Best of Cleveland 2025: Cleveland's Coolest Talents and Entertainment Destinations

Best Americana Band: The Shootouts

Ryan Humbert, Brian Poston and Emily Bates formed the core of The Shootouts with a mission to play tradition-based country music on their own terms. Initially covering classics like Marty Stuart, Dwight Yoakam, Waylon Jennings and Ray Price, the band found its own voice in its original twangy songs on four full-length albums, including its latest Americana-leaning Switchback. “The very first show, I felt like I was hit by a bolt of lightning. And I knew right then that, man, this is maybe what I should have been doing all along,” Humbert says, “and I think the rest of us felt that way, too.” Major success followed. Rolling Stone magazine says that “The Shootouts perfect Rust Belt country.” Band outfits are on view at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. On Oct. 10, The Shootouts celebrate its 10th appearance on Grand Ole Opry. Humbert says “the stars keep aligning” for the band that “started on a whim.” shootoutsmusic.com

Best Community DJ: Corey Grand

Corey Grand says Cleveland is a “DJ city.” If so, the Northeast Ohio-based DJ and producer has something to do with it. Grand has made his own distinct mark on Ohio’s scene by hosting intimate weeknight sets at places like Cordelia, Ohio State football hype parties and home recording sessions called The Monday Program, which are like “Wu Tang but for Cleveland,” he says. The community-driven artist says he wants to be able to DJ anywhere and loves introducing people to new things. “I want to be able to make Cleveland feel a little bit smaller and keep creating these communities,” says Grand, “so once I’m out of it, it’s already afloat and the next generation can take over.” coreygrand.com

Best Crooner: Hayden Grove

Competing on The Voice brought a whole new world of opportunity to Hayden Grove. The former cleveland.com sports social media reporter used to don a suit jacket and only sing at clubs and venues on the side, but he decided to go full-time into music earlier this year after exposure from the popular NBC show. “It’s a challenge that I’ve dreamed of my whole life,” Grove says. “We have faith, and we have the work ethic and the determination to do it and keep running along.” These days, Grove hits all kinds of stages with big bands, small jazz groups or solo, at everything from private parties to community festivals — and typically belting out classics from the Great American Songbook. “The genre picked me. I didn’t pick it,” Grove says. “The first time I heard it, there was this kind of divine connection to this beautiful music.” Expect more soon; Grove collaborated with fellow The Voice contestant Ben Fagerstedt on a batch of new pop-leaning songs set to release by the end of 2025 or early 2026. haydenfrankgrove.com

Best Drag Performer: Onya Nurve

From cook to queen, Cleveland-based drag queen Onya Nurve made 2025 her year. Onya, aka Justin Woody, represented her city with pride as she snatched the title of America’s Next Drag Superstar on Season 17 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Defined by fierce performances and inspiring determination, Onya says her approach to drag is all about authenticity. “A lot of what I’m drawn to comes from me as a person,” she adds. “I’m not necessarily building a persona. It’s kind of like an extension of who I am.” The former Doinks Burger Joint cook is making headlines again as she prepares for a new stage, leading the new national tour of Kinky Boots as Lola while still fresh off her Drag Race victory. “It’s been four years since I started doing drag, and the jump from four years ago to now has just been wild,” says Onya. “I learned that (drag) is about the joy of it all and trying to spread that joy.” instagram.com/onyanurve

Best High-Tech Golf Lessons: 18Lab Golf

The only problem with Northeast Ohio golf? It doesn’t last long enough. Golf simulators are the perfect fix for getting in some swings year-round. While simulators that let you play courses around the world are popular as party destinations, 18Lab Golf in Westlake reimagines the technology as an opportunity to help golfers improve their game. “I wanted to create a facility where you could practice exactly like PGA Tour players,” 18Lab Golf founder Steve Pacino says. This includes bays fit with Trackman Simulators, new Sportsbox AI technology and the largest Putt View putting surface in all of Northeast Ohio. “A lot of people leave out the putting aspect,” Pacino says. “We can replay your swing, see it on high-speed cameras, have all the angles, data, and also work on short game. That’s the all-encompassing aspect of golf.” 18labgolf.com

THIS vs. THAT: Best Indoor Pickleball Facility

Cleveland Pickleball Center

Membership Cost: Free-$75 per month.

The Net Worth: Ten indoor and five outdoor courts in Cleveland.

Making the Team: Kids’
summer camps, adult leagues, daily open play and beginner and advanced lessons keep the game going all year long.

Paddles Down: Celebrate victory (or drown out a loss) at the Bar & Lounge, serving craft beers, non-alcoholic beverages and sporty snacks.

For the Love of the Game: “We’ve designed our center specifically around pickleball,” says president Robert Euerle. “The lighting, spacing, flooring and layout are all intentional, giving players a consistent, pro-level experience.” clevelandpickleballcenter.com

Pickleball Play 365

Membership Cost: $15-$45 per month or $1,200 per year.

The Net Worth: Eight indoor courts in Mentor.

Making the Team: Engage in clinics hosted by pickleball pros, tackle a group lesson with your crew or loosen up and have some fun at themed events. Monthly leagues divided by skill level ensure fair play and friendly competition. 

Paddles Down: Off the court, the pro shop stays stocked with specialty merchandise and equipment.

For the Love of the Game: “It’s not just about transactions here. Our members aren’t just numbers,” says managing director Eddie Corsi. “They’re our friends, our neighbors, our family members. And that’s how we treat them.” pickleballplay365.org

Best Light Show: Illuminate CLE

Cleveland’s ties with the electric lighting go way back to 1879, when inventor Charles Brush debuted the first street lights in America. Now, Illuminate CLE, the permanent display installed by Destination Cleveland in April, has brought things full circle. When the sun sets, the city lights up with the work of Solon-based Vincent Lighting Systems. Brush would be in awe of the dancing projections and ambient lights that glow against some of Downtown’s most iconic structures, including Terminal Tower, Old Stone Church, Key Tower, 200 Public Square and the Cuyahoga County Court House. The effort is both pretty and productive, says David Gilbert, president and CEO at Destination Cleveland. “In addition to making Public Square a visitor destination after dark, Illuminate CLE increases the feeling of safety in and around Public Square,” he adds. “It also has the added benefit of encouraging increased foot traffic in Downtown Cleveland, which leads to more economic activity at our awesome local restaurants and businesses.” thisiscleveland.com/illuminatecle

Best Mixed-Use Library Branch: CPL MLK

Joint development is the future of urban design, and the MLK Jr. branch of the Cleveland Public Library is leading the charge locally. One story above its 25,000 books and other collections, a 207-unit apartment complex spans nine floors. Library Lofts, the first of its kind in Ohio, features oversized windows for a natural-light reading nook in luxury studios and one-bedroom spaces. Not only will you find residents using the library, but also college students, teens, children, professionals from neighboring hospitals and seniors from Fenway and Judson manors. “The library needs to be whatever the community needs it to be and can be whatever the community needs it to be,” says John Lang, chief operating officer of the CPL. “We’ve really intentionally designed for great flexibility and the ability to meet a wide range of needs.” mlk-cpl.com

Best New Music Venue: Globe Iron

Nestled in the West Bank of the Flats, Globe Iron is Cleveland’s newest music venue but already an integral part of its history. The 1,200-capacity, AEG-run venue, previously the Metropolis, Dream Nightclub and Trilogy, has a new life hosting diverse shows, from bigger artists like Osees and MJ Lenderman to the local All Cleveland Fest on Oct. 4. “We’ve been working on this for a little over two years,” says AEG marketing manager Mike Tata. “To watch (Globe Iron) come to fruition has been great. The shows have been doing what we expected and then some.” The positive feedback has been overwhelming, and Globe Iron is continuing to fill its calendar with something for every concert goer, from indie and alternative groups to bluegrass and country bands. “We’re not just a rock club or an indie destination,” says Tata. “It’s a really diverse room, and that’s gonna be something people are excited about.” globeironcle.com 

Best New Pier: The Pier at Bradstreet’s Landing

The Pier at Bradstreet’s Landing is a place where all lovers of the outdoors can co-exist, from kayakers, fishermen, bird watchers and dog walkers. “All of my heart was warmed by seeing all these people down there for different reasons,” Rocky River Mayor Pamela Bobst says. Paired with ample green space in the neighboring park, the 600-foot pier’s under-rail lighting helps you see the stars at night, plus a circular drive for those with mobility issues who still want to enjoy the beauty of the lake from their cars. Ramps provide ADA access, and railings that are lowered and angled offer comfort for users of wheelchairs and walkers. “It becomes this gathering place for people to connect, to their city, to the lake, but most importantly to one another,” Bobst says. rockyriverohio.gov/bradstreets-landing

THIS vs. THAT: Best Public Art Initiative

Reader's Garden

Streetside Surprise: Thirteen gigantic books on the lawn of the Shaker Heights Public Library are open for sitting, feeling and even reading.

Group Effort: Landscape architect Haemee Han’s vision was materialized into aluminum books sculptured by Rustbelt and painted by mural artist Mike Sobeck.

Table of Contents: The minimalist book covers, with titles chosen by Shaker Heights librarians, feature local authors like Celeste Ng’s Little Fires Everywhere, Derf Backderf’s Kent State and Justin A. Reynolds’ Opposite of Always.

Behind the Brush: “It’s public art, but it’s functional,” says project lead Erin Guido of LAND Studio. “It brings color and joy to this amazing resource.” shakerlibrary.org

The Painted Piano

Streetside Surprise: The piano, courtesy of the Willoughby Arts Collaborative, sits on the sidewalk outside Michael Stefan Salon heeding a polite warning: “Playing the WAC piano will cause a random act of joy.”

Group Effort: Painter Delinda Mariani worked with fellow artists Jacob Mariani, Nicholas Mariani and Maya Sims.

Table of Contents: The secondhand piano was transformed with an animal-print motif coined as “Jungle Love.”

Behind the Brush: “We’d been wanting to do some type of interactive performing art,” says WAC president Pat Carroll Bonander. “People have posted pictures of
themselves with big smiles on their faces.” willoughbyartscollaborative.org

Best River Transportation: The Harbor Hopper

This isn’t the Holy Moses Water Taxi of yesteryear, but it might be better. Setting sail in July, Harbor Hopper is your safe ride through The Flats and a fun alternative to those costly Ubers and Lyfts. The ship has multiple stops from the West Bank to the East Bank to BrewDog in Scranton Peninsula. A live online tracker helps you catch your stop, and various ticket offers ($10-$199) include special promotions at restaurants and attractions along the route. Want to do something different for date night? Grab two daily passes ($15-$25 each) and plan your night around a romantic sunset view of Cleveland or a cozy nighttime ride under the skyline. “People are just shocked when they’re on the water, seeing (Downtown) that way versus being on land,” says Brittany Orlando, owner of Cleveland Water Taxi. “Especially at night when everything is lit up. It’s just been a beautiful sight,” clevelandwatertaxi.com

Best Stadium Seats: Lake County Captains Toilet Row and Swingers Paradise

Minor league baseball is all about fun, bold ideas and a sense of humor. In a season that stretched into the league playoffs, the Lake County Captains hit a lot of home runs. Their quirky stadium seats in the Toilet Row and Swingers Paradise were definitely two of them. The toilet seats — yes, they are literally toilets — arrived in summer 2024, in partnership with Roto-Rooter, “as a way to create a fun and exciting option” that is more memorable than a typical seat, says owner and president Alan Miller. Toilet Row features eight non-functional toilet-shaped seats with padded armrests and seat tops positioned behind home plate — “the best seats in the entire house,” he says. Swingers Paradise, located in the top row of Section 109, offers fans a comfortable and laid-back swing to watch the ballgame, perfect for couples and kids. “We are striving to be the first to try new things in this area,” Miller says. milb.com/lake-county

Best Superhero Tribute: The Superman Statue

Superman might be the last son of Krypton, but his origins are in Cleveland, where he began as just a sketch between Glenville High School students Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Now, in the heart of their city, their Man of Steel embodies his name as an 18-foot statue at the corner of St. Clair Avenue and Ontario Street, near iconic sites like The Arcade and Leader Building that starred in the latest Superman blockbuster this past July. “It’s almost as exciting as seeing the real Superman fly overhead,” says Roy Schwartz, a pop culture historian and member of the Siegel & Shuster Society, which helped unveil the Superman statue in August. The stainless steel sculpture, created by artist David Deming, stands proud in a tribute plaza that includes a phone booth holding Clark Kent’s clothes, and statues of Siegel, Shuster and Siegel’s wife, Joanne, who was the model for Lois Lane. “I hope it will do what Superman was always meant to do,” Schwartz says, “which is to instill hope in people.” supermanstatuecleveland.org

Best Unofficial Cavs Mascot: Reggie

The Cleveland Cavaliers newest (and cutest) team member, Reggie, is no Air Bud on the court, but off of it, his job is even more important than baskets and rebounds. The Labrador retriever made history in January as the NBA’s first team service dog in training. In partnership with America’s VetDogs, Reggie will serve a U.S. veteran or first responder with disabilities once he is trained. “He has a primary handler whose job for the first 12 to 15 months is to help him learn basic commands like sit and stay, and be socialized,” says Pam Frasco, Cleveland Cavaliers senior VP of Social Impact and executive director of the Cavs Community Foundation. “That’s kind of where we came into play.” At the time he was brought into the Cavaliers and Cleveland Monsters family, Reggie was an 11-week-old puppy. Now, he’s older, wiser and on the path to completing his training. “This dog is just so incredibly intelligent, and he’s so wonderful,” says Frasco. nba.com/cavaliers

Best Vintage Wedding Rental: Retro Roamer Photobooth

This 1963 Mallard Duckling camper still hasn’t lost its groove — even after Tessa Puruczky restored and converted it into a mobile photo booth, perfect for your next event. Inspired by the charm of ’70s disco, the Retro Roamer is covered in vintage vibes, such as crushed velvet seats, disco balls, bold wallpaper and an eclectic mix of nostalgic props. Each detail is lovingly curated by Puruczky. The one-of-a-kind experience transforms today’s parties and precious wedding memories into far-out timeless treasures. “All of our wedding packages come with a custom photo album, so all the guests can leave a copy of the photo strip and sign their name and leave a little note for the couple getting married,” Puruczky says. For indoor spaces, get down with the Studio 70 setup, a freestanding, vintage-inspired wooden photo booth that gives you unlimited digital snaps. Choose from a collection of professionally styled backdrops to match your vibe and keep the grove going all night long. retroroamerphotobooth.com

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