Sidetrack Tavern on the Cleveland/Lakewood Border to Close on July 2

Popular westside spot Sidetrack Tavern to close in early July. Credit: Google Maps

Sidetrack Tavern (13429 Lakewood Heights Blvd.), a popular neighborhood watering hole on the Cleveland/Lakewood border, will close on July 2. The move, announced in a social media post, surprised many of of the bar’s clientele given the fact that the owners completely remodeled the property two years ago.

Here’s the statement:

“With bittersweet emotion, we share the news that Sidetrack Tavern CLE will permanently close on July 2, 2023. It has been our pleasure being your neighborhood tavern, and we’re grateful to our dedicated team, customers, friends, and family for helping make our venture successful. Stop in for a visit and share some laughs and a pint before we close our doors.

With love, gratitude, and many thanks!”

According to online records, the address will soon be home to a marijuana dispensary called Green Power. To accomplish that, the building likely will be razed.

The move was a surprise and disappointment to Councilman Brian Kazy, who said, “I was just as shocked and upset to hear of this possible transaction as well. I worked very closely with the current owners to even open Sidetracks believing it would be a mainstay in the portion of the neighborhood for years to come. They did put a lot of money into the place. The offer they received must have financially been worth it for them to sell after putting all that time and money into the place. If I could stop it, I would.”

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