50 Cleveland Area Bars We Love

Nano Brew

1859 West 25th St., Cleveland

In 2013, Thrillist named this local brewery’s burger as one of the best 33 burgers in America. If that’s not enough of a reason to hit up this microbrewery, pair one of Nano Brew's award-winning burgers (or sliders) with any of their 24 draft beers — they've got you covered until 2:30 a.m.

Photo via Nano Brew/Facebook

BottleHouse Brewing Company

2050 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights

This Cleveland Heights brewery, which recently expanded with a second location in Lakewood, feels more like a community gathering place than a bar. Live music, board games, community tables and no televisions gives it more of that living room feeling. And the beer is delicious.

Photo via @BottleHouseBrew/Instagram

The Harp

4408 Detroit Ave., Cleveland

An Irish bar on steroids, the Harp isn’t just your corner joint with a few shamrocks on the wall. It boasts a large Irish-influenced menu and a spacious patio with a view of the lake. The music’s as likely to be rootsy rock or blues as Irish.

Photo via The Harp/Facebook

Speakeasy at Quintana’s Barber and Dream Spa

2190 South Taylor Rd., Cleveland Heights

A barbershop in Cleveland Heights doesn’t sound like a place that would have one of our favorite bars in Cleveland. But when you go above the barbershop, and through a secret bookcase, you’ll find a dimly-lit bar with comfy leather couches and some of the best drinks in town.

Photo via Quintana’s/Facebook

The Flying Monkey Pub

819 Jefferson Ave., Cleveland

Karaoke? Trivia? Cheap drinks? Relaxed atmosphere? Sign us up for this Tremont dive bar. Also, this is the bar to hit up if you want to bring your dog with you to drink.

Photo via Flying Monkey Pub/Facebook

The Fairmount

2448 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Heights

Located in the Cedar Hill neighborhood, the Fairmount takes pub food to the next level. With a warm and lively atmosphere and one of the best patios in town, you’re missing out if you haven’t been.

Photo via The Fairmount Cleveland/Facebook

Market Garden Brewery

1947 West 25th St., Cleveland

This Ohio City brewery, one of the most popular microbreweries in town, is another great spot to enjoy a cold, locally brewed beer. An Ohio Beef Burger and fresh baked pretzel goes great with any of their beers.

Photo via Scene Archives

Academy Tavern

12800 Larchmere Ave., Cleveland

Larchmere’s Academy Tavern is one of the oldest drinking establishments not just on the East Side, but in all of Northeast Ohio. 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. They started serving cocktails just after prohibition, in 1939, and have been a staple of the neighborhood since.

Photo via @DJMikel/Instagram

Becky’s

1762 East 18th St., Cleveland

Located half a block from Cleveland State's main campus, Becky's is always packed wall-to-wall with students downing $2 domestic beers and and chowing down on specialty sandwiches. The music, emanating from a small jukebox in the corner, tends toward '80s faves like Bon Jovi. The bartenders, most of whom are CSU students themselves, mingle freely with the crowd. The partyers linger till closing time, when bartenders have to shoo out the patrons.

Photo via Becky’s Bar/Facebook

Boss Dog Brewing Company

2179 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights

After a few year vacancy left by beloved Lemon Grass, Boss Dog took over the space and opened to much fanfare in late 2017. The microbrewery is the standout but the food isn’t far behind.

Photo via Boss Dog Brewing/Facebook