For major events such as All-Star weekend, the Ohio Division of Liquor Control allows bars and restaurants to apply for an exemption that lets those establishments serve alcohol until 4 a.m. — an hour-and-a-half past Ohio’s 2:30 a.m. usual last call.
In 2016, Cleveland bars and restaurants had the opportunity to apply for extended hours ahead of the Republican National Convention. More than 240 extensions were granted in the city of Cleveland.The logic behind this makes sense: If a lot of people are coming to town for a major event why not let Cleveland bars and restaurants make a couple of extra bucks serving visitors who want to party until the wee hours of the morning.
But does it pay off? Maybe not.
“With the RNC, we never ended up being open that late,” says Michael Boland, a manager at Mabel’s BBQ, one of downtown Cleveland’s most visible restaurants and bars. “Maybe for some clubs it might make a difference. But for us it didn’t — for the RNC at least.”
Instead of business being driven by high-profile events, Boland tells us that it tends to be driven by whether or not there is a game in town or an event at the convention center. He predicts that the weekday festivities such as the Playball Park fan experience should bring an uptick of business during the day, but that it doesn’t correlate to more business late at night.
“Maybe because it’s Cleveland, people aren’t trying to stay out until 6 a.m.?” he says.
Here is the full list of bars permitted to stay open late:
House of Blues, 308 Euclid Ave.
Clevelander Bar and Grille, 834-36 Huron Road
Lago, 1091 West 10th St.
Harry Buffalo, 2120 East 4th St.
TownHall, 1909 West 25th St.
Barley House, 1261-65 West 6th St.
Rebol, 101 West Superior Ave.
Chocolate Bar, 347 Euclid Ave.
Tenk Building, 2111 Center St.
Flannery's Bar, 2082 East 4th St.
Mabel's BBQ, 2050 East 4th St.
Lola Bistro, 2058 East 4th St.
Crazy Horse, 1438 St. Clair Ave.
Parnell's Pub, 1501 Euclid Ave.
Nano Brew, 1859 West 25th St.
Bier Markt/Bar Cento, 1948 West 25th St.
Market Garden Brewery, 1947 West 25th St.
Wild Eagle Saloon, 921 Huron Road
Metropolitan at the 9, 2017 East 9th St.
Jack Casino, 100 Public Square.
Larry Flynt's Hustler Club, 1101 Center St.
Renaissance Cleveland, 24 Public Square
The Treehouse, 820 College Ave.
City Tap, 748 Prospect Ave.
Whistle & Keg, 812 Huron Road
Wonder Bar, 2044 East 4th St.
Aloft Cleveland Hotel, 1111 West 10th St.
The Corner Alley, 402 Euclid Ave.
Cleveland Marriott Downtown, 127 Public Square
Beerhead Bar & Eatery, 1156 West 11th St.
Ritz-Carlton, 1515 West 3rd St.
Silver Grille, 200 West Prospect Ave.
Cleveland Crowne Plaza, 1260 Euclid Ave.
Doubletree by Hilton, 1111 Lakeside Ave.
Hilton Cleveland Downtown, 100 Lakeside Ave.
Red the Steakhouse, 417 Prospect Ave.
Diamond Club, 1628 Fall St.
Rumor Bar & Lounge, 1266 W. 6th St.
Greenhouse Tavern, 2038 E 4th St.
Nick's Sports Corner, 612 Prospect Ave.
A.J. Rocco's, 812 Huron Road.
Westin Cleveland Downtown, 777 St Clair Ave.
The Nauti Mermaid, 1378 W 6th St.
Moriarty's Bar, 1921 East 6th St.
Wilbert's, 812 Huron Road
Mac's Sports Grill, 17426 Harvard Ave.
Velvet Dog, 1280 West 6th St.
ABC Tavern, 1872 West 25th St.
XYZ Tavern, 6419 Detroit Road.
Ontario Street Café, 2053 Ontario St.
Rebar, 2130 East 9th St.
Gateway Bar & Grill, 651 Huron Road
Hyatt Regency, 420 Superior Ave.
Victory Alley, 721 Bolivar Road.
Christie's Cabaret, 1180 Main Ave.
Johnny's Downtown, 1406 West 6th St.
Panini's, 840 Huron Road.
Winking Lizard, 1301 East 9th St.
Liquid, 1212 West 6th St.
Brickstone, 2217 East 9th St.
Magnolia, 1167 Front Ave.
FWD, 1176 Front Ave.
Pickwick & Frolic, 2035 East 4th St.
Park Social Lounge, 1299 West 9th St.
