Owners of the seasonal, open-air nightclub FWD, which is expected to open this July in the Flats East Bank, have added a Vegas-style amenity that is sure to attract the hot and steamy set. A 4,000-square-foot pool and deck area – complete with full bar, elevated decking, and custom day beds – is now part of the plans.

“We’ve added to the front of the venue a pool that operates as an amenity to the apartments on a daily basis, and then on a members-only basis on weekends,” explains Bobby Rutter, who along with Michael Schwartz is behind this unique seasonal venue.

The “club within a club” will be open on weekend days, offering a club-like environment that goes hand-in-hand with the evening events taking place next door at FWD. Those events are built around nationally touring DJs, who will perform Thursday through Sunday nights. Occasionally, the entire venue will operate as one large party that can accommodate up to 1,000 guests.

“Our day parties are going to be pretty energetic and fun,” adds Rutter.

Cabanas, showers and changing areas also are part of the plan.

On the calendar so far are DJ Spider out of LA, DJ Dante from Chicago, Solidisco from Brooklyn, and DJ Scene out of Jersey.

FWD is mainly an open-air venue, though there is roughly 2,000 square feet under cover for protection from the weather when needed.

“If it rains, people can take cover and wait it out – unless it’s really bad,” Rutter says.

FWD serves no food, but guests are free to order in food from any of the surrounding restaurants.

Plans call for a late July opening.

This article appears in Apr 15-21, 2015.

For 25 years, Douglas Trattner has worked as a full-time freelance writer, editor and author. His work as co-author on Michael Symon's cookbooks have earned him four New York Times Best-Selling Author honors, while his longstanding role as Scene dining editor has garnered awards of its own.

9 replies on “Vegas-Style Pool Added to Flats-Based Club FWD”

  2. What took this idea so long…great idea,excuse me I’m going to the gym good luck Bobby and Mike!

  3. man, now i totally thank the city for forcing out those other businesses and turning the east bank into gravel for the better part of a decade. a pool.

  7. Let’s make this an infinity pool! It would be incredible if it appeared to flow into the lake. Of course, I will take what we can get 😉

  8. Cannot wait to see the big name dj’s that will be playing this amazing venue. This is the game changer Cleveland has needed. Clevelands first Vegas club, frickin awesome! Saw on the Fwd webpage or Fwd Facebook something about Liquid . Liquid is to small for these dj’s they have been bringing in , the open air venue will be so much better. Smart move for Liquid to be doing their events at this new spot .

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