Cleveland’s Falling Stars Crank Up the Guitars on New Album
While singer-songwriter Chris Allen and guitarist Tim Parnin, who play together in the local rock group Falling Stars, weren’t exactly close friends when they attended St. Ignatius high school in the late ’80s, they did know each other then. They played in different bands at the time and crossed paths when Allen’s band played a…
Chad Cochran To Open New Studio in the Screw Factory
An established Americana landscape, live music and portrait photographer who’s taken photos for Scene and other fine publications, local photographer Chad Cochran of Cowtownchad Photography Studios just announced he’ll open a new studio at the Screw Factory in Lakewood. Cochran has worked with Grammy Award winners and musicians across all genres. “I’m thrilled to bring…
Cleveland’s Wish Queen Explores Hurt and Healing on Debut Album
Grace Sullivan, who performs and records as Wish Queen, wrote poetry before she wrote songs. An avid reader, Sullivan grew up in Bay Village on what she describes as a quiet street called Salem Drive (she and her friends cheekily called themselves “The Witches of Salem”). “I was writing poetry by the time I was…
Popular Indian Restaurant Paradise Biryani Pointe Opens Downtown Outpost Today at Carnegie Food Hub
In 2017, Rahul Gonuguntla opened Paradise Biryani Pointe in Gates Mills because he couldn’t find the quality of Indian food that he grew up with back home. His mission, he says, was to “introduce the flavors of India” to his new neighbors in the States. The restaurant was well received and soon he expanded to…
Despite Ohio State Board of Education President Canceling Meeting, 11 Members Met Anyway
After Ohio’s State Board of Education President Paul LaRue initially canceled this month’s meeting, 11 members went ahead and had a meeting anyway Tuesday, saying they have an obligation to continue their duties while a law transferring much of their power to the governor’s office remains blocked by a temporary restraining order. LaRue notified board members…
Kids Deal With the Lasting Effects of Pyscho Parents in ‘Make Believe,’ Now at Dobama Theatre
Some say the opposite of helicopter parenting is free-range parenting, when you loosen the bonds on your kids just a bit, now and then, and let them explore the world on their own. But below that there’s psychos-in-absentia parenting, both mom and dad just disappear for a couple days or more, leaving the kids to…
Cleveland Classics: Little Bar is the Beloved Melting Pot of the City
Long before it was Johnny’s Little Bar it was, simply, Little Bar. But long before it was Little Bar, the first-floor property at 614 Frankfort Ave. stabled horses, tack and equipment for the fire station across the alleyway. The space wasn’t fit for public use until Nick Kostis opened the bar with partners in 1984.…
Memphis & Pearl Mixed-Use Project Receives Funding Boost From Cleveland City Council
Memphis & Pearl, which would be the first major apartment build in Old Brooklyn in nearly half a century, just got a nice boost this week. On Monday, City Council approved legislation that will fund $2.5 million of the construction gap financing. Council’s handout follows County Council’s choice on July 6th to throw $250,000 at…
State Bill That Would Preempt Participatory Budgeting Won’t Move Forward Ahead November Election
Senate Bill 158, which aimed to ban participatory budgeting before Issue 38 goes up for a vote in Cleveland on November 7, will not pass in the House before the election, according to Republican State House Speaker Jason Stephens. On Tuesday, Stephens said the bill is not on Wednesday’s agenda and won’t go up for…
15+ Things to Do in Cleveland This Weekend (Oct. 12-15)
Our weekly picks of the best things to do in Cleveland this weekend. Also check out our full Cleveland event calendar. THU 10/12 Chris Tucker: The Legend Tour 2023 Best known for his role of Detective James Carter in the blockbuster Rush Hour, comedian and actor Chris Tucker recently returned to the big screen to star opposite…
‘The Fugitive’s Lesson’ at Cesar’s Forum Offers Loads of Absurdity and Laughs
Some people are scared away from “absurdist” theater because it seems too odd and foreign for their tastes. But anyone who has lived through the past few years of political life in America should be well acquainted with the dynamics of absurdity. Hell, a U.S. President inspired a near-coup upon his own country, abetted by…
Bombino Brings Guitar Wizardry to the Art Museum and the Rest of the Classical Music to Catch This Week
Classical concerts are in full swing this week. Here’s a selection. – Bombino, the first ever Grammy-nominated artist from Niger, will demonstrate his guitar wizardry at the art Museum on Wednesday at 7:30 (read a preview article here), at the same hour as Jake Taniguchi leads the CIM Orchestra in music by Coleridge-Taylor, Still, and…
Hamas Attacks Met With Condemnation Among Ohio’s Congressional Delegation
Ohio’s U.S. Congressional delegation is loudly denouncing Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel. Over the weekend, members of the militant group that controls Gaza launched thousands of indiscriminate missiles at Israel and broke through Israel’s heavily policed border with Gaza, killing more than 900 Israelis, including many civilians, and hundreds at a music festival in southern…
Ohioans: Today’s the Last Day to Register to Vote in the November Election
Today is the last day to register to vote in the upcoming Nov. 7, 2023 general election, which will feature the chance for Ohioans to enshrine reproductive rights in the state constitution, legalize marijuana, and locally, decide on the participatory budgeting charter amendment in Cleveland. It’s also the last day to update your voter registration…
Touring Revival of ‘The Wiz,’ Now at Playhouse Square, is a Feast of Voices
One good thing about writing a review of The Wiz, the new revival of the show that once rocked Broadway, is that you don’t have to explain the story. Indeed, for most humans on Earth, L. Frank Baum’s “The Wizard of Oz” yarn has been part of our DNA from an early age. We have…
Rejoice: The Center Street Swing Bridge Has Finally Reopened
The frustration for many is finally over.The Center Street Swing Bridge, which connects the Flats East Bank and the West Bank, reopened Monday after nearly a two-and-a-half year hiatus.Besides the upsetting detours—which added miles for commuters—the bridge’s closure caused, nearby restaurants and retailers have cited revenue loss due to what seemed like a never-ending process…
State Bill Preempting Participatory Budgeting Heads Toward Passage
After passing in the Ohio Senate, State Senator Jerry Cirino’s anti-participatory budgeting bill is trending toward committee approval in the Ohio House. Since introducing Senate Bill 158, which would prohibit residents from voting on the allocation or appropriation of public funds, Cirino has been open about intentions to stop Cleveland from adopting the People’s Budget…
Could Legalizing Marijuana Cause More Fatal Car Crashes in Ohio?
Opponents of legalizing marijuana argue it will lead to more car crash injuries and deaths in Ohio, while proponents are saying that’s not necessarily true. So, which is it? “It’s a lot more nuanced,” said Doug Berman, executive director of the Drug Enforcement and Policy Center at Ohio State University. Protect Ohio Workers and Families,…
Legal Weed In November? Cleveland Weed Con Attendees Think Time is Nigh for Ohio
Recently, at the IX Center, talk of Delta 9 and CBD fluttered across tables. Disposable cherry vape cartridges were sold across from pineapple slushies and Pringles cans. Some spoke of chrome cannabinoid extraction contraptions; others bought $40 “Couch Lock” THC chocolate or hawked Sun Bites or Luster pods. But there was one topic undeniably floating…
‘Legacy of Neglect’ Showcased in Ohio Schools Report
A report from an Ohio think tank examined the new budget changes and private school voucher impacts on public schools over the last year. Research from Policy Matters Ohio said divestments from public schools at the state level “hurt public school students everywhere – especially those in rural counties.” Furthering study of the impact the…
First Look: Crumb & Spigot Lakewood, Opening Next Week
In May, Crumb & Spigot owner Jamy Bolling announced his plans to open a west-side location of his popular Bainbridge restaurant (16783 Chillicothe Rd., 440-384-3035), which he purchased last year. Assuming inspections go as planned, the restaurant (15322 Detroit Ave.) will welcome its first guests next week. Set in a former Verizon space, the new location…
Advocacy Groups Challenge Newest Ohio House and Senate Redistricting Maps
The recently-adopted Ohio House and Senate district maps have now received an official challenge with the Ohio Supreme Court. Attorneys filed the challenge with the state’s highest court on Thursday, saying the Ohio Redistricting Commission “continues its open defiance of this Court’s orders” and asking that the court once again invalidate the maps as unconstitutional,…
Historic Vinyl Disc Cutting Lathe from Cleveland’s SUMA Recording Studio Undergoes Restoration
Back in 2018, Clint Holley III, who runs Bristol, VA-based Well Made Music, was contacted to decommission an AM32b lathe at SUMA Recording Painesville while renovations at the famed recording studio were completed. The lathe sat idle at SUMA for five years. Until now. Recently, Holley and Well Made Music Senior Mastering Engineer Dave Polster…
Boom’s Pizza Announces East Side Location at Van Aken District in Shaker Heights
When they launched Boom’s Pizza earlier this year, partners Ben Bebenroth and Jonathan Bennett said that it was their intention to open additional locations beyond the original one in Lakewood. Today, the chefs are following through on that pledge with the announcement of a new east-side restaurant. The team has signed a lease for the…
Rock Hall Expansion Groundbreaking Recalls Spirit of Original 1995 Ceremony
For just a few hours on Thursday afternoon, Cleveland hit the wayback machine while looking forward. Half of City Council, Mayor Justin Bibb and a large chunk of his cabinet, officials from the Ohio Arts Council, Rock Hall board members, state congressmen, Pennsylvania tourists, the Ohio Speaker of the House joined a dais of Rock…
The Exorcist: Believer Tries to Match the Horror of the Original — But Even Ellen Burstyn Isn’t Enough
The Exorcist: Believer Directed by David Gordon Green. Written by Peter Sattler and David Gordon Green, based on characters created by William Peter Blatty. Opens October 6. Every time someone decides to drop a sequel to The Exorcist franchise, it’s always a direct sequel to recently departed director William Friedkin’s shocking original, the one that…
Two Judges Ask Leslie Celebrezze to Resign as Top Judge Amid Lawsuit Controversy and FBI Questioning
This article was published in partnership with The Marshall Project, a nonprofit news organization covering the U.S. criminal justice system. Sign up for their newsletters, and follow them on Instagram, TikTok, Reddit and Facebook. Two of the five judges on the Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court have now twice asked Judge Leslie Ann Celebrezze to…
$10 Million Neighborhood Grant Program Aims to Target Violence in Cleveland Communities
Mayor Justin Bibb, the Cleveland Foundation and several community partners launched the Cleveland Neighborhood Safety Fund Wednesday, a first-of-its-kind grant program to fund community violence reduction organizations and programs. “We need to make sure that there are interventions and support at every level of need. What I ask of our community in this moment is…
Annual Ohio Abortion Report Shows Double-Digit Decrease
With the end of Roe v. Wade and the battle over abortion bans still waging in the state, the Ohio Department of Health’s annual abortion report showed some of the effects. From 2021 to 2022, the state saw a 15% decrease in “induced pregnancy terminations,” according to the state agency that has tracked abortion statistics…
‘Car Creepers’ Auto Theft Ring Indicted By County After Yearlong Investigation
As the region continues to deal with record levels of car thefts, which have doubled from 2022 to 2023, the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office yesterday announced charges against an eight-man crew that stole dozens of cars and brought violence along with their crime spree over a year and a half. TyJier Riley, Dadren Carter, Jaylon…
Best Gay Chat Lines – Top Gay Phone Chat Lines for Hot Conversations
Test your witty pick-up lines on some of the best gay chat lines the internet offers – where companionship is just a call away. Why bet on chance when you can dial a gay chat line number on famous call lines where you can meet your next date in one click? Here are the 10…
Krayzie Bone in Recovery After Sarcoidosis-Related Hospitalization
Cleveland native Anthony Henderson, better known as Krayzie Bone of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, thanked fans and credited his faith after spending more than a week in the hospital after severe coughing ruptured a blood vessel in his lung. “Just fought for life literally for 9 days straight,” Henderson captioned a photo of himself in a hospital…
Plaintiffs Say Restraining Order Should Have Stopped Ohio K-12 Education Overhaul From Starting
Plaintiffs are arguing that the temporary restraining order in the lawsuit that seeks to block a transfer of power over Ohio K-12 education should have stopped that transfer from starting. After an all-day preliminary injunction hearing on Monday, Franklin County Magistrate Jennifer Hunt ruled that the temporary restraining order blocking lawmakers’ attempts to overhaul Ohio’s…
Ohio School Voucher Program Faces Growing Teacher Lawsuit
Ohio teachers warned the state’s universal voucher entitlement program will negatively affect public education, and in a lawsuit expected to move forward this month, they are arguing it is unconstitutional. Recent changes to the EdChoice Expansion Scholarship Program allow all families, regardless of income, to apply for more than $8,000 dollars in vouchers per child…
The Cleveland Orchestra Debuts a New Concerto From Austrian Composer and the Rest of the Classical Music to Catch This Week
October kicks off with a full schedule. Let’s get right to it. – The Cleveland Orchestra will debut Austrian composer Johannes Maria Staud’s new concerto, Whereas the Reality Trembles, featuring percussionist Christoph Sietzen at its Severance Music Center concerts Thursday through Saturday. The new work shares the program with Tchaikovsky’s “Ukrainian” Symphony. – And on…
Four Years Later, Officials Report No Progress in Metroparks Double Homicide Cold Case, But Fresh Hope Comes With National Coverage
Investigators have gotten many scores of tips and conducted some 270 interviews, but who killed Carnell “Nell” E. Sledge, 40, of North Olmsted and Katherine “Kate” C. Brown, 33, of Fairview Park, in the Rocky River Reservation on June 4, 2019 remains a mystery. But that may soon change: A true crime show has taken…
Scene’s Next Print Issue Will Be Bumped Back by a Week
An FYI to all you newsbox watchers and those of you with an eagle eye out for Scene’s digital edition: Due to some production reshuffling, we’ll be bumping our next biweekly print edition back to next week, and every two weeks there on out. There are no other changes to report, besides the gentle turn…
Nina Turner-Led Workers’ Rights Group Launches in Cleveland
We Are Somebody, a newly launched Cleveland-based organization founded by Nina Turner and dedicated to labor justice, aims to harness the momentum of a summer of collective bargaining victories to support workers through grassroots organizing. “Workers are finally fed up and they’re making it known that they’re not going to take it anymore and there…
15+ Things to Do in Cleveland This Weekend (Oct. 5-Oct. 8)
Our weekly picks of the best things to do in Cleveland this weekend. Also check out our full Cleveland event calendar. THU 10/05 14th Annual Chagrin Documentary Film Festival More than 50 filmmakers will be on hand for the 14th Annual Chagrin Documentary Film Festival that takes place today through Sunday. The festival features intimate Q…
Emo Orchestra Tour Headed to Goodyear Theatre in Akron
One of indie rock’s more influential behind-the-scenes tastemakers, Ben Mench-Thurlow originally played in bands in middle school and high school. He then got into booking bands simply because he was always the guy who booked the concerts that his own groups would play. He did some live sound in high school and college and then…
Cleveland Pizza Week Returns in November With $9 Pie Specials
Who doesn’t love pizza? And who doesn’t love pizza deals? We’ve got good news for you. Cleveland Pizza Week is back from Nov. 6 – 12 with $9 pies over seven days at some of your favorite Cleveland restaurants. From signature pizzas to secret menu specialties, chefs are baking up their own spin across Northeast…
New Cleveland Curfew Laws Go Into Effect After Council Passes Stricter Penalties For Parents
Staring down rising juvenile crime rates and an unending wave of teen car thefts, Cleveland city council on Monday approved legislation to amend the city’s curfew laws for the first time since 2007, when they were last modified. The new law imposes earlier cutoff times and takes harder aim at parents and guardians, imposing stiffer…
Ohio AG Clears Third Attempt for 2024 Anti-Gerrymandering Amendment Proposal
An Ohio anti-gerrymandering ballot amendment proposal for 2024 that has been in limbo after two different rejections from the Attorney General’s Office has now been certified to go forward after its third attempt. Attorney General Dave Yost on Monday certified the petition language for an amendment that would create an “Ohio Citizens Redistricting Commission” and…
Governor DeWine Begins Ohio’s K-12 Education Overhaul Despite Judge Extending Temporary Restraining Order
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is moving forward with an overhaul of Ohio’s education department and state board of education despite a Franklin County judge extending a temporary restraining order to prevent that from happening. After an all-day preliminary injunction hearing on Monday, Franklin County Magistrate Jennifer Hunt ruled that the temporary restraining order blocking lawmakers’…
Cleveland City Council Approves Citywide Fiber Optic Network Project, Aims to Further Bridge Digital Divide
Following approval to funnel $20 million in ARPA dollars to DigitalC to expand affordable, high-speed internet across the city, Cleveland city council on Monday okayed a 30-year agreement with Sifi Networks, a telecommunications company based in New Jersey, to build a massive underground network of fiber optic cable lines, from West Park to Shaker Square, all…
LØLØ Chronicles the Human Condition with Honest Songwriting
LØLØ, who comes to House of Blues on Saturday, Oct. 21, to support Boys Like Girls on the Speaking Our Language Tour, is used to being the only girl on pop-punk tours. The Toronto-native’s first major tour opportunity was with established pop-punk heroes New Found Glory. She credits NFG lead singer Chad Gilbert, who discovered…
Shake It and Garden City at Van Aken District Have Closed
As if the spate of restaurant closings in recent weeks hasn’t been bad enough, we can today add Shake It and Garden City at Van Aken District to the list. The restaurants closed after this past weekend. Shake It, a casual burger concept from Forward Hospitality, opened last fall in the space formerly home to Kindred Spirit…
What Does a Sandwich Say? In ‘Clyde’s,’ Now at Karamu House, a Whole Lot
What’s your favorite sandwich? Mine is peanut butter and grape jelly with banana slices on raisin bread toast. I know, it’s not exactly haute cuisine, but what can you do. While you mull over your answer, consider Clyde’s, now at Karamu House, in which two-time Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Lynn Nottage explores the mysteries and…
Coventry Eat Week Features $10 Meals at More Than 10 Area Restaurants
It’s no secret that Coventry Village is struggling with the lingering effects of the pandemic. At present, the historic district is grappling with mounting commercial vacancies, with official estimates pegged at approximately 30 percent. Financial assistance in the form of ARPA dollars might be on the way from the City of Cleveland Heights to help…
John Zitzner, Founder of Breakthrough Charter Schools, Arrested in Human Trafficking Sting
Among the 149 Johns arrested in a weeklong, statewide human trafficking sting was John Zitzner, one of the founders of the Breakthrough charter schools in Cleveland and, until very recently, the president of the Friends of Breakthrough nonprofit, the office of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced today. Zitzner’s bio is no longer accessible on…
Utilities Committee Considers Proposal to Install a Comprehensive Fiber Network at No Cost to the City
In Thursday’s Cleveland City Council Utilities Committee meeting, an ordinance to partner with telecom company SiFi to build a cohesive, city-wide fiber broadband network passed, advancing to the Finance, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. “When we talk about the universal fiber optic telecom network we’re discussing today, we’re talking about an economic multiplier to end…
‘National Week Without Driving’ Challenges Drivers to Think Beyond Cars
The National Week Without Driving is October 2 to October 8, and local organizations are calling on local leaders to ditch their cars and take part. Bike Cleveland, Clevelanders for Public Transit (CPT), the Northeast Ohio Coalition of Disability Organizations (NOCDO) and Youth Challenge are challenging all Clevelanders to walk or ride to better understand…
This Week in Cleveland Food News: It’s Been a Busy Week, Folks!
– Amazonia, a craft cocktail bar from the Hola Tacos/Barroco team opens next week Related – Vero Pizza in Cleveland Heights to double in size Related – Crust crew opening Danny’s on Professor, a late-night hangout Related – Michael Symon launches River Roots, a bourbon barrel venture Related – Fat Head’s scores a hat trick…
With Glittering Marquee Debut, Playhouse Square Reminds Clevelanders of Its Legacy
Up until Thursday evening, the five new glittering marquees adorning Playhouse Square’s theaters sat installed, yet awaiting debut. Last night, they got their proper introduction. Playhouse hosted a seven-hour block party, full of live music and surprise confetti, to reveal their brand-new, $10.2 million facade: five bronze and gold marquees fixed with programmable LED screens,…
‘It’s a Disaster’: Real Estate Groups Balk at City’s Proposed Housing Code Overhaul
On Wednesday afternoon, on the heels of a mighty filing of 50 lead cases, Building & Housing Director Sally Martin kickstarted a Zoom forum on legislation that could, if passed, be the meatiest overhaul on housing since the Great Recession. The overall message, and the bulk of the department’s motivation, seems to revolve around a…
Canceled Concerts and Fired Choristers as Cleveland Choirs Grapple with Diocesan Anti-LGBTQ Policy
“The history of Western classical choral music began with the Catholic Church and has been tightly intertwined ever since,” said conductor Gregory Ristow. “Pretty much every choir regularly performs in mass settings, settings of the traditional Latin Catholic rite. And so there’s a long and deep connection there that persists to this day among choirs…
Cleveland Indie Rockers LILIEAE To Play Masquerade-Themed Release Party at Winchester
LILIEAE’s Lydia Puccini and Kayleigh Hyland took an art class together when they attended Westlake High School several years ago. At the time, they had no idea that they’d wind up a band together. A mutual acquaintance made that happen and brought them together to form LILIEAE. The group, which plays a mix of hard rock and…
Chloe Domont’s Film Fair Play Depicts a Hedge Fund Girlboss and Her Disaffected Fiancé With Uneven Results
As the idea of a healthy work-life balance grows more and more unfathomable in this era of late-night emails, weekend remote work sessions and work-from-home productivity monitoring, it’s unsurprising to see personal relationships take a serious hit. When we’re expected to do far more than ever before, for far less than what we’re worth, all…
Vero Pizza in Cleveland Heights to Expand Into Adjacent Space
“We put this oven in a few years ago hoping that the space would open up allowing us to expand,” says Marc-Aurele Buholzer, owner of Vero Pizza (12421 Cedar Rd., 216-229-8383) in Cleveland Heights. As one of the best Neapolitan pizzerias in the country, Vero attracts a steady stream of admirers – so much so…
Michael’s Genuine at Van Aken District in Shaker To Close This Week
Michael’s Genuine (3427 Tuttle Rd.) opened at Van Aken District in Shaker with much fanfare just four years ago. Owned by James Beard award winning chef Michael Schwartz, the contemporary spot was a sister establishment to a restaurant of the same name in Miami. This week, management announced that it will close on Sept 29. “We…
Peter Gabriel Combines Stunning Visuals, New Songs for Enthralling Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Concert
It’s a bold move for an artist to dedicate half their set to material the audience likely doesn’t know, but Peter Gabriel has rarely taken the easy path. The 73-year-old – making his first appearance in Cleveland since 2002, according to setlist.fm – played 11 songs from his upcoming album “i/o”during his performance Wednesday at…
After Two Rejections, Is Ohio Attorney General Slow-Walking Anti-Gerrymandering Amendment?
One might think that a movement associated with a former state Supreme Court chief justice could draft a petition summary that passes legal muster. But twice already, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has rejected summaries of a petition to put an anti-gerrymandering amendment on Ohio’s November 2024 ballot. So far, nobody’s explicitly accusing Yost of…
A New Survey of Cleveland Musicians Will Attempt to Calibrate Local Scene
A new understanding of Cleveland’s music scene is set to come to town. On Wednesday, members of Cleveland Rocks and the Cleveland Music Club Coalition announced what may be the bones of an oncoming sea change in the local industry: a comprehensive census of every single musician, comedian, venue owner, producer, burlesque performer and so…
People’s Budget Cleveland and City Council Square Off in Debate on Issue 38
“What is Cleveland City Council scared of? The benefits of voting yes on Issue 38 and bringing participatory budgeting to Cleveland outweigh the harms by a long shot,” said Ohio political director of the Working Families Party Aleena Starks. “Tonight a lot of people are hearing the words ‘participatory budgeting’ for the first time, and…
Danny’s on Professor Aims to Revive the Late-Night Fun in Tremont
In advance of a move to the former Nick’s Diner property in Ohio City, partners Michael Griffin and Dave Ferrante closed Proof Bar-BQ last December. Now, those owners have a plan to help resuscitate Tremont’s feeble late-night entertainment scene. Sometime next month they will open Danny’s on Professor in that snug lower-level space. Those plans…
Edison’s Next Door Pizza in Tremont Has Closed
Edison’s Next Door Pizza (2365 Professor Ave.), which opened in the space next door to Edison’s Pub two months ago, has closed. Not to be confused with Edison’s Pizza Kitchen, which exited that space earlier this year after 15 years, Edison’s Next Door was operated by Pete LaGrange, son of property (and pub) owner Mark…
Analysis: Paying to Warm the Planet. Corrupt Utility Law Forces Ohioans to Make Climate Worse
It seems crazy that people would be forced to pay to make themselves and their planet sicker. But thanks to a crooked utility law that the Ohio General Assembly refuses to repeal, that’s just what’s happening in the Buckeye State. The notion that rising greenhouse gasses could warm the planet goes back at least to…
Op-Ed: I Was Raised Catholic in Cleveland. The Diocese’s Anti-LGBTQ Policies Are a Huge Mistake
Earlier this month, the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland issued a statement making it clear that it is no friend to the LGBTQ community. For those of us Clevelanders who grew up attending Catholic school or mass at our neighborhood parishes, the policy isn’t new. But before, the policy was whispered. Before, the policy was implied.…
15+ Things to Do in Cleveland This Weekend (Sept. 28-Oct. 1)
Our weekly picks of the best things to do in Cleveland this weekend. Also check out our full Cleveland event calendar. THU 09/28 The Coney-Punk Revue A punk show, carnival sideshow, and vaudeville variety show all rolled into one, this event offers burlesque, drag, clowns, an illusionist, a contortionist, and several musical acts in a classic…
Ohio Redistricting Commission Adopts Sixth Version of Statehouse Maps With Bipartisan Support
The Ohio Redistricting Commission reached bipartisan agreement as it passed new Statehouse maps late Tuesday night after a few more hours of public comment, and then negotiation behind closed doors. The maps show a Republican-to-Democratic advantage of 61 to 38 in the Ohio House, with eight Democratic toss-up seats and three GOP toss-ups. In the…
Ohio Dem. Chair Liz Walters On Abortion, Weed, and Calling Frank LaRose a ‘Loser’
Elizabeth Walters, the head of Ohio’s Democratic Party since January 2021, seems to pride herself on her outspokenness. In a way, she’s come to match the rhetoric powering out of the state’s conservative leaders and hopefuls, and even called one of them, Senate candidate Frank LaRose, “Ohio’s biggest loser.” (LaRose was the primary champion of…
Ohio Sec. of State LaRose Has Flagged 641 Cases of Voter Fraud. Less Than 3% Resulted in Charges
Since taking office in early 2019, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has referred more than 640 cases of potential voter fraud to state or county investigators. Almost none of those incidents resulted in charges — much less convictions. Although LaRose regularly notes voter fraud is rare, his rhetoric on the subject has grown noticeably…
‘Cat’s-Paw,’ Now at the Beck Center, Focuses on the Wrong Enemies in a World of Terror
Terrorism has been on the minds of many people in the U.S. and around the world for a long time. So, it’s no surprise that about 40 years ago, playwright William Mastrosimone decided to write a play titled Cat’s-Paw about a sinister eco-terrorist cell in Washington DC. Unfortunately (for this play and all the rest…
Ohio Schools Experiment With ‘Sensory Rooms’ Post-Pandemic
The “STAR room,” or Student Tranquility Amygdala Reset Room, is a place to self-regulate at Euclid Middle School in Euclid and Kinder Elementary School in Miamisburg. The student checks in and the Student Assistance Program (SAP) – which connects students with resources in order to remove obstacles to learning – records where they are. Using…
‘Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812’ at Great Lakes Theater is Mandatory Viewing, Even if it Defies Easy Description
As a reader of this theater review, you have every right to expect it to provide you with a clear description of what the play Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, now at the Great Lakes Theater, is all about. Unfortunately, this electric, immersive, and constantly astounding theatrical experience frequently defies easy explanation.…
After Cleveland Catholic Diocese’s Anti-LGBTQ Policies, Confusion, Work-Arounds and Deep Concern for Students
After the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland released its broad and anti-LGBTQ+ “Policy on Issues of Sexuality and Gender Identity,” this month, there has been broad and varied community reaction, as well as harsh criticism. The policy was partially driven, sources told Scene, after priests in charge of many parish schools for kindergarten through eighth grade told…
North High Brewing in Ohio City Has Closed
Columbus-based North High Brewing planted a flag in Ohio City (2814 Detroit Ave.) two summer ago. Today, management announced that it would cease operations. Founded in 2011, the brewery began as a brew-on-premise operation before hiring brewmaster Jason McKibben in 2014. Since then, North High expanded beyond its initial flagship in the Short North neighborhood of…
First Look: Amazonia, Opening Next Week in Lakewood
When guests start experiencing Amazonia next week, there will doubtless be numerous references to the term speakeasy. After all, to reach the new cocktail bar, guests must enter Hola Tacos on Madison Ave. in Lakewood, wind their way through the restaurant, traverse a small patio, and enter a separate building through a rear door. But…
Brooklyn Football Coach Resigns After Using ‘Nazi’ Playcall Against Beachwood
This weekend, at Brooklyn Memorial Stadium, the Beachwood Bisons and Brooklyn Hurricanes sparred over a matter other than the one on the gridiron.In a long email published in the Cleveland Jewish News on Sunday, Beachwood Athletic Director Ryan Peters recounted their game against the Hurricanes on September 22nd as one fraught with racial slurs and…
Great Scott Tavern in Euclid to Close After This Weekend
When it opened in 2015, Great Scott Tavern ( 21801 Lakeshore Blvd., 216-417-3019) went a long way toward shoring up the feeble restaurant scene that existed in Euclid back then. The ambitious two-year construction project, which consisted of converting a former post office into a sprawling restaurant, was the passion project of Janet Scott. Scott,…
Cleveland’s Jerry Popiel Releases Single About Famous Shipwreck
Sunday marks the eighth anniversary of the sinking of the U. S.-flagged steamship El Faro in the Atlantic Ocean. In honor and memory of the crew, local singer-songwriter Jerry Popiel has released his latest single, “The Wreck of the El Faro.” On October 1, 2015, the 791-foot long El Faro was steaming on a regularly-scheduled…
Fat Head’s Brewery Snags Three Gold Medals at This Year’s Great American Beer Festival
Cleveland-based Fat Head’s Brewery is riding high after another stellar showing at the Great American Beer Festival. Held this past weekend in Denver, GABF is one of the largest and most well respected beer competitions in the country. Fat Head’s brought home three gold medals: Head Hunter IPA (American-Style IPA), Goggle Fogger (Hefeweizen), and AlpenGlow (Weizenbock).…
This Week in Cleveland Food News: Solstice Opens in Lakewood and Best of Cleveland
– The wait is over: Solstice opened its doors in Lakewood this week. Here’s a first look at what to expect when you go. Related – Agave & Rye, quickly expanding across the region, will open in Eton Chagrin. Related – Scene dining editor Doug Trattner had nothing but plaudits for Fahrenheit. Related – Mark…
Nick Offerman Talks About His Latest Live Show
Best known as the characters Ron Swanson on Parks & Recreation, Forest in Devs and Karl Weathers in the FX series Fargo, actor, author, humorist and woodworker Nick Offerman has a lengthy resume that also includes narrating the audiobook of Wendell Berry’s latest, The Need to Be Whole, voicing Beef Tobin in the FOX animated series…
Tommy Stinson’s Cowboys in the Campfire To Play Buzzbin Reopening Party
Last September, after 12 years in its downtown Canton location, the art gallery/concert venue Buzzbin relocated to Kenmore Boulevard in Akron. Today at 5 p.m., owners Chris and Julia Bentley will celebrate the venue’s official re-opening at its new location. The Replacements’ Tommy Stinson and Chris Butler of Akron New Wave band the Waitresses will…
A Lively and Streamlined ‘The Tempest’ at Cleveland Play House Showcases the Work’s Comedy, Wizardry
No matter how many Shakespeare plays may be on the docket in Cleveland any year, The Tempest is always a welcome addition, what with its betrayal and revenge themes, its magical whoop-de-do, and one character that is part human and part mixed seafood platter. This diverting production of The Tempest is produced by the Case…
Franklin County Judge Issues Temporary Restraining Order to Stop Overhaul of Ohio K-12 Education
A Franklin County judge has issued a temporary restraining order to block lawmakers’ attempts to overhaul Ohio’s K-12 education system. Seven members of the Ohio State Board of Education filed a lawsuit against Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine Tuesday in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas to stop the transfer of power from the Board…
Legislation to Provide Clevelanders With Affordable Internet Advances in Council
The long push to bridge the digital divide in Cleveland is nearing a milestone as an ordinance to provide Cleveland residents with low-cost, high-speed internet was passed in Cleveland City Council’s Utilities Committee with amendments from committee chair Councilman Brian Kazy. “There were many questions and concerns I and other council members had that needed…
Biden Issues Executive Order To Ensure Norfolk Southern Is ‘Fully Held Accountable’ for East Palestine Disaster
As Norfolk Southern Railway continues to deal with a nationwide PR crisis, President Biden administered an executive order this week to remind the rail company its still kept in check for the train derailment in East Palestine in February.The order, which was issued Tuesday, will assign a so-called Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator to act as…
Livewire: 15 Concerts to Catch in Cleveland Through Oct. 2
THU 09/21 Digable Planets Reachin’ 30th Anniversary Tour The hip-hop group celebrates the 30th anniversary of the LP Reachin’ (A New Refutation of Time and Space) with tonight’s show at House of Blues. The album’s single, the jazzy “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat),” showed the extent to which jazz and hip-hop could be married…
Ohio Redistricting Commission Selects GOP Working Map, Sets Public Hearings
The Republican members of Ohio’s redistricting commission set aside their bickering long enough to introduce a new legislative map Wednesday. Despite objections from Democrats on the panel, Republicans adopted their plan as the commission’s working document. The maps’ partisan breakdowns are 62-37 GOP-to-Democratic in the Ohio House and 23-10 in the Senate. The commission briefly…
The Newly Restored Talking Heads Concert Doc Stop Making Sense Is as Exuberant and Wonderful as Ever
I still remember stumbling in late to a press screening of Stop Making Sense, arriving right when David Byrne was stumbling around the stage his damn self. It was 1999, and the beloved Talking Heads concert film, directed by Oscar winner Jonathan Demme, was getting a 15th-anniversary re-release. It was my first time checking out…
Best Art Gallery
Winner: Spaces 2. Negative Space 3. Human Heart Studios
Best Illustrator
Winner: Billy Butcher 2. Brian Gallagher 3. Tony Vardon
Best Bike Path
Winner: Towpath 2. Rocky River Reservoir 3. Tremont Towpath
Best Outdoor Wedding Venue
Winner: Cleveland Botanical Gardens 11030 East Blvd., Cleveland 2. Gervasi Vineyards 1700 55th St. NE., Canton 3. Sapphire Creek Winery and Gardens 16965 Park Circle Dr., Chagrin Falls
Best Pet-Related Business
Winner: Paws in the Land LLC 2. Pets General Store 16821 Madison Ave., Lakewood 3. Sits ‘n Wiggles Dog Training 24748 Aurora Rd Suite 130, Bedford Heights
Best Public High School
Winner: Lakewood High School 2. Shaker Heights High School 3. Rocky River High School
Best Occult Store
Winner: Cleveland Curiosities 13375 Madison Ave., Lakewood 2. Oktober’s 12611 Madison Ave., Lakewood 3. Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick 2155 Broadview Rd., Cleveland
Best Place for a Mani/Pedi
Winner: Stella and Shay Beauty Bar18255 Detroit Ave., Lakewood and 25951 Detroit Rd., Westlake 2. 50 Shades of Polish 24569 Center Ridge Rd., Westlake 3. Glossy Nails 17140 Madison Ave. Unit B., Lakewood
Best Gift Shop
Winner: Cleveland Curiosities 13375 Madison Ave., Lakewood 2. Made Cleveland 1807 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Heights 3. Spellbound 17810 Detroit Ave., Lakewood
Best Juice Bar
Winner: Pulp 2. Beyond Juicery + Eatery 3. Beet Jar 1432 W. 29th St., Cleveland
Best Tacos
Winner: Barrio Multiple Locations 2. La Plaza Taqueria 13609 Lakewood Heights Blvd., Lakewood 3 – Tie. Hola Tacos12718 Larchmere Blvd., Cleveland, 12102 Madison Ave., Lakewood and 3941 Erie St. 1st Level, Willoughby 3 – Tie. Cilantro Taqueria Multiple Locations
Best Restaurant – Fairview Park
Winner: Gunselman’s Tavern 21490 Lorain Rd., Fairview Park 2. Nuevo Acapulco 21750 Lorain Rd., Fairview Park 3. Nate’s Deli 22098 Lorain Rd., Fairview Park
Best Neighborhood Bar
Winner: Rowley Inn 1104 Rowley Ave., Cleveland 2. Merry Arts15607 1/2 Detroit Ave., Lakewood 3. Little Rose Tavern 14206 Lorain Ave., Cleveland
Best New Restaurant
Winner: Boom’s Pizza 14730 Detroit Ave., Lakewood 2. Jaja 2050 Gehring Ave., Cleveland 3. Poppy 12502 Larchmere Blvd., Cleveland
Best Restaurant – Goodrich Kirtland (Asia Town)
Winner: Li Wah 2999 Payne Ave. #102, Cleveland 2: LJ Shanghai 3142 Superior Ave., Cleveland 3. Siam Cafe 3951 St. Clair Ave., NE., Cleveland
Best Restaurant – Stockyards
Winner: Sachsenheim Hall 7001 Dennison Ave., Cleveland 2. Mom’s Family Restaurant 6512 Clark Ave., Cleveland 3. Bronco’s Western BBQ 3765 Ridge Rd., Cleveland
Best Latin Restaurant
Winner: Barroco 12906 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 287 Crocker Park Blvd., Westlake and 3941 Erie St., 2nd Level, Willoughby 2. Batuqui 12706 Larchmere Blvd., Cleveland and 17 E. Orange St., Chagrin Falls 3. Paladar (RIP) 28601 Chagrin Blvd., Woodmere
Best of Cleveland 2023 | Sports & Recreation
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Best Burlesque Troupe
Winner: Cleveland Burlesque 2. The Fandom Fantasies 3. Shrimply the Best
Best Street Fair
Winner: Feast of the Assumption 2. Taste of Tremont 3. Larchmere Porchfest
Best Public Pool
Winner: Lakewood 14532 Lake Ave., Lakewood 2. Beachwood 25125 Fairmount Blvd., Beachwood 3. Westlake Clague Park 1400 Clague Rd., Westlake
Best Jewelry Store
Winner: Oceanne 6519 Detroit Ave., Cleveland and 411 Park Ave Ste. 137, Orange Village 2. Zay Jeweler 850 Euclid Ave,. Ste 319, Cleveland 3. Alson Jewelers 28149 Chagrin Blvd., Woodmere
Best Thrift Store
Winner: Common Threads 22049 Lorain Rd., Fairview Park and 5793 Smith Rd., Brook Park 2. Sweet Lorain 7105 Lorain Rd., Cleveland 3. Savers 7100 Brookpark Rd., Cleveland
Best Women’s Clothing Store
Winner: Banyan Tree 2242 Professor Rd., Cleveland 2. Milo & Me 18117 Detroit Rd., Lakewood 3. Slow Union 6706 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
Best Store To Find a Place of Cleveland
Winner: CLE Clothing Co. Multiple Locations 2. Made in Cleveland 1807 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Heights 3. Salty Not Sweet 13339 Madison Ave., Lakewood
Best Place for a Mani/Pedi
Winner: Stella and Shay Beauty Bar 18225 Detroit Ave., Lakewood and 25951 Detroit Rd., Westlake 2. 50 Shades of Polish 24569 Center Ridge Rd., Westlake 3. Glossy Nails 17140 Madison Ave. Unit B, Lakewood
Best Furniture Maker
Winner: Rustbelt Reclamation1427 E 36th St. #1504A, Cleveland 2. Shred & Co 1420 E. 24th St., Cleveland 3. Dave Crider Designs
Best Greek Restaurant
Winner: Astoria Cafe and Market 5417 Detroit Ave., Cleveland 2. Greek Village 14019 Madison Ave., Lakewood 3. Niko’s Bar and Gyros 12776 Royalton Rd., North Royalton
Best Chocolate Shop
Winner: Malley’s Multiple Locations 2. Sweet Designs 16100 Detroit Ave., Lakewood 3. Mitchell’s Fine Chocolates 2285 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights
Best Restaurant – Broadway/Slavic Village
Winner: Saucisson 5324 Fleet Ave., Cleveland 2. Red Chimney6501 Fleet Ave., Cleveland
Best Wine Bar
Winner: Rocky River Wine Bar 1313 Linda St., Rocky River 2. Wyne Tasting Bar 6800 Detroit Ave., Cleveland 3 (Tie). Humble Wine Bar 15400 Detroit Ave., Lakewood 3 (Tie). Flight 5712 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
Best LGBTQ Bar or Club
Winner: Twist Social Club 11633 Clifton Blvd., Cleveland 2. No Class 11213 Detroit Ave., Cleveland 3. Studio West 117 1384 Hird Ave., Lakewood
Best Desserts
Winner: Rood Food and Pie 17001 Madison Ave., Lakewood 2. Marble Room 623 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 3. Cordelia 2058 E. 4th St., Cleveland
Best Chicken Wings
Winner: Dina’s 5701 Memphis Ave., Cleveland 2. Boss ChickNBeer 120 Front St., Berea, 7305 Broadview Rd., Seven Hills and 27321 Wolf Rd., Bay Village 3. Good Company 1200 W. 76th St., Cleveland
Best Jamaican Restaurant
Winner: Irie Jamaican KitchenMultiple Locations 2. UJerk 850 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 3. Callaloo Cafe 2238 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights
Best Local Comedian (Female)
Winner: Mary Santora 2. Tabitha Jones 3. Kadijah Wingo
Best Local Playwright
Winner: India Burton 2. Cat Kenney 3. David Hansen
Best Female Vocalist
Winner: Madison Pruitt 2. Laura Fedor 3. Abbey Stupor
Best College Teams
Winner: Ohio State Buckeyes 2. Cleveland State Vikings
Best Boutique
Winner: Salty Not Sweet 13339 Madison Ave., Lakewood 2. Doki Doki Kawaii Shop 13737 Madison Ave., Lakewood 3. Oktober’s 12611 Madison Ave., Lakewood
Best Massage Salon
Winner: Sacred Hour 17917 Detroit Rd., Lakewood 2. Urban Haven Massage 1836 W 25th St #2a, Cleveland 3. Root Healing Therapy 20545 Center Ridge Rd. Ste, 212, Rocky River
Best Activist
Winner: Dr. Lady J 2. Liz Maugans 3. Molly Martin
Best Local Podcast
Winner: The Bill Squire Show 2. The Guiltless Podcast 3. Not Even a Podcast
Best Blues Club
Winner: The Brothers Lounge 11609 Detroit Ave., Cleveland 2: Velvet Tango Room 2095 Columbus Rd., Cleveland 3: Bop Stop 2920 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
Best Beach
Winner: Edgewater Beach 2. Huntington Beach 3. Mentor Headlands
Best Donuts
Winner: Jack Frost Donuts 4960 Pearl Rd., Cleveland 2. Brewnuts 6501 Detroit Ave., Cleveland 3. Vegan Doughnut Co. 14811 Detroit Ave., Lakewood
Best Romantic Restaurant
Winner: Pier W 12700 Lake Ave., Lakewood 2. Marble Room 623 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 3. L’Albatros 11401 Bellflower Rd., Cleveland
Best Japanese Restaurant
Winner: Pacific East 28601 Chagrin Blvd., Woodmere and 1763 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Heights 2. Ginko 2247 Professor Ave. B., Cleveland 3. Sora 1121 W. 10th St., Cleveland
Best Spot for Day Drinking
Winner: Lakewood Truck Park 16900 Detroit Ave., Lakewood 2. Shooters 1148 Main Ave. Ste. 4, Cleveland 3. Treehouse 820 College Ave., Cleveland
Best Bagels
Winner: Cleveland Bagel Co. 7501 Carnegie Ave., and 4201 Detroit Ave., Cleveland 2. Nubeigel 2254 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights 3. Cocky’s Bagels 26703 Brookpark Ext., North Olmsted and 1127 Old River Rd., Cleveland
Best Restaurant – Downtown
Winner: Marble Room 623 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 2. Cordelia 2058 E. 4th St., Cleveland 3. Blue Point Grille700 W. St. Clair Ave., Cleveland
Best Ice Cream
Winner: Mitchell’s Multiple Locations 2. Honey Hut Multiple Locations 3. Mason’s Creamery4401 Bridge Ave., Cleveland
Best Restaurant – West Park
Winner: Little Rose Tavern 14206 Lorain Ave., Cleveland 2. Hatfield’s Goode Grub16700 Lorain Ave., Cleveland 3. Gene’s Place 3730 Rocky River Dr., Cleveland
Best Local Comedian (Male)
Winner: Martin Malloy aka Skitzo Bill 2. Bill Squire 3. Ryan Polk
Best Male Vocalist
Winner: Cory Woodford 2. Mikey Silas 3. Marcus Smith
Best Theater Company
Winner: Great Lakes Theater Company 2. Beck Center for the Arts 3. Karamu House
Best Sporting Goods Store
Winner: Geiger’s 50 Shopping Plaza Dr., Chagrin Falls and 14710 Detroit Ave., Lakewood
Best Radio Show
Winner: The Alan Cox Show 2. The Jen and Tim Show 3. Rover’s Morning Glory
Best Place for a Kid’s Birthday Party
Winner: Swings and Things8501 Stearns Rd., Olmsted Falls 2. Children’s Museum 3813 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 3. Play CLE 38525 Chester Rd., Avon
Best Home/Garden Shop
Winner: Petitti’s Multiple Locations 2. Lakewood Garden Center 13230 Detroit Ave., Lakewood 3. Gale’s 5211 Lee Rd., Maple Heights, 2730 SOM Center Rd., Willoughby Hills and 24373 Center Ridge Rd., Westlake
Best Local Game Store
Winner: The Exchange3573 Steelyard Dr., Cleveland and 1836 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Heights 2. Superscript Comics and Games 13361 Madison Ave., Lakewood 3. Critical Hit Games 13433 Cedar Rd., Cleveland Heights
Best Record Store
Winner: The Exchange3573 Steelyard Dr., Cleveland and 1836 1/2 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Heights 2. My Mind’s Eye 16010 Detroit Ave., Lakewood 3. Blue Arrow 16001 Waterloo Rd., Cleveland
Best Dog Park
Winner: Lakewood Dog Park 2. Taps & Tails 3. Bow Wow Beach
Best French Fries
Winner: Tommy’s 1824 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Heights 2. Good Company 1200 W. 76th St., Cleveland 3. Landmark Smokehouse 11637 Clifton Rd., Cleveland
Best Suburban Restaurant (East)
Winner: Zhug 12413 Cedar Rd., Cleveland Heights 2. Flour 34205 Chagrin Blvd., Moreland Hills 3. The Sleepy Rooster 5210B Chillicothe Rd., South Russell
Best African Restaurant
Winner: Zanzibar Soul Fusion 13225 Shaker Square #2314 and 627 Prospect Ave. E., Cleveland 2. Empress Taytu 6125 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland 3. Zoma 2240 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights
Best Bar With Games
Winner: 16-Bit Bar + Arcade and Pins Mechanical 1880 W. 25th St., Cleveland 2. Hi and Dry2221 Professor Ave., Cleveland 3. Superelectric Pinball Parlor6500 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
Best Bartender
Winner: Mike McKay (No Class) 2. Jason Knotek (The Foundry Concert Club) 3. Jacob Hoshaw (Twist Social Club)
Best Patio Dining
Winner: Collision Bend Brewery 1250 Old River Rd., Cleveland 2. All Saints Public House 1261 W. 76th St., Cleveland 3. The Fairmount 2448 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Heights
Best German Restaurant
Winner: Hofbrauhaus1550 Chester Ave., Cleveland 2. Das Schnitzel Haus 5728 Pearl Rd., Parma 3. Der Braumeister 13046 Lorain Ave., Cleveland
Best Restaurant – Lee Harvard/Lee Miles
Winner: Angie’s Soul CafeMultiple Locations 2. Sam Sylk Multiple Locations
Best Magician
Winner: Rick Smith 2. The Alan’s 3. David Gilligan
Best Poet
Winner: Amanda Terman 2. Zuggie Tate 3. Ali Black
Best Singer/Songwriter
Winner: Mikey Silas 2. Marcus Smith 3. Dan McCoy
Best Speciality Exercise Classes
Winner: Cycle Fly 15006 Detroit Ave., Lakewood 2. Harness Cycle 2908 Church Ave., Cleveland 3. Sky Aerial Studios 4700 Lakeside Ave. E., Cleveland
Best Local Jewelry Maker
Winner: Oceanne 6519 Detroit Ave., Cleveland and 411 Park Ave Ste. 137, Orange Village 2. Lake Witch 3. Liza Michelle Jewelry 3619 Walton Ave Ste. A-001, Cleveland
Best Wine Store
Winner: Rozi’s Wine House 14900 Detroit Ave., Lakewood 2. Minotti’sMultiple Locations 3. The Wine Spot 2271 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights
Best Instagram Follow
Winner: I’m From Cleveland (@ImfromCleveland) 2. The Cleveland Bucket List (@theclebucketlist) 3. Cleveland Vibes (@ClevelandVibes)
Best Eyewear
Winner: Eye Candy400 Park Ave., Ste. 192, Orange Village and 30311 Detroit Rd., Westlake 2. Eyes on Chagrin 28700 Chagrin Blvd. #11, Woodmere 3. Eyetique 28699 Chagrin Blvd. #400, Woodmere
Best Medical Marijuana Dispensary
Winner: The Botanist 3865 Lakeside Ave. E., Cleveland 2. Rise 1222 Prospect Ave. E., Cleveland, 11818 Madison Ave., and 18607 Detroit Ave., Lakewood 3. Amplify 1782 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Heights
Best Camping Site Within an Hour of Cleveland
Winner: Mohican 2. Nelson Ledges 3. Geneva On The Lake
Best Pizza
Winner: Angelo’s 13715 Madison Ave., Lakewood 2. Il Rione 1303 W. 65th St., Cleveland 3. Ohio Pie Co. 1314 Pearl Rd., Brunswick and 19565 Detroit Rd., Rocky River
Best Restaurant – Buckeye Shaker, Buckeye Woodhill
Winner: EDWIN’s 13101 Shaker Square, Cleveland 2. Zanzibar 13325 Shaker Square #2314, Cleveland 3. The Vegan Club 13114 Shaker Square, Cleveland
Best Chinese Restaurant
Winner: Li Wah 2999 Payne Ave. #102, Cleveland 2. King Wah 20688 Center Ridge Rd., Rocky River 3. Szechuan Gourmet 1735 E. 36th St., Cleveland
Best Spot for Karaoke
Winner: Corky’s Place 13302 Detroit Ave., Lakewood 2. Tina’s Nite Club 5400 Herman Ave., Cleveland 3. Twist Social Club 11633 Clifton Blvd., Cleveland
Best Fried Chicken
Winner: Soho Chicken and Whiskey 1889 W. 25th St., Cleveland 2. Boss ChickNBeer 120 Front St., Berea, 7305 Broadview Rd., Seven Hills and 27321 Wolf Rd., Bay Village 3. Cordelia 2058 E. 4th St., Cleveland
Best Spanish Restaurant
Winner: Mallorca 1390 W. 9th St., Cleveland 2. Sangria y Tapas 27200 Detroit Rd., Westlake 3. Ibiza 33481 Lake Rd., Avon Lake
Best Vegetarian Restaurant
Winner: Tommy’s 1824 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Heights 2. The Root Cafe 15118 Detroit Ave., Cleveland 3. Cleveland Vegan 17112 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
Best Butcher Shop
Winner: Ohio City Provisions3208 Lorain Ave., Cleveland 2. Saucisson 5324 Fleet Ave., Cleveland 3. Gibbs Butcher Block 9858 East River Rd. N., Columbia Station
Best Arts Event
Winner: Lakewood Arts Festival 2. Ingenuity Fest 3. Third Fridays at 78th Street Studios
Best Hip-Hop Artist or Group
Winner: Tobyraps 2. Koly Kolgate 3. Marquis Storm
Best Band
Winner: Apostle Jones 2. Buzz Balldrin 3. Girl Cologne
Best Sportstalker
Winner: Cody Brown 2. Tony Rizzo 3. Ken Carman
Best Auto Repair
Winner: Bruce’s Automotive 13919 Detroit Ave., Lakewood 2. Drellishak’s 22690 Lorain Rd., Fairview Park 3. Bryan’s Marathon 2294 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights
Best Tattoo Artist
Winner: Lauren Vandevier (Lakewood Electric Tattoo) 2. John McGrath (McGrath Tattoo Co.) 3. Riley Wade Chase (Tattoo Therapy Ink.)
Best Neighborhood
Winner: Lakewood 2. Ohio City 3. Tremont
Best Vintage Store
Winner: Flower Child 11508 Clifton Blvd., Cleveland 2. Sweet Lorain 7105 Lorain Ave., Cleveland 3. Magically Found 13349 Madison Ave., Lakewood
Best Bed and Breakfast
Winner: Glidden House 1901 Ford Dr., Cleveland 2. Inn of Chagrin 87 West St., Chagrin Falls 3. The Anchor Inn, Put-in-Bay 500 Catawba Ave., Put-In-Bay
Best Mexican Restaurant
Winner: Cilantro Taqueria Multiple Locations 2. La Plaza Taqueria 13609 Lakewood Heights Blvd., Lakewood 3. Momocho 1835 Fulton Rd., Cleveland
Best Restaurant – Garfield Heights
Winner: Tiffany’s Pizza5035 Turney Rd., Garfield Heights 2. It’s a Must Cafe 9812 Garfield Blvd., Garfield Heights 3. Bonkers 5145 Turney Rd., Garfield Heights
Best Restaurant – Parma
Winner: Das Schnitzel Haus 5728 Pearl Rd., Parma 2. Corleone’s5669 Broadview Rd., Parma 3. Little Polish Diner 5772 Ridge Rd., Parma
Best Gentlemen’s Club
Winner: Lido Lounge 3029 W. 117th St., Cleveland 2. Christie’s 1180 Main Ave., Cleveland 3. Diamond Men’s Club 1628 Fall St., Cleveland
Best Bar Patio
Winner: All Saints Public House 1261 W. 76th St., Cleveland 2. The Fairmount 2448 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Heights 3. Nano Brew 1859 W. 25th St., Cleveland
Best Middle Eastern Restaurant
Winner: Aladdin’s Multiple Locations 2. Zhug 12413 Cedar Rd., Cleveland Heights 3. Taza 1400 W. 6th St., Cleveland and 28601 Chagrin Blvd., Woodmere
Best Indian Restaurant
Winner: Amba 1430 W. 28th St., Cleveland 2. India Garden 10845 Detroit Rd., Lakewood 3. Cafe Tandoor 2096 S. Taylor Rd., Cleveland, 30030 Detroit Rd., Westlake and 96 Barrington Town Square Dr., Aurora
Best Seafood Market
Winner: Kate’s Fish1979 W. 25th St., Cleveland 2. Euclid Fish Co. 7839 Enterprise Dr., Mentor 3. Seven Seas Seafood 15725 Lorain Ave., Cleveland
Best Photographer
Winner: Gabe Wasylko 2. Robyn White Photography LLC 3. Amber Patrick / aterrormusical photography
Best Museum
Winner: Cleveland Museum of Art 2. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 3. Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Best Golf Course
Winner: Sleepy Hollow 2. Manakiki 3. Big Met
Best DJ
Winner: DJ Step One 2. Koly Kolgate 3. JonDoeTho1
Best Adult Store
Winner: AdultmartMultiple Locations 2. Dean Rufus House of Fun 1422 W. 29th St., Cleveland 3. High Society Boutique 11223 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
Best Place to Work
Winner: Cleveland Clinic 2. Progressive Insurance 3. The Foundry Concert Club
Best Anchor
Winner: Betsy Kling 2. Natalie Herbick 3. Wayne Dawson
Best Spa
Winner: Sacred Hour19104 Old Detroit Rd., Rocky River 2. Flower Power 1669 Larchmont Ave., Lakewood 3. Woodhouse Spa 300 Park Ave. #164, Orange Village
Best Cigar Shop
Winner: Cigar Cigars2718 Lorain Ave., Cleveland and 21808 Center Ridge Rd., Rocky River 2. Cousin’s Cigar 1421 St. Clair Ave. NE., Cleveland and 28400 Chagrin Blvd., Woodmere 3. Mayfield Smoke Shop 12307 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland
Best Cleveland Guardian
Winner: Jose Ramirez 2. Steven Kwan 3. Josh Naylor
Best Restaurant – Cleveland Heights
Winner: Tommy’s 1824 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Heights 2. Zhug 12413 Cedar Rd., Cleveland Heights 3. The Fairmount 2448 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Heights
Best Deli
Winner: Larder 1455 W. 29th St., Cleveland 2. Slyman’s 3106 St. Clair Ave. NE., Cleveland 3. Joe’s Deli (Rocky River) 19215 Hilliard Blvd., Rocky River
Best Restaurant – Detroit-Shoreway
Winner: Astoria Cafe and Market 5417 Detroit Ave., Cleveland 2. Il Rione 1303 W. 65th St., Cleveland 3. All Saints Public House 1261 W. 76th St., Cleveland
Best Bottle Selection
Winner: Buckeye Beer Engine 15315 Madison Ave., Lakewood 2. Harbor Inn 1219 Main Ave., Cleveland 3. Flight 5712 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
Best Restaurant – St. Clair Superior
Winner: Empress Taytu 6125 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland 2. Goldhorn Brewery1361 E. 55th St., Cleveland 3. Superior Deli 12420 Superior Ave., Cleveland
Best Restaurant – Glenville
Winner: Squash the Beef 1400 E. 105th St., Cleveland 2. Jasmine’s 7601 St. Clair Ave. NE., Cleveland 3. Shaw Dairy 12810 Shaw Ave., Cleveland
Best Food Truck
Winner: Cheesy Dave’s 2. Parilya 3. Smokin Rock n’ Roll
Best of Cleveland 2023
Welcome, all, to the best time of the year on the shores of Lake Erie – when we come together as one and celebrate the very best the city has to offer. Best of Cleveland 2023 is here and the readers have spoken… loudly. With tens of thousands of nominations and votes cast since this…
Best Dance Troupe
Winner: Cleveland Burlesque 2. Cleveland Dance Project 3. The Fandom Fantasies
Best Painter
Winner: Derek Hess 2. Eileen Dorsey 3. Love Freely
Best Cleveland Cavalier
Winner: Donovan Mitchell 2. Darius Garland 3. Evan Mobley
Best Radio Station
Winner: 100.7 WMMS 2. 107.3 Alternative Cleveland 3. 89.7 WKSU
Best Charity or Nonprofit
Winner: Friends of City Dogs Cleveland 2. A Special Wish Foundation Northeast Ohio 3. Building Hope in the City
Best Place For a Grown-up’s Birthday Party
Winner: Mahall’s 13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood 2. Pins Mechanical and 16-Bit Bar + Arcade 1880 W. 25th St., Cleveland 3. No Class 11213 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
Best Pet Shop
Winner: Luca’s Barkery 2929 Detroit Ave., Cleveland 2. Pet’s General Store 16821 Madison Ave., Lakewood 3. Style Mutt 3525 Warren Rd., Cleveland
Best Free Outing
Winner: Cleveland Museum of Art 2. Cleveland Metroparks 3. Edgewater Park
Best Local Clothing Detail
Winner: Cleveland Clothing Company Multiple Locations 2. GV Art and Design 3. Emily Roggenburk 25 Main St., Westlake
Best Skate Shop
Winner: Westside Skates 14047 Madison Ave., Lakewood 2. Skater’s Edge 5648 Mayfield Rd., Lyndhurst 3. Tri-Star Skateboards 5360 Brookpark Rd., Cleveland
Best Sub Shop
Winner: Dave’s Cosmic Subs Multiple Locations 2. Herb’n Twine 4309 Lorain Rd., Cleveland 3. Grum’s 1776 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Heights
Best Vietnamese Restaurant
Winner: Superior Pho 3030 Superior Ave. #105, Cleveland 2: #1 Pho 3120 Superior Ave., Cleveland 3. Bowl of Pho 27339 Chagrin Blvd., Woodmere
Best Restaurant – Rocky River
Winner: Salmon Dave’s 19015 Lake Rd., Rocky River 2. Tartine 19110 Old Detroit Rd., Rocky River 3. Market 1137 Linda St., Rocky River
Best Bar or Club for Local Music
Winner: The Grog Shop2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights 2. Beachland Ballroom15711 Waterloo Rd., Cleveland 3. Happy Dog 5801 Detroit Ave,. Cleveland
Best Dance Club or Bar
Winner: Good Night John Boy 1167 Front Ave., Cleveland 2. Twist Social Club 11633 Clifton Blvd., Cleveland 3. No Class 11213 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
Best Bakery/Pastries
Winner: Blackbird Baking Company 1391 Sloane Ave., Lakewood 2: On The Rise3471 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Heights and 3407 Tuttle Rd., Shaker Heights 3: Leavened 1633 Auburn Ave. Ste. 1, Cleveland
Best Restaurant – South Euclid/University Heights
Winner: Sauce the City 14480 Cedar Rd., University Heights 2. Eat at Joe’s 1475 S. Green Rd., South Euclid 3. Chicken Ranch 13892 Cedar Rd., University Heights
Best Restaurant – Euclid
Winner: The Standard779 E. 185th St., Euclid 2. Mama Catena Vino E’ Cucini 711 Babbitt Rd., Euclid 3. Great Scott Tavern 21801 S. Lakeshore Blvd., Euclid
Best Local Author/Writer
Winner: Michael S. Vassel 2. Latoya Marie Jackson 3. Leila Khoury
Best Director
Winner: Dustin Lee 2. Thomas Sawyer 3. Moe Taylor
Best Cleveland Brown
Winner: Nick Chubb 2. Myles Garrett 3. Denzel Ward
Best Gym
Winner: Results Fitness 6005 Landerhaven Dr., Mayfield 2. Upgraded Industries 7673 St. Clair Ave., Mentor 3. Tremont Athletic Club 2306 W. 17th St., and 1999 Circle Dr., Cleveland
Best Grocery Store
Winner: Heinen’s Multiple Locations 2. Lucky’s Market 11620 Clifton Blvd., Cleveland 3. Ohio City Provisions 3208 Lorain Ave., Cleveland
Best Place to Furnish Your Home
Winner: FIG Chagrin 23 S. Franklin St., Chagrin Falls 2. Magnolia 11027 Magnolia Dr., Cleveland 3. Helm Collective 3904 Lorain Ave., Cleveland
Best Seasonal Festival/Event
Winner: Asian Lantern Festival 2. Feast of the Assumption 3. Oktoberfest
Best Bookstore
Winner: Loganberry Books 13015 Larchmere Blvd., Cleveland 2. The Bookshop in Lakewood 15230 Madison Ave., Lakewood 3. Mac’s Backs 1820 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Heights
Best Stylist
Winner: Marco Alexzander (Marco Alexzander Salon) 2. Kelly Mocny (Hilo Salon) 3. Kathleen Rose McKinney (Rose Parlor)
Best Private High School
Winner: St. Ignatius 2. Laurel School 3. Hathaway Brown School
Best Tea House
Winner: Algebra Tea House 2136 Murray Rd., Cleveland 2. Tea Lab 14534 Detroit Ave., Lakewood 3. Emerald Necklace 18840 Lorain Rd., Cleveland
Best Restaurant – Mount Pleasant
Winner: Mount Pleasant BBQ12725 Kinsman Rd., Cleveland
Best Bar or Club for EDM
Winner: FWD 1176 Front Ave., Cleveland 2. The Foundry Concert Club 11729 Detroit Ave., Lakewood 3. No Class 11213 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
Best Cocktail Bar
Winner: LBM 12301 Madison Ave., Lakewood 2: Cloak and Dagger 2399 W. 11th St, Cleveland 3. Porco 2527 W. 25th St., Cleveland
Best Seafood Restaurant
Winner: Pier W 12700 Lake Ave., Lakewood 2. Blue Point Grille 700 W. St. Clair Ave., Cleveland 3. Alley Cat Oyster Bar 1056 Old River Rd., Cleveland
Best Restaurant – Tremont
Winner: Fat Cats 2061 W. 10th St., Cleveland 2. Rowley Inn 1104 Rowley Ave., Cleveland 3. The South Side 2207 W. 11th St., Cleveland
Best Burger
Winner: Heck’s Cafe 2927 Bridge Ave., Cleveland, 35514 Detroit Rd., Avon and 3355 Richmond Rd., Beachwood 2. Gunselman’s Tavern 31490 Lorain Rd., Fairview Park 3 (Tie). Burgers 2 Beer Multiple Locations 3 (Tie). Rowley Inn 1104 Rowley Ave., Cleveland
Best Brunch
Winner: Pier W 12700 Lake Ave., Lakewood 2. Rowley Inn 1104 Rowley Ave., Cleveland 3. Astoria Cafe and Market 5417 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
Best Movie Theater
Winner: Cedar Lee Theater 2. Cinemark Valley View 3. Capitol Theatre
Best Actress
Winner: Debbie Scaletta 2. Yuliya Zelenskaya 3. Sarah Carleton
Best State Park
Winner: Hocking Hills 2. Headlands Beach 3. Punderson
Best Family Outing
Winner: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo 2. Edgewater Beach 3. Great Lakes Science Center
Best Place to Buy a House
Winner: Lakewood 2. Rocky River 3. Cleveland Heights
Best Toy Store
Winner: Apple Jax Toys 24 N. Main St., Chagrin Falls and 13002 Madison Ave., Lakewood 2. Once Upon a Time 19285 Detroit Rd,. Rocky River 3. Doki Doki Kawaii Shop 13737 Madison Ave., Lakewood
Best Bicycle Shop
Winner: Eddy’s Bike Shop Multiple Locations 2. Century Cycles 20132 Chagrin Blvd., Shaker Heights and 1621 Main St., Peninsula 3. Joy Machines 2605 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
Best Bar Trivia Night
Winner: Happy Dog 5801 Detroit Ave,. Cleveland 2. Jukebox 1404 W. 29th St., Cleveland 3. The Foundry Concert Club 11729 Detroit Ave., Lakewood
Best Car Dealership
Winner: Brunswick Subaru 2992 Center Rd., Brunswick 2. Simon Says 16912 Miles Ave., Cleveland 3. Classic Volkswagen 8465 Tyler Blvd., Mentor
Best Restaurant – Lakewood
Winner: Pier W 12700 Lake Ave., Lakewood 2. Salt+17625 Detroit Ave., Lakewood 3. Barroco 12906 Madison Ave., Lakewood
Best Restaurant – Clark-Fulton
Winner: Johnny’s on Fulton 3164 Fulton Rd., Cleveland 2. Bruno’s 2644 W. 41st St., Cleveland 3. Half Moon Bakery (Bella Luna) 3460 W. 25th St., Cleveland Best Tacos Winner: Barrio 2. La Plaza 3 (Tie). Hola Tacos 3 (Tie). Cilantro Taqueria
Best Polish Restaurant
Winner: Prosperity Social Club1109 Starkweather Ave., Cleveland 2. Rowley Inn 1104 Rowley Ave., Cleveland 3. Rudy’s Strudel 5580 Ridge Rd., Parma
Best Jazz Club
Winner: The Brothers Lounge 11609 Detroit Ave., Cleveland 2: Bop Stop 2920 Detroit Ave., Cleveland 3: Velvet Tango Room 2095 Columbus Rd., Cleveland
Best Rock Club
Winner: The Agora 5000 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 2: Beachland Ballroom15711 Waterloo Rd., Cleveland 3: The Grog Shop2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights
Best Bar for Singles
Winner: Twist Social Club 11633 Clifton Blvd., Cleveland 2. The Winchester Music Tavern12112 Madison Ave., Lakewood 3. Crobar 3244 St. Clair Ave. NE., Cleveland
Best Tapas
Winner: Salt+ 17625 Detroit Ave., Lakewood 2. Zhug 12413 Cedar Rd., Cleveland Heights 3. Amba 1430 W. 28th St., Cleveland
Best Restaurant – Brooklyn
Winner: Mom’s Pierogies 8467 Memphis Ave., Brookyln 2. Aldo’s 8459 Memphis Ave., Brooklyn 3. El Palenque 5092 Tiedeman Rd., Brooklyn
Best Breakfast
Winner: Grumpy’s 2621 W. 14th St., Cleveland 2. Lucky’s 777 Starkweather Ave., Cleveland 3. Martha on the Fly 2173 Professor Ave., Cleveland
Best Filmmaker
Winner: Matthew Mark Hunter 2. Thomas Sawyer 3. Nonie Shiverick
Best Drag Show
Winner: Drag Brunch with Sassy Sascha 2. Glamgore 3-Tie. Trash Unreal 3-Tie. Black Mass
Best Darts
Winner: Harbor Inn1219 Main Ave, Cleveland 2. Flying Monkey 819 Jefferson Ave. Cleveland 3. Iggy’s 13405 Madison Ave., Lakewood
Best Place to Hike
Winner: Cuyahoga Valley National Park 2. Rocky River Reservation 3. North Chagrin Reservation
Best Comic/Collectibles Shop
Winner: Carol & John’s Comic Book Shop 14762 Lorain Ave., Cleveland 2. Apple Jax Toys 24 N. Main St., Chagrin Falls and 13002 Madison Ave., Lakewood 3. Superscript Comics and Games 13361 Madison Ave., Lakewood
Best Antique Shop
Winner: Cleveland Curiosities 13375 Madison Ave., Lakewood 2. Sweet Lorain 7105 Lorain Rd., Cleveland 3. All Things For You 3910 Lorain Rd., Cleveland
Best Place for a First Date
Winner: Pier W 12700 Lake Ave., Lakewood 2. Cloak and Dagger 2399 W. 11th St, Cleveland 3 – Tie. All Saints Public House 1261 W. 76th St., Cleveland 3 – Tie. Rood Food and Pie 17001 Madison Ave., Lakewood
Best Local Fashion Designer
Winner: Valerie Mayen-Yellowcake Shop5218 Detroit Ave., Cleveland 2. FriskMeGood 3. Everarbor 2617 Scranton Rd., Cleveland and 58 SS. Comet Ln., Westlake
Best T-Shirt Company
Winner: CLE Clothing Co. Multiple Locations 2. GV Art and Design 3. Ilthy
Best Suburban Restaurant (South)
Winner: Creekside Restaurant 8803 Brecksville Rd., Brecksville 2. Corleone’s Ristorante 5669 Broadview Rd., Parma 3. Rosewood Grill 16740 Royalton Rd., Strongsville
Best Pho
Winner: Superior Pho 3030 Superior Ave. #105, Cleveland 2. #1 Pho 3120 Superior Ave., Cleveland 3. Pho and Rice 1780 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Heights
Best Restaurant – Central
Winner: The Crispy Chick5618 Woodland Ave., Cleveland
Best New Bar
Winner: Old 86 5304 Detroit Ave., Cleveland 2. Crobar 3244 St. Clair Ave. NE., Cleveland 3. Studio West 117 1384 Hird Ave., Lakewood
Best Brewery
Winner: Great Lakes Brewing Company 2516 Market Ave., Cleveland 2. Noble Beast Brewing Company 1470 Lakeside Ave., Cleveland 3 (Tie). Pulpo Brewing Company 3941 Erie St., Willoughby and 20 Main St., Westlake 3 (Tie). Saucy Brew Works 400 Park Ave., Ste. 170, Orange Village and 2885 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
Best Restaurant – Brook Park/Middleburg Heights
Winner: Rivals 6710 Smith Rd., Middleburg Heights 2. Goody’s 16333 Snow Rd., Brook Park 3. The Garden 14957 Snow Rd., Brook Park
Best Italian Restaurant
Winner: Luca 2100 Superior Viaduct, Cleveland 2. Bruno’s 2644 W. 41st St., Cleveland 3. Bar Italia 2101 Richmond Rd., Beachwood and 15625 Detroit Rd., Lakewood
Best Cakes
Winner: Kelsey Elizabeth Multiple Locations 2. Michael Angelo’s Bakery 8035 Broadview Rd., Broadview Heights 3. The White Flower Cake Shoppe Multiple Locations
Best Art Fair
Winner: Lakewood Arts Festival 2. Third Fridays at 78th Street Studios 3. Art by the Falls (Chagrin Falls)
Best Local Album
Winner: For Me – ZuP 2. `Magnificent Desolation – Buzz Balldrin 3. Reset My Head – Truss
Best Running Trail
Winner: Rocky River Reservation 2. Towpath Trail 3. North Chagrin Reservation
Best Indoor Wedding Venue
Winner: Windows on the River 2000 Sycamore St., Cleveland 2. Gordon Green 5400 Detroit Ave., Cleveland 3. The Elliot 1415 Kenilworth Ave., Cleveland
Best Apartment Complex
Winner: Crocker Park Living 177 Market St., Westlake 2. The Flats at East Bank 1055 Old River Rd., Cleveland 3. The Brick Lofts at Historic West Tech 2201 W. 93rd St., Cleveland
Best Place to Take a Visitor
Winner: West Side Market 2. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 3. Cleveland Museum of Art
Best Hobby Store
Winner: Cleveland Curiosities 13375 Madison Ave., Lakewood 2. Apple Jax Toys 24 N. Main St., Chagrin Falls and 13002 Madison Ave., Lakewood 3. Doki Doki Kawaii Shop 13737 Madison Ave., Lakewood
Best Barber
Winner: Steve Kolis (SafeBetCuts) 2. Julia Ramsey (Quintana’s) 3 (Tie). Ryan Hardwick (BlackCat) 3 (Tie). Chuck Falk (Principle)
Best Art Supply Store
Winner: Lakewood Art Supply 13345 Madison Ave., Lakewood 2. Blick 2768 Mayflield Rd., Cleveland Heights 3. Upcycle Parts Shop 6419 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland
Best Restaurant – Old Brooklyn
Winner: Dina’s 5701 Memphis Ave., Cleveland 2. Opal on Pearl 4250 Pearl Rd., Cleveland 3. El Rinconcito Chapin 3330 Broadview Rd., Cleveland
Best Coffee House
Winner: Rising Star Multiple Locations 2 (Tie). Metropolitan Coffee 4744 Broadview Rd., Cleveland 2 (Tie). Roasted 2275 Professor Ave., Cleveland
Best Barbecue
Winner: Mabel’s 2050 E. 4th St., Cleveland 2. Woodstock BBQ 13362 Madison Ave., Lakewood 3. Landmark Smokehouse 11637 Clifton Blvd., Cleveland
Best Bar on the Water
Winner: Collision Bend Brewery 1250 Old River Rd., Cleveland 2: Shooters 1148 Main Ave. Ste. 4, Cleveland 3. Merwin’s Wharf 1785 Merwin Ave., Cleveland
Best Place for Arcade Games
Winner: 16-Bit Bar + Arcade 1880 W. 25th St., Cleveland 2: Superelectric Pinball Parlor6500 Detroit Ave., Cleveland 3: Funhouse 1539 W. 117th St., Cleveland
Best Vegan Restaurant
Winner: Cleveland Vegan 17112 Detroit Ave., Cleveland 2. Cloak and Dagger 2399 W. 11th St, Cleveland 3. Foodhisattva 2158 S. Taylor Rd., Cleveland Heights
Best Restaurant – Fairfax
Winner: Red Walter BBQ 8425 Cedar Ave., Cleveland 2. Rumi’s Market & Turkish Grill 8225 Carnegie Ave., Cleveland
Best Bar Food
Winner: Gunselman’s Tavern 21490 Lorain Rd., Fairview Park 2. Buckeye Beer Engine 15315 Madison Ave., Lakewood 3. LBM 12301 Madison Ave., Lakewood
Best Place to Catch a Play
Winner: Cleveland Play House 2. Beck Center for the Arts 3. Cleveland Public Theater
Best Artist
Winner: Eileen Dorsey 2. Kim Kennedy 3. Garrett Weider
Best Yoga Studio
Winner: Harmony 38108 3rd St, Willoughby 2. Inner Bliss 19537 Lake Rd., Rocky River and 30311 Clemens Rd., Westlake 3. Lakewood Yoga 13348 Madison Ave., Lakewood
Best Beer Selection
Winner: Simone’s Beverage 18414 Detroit Ave., Lakewood 2. Rozi’s Wine House 14900 Detroit Ave., Lakewood 3. The Wine Spot 2271 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights
Best Consignment Shop
Winner: Flower Child 11508 Clifton Blvd., Cleveland 2. Common Threads 22049 Lorain Rd., Fairview Park and 5793 Smith Rd., Brook Park 3. Salty Not Sweet13339 Madison Ave., Lakewood
Best Hotel
Winner: The Metropolitan at the 92017 E. 9th St., Cleveland 2. Hilton Cleveland Downtown 100 Lakeside Ave. E., Cleveland 3. The Ritz Carlton 1515 W. 3rd St., Cleveland
Best Store To Purchase CBD
Winner: Planet of the Vapes Multiple Locations 2. American Shaman Multiple Locations 3. Kerwell 30323 Detroit Rd., Westlake
Best Metal Club
Winner: No Class 11213 Detroit Ave., Cleveland 2. The Agora 5000 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 3. The Foundry Concert Club 11729 Detroit Ave., Lakewood
Best Men’s Clothing Store
Winner: Geiger’s 50 Shopping Plaza Dr., Chagrin Falls and 14710 Detroit Ave., Lakewood 2. Cool Water Dry Goods2406 Professor Ave., Cleveland 3 (Tie). Whiskey Grade 3415 Tuttle Rd., Shaker Heights 3 (Tie). Arch 3441 Tuttle Rd. Ste. 404B, Shaker Heights
Best Restaurant – Collinwood
Winner: Citizen Pie 15710 Waterloo Rd., Cleveland 2. Beachland Ballroom 15711 Waterloo Rd., Cleveland 3. Doinks Burger Joint 15519 Waterloo Rd., Cleveland
Best Restaurant – Maple Heights
Winner: Mr. Wonderful’s Chicken and Waffles 5354 Lee Rd., Maple Heights 2. Plant Based Burger Company 15755 Broadway Ave., Maple Heights 3. Ming Home 15720 Broadway Ave., Maple Heights
Best Steakhouse
Winner: Marble Room 623 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 2. Red, the Steakhouse 200 Park Ave. Ste. 130, Orange Village and 417 Prospect Ave. E., Cleveland 3. Strip 36840 Detroit Rd., Avon
Best Draught Selection
Winner: Buckeye Beer Engine 15315 Madison Ave., Lakewood 2. City Tap 750 Prospect Ave. E., Cleveland 3. Sauced Taproom & Kitchen 14701-4 Detroit Ave., Lakewood
Best Restaurant
Winner: Marble Room 623 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 2. Astoria Cafe and Market 5417 Detroit Ave., Cleveland 3. Cordelia 2058 E. 4th St., Cleveland
Best Suburban Restaurant (West)
Winner: Thyme Table 583 Dover Center Rd., Bay Village 2. Luca West 24600 Detroit Rd., Westlake 3. Cabin Club30651 Detroit Rd., Westlake
Best Restaurant – Little Italy
Winner: Mama Santa’s 12301 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland 2. Mia Bella 12200 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland 3. Maxi’s 12113 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland
Best Restaurant – Ohio City
Winner: Hecks Cafe 2927 Bridge Ave., Cleveland 2. Amba 1430 W. 28th St., Cleveland 3. Jaja 2050 Gehring Ave., Cleveland
Best Cover Band
Winner: The Spazmatics 2. Follow The Sun 3. Tilted
Best Dance Party
Winner: Mall Goth Metal at The Foundry 2. Dark Wave Dance Cave 3. Trash Unreal
Best Bowling Alley
Winner: Mahall’s 13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood 2. Corner Alley 402 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 3. Yorktown Lanes 6218 Pearl Rd., Cleveland
Best Sports Reporter
Winner: Jim Donovan 2. Andre Knott 3. Mary Kay Cabot
Best Local Smoke Shop
Winner: Daystar 17102 Detroit Ave., Lakewood 2. Planet of the Vapes Multiple Locations 3. Hippie House 13396 Madison Ave., Lakewood
Best Florist
Winner: Urban Orchid3154 West 14th St., 1455 West 29th St. and 2062 Murray Hill Rd., Cleveland 2. Blossom Flower Bar 14526 Detroit Ave., Lakewood and 37 W. Orange St., Chagrin Falls 3. Merkels Floral Studio 8494 Mentor Ave., Mentor
Best Local Startup
Winner: Pope’s Kitchen 2. Left Bank Creative 3. BIGPLAY Media Group
Best Tattoo Shop
Winner: Lakewood Electric 15200 Madison Ave., Lakewood 2. Tattoo Therapy Ink 6251 Pearl Rd., Parma Heights 3. Reflection Room Tattoo Co. 32087 Electric Blvd., Avon Lake
Best Health and Beauty Shop
Winner: Stem Handmade Soap12405 Madison Ave., Lakewood 2. Revival Body Care 13337 Madison Ave., Lakewood 3. SLFMKR 20146 Walker Rd., Shaker Heights
Best Sandwich
Winner: Slyman’s 3106 St. Clair Ave. NE., Cleveland 2: Larder 1455 W. 29th St., Cleveland 3: Herb’n Twine 4309 Lorain Rd., Cleveland
Best Restaurant – Bellaire-Puritas
Winner: Grayton Road Tavern 4760 Grayton Rd., Cleveland 2. Himalayan Restaurant 13124 Lorain Rd., Cleveland 3. Cafe Everest 14304 Puritas Ave., Cleveland
Best Breadmaker
On The Rise 3471 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Heights and 3407 Tuttle Rd., Shaker Heights Blackbird Baking Company 1391 Sloane Ave., Lakewood Leavened 1633 Auburn Ave. Ste. 1, Cleveland
Best Local Beer
Winner: Market Garden Brewery 1947 W. 25th St., Cleveland 2. Noble Beast Brewing Company 1470 Lakeside Ave., Cleveland 3. Masthead Brewing Co. 1261 Superior Ave., Cleveland
Best Dive Bar
Winner: Little Rose Tavern 14206 Lorain Ave., Cleveland 2. Funhouse 1539 W. 117th St., Cleveland 3. Hooples 1930 Columbus Rd., Cleveland
Best Restaurant – University Circle
Winner: L’Albatros 11401 Bellflower Rd., Cleveland 2. Otani Noodle 11472 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 3. Jolly Scholar 11111 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
Best Korean Restaurant
Winner: Seoul Garden 5270 Pearl Rd., Cleveland 2. Korea House 3700 Superior Ave. E., Cleveland 3. Fiyah 1253 E. 55th St., Cleveland
Best Restaurant – Flats
Winner: Collision Bend Brewery 1250 Old River Rd., Cleveland 2. Alley Cat Oyster Bar 1056 Old River Rd., Cleveland 3. Lindey’s Lakehouse 1146 Old River Rd., Cleveland
Best Arts/Film/Music Festival
Winner: Cleveland International Film Festival 2. Brite Winter 3. Larchmere Porchfest
Best Comedy Venue
Winner: Hilarities 2. The Improv 3. No Class
Best Place to Ski
Winner: Brandywine 2. Boston Mills
Best College Radio Station
Winner: 89.3 WCSB — Cleveland State University 2. 89.7 WKSU – Kent State University 3. 88.7 WJCU – John Carroll University
Best Drag Performer
Winner: Onya Nurve 2. Peach Fuzz 3. Anhedonia Delight
Best College or University
Winner: Case Western Reserve University 2. Cleveland State University 3. Kent State University
Best Place to Buy Sneakers
Winner: Second Sole Multiple Locations 2. Westside Skates 14047 Madison Ave., Lakewood 3. My Cuzin Vintage 6507 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
Best Hip-Hop Club
1. B-Side 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights 2. The Foundry Concert Club 11729 Detroit Ave., Lakewood 3. No Class 11213 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
Best Place to Buy a Musical Instrument
Winner: Cleveland Violins 2917 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland 2. Arrowhead Music 8571 Mentor Ave., Mentor 3. Woodsy’s 135 S. Water St., Kent
Best Hot Dog
Winner: Happy Dog 5801 Detroit Ave,. Cleveland 2. Scooter’s World Famous Dawg House9600 Blackbrook Rd., Mentor 3. Hot Dog Heaven 493 Cleveland Ave., Amherst
Best Irish Restaurant
Winner: The Harp 4408 Detroit Ave., Cleveland 2. Stone Mad Pub 1306 W. 65th St., Cleveland 3. PJ McIntyre’s Irish Pub 17119 Lorain Ave., Cleveland
Best Late Night Eats
Winner: Edison’s 2373 Professor Ave., Cleveland 2. My Friends Restaurant11616 Detroit Ave., Cleveland 3. Happy Dog 5801 Detroit Ave,. Cleveland
Best Happy Hour
Winner: Rowley Inn 1104 Rowley Ave., Cleveland 2. Lago East Bank1091 W. 10th St., Cleveland 3. Funhouse 1539 W. 117th St., Cleveland
Best Chef
Winner: Doug Katz (Amba/Zhug) 2. Jill Vedaa (Salt+/Poppy) 3. Dante Bocuzzi (Ginko, Goma, Dante, Inferno, Next Door, Coda, DBA, Dukes N’ Boots)
Best Thai Restaurant
Winner: Thai Thai 13145 Madison Ave., Lakewood 2. Banana Blossom 2800 Clinton Ave., Cleveland 3. Peppermint 30769 Pinetree Rd., Pepper Pike
Best Sushi
Winner: Ginko 2247 Professor Ave. B., Cleveland 2. Pacific East 28601 Chagrin Blvd., Woodmere and 1763 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Heights 3. Sora 1121 W. 10th St., Cleveland
Best Restaurant – Hough
Winner: Fluffy Duck10001 Chester Ave., Cleveland
Best Concert Venue
Winner: Beachland Ballroom & Tavern 2. The Agora 3. Blossom Music Center
Best Actor
Winner: Riley Wade Chase 2. Richard T. Phillis 3. Ryan Polk
Best Billiards
Winner: Iggy’s Bar 13405 Madison Ave., Lakewood 2. B&G Tavern 4150 Lorain Ave., Cleveland 3. The Richland 14027 Madison Ave., Lakewood
Best Cleveland Maker
Winner: Cleveland Candle CompanyMultiple Locations 2. Waxing Moon Candle Shop 3. Everarbor 2617 Scranton Rd., Cleveland and 58 SS, Comet Ln., Westlake
Best Barber Shop
Winner: Black Cat Barbershop5405 Detroit Ave., Lakewood 2. Quintana’s 2190 S. Taylor Rd., Cleveland Heights 3 (Tie). Principle 3411 Tuttle Rd., Shaker Heights 3 (Tie). City Breaks Multiple Locations
Best Vape Shop
Winner:Planet of the Vapes Multiple Locations 2. Hippie House 13396 Madison Ave., Lakewood 3. High Society Boutique 11223 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
Best Local Newscast
Winner: Fox 8 Morning News 2. WKYC – 3 3. New Day Cleveland
Best Place to Buy a Wedding Dress
Winner: Radiant Bride 19620 Detroit Rd., Rocky River 2. Brides By The Falls 100 N. Main St., Ste. 210, Chagrin Falls 3 (Tie). Liliana Bridal House 12108 Madison Ave., Lakewood 3 (Tie). Harper & Ivory 2801 Bridge Ave., Cleveland
Best Salon
Winner: Dino Palmieri Salon Eton 28699 Chagrin Blvd., Woodmere 2. Marco Alexzander Salon 2410 Scranton Rd., Cleveland 3. Green Opal 2850 Church Ave., Cleveland
Best French Restaurant
Winner: Le Petit Triangle 1881 Fulton Rd., Cleveland 2. L’Albatros 11401 Bellflower Rd., Cleveland 3. Chez Francois 2417 State Rd., Vermillion
Best Restaurant – Larchmere
Winner: Hola Tacos 12718 Larchmere Blvd., Cleveland 2. Poppy 12502 Larchmere Blvd., Cleveland 3. Batuqui 12706 Larchmere Blvd., Cleveland
Best Soul Food
Winner: Bourbon Street Barrel Room 2393 Professor Ave., Cleveland 2. Zanzibar Soul Fusion 13225 Shaker Square #2314 and 627 Prospect Ave. E., Cleveland 3. Angie’s Soul Cafe 7815 Carnegie Ave., and 16906 Harvard Ave., Cleveland and 23041 Emery Rd., Warrensville Heights
Best Sports Bar
Winner: Clevelander834 Huron Rd. E., Cleveland 2. Old Angle 1848 W. 25th St., Cleveland 3. Buckeye Beer Engine 15315 Madison Ave., Lakewood
Best Bar or Club for Underground Music
Winner: The Foundry Concert Club 11729 Detroit Ave., Lakewood 2. The Grog Shop2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights 3. No Class 11213 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
Best Restaurant – Warrensville Heights
Winner: River City Grille 26300 Harvard Rd., Warrensville Heights 2. Frederick’s Wine & Dine 22005 Emery Rd., Warrensville Heights 3. Roll Up Cle 20005 Harvard Ave., Warrensville Heights
Best Restaurant – Shaker Heights
Winner: Brassica 20301 Meade Rd., Shaker Heights 2. Lox, Stock and Brisket 3441 Tuttle Rd., Shaker Heights 3. Scorpacciata 3441 Tuttle Rd., Shaker Heights
Best Diner
Winner: Dinerbar on Clifton11801 Clifton Blvd., Lakewood 2. Big Al’s Diner 12600 Larchmere Blvd., Cleveland 3. George’s Kitchen 13101 Triskett Rd., Cleveland
