Best of Cleveland 2017: Wacky Bar Events

There’s only one place in Cleveland where you can see cats dressed as Great Gatsby characters — and get a drink. That’s at Lakewood’s Yuzu. On Saturday afternoons during the summer, and Friday and Saturday nights in the colder months, owner Dave Bumba comes up with wild events. He’s held a Bobsterfest, after the TV show Bob’s Burgers, during which he served a burger of the day. One couple even showed up as Aunt Gayle and Mr. Frond. There’s been true crime meetups, a dog prom, Disney karaoke and even a CharDee MacDennis contest, the ridiculous drinking contest from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Mark your calendar for the Parks and Recreation-themed Trick or Treat Yo Self Oct. 14 and Oct. 28’s Rage in a Nick Cage where the actor’s Con Air and National Treasure battle it out on screen. “It’s all about injecting fun,” says Bumba. “In Lakewood, there are either serious cocktail bars or dive bars. We aim somewhere in the middle.” 13603 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 440-799-8343, yuzulakewood.com