While many restaurants and bars have cut back kitchen hours since the pandemic, luckily for us, there are still a bunch of places to enjoy a late night bite in town.
Edison’s
2373 Professor Ave., Cleveland
You’re not doing Tremont right if you don’t land at Edison’s for at least some portion of your night. It’s the quintessential Tremont bar, the quintessential Cleveland bar, a real bar’s bar. And just because there’s new operators of the next door pizza operation — Pete Lagrange, son of Edison’s Pub owner Mark Lagrange, and his wife — doesn’t mean there’s still not late-night slices of pep to be had. Edison’s Next Door Pizza is open til 12:30 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Credit: Scene ArchivesFlannery’s
323 Prospect Ave. E., Cleveland
Walking distance from where the Guardians and Cavaliers, Flannery’s has been a beloved bar since 1997. It sold in 2018 and was totally revamped but it maintained its feel as an Irish Pub. You can still get corned beef and kraut-stuffed Reuben balls, but there’s a great new half-pound pub burger blended with chuck, brisket and short rib. Classics like bangers and mash, fish and chips, shepherd’s pie and meatloaf and mashers all have been upgraded. (Open till midnight Tuesday-Thursday, till 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 p.m. Sunday) Credit: Scene ArchivesTown Hall
1909 West 25th St., Cleveland
The popular West 25th bar and restaurant has been the place to see and be seen ever since it opened in 2013. The GMO-free menu is also one of the more vegan/vegetarian friendly places in town. (Kitchen open till midnight Sunday to Wednesday, 2 a.m. Thursday to Saturday) Credit: Scene ArchivesButcher and the Brewer
2043 East Fourth St., Cleveland
This East Fourth spot, known for their brewpub and their butcher shop, has been a popular spot since opening in 2014. Their meats, which are aged and cured in-house are fantastic and their house smoked corn dogs coated in buttermilk batter are another standout. And their Stop-Hop-Kaboom IPA is one of the best IPAs in town. (Open till 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) Credit: Scene ArchivesTick Tock Tavern
11526 Clifton Blvd., Cleveland
Get fabulous and filthy for this all-you-can eat fish fry for $8.95 every Wednesdays and Fridays, and don’t forget the dirty part. Get $5.50 dirty, filthy martinis for your before, during or after dinner drink.
Photo via Tick Tock Tavern/Facebook Credit: Scene ArchivesThe Rib Cage
2214 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights and 1834 West 25th St., Cleveland
This barbecue joint serves some of the meatiest wings around. Go for the ‘Carolina Mustard Vinegar’ for one of the most unique and delicious flavors in town. They’ve been open in the Heights since 2012 and expanded to West 25th in 2018. (Open till midnight Friday and Saturday, 11 p.m. on Thursday.) Credit: Scene ArchivesLago
1091 West 10th St., Cleveland
Chef Fabio Salerno’s Lago is the place to be seen in the East Bank of the Flats. The patio is usually jumping and the meatballs are to die for. (Kitchen open till midnight Sunday-Wednesday, 1 a.m. Thursday to Saturday) Credit: Scene ArchivesThe South Side
2207 West 11th St., Cleveland
Casually hip and artfully unpretentious, this clubby Tremont tavern offers very good food, cold beer, stylish surroundings and frequent appearances by local bands and DJs. And if all that isn’t reason enough to visit, remember that during warm weather, the handsomely landscaped patio is one of the coolest destinations in town. (Kitchen open till midnight Friday and Saturday, 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday) Credit: Scene ArchivesXYZ the Tavern
6419 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
XYZ, and its sister restaurant ABC really up the game when it comes to bar food. Eclectic and affordable pub-style comfort food is the name of the game at XYZ, with great burgers, corned beef and chicken sandies filling the bill. Don’t miss the housemade chips and the killer chicken and waffles. (Kitchen open until 11 p.m.) Credit: Scene ArchivesThe Flying Rib
11926 Madison Ave., Lakewood
The Flying Rib is offering six fresh (never frozen) jumbo wings covered in your choice of mild, medium, hot, BBQ, hot BBQ, suicide, teriyaki, garlic butter, garlic parmesan, or dry cajun. They’re served with ranch or bleu cheese.
Photo Provided by Restaurant Credit: Scene ArchivesMarket Avenue Wine Bar
2521 Market Ave., Cleveland
On a cobblestone street behind the Great Lakes Brewing Company, the Market Avenue Wine Bar is an oak-soaked, dimly lit getaway with an intimate Greenwich Village ambiance. Touted as Cleveland’s first-ever wine bar (it opened in 1985), it’s stocked with more than 700 bottles of wine, including 30 open bottles of reds to buy by the glass. It’s also applauded for its menu of hors d’oeuvres, with the baked almond brie the hands-down favorite. (Kitchen open till 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday) Credit: Scene ArchivesLBM Bar
12301 Madison Ave., Lakewood
To jump into our favorite bars after only being open for only a couple years says something about how much we love LBM. Located in Lakewood, this spot initially opened as a bar, but don’t sleep on their food offerings. Their burgers, sandwiches and other plates are served until 11:30 p.m. on weekdays and 1:30 a.m. on weekends. Credit: Scene ArchivesHappy Dog
5801 Detroit Rd., Cleveland
Happy Dog is the perfect Cleveland bar – the food is reasonable and good and most weekend nights there’s live music and shows are usually free or cost just five bucks to get in. If you haven’t been to this institution, go next time you have a chance. (Open till midnight Sunday, through Thursday, 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday) Credit: Scene ArchivesSteve’s Diner
6850 Biddulph Rd., Brooklyn
Open since 1955, Steve’s Diner, also known as Steve’s Hotdog Diner, is a 24-hour haunt in Brooklyn. The no frills menu feels like a throwback to bygone days. Luckily, we still have places like this around to keep us honest. Credit: Scene ArchivesRascal House
Multiple Locations
Rascal House has been a Cleveland staple in the pizza game for over 40 years. They have six locations and they’re open until 2:30 a.m. Credit: Scene ArchivesBuckeye Beer Engine
15315 Madison Ave., Lakewood
The beer flows at this joint, where they always have a wide variety of breweries on tap from around the country and the world. Right now they have a super pils from Belgium, a pilsner from Maine, a sour from Wisconsin, a Pumpkin Ale from Brooklyn and much more. The menu may sound like bar food, but it’s very high end bar food, done right. (Kitchen open till 11 p.m. daily) Credit: Scene ArchivesLiterary Tavern
1031 Literary Rd., Cleveland
When Literary Tavern reopened in 2018, owner Ross Valenti’s goal for the old Literary Café in Tremont, was to create a casual, comfortable and relevant place for neighbors to enjoy themselves: essentially, a new-old neighborhood classic and he reached that goal. The kitchen, which serves burgers and small plates, is open until 11 p.m. nightly and midnight on Friday and Saturday. Credit: Scene ArchivesProsperity Social Club
1109 Starkweather Ave., Cleveland
Cozy and retro, this former workingman’s watering hole serves up food, booze, and a bowling machine along with the live music. You’ll find locals laying down everything from lounge and jazz to folk and bluegrass. The kitchen stays open nightly until midnight and brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. Credit: Scene ArchivesCity Tap
748 Prospect Ave., Cleveland
Located in the heart of Downtown, City Tap is the perfect spot for wings and other bar food right before heading over to take in a Tribe or Cavaliers’ game. The Honey Sriracha wings are a standout here. (Kitchen open till 10 p.m. Sunday, 11:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday) Credit: Scene ArchivesMahall’s 20 Lanes
13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood
Coming up on their 100th anniversary in a few years, this bowling alley, music venue, bar and restaurant was established by the Mahall family in 1924. It’s still one of the more happening spots in town. The kitchen’s open till 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Credit: Scene ArchivesABC The Tavern
1872 West 25th St., Cleveland
A classic Cleveland “old-man” bar with a totally modern vibe, this well-run tavern offers a full bar and plenty of tasty noshes, ranging from roasted red pepper hummus to a humongous burger. Nightly happy hours help make this a popular destination. (Kitchen open until 11 p.m. Sunday to Tuesday, until 1 a.m. Wednesday to Saturday) Credit: Scene ArchivesMars Bar
15314 Madison Ave., Lakewood
Oh man, the gyro at Mars Bar in Lakewood is worth getting this place on its own. It’s one of the best versions in town: Warm, thick and plush pita is piled high with flavorful shaved lamb-and-beef meat, crisp red onion, thick-sliced tomato and creamy tzatziki sauce made by the owner’s mother. (Kitchen open until 2:30 a.m.) Credit: Scene ArchivesBarrio
Multiple Locations
Yeah, Barrio has blown up in recent years with locations all over town. But their expansion has just made them more beloved in the eyes of Clevelanders, because now wherever you live, you’re a stone’s throw away from some delicious and inexpensive tacos. (Kitchen open till midnight Sunday to Thursday, till 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday) Credit: Scene ArchivesGillespie’s Map Room
1289 West 9th St., Cleveland
In a neighborhood best known for its chichi clubs and pricey cocktails, this pretty but unpretentious pub is like a pair of sweatpants in a closetful of constricting jeans. More than 100 brands of beer beckon from the coolers, and the fragrant homemade pizza is some of the best you’ll find downtown. The kitchen is open until 11 p.m. on weeknights and 1 a.m. on the weekends. Credit: Scene ArchivesMy Friends Restaurant
11616 Detroit Rd., Cleveland
Ask most people and the name My Friends Restaurant is what first comes to mind for the ultimate late night breakfast eatery. This 24-hour Lakewood/Cleveland border haunt serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner all day, but the people watching is priceless after midnight. Credit: Scene ArchivesThe Fairmount
2448 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Heights
Located in the Cedar Hill neighborhood, the Fairmount takes pub food to the next level. With a warm and lively atmosphere and one of the best patios in town, you’re missing out if you haven’t been. (Kitchen open until 11 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, 12 a.m. Friday and Saturday) Credit: Scene ArchivesAngelo’s
13715 Madison Ave., Lakewood
Debate the merits of deep-dish versus thin crust all you want, but it’s hard not to be won over by Angelo’s Chicago-influenced pies. We recommend ordering deep dish with the tender meatballs for a topping. At a time when ordering delivery has never been easier, an impressive draught beer selection and a friendly, neighborhood vibe make Angelo’s, a frequent winner of Scene’s Best Of Best Pizza award, a worthy spot to dine in. Credit: Scene ArchivesThe Rush Inn
17800 Detroit Ave., Lakewood and 35840 Chester Rd., Avon
The Rush Inn, with locations in Lakewood and Avon, is as no frills as they come, boasting some of the best wings in town. While we usually prefer wings drenched in sauce, dry rub is the way to go here, with the ‘Lemon Pepper Dry Rub’ being our favorite. The kitchen is open until midnight daily at both locations. Credit: Scene ArchivesAround the Corner
18616 Detroit Ave., Lakewood
The popularity of the Lakewood dining scene and the newest bistro or gastropub can often cause visitors to overlook neighborhood spots like Around the Corner. That would be a mistake, as they are one of the best spots to pick someone up or watch a game and they have one of the better bar menus in town, including award-winning wings. Kitchen open until 11 p.m. weeknights, midnight on the weekend. Credit: Scene ArchivesBonnie’s Bar and Grill
22811 Lorain Rd., Fairview Park
In Fairview Park, you’ll find Bonnie’s, a bar and tavern with traditional American fare. The burgers are delicious, the drinks are reasonable and the kitchen is open until 2 a.m. daily. Credit: Scene ArchivesCorky’s Place
13302 Detroit Ave., Lakewood
Corky’s, which hosts karaoke every Wednesday through Saturday, keeps its songbooks stocked with the newest hits from the Nashville country scene as well as old-school Seattle grunge. They serve bar food and Mexican-American food until midnight daily. Credit: Scene ArchivesDina’s Pizza and Pub
5701 Memphis Ave., Cleveland
Many Clevelanders say that Dina’s in Old Brooklyn has their favorite wings in town and who are we to argue? Their ‘Buffalo Ranch’ and ‘House Hot’ are two of the standout flavors. Open till midnight daily. Credit: Scene ArchivesFilter
740 W. Superior Ave., Cleveland
Since opening his first Sauce Boiling Seafood Express restaurant in 2019, Kyler Smith has gone on to open four more locations in Ohio, with more on the way. In February, Smith opened Filter in former Take 5 Rhthym and Jazz space in the Perry–Payne Building and the changes are dramatic, to say the least. Sporting a lounge-like atmosphere, with shimmering fabric panels, a DJ booth and lengthy bar, the 120-seat restaurant and bar is already attracting a ton of attention.
The menu is under the control of chef Jarrett Mines, whose client roster as a private chef includes top players from the Cleveland Browns. Diners can look forward to American fare like pasta, fish, lamb chops and steak. Credit: Scene ArchivesThe Little Rose Tavern
14206 Lorain Ave., Cleveland
This little bar, which opened in 2019, opened with a goal of being the neighborhood bar for the West Park area of Cleveland and has succeeded so far. Three friends and former Happy Dog employees turned the space that was formerly Nolan’s Bar into a great hangout spot for near Westsiders. The all vegan kitchen is open until 11 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday and midnight on the weekend. Credit: Scene ArchivesThe Marble Room
623 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
Located in the old National City Bank building, it’d be hard to find a more beautiful restaurant in town then the swanky Marble Room. The name says it all – the beautiful marble columns and intricately designed molding is absolutely stunning. And the steak is up there for the best in town. Get the ribeye and thank us later.
Photo via Scene Archives Credit: Scene ArchivesKensington Pub
2260 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights
Kensington Pub took over the space formerly occupied by the Tavern Company on historic Lee Road. You can get classic American food here until 1 a.m. daily. Credit: Scene ArchivesPioneer
2407 Lorain Ave., Cleveland
Pioneer, the new wood-fired sports bar at Intro in Ohio City, opened in June of 2022. As the name implies, Pioneer captures the spirit of the great outdoors and camping culture, but filters those activities through a new-school lens. Owner Dan Whalen describes the menu as “American food with hints of Latin and South American flavors.” Most sports bars follow a typical format that includes cheap domestic beer, sticky floors and deep-fried everything. Whalen surveyed the landscape and saw the potential for a more elegant version of the sports bar destination. Credit: Scene ArchivesD.P. Dough
230 Euclid Ave.., Cleveland
D. P. Dough, the popular calzone shop, which is known as “the place to go when it is crazy late,” is a staple on more than 50 college campuses. It recently opened its first of two planned Cleveland locations. The restaurants specialize in calzones, boneless wings, tater tots and cheese sticks and is a staple in Athens, Columbus and other Ohio college towns. They’re open daily until 4 a.m. Credit: Scene ArchivesGeraci’s Slice Shop
603 Prospect Ave., Cleveland
Clevelanders couldn’t dream up a better replacement for Vincenza’s, which closed last year, than Geraci’s Slice Shop. The fast-casual operation features classic Geraci’s pizzas – either by the slice or whole – plus appetizers, salads, subs and desserts like Italian ice and tiramisu. Guests can look forward to a fun, funky décor modeled after an `80s pizzeria, complete with full bar and game room. Dishing up slices until 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays and midnight the rest of the week, it’s a safe haven of late-night calories in a downtown with fewer options than you’d think. Credit: Scene Archives
