Great Lakes Brewing Temporarily Closed Until May 14 for Interior and Menu Refresh

23. Great Lakes Brewing Co. Sample Yelp review: “A Cleveland staple! Every time I come here it brings me joy, the old bar in the pub area is so cool and all of their rooms are well thought out and considered. The food here is always amazing, we actually had our rehearsal dinner here and the prices were great and the food was fantastic. Highly recommend having any event here. As a brewery OG in Cleveland I always have to respect this place. The beer is great, and I am glad they have started experimenting a little bit more with what is produced! We have always been treated well while dining here, and we will come back for years and years to come!” Credit: Emanuel Wallace

Great Lakes Brewing (2516 Market Ave., 216-325-0226), an Ohio City staple since 1988, is getting a glow up.

To stay relevant and appealing for nearly four decades requires the occasional nip and tuck – and Great Lakes has been on the receiving end of many over the years. This latest round, which necessitates the closure of the brewpub until Wednesday, May 14, is designed to usher in improvements to the space, food and atmosphere.

The beer garden, often a visitor’s first impression, will be fitted with new décor that highlights the brewery’s sustainability efforts over the years. New greenery and photo opps will appeal to social media fans. Downstairs, the cellar bar will feature new TVs for sports viewing while rolling out a selection of high-end bourbons.

“We love this historic building, and we know our many visiting guests and regulars do too,” says Ashley Likavec, GM. “We also know there are simple ways we can keep our guests more comfortable, engaged, and entertained when they stop in for drinks or a meal. Just as we’ve innovated and evolved our beer offerings over the years, we must do the same with our brewpub to attract new guests and retain what’s already worked well for us over three decades.”

In the kitchen, new executive chef Christopher Suntala – most recently at Westsiders in Rocky River – has some changes in store as well. Great Lakes has always endeavored to lead the farm-to-table charge in Cleveland and that mission will serve as the guiding force for a new menu. Locally sourced and seasonal ingredients will be the platform for a mix of new bar snacks, small plates and large plates designed to appeal to a wide variety of diners.

“Our aim is to bring even better storytelling to this already storied Cleveland institution through our reimagined menu – getting back to honoring our local and sustainable roots,” explains Suntala. “We are focused on diversifying our menu, from plate sizes and prices to satisfying a wider variety of dietary needs and preferences. And of course, I’m excited to use the beer as inspiration. We want each plate and pint to express the absolute best of Cleveland.”

Going forward, guests can also look forward to an updated brunch menu, more frequent special and small-batch beer releases, and creative cocktails.

Throughout the closure, the brewery’s gift shop will remain open and tours will continue, albeit both with adjusted hours.

Look for dinner service to resume on Wednesday, May 14.

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