Went there on a Friday night to celebrate our 30th birthdays. Â My friend and I were not greeted well, in fact the waitress acted like we were an inconvenience. Â I know, every body has a bad day. Â However, for us two moms, the stick that broke the camel's back was when we were told that water was self-serve inside somewhere. Â Bwahaha! Â We left so quick. Â We serve food and water to our kids all day and knew this wasn't the place to celebrate.
Review Source:OMG....the best thing I can find to say is....the wine was okay, the service was ok. The doorman/bouncer was a Neanderthal. He is ON-THE-JOB though, making sure that quiet, well-behaved adults seeking a glass of wine are aware that he's there and watching them! If you've ever been there, you know which one he is when I say, he's big, immature, mean, angry, defensive, menacing and hostile. GREAT if you have a reputation for problems with criminals , drunks and knife fights. But Really? ZOLA...you need to get this guy a handler! Quick!
Review Source:Had a BLAST!!! Â We were in town for a memorial service and found this bar on Yelp because it had a smoking patio. Â We walked up to the door on a Thursday night and Skylar, the doorman, asked for ID and $2. Â I asked what the $$ was for and he said there was a band. Â The band was currently on break but when they came back they were pretty good. Â Not bad for $2. Â We weren't sure how loud the band was going to be so we sat in the back. Â Evangeline (sp?) was our server. Â She was extremely quick and friendly. Â It looked like she had quite a few tables but yet no one was ever without a cocktail or food. Â
We started to look around and noticed there were quite a few recycled items. Â For example, the light above us was an old mailbox that was turned over, bottom removed and turned into a light. Â There were old tilt-a-wheels on the second floor that served as booths. Â There were old license plates on the wall to give it that industrial feel without using sheets of steel. Â Way cool!
We ended up sitting at the bar that night talking with someone we met on the patio. Â That's where we met the bartender, Tyson. Â He was talkative, outgoing, FAST and friendly. Â We stayed until close.
Friday we hit some other places with the family for happy hour. Â Once the family went back to the hotel, we were going to explore downtown a little more. Â After an intense, lengthy conversation that lasted 5 minutes and we were back at Zola. Â Skylar greeted us at the door and remembered us! Â We went inside for drinks. Â We were standing behind some people sitting at the bar when Tyson looked up. Â "Jeff! Â Jen! Â The usual?" . Â Are you kidding me!?!? Â He remembered our names and what we drank. Â My first thought was what did I do last night to make him remember me??? Â The place was packed and the band was even better than the one the night before. Â We managed to get seats at the end of the bar and the next thing I know Evangeline is behind the bar (bartending tonight rather than serving) calling us by name as well. Â What did we do last night? Â We stayed until close again this night.
Yes, we went back again on Saturday. Â This time, no discussion - straight to Zola. Â We took my mother-in-law and step dad-in-law and they had a blast too! Â The band, a different one again, was pretty good. Â Not as packed as the night before, but a very good crowd. Â They don't mess around here - they card everyone, the drinks weren't overly strong or overly weak either. Â We didn't get a chance to try the food but we def will next time we are in town. Â Apparently, we drank them out of Stoli, Skyy and Absolut (maybe it was Ketel). Â Don't judge, we were on vacation! (sort of). Â If we lived in Spokane, this would definitely be our local neighborhood bar. Â It has a comfy feeling and the staff is divine! Â Kudos to all of you!
The tacos are surprisingly DELICIOUS. I ordered them on a whim and was blown away.
The crowd ranges from hipster to older, so you never know what its going to be like. Great people watching and you can get a birds eye view if you sit in the carnival ride seats in the loft.
Happy hour all day on Sunday!
Ummm, Yumm! Â
I was on the way back to my hotel and saw the sign on the corner for happy hour and a live band. Â
Admittedly I have been back in my hotel room and in bed by 7-7:30pm every night to keep up with my east coast schedule but tonight I decided to splurge a little. Â A band! Â Almost 2 weeks on the road and live music was just what I needed. Â
My first impression upon entering was amusement/excitement about the eclectic decor. Â I immediately commented on the private rooms to the side and the wood paned doors to close them off. After I sat and ordered a brew, recommended by Sean (Shawn) the bartender, I began to notice the rest of the decor. Â Tilt-A-Whirl booths on the second floor, Awesome! Â So many little intricate things to give a flavor of fun. Â
Since I arrived early the brews were at a low cost (happy hour) as were the amazing appetizers. Â Mahi and Prawn Skewers with a spicy Thai peanut sauce and the Salmon sliders.... amazing. Â I spread these out over about a four hour span. Â Yes, I said 4 hours. Â I was completely entertained by the locals for the first two hours and the Bartender, Sean was very attentive, recommending things, asking questions and making sure my experience was great. Â The last hour was all about the band. Â Dan Conrad ,Haley Young and the Urban Acheivers. Â Very talented artists with GREAT vocals and a wonderful range of tunes through the years! Â
This was the stop I needed to end my very long work week (and a half) to the PNW.
In Spokane, this is a true gem in the rough!!!!
The entire restaurant/bar is made out of re-purposed materials, including license plates and even old amusement park rides. Happy Hour is 4-7, 6 days a week, or all day Sunday. The menu offers $1.50 beers, $3.50 well cocktails, and all food for $5.50. Not to mention, the entire experience was incredible!
The staff was nice and attentive. We never needed to flag down a waiter, even when the place got busy. They were very accommodating and made a wonderful gluten free steak and mushroom dish in a cheese sauce. It was all cooked, seasoned, and executed perfectly. My friends also raved about their Alaska salmon burger sliders and Chicken satay skewers.
Great place to return to for my next visit!
I didn't eat here, but I drank here. Â FANTASTIC happy hour!! Â (3 drinks, $6.5 tab) A very alluring interior, with private rooms and open spaces for large group gatherings. Â One of the better establishments in the city of Spokane in my opinion. Â Decent beer selection, they had an Elysian/New Belgian Trip series tap, alone with some No-Lie taps and some stuff from Montana.
Review Source:Spokane isn't exactly known for the best dining city in the world, however, Zola gives hope to the downtown area, particularly in the realm of happy hour specialties. Â In comparison to all locations visited, Zola proved a delight for small bite plates and inexpensive brews.
With its recent expanded happy hour (now from 4pm-7pm), all day Sunday plus live music every night, what's not to like? Â Selected bottled beer - ONLY 1 DOLLAR! Â All items on their menu = $5.50. Â Contrary to other listed reviews, service times were reasonable with no issues, granted I got there early at about 5:30 PM on a Wednesday. Â Here is what disappeared into my belly:
Zola Mac - Mac and Cheese Pasta Tubes with Bacon - creamy, rich and delicious.
Santa Fe tacos - Choice of flour or corn tortillas with either fish or chicken. Â Got the corn tortillas and the fish option. Â Toppings included salsa, tomatoes, lettuce and guac. Â Works just fine for me.
Thai peanut satays - three skewers of two shrimp and a mahi mahi fish, all with sides of cucumbers and peanut sauce. Â Easy to eat.
Blue cheese fries - not really hard to make and simple to munch and crunch those crispy fries with that creamy blue cheese dip.
Caprese - mix of toppings (balsamic mix, greens, cheese and tomato) cooked atop mini bread slices. Â Goes great with my beer, which I must mention is only $1 a bottle!
Lastly, the chef special of the day - shaved pork belly with pepper jelly sliders. Â These melt in your mouth with the right amount of belly and sweet pepper inside a soft bun.
The restaurant decor, entirely constructed of recycled materials, exuded the Northwest "going green" theme we all know and love.  In addition, they offer private rooms and nook areas to hang away from the crowd, if desired.  I now know where I can go for bites next time I am in the Spokane DT besides just Safari Bar and Grill (<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/safari-room-fresh-grill-and-bar-spokane-2#hrid:iAPPvfqzwnt5jnCsnoxNiA">http://www.yelp.com/biz/…</a>).
One of the best happy hour spots in Spokane. Happy hour is from 4pm to 7pm Monday through Saturday, and all day on Sunday. Everything on the menu is $5.50 and $1 bud light deals during happy hour!
My personal favorite is the Kobe Burger (3 mini burgers) with regular fries and my least favorite is the Zola Mac. Their mac & cheese is way too salty and too dry, and not enough cheese! Oh, and I don't really recommend their sweet potato fries. Something about the taste that is just off.
They have seating downstairs and upstairs, but upstairs tend to fill up more quickly than downstairs.
They do not have a private parking lot so you do have to find street parking (and there's always plenty). However, the meters next to Zola's doesn't accept credit cards so don't forget to bring enough change for parking!
Went to Spokane for the first time ever with my best friend. She was raving about this place and told me that she had to take me here. Apparently, this is one of the bars/restaurants that a lot of Gonzaga University students enjoy going for happy hour.
We went here on a Sunday evening because of its all day happy hour. Food were all priced at $5.50. I ordered the Chipotle BBQ Pulled Pork sliders. Very flavorful and delicious. There were 3 sliders, and I ate them all. The bread used on the sliders was very good and had a buttery and garlic flavor to it. Definitely a very satisfying happy hour treat.
Good happy hour, but our server was terrible. He did not come to our table to take our orders. Instead, we had to walk up to him and let him know we were ready to order. Also, the food was a little slow.
Apart from it's great happy hour, it's a great place to chill with friends. Such a relaxing and chill atmosphere!
Would never go here again!! I was from out of town and the bartender didn't know how to check an ID that wasn't from Washington. She gave it to someone who was sitting at the bar (who didn't say she was the GM until I asked a few times). Â The GM, who was also drinking alcohol at the bar btw, then called someone on her personal cell phone and gave them my license information!! When I tried asking what was going on, she gave me attitude, told me to shut up and wouldn't give my ID back. When I addressed her attitude, she told me I didn't know anything. Â Super rude!!!
Review Source:Awesome atmosphere!!! Â Poor service!!
We went there on a Sat evening at 6:00 pm.  There were about 12-15 people eating/drinking. One bartender and one server. The atmosphere was awesome!  Could easily see this as a cool hangout to grab a couple drinks.  However, it lacked in service.  We walked in and both the bartender and server watched us walk around without greeting us.  We grabbed a table and then the server came over. My husband ordered the   Sante Fe Tacos and I had the Zola Mac. The food came out fast!  We both described the food as average. Our server never came back to see if it was ok or if we wanted more drinks. He came back after we had finished eating and we grabbed the check and left.
What a fabulous spot! The decor is fantastic. They have this great alcove upstairs with old carnival rides that have been refurbished into cozy tables...perfect for those intimate moments.
The Happy hour is a great deal. Their menu of food items is impressive and very inexpensive...not to mention that the food is delicious. The atmosphere is wonderful and although sometimes the service can be a bit slow, everything is worth the wait. They have a decent tap list and the mixed drinks are quality.
I came her a year ago and gave the place 5 stars. I returned this time and I'm giving it one (1) star.
Here's the thing... I came by to get a drink at the bar. That's all. I had a little work to do so I had my iPad and laptop. I was going to sit at the end of the bar, do some editing, and have several drinks. But that's not how it worked. Let me explain.
For starters, I'm 34 years old. I look 34 years old. I act 34 years old. I dress like a 34 year old man who has a professional position in the creative industry. But I was carded like a 24 year old. Sorry, I know some doormen can get serious about this but don't be retarded. And I know some people feel it's just par for course, but let's get smart here. A 34 year old man doesn't need to take his ID out. It's not cute or flattering or necessary. No other bar in spokane carded me so I have no clue why I was carded here.
Just a lesson to the bouncer: if you're a guy in your mid/late 20's and someone walks up looking older than you: leave him alone. I know, I know... your boss is cracking down on you and the city will raid the bar with guns and shit after they do some undercover stings... but get real. NO OTHER bar is doing this. And the fact is: if cops DO come in, they're not going to ask EVERY person to whip out their ID. Especially not the people who look 34! Besides, Spokane cops are too busy wrting traffic tickets. Don't harass us at the door... be extra kind to us because we (unlike the 21 year olds) have money and will probably buy better drinks and tip your friends better.
After I was carded I proceeded to the ba----screeech!
No bar for me.
The door man just stopped me.
I guess I have to pay him $5 to get to the bar.
WHAT? Why? I don't hear music. I don't see people dancing. But I'm being told I have to pay the guy $5 to enjoy the luxury of sitting at the bar.
There were no lines, no hot chicks dancing half naked, and no killer sounds blasting from the speakers. Just a semi-empty bar waiting for me to drink some beers. If there was a band that was going to play: put up a sign outside near the door, get people to line up in the cold streets to create a buzz, and charge everyone at once. And if there was no band: DON'T CHARGE A FUCKING COVER.
I initially returned to Zola because I had good service and good beer and good conversation with the bartenders the last time I came a year ago. I won't be back the next time I visit family back in Spokane.
Oh... and end of story? I told the doorman I wasn't paying. He said I had to. I told him "I just want to go to the bar and have a drink."
"You have to pay the cover still."
"I'm just going to your empty bar! Fuck this..."
As I started to leave he said "Wait!"
Really... this is the worst trained door man on earth. Was he going to negotiate with me now that I was leaving?! For FIVE DOLLARS?!
If I could break down the ratings, I would rate the food 10 and the service a 3. For food to be a rated a 5, I want to say at least one thing on the menu is at least in the top three that I've ever had. Zola delivers.
1. Appetizers are so good they have ruined me for happy hour elsewhere. So good. The BBQ pork is lovely. But the mac and cheese is the best I've ever had anywhere. It should be illegal. Or something. I have to ration myself.
2. Drinks are good.
3. The service is generally awful. Occasionally someone is on the ball, but mostly not. If you go up to the bar and order, it gets their attention.
4. I'm not a big bar fan (mostly because I like to talk when I'm out with people) so late night Zola's isn't my thing, but early in the evening is perfect.
Did I mention the mac and cheese? Go there. Eat it. Do not delay.
Hands down THE best food I've put in my mouth since I've gotten to Spokane. Â I just had the grilled cheese and tomato bisque, but boy, oh boy, was it goooood! Â To drink, I had the Messy Sex.
The grilled cheese had bacon and it was just perfectly cooked! Â The bisque was the perfect compliment, rich and creamy. Â The portion was a bit small, but it was just the right amount to fill me up.
Messy Sex was sweet but tasty. Â I liked very much :)
Park on the street, it's Downtown. Â 3 hour parking, free after 7pm.
I will definitely be back for HH, it's such a good deal!! Oh and there's live music too.
Just like Isabella's across the street, this is a place with lots of potential that will never be realized because of all-but-nonexistent service.
As I understand it, both businesses are owned by the same guy, who has a knack for location and decor but doesn't seem to understand that customers will not tolerate not being able to order a drink or surly wait staff.
Even by Spokane standards, this is bad service.
Cool bar with great food. Â I ordered the maytag blue fries and mini pigs in a blanket. Â Both were great. Â The fries come with a delicious roasted garlic bleu cheese sauce. Â The pigs in a blanket are Italian sausage, prosciutto, and brie served with mustard.
To top it off it is all affordable and quick.
Oh Zola. You are cute. Super duper cute.
I love your tilt-a-whirl booths and exposed brick and stage area and moody lighting. You make for a pretty hip place to enjoy a drink or meal or live local band (which I managed a time or two before moving.)
However, service is sub-par. It was a Monday night. It was slow. We were told to seat ourselves which we did, and then NO ONE CAME.  Granted we only wanted drinks so we moseyed over to the bar and got them ourselves, but we were there for 45 minutes without a waitress even looking our way. I would have been a lot more ornery if I actually  wanted something to eat. I will admit my drink was strong and well made, and the bartender was really nice.
My company and the decor made my brief stop here just fine -- but really. A bat-of-an-eyelash would have been appreciated.
I've been visiting Zola for two years now, and I've rarely had a bad experience. The happy hour deal is phenomenal, and I'm sure it's how they have built a steady clientele. From 4 to 6 pm on weekdays and all day on Sundays (4 pm to close), they offer $1 PBR, Bud Light and Bud Light Limes and $3 well drinks, and $5 food. The food is surprisingly good. I highly recommend the Kobe sliders, the fries and the smoked gouda mac and cheese.
The atmosphere is really quite unique and fantastic, and they often have local bands playing. They offer great deals on drinks throughout the week. I'm not sure if they still do this, but they used to have Microbrew Monday, and all of the terrific micros were on sale for $3.
I recommend this for a casual night out!
Old tilt-a-whirl seats. Check.
Old boat. Check.
Enclosed, train-car style booths. Check.
Random door hanging inches from the ceiling. Check.
It looks like a traveling carnival threw up and thus, Zola was born. Â
Zola's Happy Hour is where it's at, all appetizers are $5 from 4pm-6pm and they are delicious. Â We had the:
Kobe Burgers (non-HH $10): three burgers grilled and baked with cheddar, bacon, smoked gouda and served on slider buns w/lettuce and pesto aioli. Â This was the group favorite, flavors were amazing, cooked perfectly, if you get one item, this is it!
Tuna Satays (non-HH $12): wild yellow fin tuna skewers covered in sesame seeds, seared, served in ginger and siracha sauce. Â It was drowning is sauce, but otherwise, tasty.
Steak Bruschetta (non-HH $10): grilled top sirloin, smoked gouda, carmelized onion, sundried tomato and artichoke all atop french bread. Â The meat was cooked to perfection, but there was too much conflicting flavor on this puppy, nix the artichoke or sundried tomato and it's golden.
Zola Mac (non-HH $6): penne pasta tossed in smoked gouda and cheddar cheese sauce and bacon, pretty tasty, it was super creamy.
Baked Brie (non-HH $7): sticks of brie wrapped and baked in puff pastry. Â You have to really love brie to be able to finish this plate, it was way too much straight brie for us. Â Wish there was apple or something to go along with it.
Messy Sexx ($10, $8 during HH): Finlandia grapefruit vodka, Malibu Rum, Midori, cranberry juice, 7-Up, Red Bull. Â This cocktail was served in a mason jar and was delicious.
There is a ton of seating here, and it is all surprisingly intimate, casual and cozy. Â Can easily accommodate large groups. Â We had to flag down a server after sitting there for a while, but once we ordered, our server was nice and pretty quick. Â Portions are pretty generous.
Great place for cheap eats!
I like it, but just for a little while.
The decor is great, the mac and cheese is fantastic. However, I can't stay here past five pm. It becomes too hip. I feel old and creepy. The eyeballs of the hip young crowd seem to be saying, "Leave now you old codger."
The decor is unique and dimly lit. It has tons of character and charm.
The mac and cheese has bacon in it. Need I say more?
The evening crowd, just isn't my scene.
Liked it very much- the band was rockin' (kind of a cool Cuban vibe with some hip hop beats) and the space was super fun. Â It's definitely design over function, but hey, it's Spokane, live a little!
The seating was great upstairs - the old carnival rides jut out over the main floor seemingly precariously but after a few of their delicious and strong drinks, a thrill ride was just what I needed.
Outdoor seating, a private room and some lounging areas in the front rounded out a great location.
It's what Spokane wishes it could be - semi-cool. Sometimes the bands are lame and sometimes they are tolerable. Drinks are great even if certain bartenders cop big city ubercool bartender tudes forgetting they are in the vibe-less wasteland of pre-apocalyptic America.
Hipster Quotient: 150 (a bit high but counterbalanced by Gonzaga law students.) I imagine MILF-cougs would find this place an ok prowling ground.
Best feature: the rooms w sliding doors especially when you're on a date with a hell beast who is starting crap up and you need to yell at her and tell her to STFU crazy thing NOW. Â Perfect for those date nights on hellbound train trajectories.
Food: All I ever had were appetizers and OMG HAVE YOU HAD KOBE BEEF SLIDERS??? Of course you have. I think Jack in the Box has em now for .99 bargain appetizers. Yawn.
Ahhhh, Zola. Â My old stomping grounds. Â Every time I come back to visit Spokane, the first place I head is Zola. Â
- There's different seating options: something for everyone. Â Intimate "date-night" cuddling on the tilt-o-whirls upstairs. Â Larger, more private "rooms" for groups downstairs. Â Tables facing the stage for those who want to watch the band. Patio outside.
- The drink selection: practically unparalleled in Spokane. Â Best draft selection, knowledgeable bartenders, and good wines. Â Super great deals for Happy Hour, and (do they still do this?) half-price bottles of wine on Wednesday. Â Oh, the glory of my friends and I each hauling around a bottle of Duck Pond (and drinking straight from it), as we dance our booties off...
- The bands that play here: mostly locals, though I've set up out-of-town bands there, and it instantly becomes their favorite spot to play. Â I usually made it to Zola for Mon Cheri (hi guys! Â I miss you!) and Canadian Radio (no longer playing), who play(ed) weekly. Â 4-hour sets, dance-y and lounge-y all the way!
- Decor: Â unbeatable. Â License-place shingles and tilt-o-whirls, with a rustic appeal. Â
I can't wait to return.
Stayed in Spokane for a night when traveling across country, and this place was awesome! The atmosphere is totally hip, there was live music, and eventually some dancing.
The only con was we were looking for food and the kitchen was closed by the time we got there at 10pm. No snacks or anything were around! We still stayed anyway, had some delicious beer (African Amber & Arrogant Bastard), and enjoyed ourselves.
This is one of the best bars in Spokane. The booths/tilt-a-whirl carts up stairs are cute and unique, the brick, the art, the lighting - everything makes Zola have fantastic decor.
The happy hour is a really good deal. One dollar bud light, three dollar well drinks, and cheap eats!
I have actually been very surprised at how good and attentive the food and drink service is because usually I think bars can be slow with the food, but Zola is great.
As for the crowd, I think it depends on what music group is playing that night. I have found it to usually be a 20-something crowd.
Zola has become one of my favorites - if for nothing else, just the happy hour. Â It is one of the best, if not the best, happy hour in Spokane. Â Not particularly the drink specials, but all their appetizers are available for $5.00. Â And the food is great.
They also have music (the one night I was there they had a swing band) and everyone was having a ball. Â Apparently they have music almost every night, and different varieties, so check before you come if you are into a specific kind of music.
And while you are there, check out the decor. Â It is in an older building and has been decorated with recycled objects. Â It is great.
I did not rate it 5 stars, because the service sometimes leaves somethings to be desired. Â Not because the wait persons are not efficient and pleasant, but because often times there isn't enough help scheduled.
This place has a few features that win points from me right off the bat:
1) live music damn near every night of the week
2) tilt-a-whirl cars as booths upstairs.
That's right, I said tilt-a-whirl. Â When you return from your childhood flashback, go down there for a beer and a listen. Â I like the vibe of this place. Â It was busy when a hefty group of friends all converged there one evening and we had a good ol time. Â It's kinda industrial-feeling inside. Â
And did I mention the tilt-a-whirl boothy things??? Â hell yeah, man. Â That's ingenious.
Love the space. Â Lots of recycled pieces are used throughout the two-story lounge-y area as furniture and decoration. Â (I especially liked the upstairs booths which were the old rides used for the "sky tram" of Spokane's Expo Park. Â Also liked the hull of a boat which was rotated on its side such that you could sit in it). Lots of nooks and crannies to chill with your group.
On this evening we were treated to listening to some nice reggae (someone's iPod?), but they have a small stage here, and have some live shows here as wel.
The bartender was super nice, and hooked us up with libations.  Oh, and I saw some bottles on their top shelf with flies (as in fly fishing) on them.  I was wondering, "now what can that be?".  As I walked out, I saw it was vodka, AND from Spokane (<a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dryflydistilling.com%2F&s=7a9a3241842abd734750c111e5e6e8f53baadf76c0d3e196552ce0e7350da891" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.dryflydistill…</a>).  Very cool.
Wasn't really feeling the crowd. Â Granted it was a Sunday night and it was dead, but the other crowd here were some pi$$ed drunk dudes screaming about their prowess with the cats (they used another word)---and man, I can't believe they actually had women with them sitting through that. Â I guess that's how they roll in Spokane. Â It was funny to listen to them try and go through their tabs, "Who ordered a $7 cocktail?! Â I ain't payin' for that!!"
This place is by FAR the best bar/loungy type place I have been to in good 'ol SpoCompton.
Strong Drinks? CHECK.
Bomb food? CHECK. (try their macaroni... )
Place for a large crowd? Check.
*they have sweet booths and areas for 8-10 people
Place for a date/romantic evening? CHECK.
they have tables that are made out of old roller coaster rides and if youre with your love you can cuddle up and get close and not be bothered by drunken tools or hoes.
All in all, try to come to Zola when they have live music because you'll want to start to get your dance on after you've hammered in some of their strong drinks.
Just to preface: THIS REVIEW IS BIASED
To better explain, the crowd here is a bit older than I was expecting. Nothing wrong with that, but a bit older than the crowds at places I usually go. By "older", I mean mid 30's-ish.
That being said, I had a great time at this place. There was a noisy, vintage-type band playing and everyone seemed to be having a great time. They have Arrogant Bastard on tap, so my beer needs were met. Also, despite the place being packed, service was very prompt and friendly, I was really impressed.
The interior is very unique and it's almost worth going in just to see it. Lots of cool "old stuff" (just like the people *rimshot*) like those teapots you'd see at a carnival.
Neat place, but the crowd was a bit old for me. If you are in your mid 30's, you will probably love this place and should definitely check it out.
Zola is a refreshing, welcome addition to Spokane's bar scene. Â Their little nooks and niches let you find the just the right space to fit your mood, whether you're there with a big group or just out for an intimate cocktail with your honey. Â The decor is never dull, the taps are plentiful, & the food crave-able. Â
I love the little-plate concept for food which allows you to share a lot of different things instead of one giant plate of a single thing. Â Go for the bacon-cheese-kobe sliders & the blue-cheese fries for starters - scrumptious! Â
It is a bar, primarily, so don't expect spot-on restaurant service. Â If you catch them understaffed you may have to go up to the bar for your drinks, but the bartenders have always been friendly and helpful to us.
The live music options are great, but if you're a swing dancer be prepared to share close quarters. Â
When we get to escape to downtown this is the first place on our list. Â Our hipster nephew, 23 years old, loves it too - so I applaud Zola's cross-generational appeal.
Zola reminded me of a cruise ship lounge, I know that's strange, but that is what I thought. That is not a put-down, btw, there are some really great cruise ship lounges. But that was the atmosphere.
Zola could be a great place but there were several problems that we had with our visit.
#1 The men's restroom is small and impersonal, one of the worst bathrooms I have been in, and the showerhead that is used for the faucet was just silly.
#2 Service was incredibly slow, we were there listening to live music and in 2 Â 1/2 hours we were visited by the server a grand total of 2 times. I guess they don't want to sell drinks.
#3 Why have a band with live music but not have food service, when we tried to order some food we were told the kitchen was closed.
#4 Why list a phone number that is only a answering machine, that gives you no information (address, hours, who's performing, etc.)
While we were there we saw several parties walk out due to lack of service, the people sitting next to us left because they were hungry. We too left to get a bite to eat somewhere else.
So the place has potential, but it is very rough around the edges.
This is only the 2nd bar I have been to, so I don't have a lot to base it on. Â But I do know cool when I see it, and this place is awesome. Â I had heard about it from a friend prior to my 21st and decided to check it out about a week post-birthday. Â The first bar I went to was the Peacock Lounge and while it was fancy it was completely bland. Â Zola is anything but.
We went there for happy hour (4-6 pm) and weren't disappointed with their apps selection. Â I had the salmon sliders and the blackened ahi, which I requested medium rare instead of just seared which is how they usually prepare it. Â The ahi comes swimming in a sea of bbq chipotle goodness and for once in Spokane the dish was actually spicy. Â The salmon burgers were good too; pesto+tomato is never a bad combo.
The service was a bit slow but it was a Thursday night and we were sitting upstairs. Â Oh yeah, in the old tilt-a-whirls. Â Zola, I will be back.
Zola, Can I Take you home and live in you and love you forever?
I am amazed that this place exists in Spokane.
I know, Right?!
Spokane, who knew? You're growing up, and I like who you are. You make that little corner of Downtown much more attractive and appealing. You serve me drinks in GLASS! No plastic bud-cups here! No, not at Zola.
I love Zola...
I love the whole idea of the place. The Tilt-a-whirl seats... it's beautiful, creative, classy and lovely. The douche crowd will be around the corner if you want to get date-raped.
If you want wine and yummy food and pretty, smart company - stay here.
If boyfriends were bars, mine would be ZOLA.
Grown up but still fun, attractive yet not stuck up.
Very caring (sustainable building)
Creative (recycled works of art)
Cooks for me (remarkably good bar food) Â
Sings to me (live music)
and likes ALL my friends.
Now if ZOLA would just mow my lawn, I'd be set.
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