19 Pubs, Wine, and Martini Bars in Cleveland You Should Drink and Eat At

An exceptionally handsome, subtly Irish pub and dining room, the Old Angle meshes the comfort of a neighborhood bar with the dim, sexy ambiance of a club. There’s a small menu of well-prepared, casual eats, including burgers, falafel wraps, and of course, lamb stew.

1848 W. 25th St., 216-861-5643. $$

A classic Cleveland “old-man” bar with a totally modern vibe, this well-run tavern offers a full bar and plenty of tasty noshes, ranging from roasted red pepper hummus to a humongous burger. Nightly happy hours help make this a popular destination.

1872 W. 25th St., 216-861-3857. $$

Tremont Taphouse principals Jason Workman, Chris Lieb and Jeff Leonard have opened a rambunctious bar, restaurant and brewery in the heart of downtown. The informal venue features communal tables for guests to grab and graze on bar snacks, charcuterie and cheese plates, sandwiches and entrees. Brewmaster Eric Anderson, working on a highly visible 10-barrel system, is turning out great beers to go with the grub.

2043 East Fourth St., 216-331-0805. $$-$$$

“Gastropubs” are where ambitious cuisine collides with informality and kick-ass beer. To see what one looks, feels, and tastes like, head to Deagan’s in the heart of Lakewood. It’s a food-lover’s pub, where the chef-driven fare is good enough to earn a spot at a so-called fancy restaurant.

14810 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-767-5775. $$

A million-dollar renovation has transformed a historic but derelict space into a sharp-dressed neighborhood entertainment complex. In addition to the large music hall, this sprawling den features a cozy pub, ritzy wine bar, and alfresco patio, each with its own mood. Appetizers are beer-friendly beauties, but the best deals are the mid-priced entrées like grilled hanger steak and thick-cut pork chops. Ambitious wine list. And great live music.

11609 Detroit Ave. 216-226-2767 $-$$

This massive Ohio City brewpub seats well over 300 guests in multiple dining rooms, at various bars, and in a gem-like beer garden. Upscale pub grub joins an ever-evolving list of world-class suds, cooked up by an award-winning brewmaster. Don’t miss the house chips, meat boards, Cubano, and ridiculously delicious southern fried chicken.

1947 West 25th St., 216-621-4000. $$$

Like a well-worn couch, this vintage corner tavern may show its age, but its comfort is undeniable. For proof, just look at the diverse clientele, chowing down on big portions of hearty, inexpensive food. While the burgers are always a good bet, the eclectic offerings include everything from ham & eggs to veal Parmesan, and chicken paprikash to black-eyed peas.

12800 Larchmere Blvd., 216-229-1171. $$

In the spirit of the region’s finest neighborhood taverns, the Tap House serves its neighbors well with boldly flavored, cleverly packaged and downright affordable American fare. Entrees like grilled hanger steak are proof that this is no pub-grub pub. Beer list (24 taps, 50+ bottles) is easily among city’s top five. Late-night food. Patio.

2572 Scranton Rd., 216-298-4451. $$

For the last 60 years, the Rowley has been tucked away in the South Side (yeah, Tremont, but folks by the Rowley still call it the South Side), serving bargain booze and good atmosphere from 5:30 a.m. every morning until 2:30 a.m. Most folks know it now as the neighbor of the Christmas Story house. New owner Matt Peterson hasn’t changed much about the place at all, wanting to keep it a blue-collar hangout. But he has added some dynamite grub, including a bacon-wrapped dog and the Ohio burger ($5.50), which are both way better than you’d expect from a corner tavern.

1104 Rowley Ave. 216-795-5345. $-$$

Like its sister restaurant the Standard, though not quite to the same level, Paragon is a neighborhood tavern that has higher ambitions than pubs peddling run-of-the-mill burgers and beer. This attractive corner wine bar offers a wide range of appealing small snacks, big platters of sausage and cheese, flatbreads perfect for sharing and pairing with wine, and, yes, burgers and sandwiches. Above average wine, beer and craft cocktail list also help raise the bar on this barroom bistro.

21920 Lakeshore Blvd. Euclid, 216-731-9463. $$