Credit: Trattner
When Alan Glazen took over the Ontario Street Café seven years ago, there were fears that he would destroy the timeless charm of the downtown dive. That didn’t happen. Instead, it was Jack Casino that would ultimately destroy one of Cleveland’s most cherished watering holes. As of yesterday, the Ontario Street Café is closed.

“We’re done,” says partner Randy Kelly. “The Jack Casino is our landlord – and they’ve been great – but long story short, we agreed to terminate our lease.”

Located across the street from the Jack Casino, Ontario Street Café is a nearly 50-year-old lounge with an interior and ambiance from another era. Dimly lit, with mahogany bar, professional staffers and rock-bottom prices, the bar was an endangered species in an otherwise homogeneous landscape.

The one-of-a-kind bar is likely a casualty of Bedrock’s plans to turn over every tenant on the street while building a second pedestrian bridge so gamblers can walk from a garage directly into the casino in relative comfort.

Bravo, Cleveland. Bravo.

Additional statement from owner Alan Glazen: “We thank our loyal customers that we have been able to serve over the years. As our lease has come to an end, the decision has been made to evaluate the options for the future of the May Company Garage, including the retail space in which it includes, as it undergoes significant improvements and therefore we will be looking for a new location. We look forward to serving you in the future as the next iteration of The Ontario and thank you for your continued support.”

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This article appears in Oct 9-15, 2019.

For 25 years, Douglas Trattner has worked as a full-time freelance writer, editor and author. His work as co-author on Michael Symon's cookbooks have earned him four New York Times Best-Selling Author honors, while his longstanding role as Scene dining editor has garnered awards of its own.

11 replies on “Ontario Street Cafe, One of the Last Remaining Dive Bars Downtown, Has Closed”

  1. Such a shame. The Ontario Street cafe was a gem and a remnant of times past. It was a cultural hodgepodge that brought unlikely foes together under great service, amazing sandwiches, and the best drink prices in all of downtown Cleveland. The Ontario street cafe was one of the first bars I frequented when I moved to Cleveland and has been part of many special moments throughout my life. No walkway will ever be able to replace the character and charm of this landmark establishment. I remember Nancy, Man-Man and so many other employees who added to the charm of this welcoming establishment. I miss you already.

  3. UGH. Another unnecessary loss for our city. I have such fond memories in this wonderful place. I still fondly recall longtime bartender, the late Miss. Joyce (RIP) belting out LAAAAAST CAAAAALLLLL at closing time. I recall hanging out with my beloved bestie Thomas Long (RIP) here all the time. Thanks for the MEMORIES, you will be greatly missed.

  4. I’m a white dude from the suburbs who always noticed the “shot and a beer” sign when downtown, so I took a bunch of friends here on a Saturday night after the Monsters game. We walked in and the first thing we noticed as that this was a “black bar”. I’m not saying anything negative about it, but it made me realize what it must be like when black folks walk into the predominantly white bars I’m usually at. Unfortunately the place was packed and there wasn’t enough room for the 10 of us to hang out in a place that wasn’t right in the aisle, so we had to leave soon thereafter, and I never got to have that shot and a beer. Good luck to the owners and patrons, here’s hoping they find a nearby place to call home and keep downtown’s dive bar count off life support.

  5. I was in there several times with a Tampa friend who used to vacation in Cleveland, and I saw nothing of what you are referring to. It reminded me of my old Chagrin Falls days in Mr Smiths and the Greenville.

  6. Moments ago in a dark basement steakhouse bar in Peoria, as the band was packing up and just a few close friends and family lingered, the topic of your fine city arose and I launched into my elaborate, often told, fully animated story about The ONLY bar in Cleveland, Ohio: The Ontario Cafe. Mid-story, while I searched for a prized, rare photo of Uncle Wille, someone showed me this article sending a shock wave through my heart, stomach, and soul. What a devastating loss to humanity.

    My first day in Cleveland I was blessed to end my night in the Ontario. Hands down this old school joint had the best corned beef and pastrami, the most soulful jukebox, the kindest welcoming staff, and the funkiest mix of regulars imaginable. Every day I have been in town since Ive visited the Ontariooften twice a day. I have introduced this gem of a joint to many close friends and colleagues (and, shockingly to many oblivious, long time residents). I consider those introductions to be my most generous and meaningful gift ever given to each of them. While Im very sad tonight I find solace in knowing how right I was to ignore my cardiologists advice and eat all those enormous sandwiches. Cheers to all and thanks for the Love. HLR. Lenny the Lawyer.

  7. You’d think Scene employees and these other admirers could have propped it up if they loved it so much. Apparently nostalgia and wishful thinking aren’t a currency…who’da thunk?

  8. Very sad. With every passing year, Cleveland gets less like Cleveland, and more like everyplace else.
    The places that make Cleveland so unique are quickly going away. Especially when it comes to bars.

  9. For better or worse, bars are changing across the country. Let’s not pretend historical places like this closing are just a Cleveland issue.

  10. Let me tell y’all something. You can only feel so comfortable in a place that you can relate and your mind and soul is familiar with. My brother and I first hit the “OC” as we called it in 2008 when we first did floor work for our company in the Park Place building on Public Square. I instantly fell in love, because it not only reminded me of the dark and dumpy places my Father would frequent and took us along to munch on chips or cashews while he got his fix, but also the bars I’d be forced to go to with my best (and black) friend’s Mom’s hangouts on Kinsman or Union back in the day when I was 12-14 years old. I was groomed to love these kind of places. The ones that have an old jukebox that play old soulful tunes, Genesee on tap, 13 inch televisions in the corner that sometimes worked, and wonderful bartenders. God rest Angela- who passed right outside the bar after work and Kevin and Jennifer, etc…You all fit the atmosphere and essence of the OC. Now. Where can I get the best corn beef on rye with a Genny? Where? Tell me!

  11. This is so sad. I introduced so many people to this bar and they come to love it as I did. Not too many placers you can go and still have this kind of character or melting pot of people and personalities. This was honestly the last part of downtown Cleveland’s true character….not the homogenized version that they keep trying to cram down our throats…..what a tragedy indeed.

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