The 24 Most Underrated Bars in Cleveland

Stone Mad Pub

1306 West 65th St, Cleveland

Everyone who talks about this Detroit Shoreway neighborhood spot mentions two things; the bocce ball court and the beautiful patio. St. Patrick’s Day is next level at this Irish pub.

Photo via @Joey_Bowling67/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

Moriarty’s Pub

1912 East Sixth St., Cleveland

Opening in 1933, Moriarty's has earned its name as downtown's oldest bar. Before the Warehouse District and Tremont and Ohio City and East Fourth were the places to hang out, Short Vincent was the happening area of town. Moriarty’s is the sole survivor of a bygone era.

Photo via Moriarty’s Pub/Facebook

Hoopple's

1930 Columbus Rd., Cleveland

We give a lot of credit to Hoopples for having one of the best views in the city with its industrial panoramic of the river and Cleveland skyline backdrop. An even more glorious scene: a basket full of filled-to-the-brim tacos. Sure, Tower City looks nice all lit up, but it’s twice as nice when you’re throwing back a pint at this spot in the Flats.

Photo via Scene Archives

Working Class Brewery

17448 Lorain Ave., Cleveland

This brewery and taproom, located in Kamm’s Corner, definitely lives up to its name by catering to the working class. Wednesday is a great night to visit if you’re in to trivia. And while we’d recommend getting a flight of beer at most breweries, this one is really the place to do it so you can sample a myriad of their delicious brews, which are mostly named after blue collar professions.

Photo via @AABatson/Instagram

Gunselman’s Tavern

21490 Lorain Rd., Fairview Park

Gunselman’s may mostly be known for their award-winnning burgers, but it’s also a great place to grab a drink. This former speakeasy, which has been opened since Prohibition, is a favorite hangout for locals.

Photo via @GunselmansTavern/Instagram

Hansa Brewery

2717 Lorain Ave., Cleveland

This Biergarten and beer hall is one of just a select few of German-style breweries in Cleveland. The menu of schnitzel, sausages and pretzels makes it feel like you could be in Ohio City or Munich. Oh, and the beer mugs are as big as you’d expect.

Photo via Scene Archives

Tina’s

5400 Herman Ave., Cleveland

There's no better date than embarrassing yourself with some karaoke. And Tina’s Nite Club in the Detroit Shoreway is a quintessential Cleveland dive bar with the most fun karaoke in town. Karaoke is for paying customers only, but the drinks are more than reasonable.

Photo via @XOXOGarbageGirl/Instagram

The Spotted Owl

710 Jefferson Ave., Cleveland

With a detailed eye, reclaimed wood and stained-glass windows, the beautiful Spotted Owl came to Tremont in 2014. A cocktail bar at once sophisticated and approachable, with drinks that change as the Owl debuts new menus throughout the year, and which are seriously and thoughtfully constructed.

Photo via @SpottedOwlBar/Instagram

The Tavern Company

2299 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights

The Tavern Company has been a Lee Road staple for over ten years. In 2014, they took over the space that the iconic Colony operated in after owner Jim Brennan’s tragic passing. The Tavern Company, or TavCo as locals call it, is as Heights as it gets.

Photo via The Tavern Company/Facebook