Cleveland Bar scene

The Cleveland nightlife scene is varied and diverse: pulsating clubs, wine bars, vintage pubs, rock venues, rustic watering holes and trendy lounges. The scene can be different depending on what district or neighborhood you are in, but rest assured you can find what you are looking for Cleveland if you head to the right strip.

One option for partiers that don't want to drive is the West Side Shuffle, a bar/brewery shuttle that operates on Friday and Saturday nights, and occasionally on other nights when there are major sporting or other events downtown. Contrary to the map at the Shuffle 's website, this shuttle will pick up guests at East 4th St. in addition to West 6th St. in the Warehouse District. Call to arrange pick-ups or for further details.

Visitors to University Circle or the Cleveland Clinic might enjoy Nighttown on Cedar Road hill, Cleveland's most acclaimed jazz dinner club. The Barking Spider offers entertainment nightly. The Grog Shop, in the nearby Coventry district of Cleveland Heights, is one of Cleveland's premier rock venues. The Euclid Tavern, a legendary rock venue, has been resurrected as an east side Happy Dog.

Visitors to University Circle also can take the 24/7 Healthline bus rapid (see the"Public Transportation" travel article) to the PlayhouseSquare, Gateway District's East 4th St., and Warehouse District entertainment/dining districts, all within 15-20 minutes of University Circle on the Healthline.

Cleveland's trendy Warehouse District, west and northwest of Public Square around West Sixth Street, is where old Brick Victorean Era warehouses have been rehabbed into modern loft apartments, upscale restaurants, and contemporary clubs. Velvet Dog, Barley House and Liquid are the most popular dance spots, while D'Vine Wine Bar is a chic place to chat with friends over cocktails. If you want to soak in the energy without paying the high prices or getting dressed up, head to Johnny's Little Bar tucked away on Frankfort Avenue and experience one of Cleveland's finest neighborhood bars and late night kitchens. Take 5 Rhythm and Jazz Tapas Lounge is a recent addition.

After several decades from its one-time prominence as a Cleveland entertainment district, the East Flats (Cuyahoga River valley through downtown), adjacent to the Warehouse District, is being reborn. Entertainment venues already open there include The Big Bang dueling piano bar and FWD pool and night club.

Experience the eclectic nature of Cleveland's Gateway District, home of both Progessive Field and Quicken Loans Arena. Gateway's East 4th Street features entertainment venues such as the House of Blues or Pickwick and Frolic, a comedy complex, restaurant and martini bar. Society Lounge is a recent East 4th St. addition often featuring entertainment. East 4th St. draws people from all over the region to this narrow brick street with lights strung overhead year round, and a restaurant patio-lined pedestrian alley in warmer months. Flannery's, an Irish pub on East 4th St., also offers entertainment on weekends.

Another Gateway District mainstay is Wilbert's, the top dive bar downtown, with above average bar food and with live entertainment most nights. Sports bars in the Gateway District include the Winking Lizard, Harry Buffalo, and Panini's.

The Azure Sun Lounge at the Metropolitan is a 15-story sun deck and lounge offering a DJ or live music on some days and cocktails. There reportedly may be a cover charge for men.

The Cleveland Improv comedy club is located in Nautica in the West Flats, across the Cuyahoga River from downtown. Nautica also is the site of Jacobs Pavilion, a 5, 000-seat venue that is Cleveland's premier downtown outdoor performance venue, offering great views of the Cleveland skyline and river traffic, which might include a giant lake freighter.