Best Bars In Cleveland for 2018

Like many cities anywhere, Clevelanders love their bars. Unlike a nightclub or restaurant, the bar is a place where friends gather to catch up, down a few beers, throw shots back, eat good food and make new friends.

Over time, many of the people we go to the bar with become family and lifelong bonds are made. Some bars are upscale while others are “hole in the walls”. Veterans like to go to their local VFW and some people like to go to sports bars to catch the game while other people go to their bar for the wings and drink specials. I like spots where the bartenders are friendly and they free pour. Cleveland has many types of people and there are bars that cater to all types.

Now to be sure, you can have drinks at a restaurant and grab some food at a night club. The bar combines elements of the club and the restaurant and makes for a more intimate experience. The Cleveland Leader has looked high and low to find the best bars in town and it is our hope that your favorite pub made the cut. If not please alert us and we will do our best to include it in the next edition.

Euclid/Willoughby/Eastlake

Beal’s Pickles-n-Pints

One of the most popular watering holes in Willoughby, Pickles-n-Pints specializes in you guessed it…homemade pickles. They have an impressive list of craft beers on tap with such favorites like Guiness, Angry Orchard, Great Lakes Xmas Ale along with unique brews like Tallgrass Strawberry Shortcake and Paulaner Hefeweizen. Their menu is diverse. You can have a burger, fish tacos, mussels or Shrimp Genovese.

36200 Euclid Avenue Willoughby, OH 44094
440-946-7468

Corks Wine Bar

One of the gems of Downtown Willoughby, Corks Wine Bar has a warm vibe that wine lovers across Ohio have grown to love over the years. They have a fine selection of wines by the glass and by the bottle and as a result have been the winner of numerous awards such as the Best Wine List from AOL Cityguide and Best Wine Bar From Cleveland Hotlist. Even if you are not a big wine enthusiast, you will have a great time at Corks.

4084 Erie Street Willoughby, OH 44094
440-918-9463

The Wild Goose

Downtown Willoughby has many restaurants, bars and clubs. The Wild Goose stands out as while it has a top flight menu, The Wild Goose still has the local bar feel to it and the Stone Oven Pizza and 20 draft beers on tap helps sweeten the deal.

4144 Erie Street Willoughby, OH 44094
440-951-6644

Paradise Island Saloon

A Euclid standard, Paradise has live entertainment every week and residents keep the place packed for the outstanding food and service. Daily drink specials such as $5 pitchers of domestic beer on Mondays, $5 Long Island Iced Teas on Weds and $3 Fireball shots on Friday has plenty to do with Paradise Island’s sustained popularity. Signature cocktails like Creamsicle, Granny Smith Apple Martini and the Brunch are favorites.

830 Babbit Rd Euclid, OH 44123
216-732-7101

Shaker Heights/Cleveland Heights/South Euclid

A Touch of Italy

Recently renovated, A Touch of Italy has been a Shaker Heights pit stop for over 30 years. In addition to great pizza and food, A Touch of Italy continues to be the epicenter of Shaker alumni and residents. The ownership and staff have been committed to the area and patrons love the service and atmosphere.

16822 Chagrin Blvd Shaker Heights, OH 44120
216-991-8282

Rudy’s Pub

Even though Rudy’s moved from Shaker Heights to Cleveland Heights, a couple years ago, customers have remained loyal. Perhaps it is the tasty wings and cuisine or the live bands that play every week. Then again it may be the diversity of the clientele. Either way, Rudy’s Pub remains one of the area’s most popular bars.

2191 Lee Rd Cleveland Heights, Oh 44118
216-563-1170

Helen’s Game Time

When you walk in Helen’s Game Time you think Cheer’s. It is one of many places in town where everybody knows your name. This is one of a myriad of reasons why Helen’s remains packed on the weekly basis. Great drink specials and delicious food that is available for dine in take or delivery through Skip the Dishes and Uber eats have contributed to Helen’s continued success.

3962 Mayfield Rd South Euclid, OH 44121
216-297-9910

Christopher’s Pub

If you want a unique, yet familiar experience at a sports bar, Christopher’s Pub is the place you. In addition to the neighborhood pub feel, you can play a few notes on the piano, play some tunes in their jukebox and relax with some of the cheapest drinks in town. In addition to great food and drink specials, Christopher’s Pub has live entertainment weekly.

1318 Warrensville Center Rd Cleveland, OH 44118
216-465-1770

Lakewood

O’Toole’s Pub and Restaurant

Lakewood has a reputation for having outstanding bars and O’Toole’s is one of them. Live bands every and daily drink specials that are some of the best anywhere($2 bottles and $3 craft drafts during Happy Hour) help keep O’Toole’s as one of Lakewood’s hottest bars Some of the favorite menu items include their pizza, wings, fish tacos and tandoori chicken.

13601 Detroit Avenue Lakewood, OH 44107
216-226-5718

Riverwood Cafe

Another Lakewood hot spot, the Riverwood Cafe is reportedly Lakewood’s favorite corner bar. Their daily specials are formidable. Monday 2 for 1 burgers, Free poo and Strip Steak Tuesday and $3 Bloody Marys on Sundays along with $2 Pints during Happy Hour Monday through Friday would make most people take an Uber from Willoughby to partake.

18500 Detroit Ave Lakewood, OH 44107
216-521-9999

Game On Lakewood

The patio at Game On Lakewood make it one of the most frequented bars in Lakewood during the warm months. The menu, drink specials and programming help keep patrons coming in week after week. $5 burger night on Mondays. $2 Taco Night on Thursdays and Tuesday 50 cent wings are a few deals that keep mouths watering in the area.

17103 Detroit Ave Lakewoodf, OH 44107
216-303-9700

16 Bit Bar and Arcade

If you are into classic video games and beer, 16 Bit is where you want to be. They have classic game tournaments, celebrity appearances, and live entertainment. Their signature drinks like the Cheech Marin, Bill Nye, Patrick Swayze and Ice T help you enjoy playing your favorite childhood video games. Gamers finally have a place where you can take your date to AND get a game of Street Fighter II in!

15012 Detroit Ave Lakewood, OH 44107
216-563-1115

Solon/Bedford/Warrensville

Southeast Gears and Cheers

If you are a motorcycle fanatic, you need to stop by. In addition to an extensive menu, Southeast is the perfect environment for bikers and people who love biker culture. Weekly live entertainment and events that are fun for bikers and non bikers such the the Southeast Harley Corn Roast, Kentucky Derby day, Annual Chinese Auction and the Mardi Gras party, Southeast gears and Cheers got you covered if you have a Hog, scooter or no bike at all.

23333 Aurora Rd Bedford Hts, OH 44146
440-232-0029

Mr. Gee’s Bar and Grille

One of the most consistent bars in bedford, Mr. Gee’s has been a local hangout for many years. In addition to drink specials and weekly events, Mr. Gee’s has some great mussels and burgers. Weekly events and great service help keep people returning daily.

593 Broadway Ave Bedford, OH 44146
440-439-6246

Scorchers

Scorchers in Bedford is a Bedford institution. The wings, drinks, and volleyball pit have attracted patrons for a very long time. If you want to shoot pool, watch the game or meet up with friends, Scorchers has been wildly successful in bringing people together from all over the city.

5039 Westlawn Rd Bedford Heaights, OH 44128
216-332-9464

Station 43 Tavern

Started by a retired Solon Firefighter, Station 43 is truly a Solon original. Keys to success include its family atmosphere, plethora of items on the menu, excellent service and firehouse themed decor. These have motivated the community to hold events here and keep the place jumping every week.

39910 Aurora Rd Solon, OH 44139
440-836-0043

Bobby De’s Gateway

One of the most popular bars in Cleveland, The Gateway is widely known for its great food, jello shots, beautiful bartenders and the infamous Red Room. The Gateway has been a go-to night spot for many years in Bedford and fans flock from all over the city and Akron to hang out.

25700 Aurora Rd Bedfoird Heights, OH 44146
440-439-2400

Parma

Zig’s Pub and Grill

Zig’s is one of the best places to watch the game, have some wings and meet with friends.$2 drafts Monday Thru Friday and daily specials that rotate on the daily basis are an added bonus. Pair this with weekly entertainment, and you have all the elements of a classic neighborhood bar.

1854 Snow Rd Parma, OH 44134
216-749-5130

Rookies Sports Bar and Grill

Rookies is the realization of a dream that Tracy, one of the owners had of having her own bar when she started out as a bartender in the same place she now runs. With drink specials such as the $5 Rookie Island and the $3 Rookie Blue, Parma has supported Rookies in a major way. You come stop by and grab a bite to eat and even work on your pool game with 8 Time Wolrd Champion Nick Varner. As a die-hard Eastsider, I would come west for that!

6913 West 130th Street Parma Heights, OH 44130
440-842-0934

Brew House Bar and Grill

One of the premier bars in Parma, Brew House has everything you would want in a bar, especially if you are a football fan. NFL Ticket, over a dozen High Definition Tvs and over dozen craft beers to wash down wings, ribs, burgers and NY Strip Steaks. With regular programming of live bands and DJs, Brew House is a required stop on your bar crawl through Parma.

6395 Pearl rd Cleveland, OH 44130
440-345-5815

The Tavern on 42

They had me at $4.99 Steak Dinner on Mondays. The Tavern on 42 the new kid on the block but they have made substantial inroads with the bar crowd in Parma. $2 domestic bottles and Taco Tuesday where the tacos are just $2 make The Tavern on 42 another place worth coming across town for.

6249 Pearl Rd Parma Hts, OH 44130
440-345-5881

Downtown/West 25th/Tremont

Bar 32

Located on the 32nd floor of the Hilton, Bar 32 is one of the most elegant and exclusive spots in the city. The views are breath-taking and you will definitely make a great impression on your date. This spot is the epitome of upscale and I am sure many marriage proposals have occurred here.

100 Lakeside Ave E Cleveland, OH 44114
216-413-5000

The Clevelander Bar and Grill

If you want to watch the game, this is THE place to do it in Cleveland. Championships have been won and lost, celebrated and mourned here (See 2016 World Champion Cleveland Cavaliers and 2016 World Series Runner Up Cleveland Indians). In addition to having drink and food specials. The Clevelander has been one of the preferred spots that Sports Talk Radio Stations have broadcasted live from for many years.

834 Hurpn Rd E Cleveland, OH 44115
216-771-3723

Dive Bar

One of the most iconic bars in town, Dive Bar has been a favorite for many generations. Even though Dive Bar is in The Flats, It has successfully been able to maintain that neighborhood bar feel that people come from all sides of town and surrounding areas.

1214 West 6th Street Cleveland, OH 44113
216-621-7827

Porca Lounge and Tiki Room

Some of the best cocktails in the city, Porca Lounge and Tiki Room is THE Tiki Bar to go to. Winner of numerous awards such as Best Tiki Bar in America from The Food Network and mad the Best Bars in America List in liquor.com Porca is a god among bars in town and anywhere else for that matter.

2527 West 25th Street Cleveland, OH 44113
216-802-9222

If you liked this, you will also love our Good Restaurants in Cleveland guide.

Mike & Abby Sweeney

About 

Mike & Abby Sweeney are our resident foodies. Their thought process on food is "to give everything a chance." Matt loves craft beers, Italian food, and any play on bar bites. Abby is into wine, cheese, and anything Asian. Together they form a dynamic duo eager to weigh in on any new restaurant!

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About Author

Mike & Abby Sweeney

Mike & Abby Sweeney are our resident foodies. Their thought process on food is "to give everything a chance." Matt loves craft beers, Italian food, and any play on bar bites. Abby is into wine, cheese, and anything Asian. Together they form a dynamic duo eager to weigh in on any new restaurant!

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