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A neighborhood institution since 1908, The Euclid Tavern (11625 Euclid Avenue) has quietly closed its doors. It had reopened in 2008 following a seven-year hiatus, but it looks like the end of the road for the historic Cleveland club.

Or is it?

“University Circle Inc. has bought the building,” explains Chris Ronayne, President of University Circle Inc. “And contrary to myths, it is our intention to finish the renovation of the building and return it to a restaurant, bar and live music venue.” University Circle Inc. is the community development corporation supporting the growth of University Circle.

In addition to finishing the first floor hospitality venue, University Circle will also complete renovations to the upstairs apartments.

Ronayne felt it was important to secure the building due to its historic neighborhood history and value. “This bar has so much history. And we are glad we are able to continue the live music scene in one of the most historic venues in the region.”

Having said that, Ronayne and UCI are on the hunt for the right tenant. “Currently there are no tenants, but we are actively interested in operations that can fit the bill,” he explains. UCI is looking for operators that can offer the “feel of Happy Dog in Detroit Shoreway or The Beachland Ballroom, who can produce quality food, bar and music products.”

Ronayne realizes the daunting task ahead but is positive.

“We are standing on the shoulders of great music, but stay tuned the Euclid will be back.”

This article appears in May 8-14, 2013.

Jason Beudert has had a dynamic career as a leader with The Walt Disney Company, ESPNZone, The Cleveland Indians, and as a restaurant entrepreneur. He is utilizing his twenty years of hospitality experience along with his love for the Cleveland food scene to contribute exciting and insightful food pieces for Scene. Along with being one of our food writers, Jason is also the food critic for WOIO 19 Action News, and makes a weekly appearance on Q104's Fee's Kompany radio show to promote food and the Scene. Jason is also a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure Magazine.

4 replies on “Historic Euclid Tavern is Closed, But with Asterisk”

  2. Did you even bother to talk to the previous owners? This story is completely biased. UCI forced the previous owners into selling for a fraction of the cost of the business with underhanded deals. UCI has done terrible things to the local businesses in the area, but you didn’t bother to report on that side of the story. Losing the second oldest bar in Cleveland because the corporation next door wants to buy your building to make way for only corporate businesses (Jimmy Johns, Barnes & Noble, AT&T Store, etc.) and over-priced housing for students while reporting that all is well and good in the area is unacceptable.

  3. Hopefully the next tenant has success and this historic landmark can still be used.

  4. Who needs to shlep out to Crocker Park or Legacy Village when there’s “Yuptown”…this is a “student neighborhood?” In whose bad dreams? If Euclid is the future of the “urban experience” and what students are going to remember about their college days in the years to come…it is to weep.

    The Euclid Tavern felt like a student bar. What will replace it? Probably nothing. “Jimmy Johns” is not a college hangout. “Barnes and Noble” is not a “college-town bookstore.” And “Uptown” will never be an Ann Arbor or a Columbus. Hell, it’ll never even be another downtown Kent…”Uptown” is fast becoming a “suburb in the city” for over-privileged college kids and wealthy foreign students…and a sick joke.

    Chuckles the Clown

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