge in Bedford.