Sound Check
Rock out at one of these great live music venues.
the beachland ballroom and tavern
Opened in 2000 at a former Croatian community center, this North Collinwood club has two stages: one in the 500-capacity main hall, the other in the tiny bar at the front of the building. This Way Out, a small vintage shop housed in the basement, and Beachland Brunch every Sunday give you two more reasons to visit. 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com
the brothers lounge
Brothers Lounge has a legacy of live music that stretches back to 1959. Blues legends such as Buddy Guy and B.B. King have played the place over the years. But a massive, mid-2000s renovation made the spot what it is today, a combination music hall, pub and wine bar that has managed to maintain a vintage feel. 11609 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, 216-226-2767, brotherslounge.com
grog shop
With its low ceiling and graffiti-lined walls, the second incarnation of Cleveland Heights' Grog Shop, which hosts a full slate of indie rock acts, has all the gritty charm of the original location down the street. The B Side Liquor Lounge downstairs hosts DJs, while comedians periodically take over the club's main stage. 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs
Happy Dog
A true dive bar in all the best ways, Happy Dog has become one of the city's most popular spots for live local music. Don't miss the quarter-pound hot dogs ($5, with your choice of 50 complimentary toppings) or the Underdog, Happy Dog's basement hangout. 5801 Detroit Ave., Cleveland 216-651-9474, happydogcleveland.com
house of blues
Located in the former Woolworth's building at Euclid Avenue and East Fourth Street, House of Blues has a Big Easy vibe and a balcony overlooking the main stage. The Crossroads at House of Blues restaurant offers a place to grab a bite, and don't forget to check who's playing the cozy Cambridge Room. 308 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com
Beer Cheer
Raise your glass to these five local breweries.
The BottleHouse Brewing Co.
Brian Benchek and Dave Schubert produce about nine barrels a week from among their 27 styles of small-batch beers, including the Confusion Ale that combines ale and lager yeasts. Drink This: Red Dwarf ($6/draft). 2050 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-214-2120, thebottlehousebrewingcompany.com
the brew kettle
What originally started as both the Ringneck Brewing Co. and the Brew Kettle in 1995 eventually became known as just the Brew Kettle. Keeping its popular brew-on-premise concept, it churns out seven year-round favorites and seven seasonals. Drink This: White Rajah ($4/draft). 8377 Pearl Road, Strongsville, 440-239-8788, thebrewkettle.com
great lakes brewing co.
Cleveland's microbrewing movement started here 25 years ago, with Patrick and Daniel Conway. Great Lakes sailed past microbrewery status in the late '90s and now its brewing plant produces around 125,000 barrels annually. Drink This: Eliot Ness Amber Lager ($5/draft). 2516 Market Ave., Cleveland, 216-771-4404, greatlakesbrewing.com
market garden brewery
Market Garden typically has no less than a dozen of its own beers on tap. The on-site brewery's 1,600 barrels a year include some high-alcohol, high-hop beers, but also several "session beers" — brews with 5.5 percent ABV or less, so you can have a few in a single sitting. Drink This: Boss Amber Lager ($5/draft). 1947 W. 25th St., Cleveland, 216-621-4000, marketgardenbrewery.com
willoughby brewing co.
The brewery, housed in an old trolley car repair facility, always offers five year-round styles and two seasonals. Putting out 1,000 barrels a year, it pays special attention to pale ales, striving for a hoppier flavor than other IPAs. Drink This: Rusty Rail Pale Ale ($4.25/draft). 4057 Erie St., Willoughby, 440-975-0202, willoughbybrewing.com
