Warehouse District mainstay Velvet Dog to close after 26 years. Credit: Google Maps
In the early 2000s, Cleveland’s Warehouse District offered an embarrassment of riches with respect to bars, lounges and dance clubs, with places like Wish, Spy Bar, Mercury Lounge, Liquid, Funky Buddha, Cloud 9, Groovee Little Nightclub, Dive Bar and Velvet Dog all vying for attention.

Today, only two from that era remain: Dive Bar and Velvet Dog. And soon, only one.

Founded in 1999, Velvet Dog enjoyed a long and fruitful life – an extraordinary length of time for a bar. But that all ends next weekend, when owner Joe Hanna and his partners wind it all down.

“The owners just decided that 25 years – it was a good run,” says longtime manager Georgina Karim.

The final days will be Friday, January 30th and Saturday, February 1st.

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve as a gathering place for the Cleveland community for over two decades,” states management. “This was not an easy decision. We are deeply thankful for the incredible support and loyalty of our patrons over the years. Velvet Dog became more than just a venue – it became a home for friendships, celebrations, and cherished moments.”

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This article appears in Jan 16-29, 2025.

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.