Partners in Bobby George's Ethos Hospitality Group Buy FWD Day + Nightclub

FWD is under new ownership Credit: Scene Archives

For the past decade, FWD Day + Nightclub (1176 Front St.) in the Flats East Bank has been the premium destination for chill summer hangs by the pool during the day and electrifying shows with top DJ talents by night.

Much of that great vibe trickled down from management, Forward Hospitality, which has been a fixture in Cleveland for years. Partners Michael Schwartz and Bobby Rutter are the driving force behind appealing brands like Flip Side, 3 Palms, Good Night John Boy, Welcome to the Farm, Hi 5 and others.

But as of this spring, FWD Day + Nightclub is no longer under the Forward Hospitality umbrella: Partners in Ethos Hospitality Group, which is owned by Bobby George, have purchased the club. Jacqueline Boyd and Corey May, both longtime Ethos employees, are the new operators. The Ethos group brands include TownHall, Rebol, Barley House, Lost Social Club and others.

Further details about the sale, financial arrangements, and operating agreements are still unclear, as is whether it’s an entirely new business or one under the Ethos umbrella. A new LLC for the club was formed in March, according to Ohio records, and FWD no longer appears on the Forward Hospitality group’s site.

Schwartz and Rutter declined to comment.

Boyd and May didn’t respond to a request for comment.

George, who through a joint venture with the Wolstein family in 2023 gained control of East Bank properties that includes the FWD space and is the current landlord, likewise did not respond to a request for comment.

Last month, Ohio lawmakers clawed back $3.5 million formerly earmarked in the state budget for George’s planned entertainment complex in the Flats, citing the domestic violence-related crimes with which George has been charged in Cleveland Municipal Court. Tony George, Bobby’s father, has demanded through his counsel that all relevant evidence in the matter be preserved for future litigation in the matter.

A visiting prosecutor appointed by Michael O’Malley has been in charge of George’s criminal matter since last year. While she has indicated she intends to take the case to a Cuyahoga County grand jury, it’s unclear when and if that will happen.

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