The Most Delicious Dive Bars in Cleveland

Crowley's

★★★★★ 4.7 (36)

"This was my first time at the Eastlake location. Had a terrific Smash burger with fries and onion rings. Definitely my favorite burger spot. The server was very nice and attentive despite the fact that the bar was full. My only negative comment is that the volume of the music was very loud. Good music but we were right near the speakers and couldn't hear each other talk"

Edison's Pub

★★★★☆ 4 (128) • $$

"Fun place, friendly people. Nice choices for libations as well. The oyster event was a lot of fun!"

Backdraft Bar & Grille

★★★★☆ 3.8 (19) • $$

"We ended up here as we were looking for a restaurant that wasn't part of a chain. Growing up in the area - I knew it would be a challenge to find such a place. However, I have no clue how the person who picked this found out about it. It is a BAR - not a restaurant. Being a former drinker, I have not stepped foot in a bar so probably 20 years. Prior to that - this might have been my kind of place. The clientele seemed to be older men. Then some younger men came in much later. The bar tenders were YOUNG and scantily dressed girls. Not slutty, just revealing a lot of skin. It was pretty clear we were the ONLY people just there for the food.So we seated ourselves at a table and the bartender/waitress brought us menus - took our drink orders. The menu had a front and back - and thank goodness - a SALAD FOR ME! The offerings were your basic bar food - and then some. Almost like a diner - burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, daily specials and ONE SALAD. The prices were cheap! All under $10.I got the salad and requested grilled chicken be added. My hubby got the burger and fries and his assistant coach got the pork tacos. Bartended did a pretty good job of keeping our drinks filled (although I was the only one with a fountain drink - but I drink quickly). My salad came out first. Hubby said to go ahead and eat (not politely wait for all food to show up) - as I eat slow. So I did. The salad was like a nice homemade chef salad. Iceberg lettuce with shredded cheese, mushrooms (canned), diced chicken and LOTS of croutons. I don't do croutons so my hubby was happy to take them off my plate. In fact, I think he was glad I didn't eat them as the other orders took FOREVER to come out. That was my observation - but neither of the other 2 with me even commented on the delay in their food. So I guess they were OK.The burger was a nice size and properly prepared - but hubby was surprised that there was no lettuce, tomato, etc. There was, however, LOADS OF FRIES. The fries were nicely deep-fried - to the edge of crispiness. Hubby later said he MIGHT have been able to eat all the fries (he did not) - had he not eaten several dozen of my croutons. I am told the pork taco was good - and they provided a to-go container for the extras and the eater can only eat small portions of food throughout the day. The assitant coach picked up the bill for us all so I don't know what the drinks cost. However, the price of food was so incredibly fair - I imagine they are priced well too.So as I started off by saying - this is a bar, not a restaurant. And for bar food - this is crazy good. And fair priced. I recommend you come here is you're looking for a decent meal at a decent price and want a full bar experience to boot."

Hoopples

★★★★☆ 3.6 (67) • $

"This is one of those iconic Cleveland joints that I have driven by for the past 3 years without ever stopping but had a strong need to go have a drink there. I was at the Foundry for an event and knew that I just HAD to finally go. Best part was that we found out it was taco tuesday! Score!The tacos are 2 for $3 and the speciality tacos are 2 for $6. The speciality tacos this night were a bbq pulled pork with slaw and homemade tortilla strips on top. This taco was absolutely delicious! My sister and I split the tacos so I tried their beef and she tried their chicken one and we both loved our choices. We sat inside since we arrived later at night but I will be back to eat more delicious food and enjoy a drink on the patio."

Rusty Railz

★★★★★ 4.5 (8)

"Great stop in the town of Clinton. Just next to the rr tracks... love the visual and auditory effects!! Great service and great food with a warm welcome because we obviously were not regulars. Friendly people with great service what more can you want with a cold beer in a bottle?!! No draft beers here!"

Leather Stallion Saloon

★★★★☆ 4.1 (17) • $

"Located on St. Clair (more appropriately St. Sleaze Street), the Leather Stallion is the old standby bar of the gay Leathermen/levy crowd. It's been home base to a few of the gay motorcycle clubs like the Unicorns and a general watering hole for the "bear," s&m, bdsm crowd for many years. But, as with most bars of this type, gradually slipping out of fashion and style with the younger uninitiated set. You don't enter through the front door. Instead you proceed down a small alleyway entering through a side door or, at times, going to the end of the alleyway there is an open entrance directly onto a large outdoor patio area. The Leather Stallion is generally a fun place to visit even if you aren't a part of the Leather crowd. Indeed, it is now home bar for a good number of gay leather queen or leather lite wannabe types discovering their way through the leather circuit of life. The place opens daily at 4:00pm regardless that the front door says 3:00pm. On weekends they used to have great, really fun type barbecues (technically grilling) with offerings of hamburgers. Leave it to some leather queen to be unable to get the signs coordinated for nearly a decade. The patio area is large with yet a patio bar out back. There are plenty of tables and in the patio and because of the ivy shrouded walls surrounding the patio area, has a very pleasant outdoorsy type of ambiance to it.The inside area has a lobby of sorts and you step down into the main bar. Most of the patrons are fun loving, pleased to meet newcomers and enter into conversation.The place has been here seemingly forever, and because it is rather popular I am amazed that I am the first to review it."

Mars Bar & Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.8 (132) • $$

"I've been here three times in past six months and I just have to say that their truffle rosemary fries are so freaking delicious. The first two times I went to Mars Bar, my husband and I ordered drinks and split the ginormous order of fries and were deeply satisfied. During my most recent visit, we came with friends and all ordered meals. Everyone was happy. The service was quite slow but that is to be expected with the state of things right now. Regardless, our server was friendly and although she didn't write anything down, somehow managed to remember everyone's orders correctly.I really like the vibe here and they're in a great location right on Madison. I'll continue to come back, mostly to eat a huge bowl of truffle fries and cocktails :)"

Streets Tavern

★★★★☆ 4.2 (11) • $

"One of the best little Hideaway bars in Streetsboro. Might be a little bit hard to find but look for the side. Recently renovated. And under new ownership the buffalo wings are fantastic the beer is cold the wait staff is extremely friendly.Weekly specials check their website or Facebook page"

Becky's

★★★★☆ 3.7 (116) • $

"Definitely a dive bar.Not a "classy or upscale" establishment. Parking is limited. BUT, drinks are cheap, well made, and the food is classic fried inexpensive "bar food". This is a place for locals who don't want to dress up and pay high prices for cocktails downtown. We go here during home games at CSU and order cheap pitchers of beer to share and get excellent treatment by the staff. They really love having CSU students and families come in."

Now That's Class Lounge

★★★★☆ 4.1 (56) • $

"My first visit to NTC did not disappoint. Drunk lady passed out on the bar? Check. Intoxicated crackheads advocating keeping other crackheads out of the bar? Double-check. Girl from a band brushing her teeth in the bathroom? Triple-check. Dirt cheap drinks and a random, indoor skateboarding ramp? All the checks. The bartender was a sweet little lady with an English accent. Go see her on Wednesdays and she'll take great care of you. The riff-raff was on point and quite entertaining, yet she handled it with poise and grace. Just about the only thing I didn't like were the guys who smelled the entire bar up with body-odor, slinging racial slurs in Italian like it was A-OK to be an a-hole. Nope. But they aren't the regular clientele. Can't wait to come back to this divey piece of awesome."

McNamara's

★★★★★ 4.6 (17) • $

"I love this bar. It's one of the best kept secrets in Cleveland -- and as queer and cliched as that sounds, it's TRUE. As far as Mick bars in Cleveland go this has got to be one of the greatest. (Sorry, no offense -- I'm Italian. You can call me a dago or any other ethnic slur you can think of, deal?) It looks kinda sketch from the outside but I assure you, it's NOT on the inside! All of the other patrons are super friendly as well as the bartenders."

Chestnut Beer Garden

★★★★★ 5 (5)

"I love this little dive bar. This place is pretty basic, so don't go in with high expectations or in the mood for a craft beer.Bud Light and Busch are the only beers on tap, with limited varieties available in the bottle. However, there is a wide variety of liquors and the bartenders are always super friendly and make some strong drinks. Don't be intimidated by the exterior, this is a very warm and inviting bar, and I guarantee you will be safe. Kelly, the regular bartender, doesn't take shit from anyone and won't hesitate to throw out the creepers. Definitely one of my favorite watering holes, and you'll always meet some interesting people."

Clark Bar

★★★★☆ 4.3 (14) • $

"LOVE the Clark Bar! Scott runs a great bar! Its the last bar in Tremont that the Gleuten Free, Vegan, Yoga people havnt yuppified. I kind of reminds me of old school South Side of Cleveland. Most of the patrons work for a living and dont have mommy and daddys handouts. Sunday breakfast is awesome (if they have eggs)..lol. I always take my friends from out of town here and we end up staying all afternoon drinking with Robert and the old black dude noone can understand. I wouldnt have it any other way. I probably should delete this review because next Sunday it will be packed.. I wouldnt bring kids and the juke can still be set as loud as a Saturday nite. Its always a party there!! Jam out with your clam out!"

Mr Lee's Bar And Grill

★★★★☆ 4.4 (29) • $

"Food was ready upon pickup. Wait staff staff wearing masks and was friendly and nice. Bar clean. Food per hubs was good."

Sunset Harbor Bar and Grille

★★★☆☆ 3 (124) • $$

"I loveeeee this place. I love the location right on the water, we sat on a table on the pier! We got the seafood cake appetizer and it was AMAZING. Best thing I've ever had. Had the gyro too and that was very yummy. Waitresses were very nice and personable. Great dinner."

Frogtown Johnnies

★★★☆☆ 3 (35) • $

"Alright so here is the deal... I've been searching for the best service around town, and I found exactly that at frogtown johnnies. Carmen and Bob were by far the best waiter & waitress their. Carmen makes the most excellent popcorn while Bob serves the best alcohol. Thank you will be back"

Jamestown Tavern

★★★★☆ 4.2 (32) • $

"Visited Jamestown Tavern recently for dinner. We had a group of 10 people and we were seated immediately. It took a while to get food and drinks, but we were not in any hurry. We ordered a bunch of food and drinks, including pizza, sandwiches, bone-in and boneless chicken wings, and nachos.My hot Italian sub was hot and delicious. The nachos were decent too. The bartender was nice and the atmosphere at this bar was great. The bar is well kept, had friendly clientelle, and there was a DJ as well as a digital juke box. Everyone liked their food and we all agreed that we would return in the future. Great bar!"

Union House Bar & Restaurant

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (37) • $

"My wife and I stopped here for lunch while we waited on an oil change at our Kia dealer. The fish sandwich was awesome and the staff super nice snd friendly. We met the owner who was incredibly nice snd has great plans to extend the menu; her family also owns Whiteys which is a great place in Richfield. We will definitely stop back."

306 Lounge

★★★★☆ 3.6 (9) • $

"Stopped in for the first time ever after passing this place for years. Was greeted very warmly by the staff and had awesome service from the bartenders. We enjoyed our food too, so all around a nice visit. We'll be back and try other things on their menu!"

Sail Inn

★★★★☆ 4.1 (14) • $

"After a long day riding roller coasters at Cedar Point, my friends and I decided to try some local Sandusky flavor before turning in. Sail In is exactly what we were looking for. They have your standard selection of bar food-- cheese sticks, French fries, burgers, sandwiches-- at fair prices as well as great daily specials. The night we went, their special was a cheeseburger, fries, and slaw for $5! Naturally, I took the deal and I did not regrets choice. The burger and fries hit the spot perfectly! They make their slaw in house and it's pretty good but needed just a bit extra salt and pepper. On top of the good prices and food, the service was great! It appeared that our server was also the only employee there that night yet she took our drink and food orders promptly and our food came out quickly."

Iron Pony Saloon

★★★★☆ 3.5 (36) • $$

"Second try of this place and liked my food even more this time. My husband and I both ordered the open faced roast beef and it was delicious ! Portions were more than enough . Would eat again!"

Ridgewood Inn

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (25) • $$

"Yes, this is a dive bar in need of a facelift for more years than I can remember. In fact, they just now went from cash only to taking credit cards. But let me tell you, hands down, this joint has the best Lake Erie Perch dinner you'll ever taste! The coleslaw and fries are delicious and really compliment the perch. Likewise, the pierogies are out of this world.It's a shame but this place just does not get the credit it deserves."

The Oriole Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.6 (42) • $$

"While there are some who would turn their nose up to my willingness to award the Oriole 5 stars, I simply do not care. Why? Because I'm comparing it against similar bars, and by doing so, the Oriole Cafe is deserving of the high marks. The food is inexpensive and delicious, the kitchen stays open LATE (even on weeknights) albeit with a smaller "Late Night" menu.They have some of the best wings in town, and if you have read my reviews, you'll know that Danny Like Wingy. So, yeah, I'm kind of an expert. Friendly staff, plenty of TV's, and down to earth patrons make the Oriole worthy of my 5 stars."

Sportsman's Tavern

★★★★☆ 4.4 (9) • $

"Great beer and a nice location. The bartenders are always very polite and attentive and you'll never be forgotten. The food is better than what you would expect from a typical divebar but is still not a place for children. Don't forget to try taco Tuesdays as well."

Yellow Dog Saloon & Grill

★★★★☆ 4 (10) • $

"Nice find. Little bar on Mosquito Lake. Smoke their own chicken, pork, and beef. Pretty cool. Got a burger and my friend got the smoked roast beef. Both were really good. Note that the bread does not hold up to the roast beef. Fell right apart and had to eat the messiness as pieces not a sandwich. They also have fresh cut fries. Could have been crunchier but were ok. What I need to note is that the place is uber clean. Walked in and smelled clean. Love that. Outside looks pretty divey. Inside is ok. Bartender was great and helpful. Seemed like lots of regulars stop by The Bartender told us that they have specials everyday and every Friday. Also a band plays in the summers.Seems like a nice place. I would definitely hang out and go back. The beer options are decent too. They have drink specials too. I got a tangerine beer that was great!"

Whiskers Pub

★★★★☆ 3.8 (5) • $

"Local bar. No frills. Good service. Cheap drinks compared to other places. Lots of locals. Not bad for a quick drink before heading home after a long day at work."

Mill Tavern

★★★★☆ 3.8 (8)

"Always a positive experience at the Mill. They have a long bar for good seating. A handful of tables. They have a few TVs and Keno. Good beer selection, generous pours on drinks, and good bar food. Fish fry was pretty good. Nice portions."

Abc the Tavern

★★★★☆ 4 (137) • $

"I don't get to Cleveland much, but I'm glad I got to ABC the Tavern last time I was there. Our group of four enjoyed a pre-dinner drink and some shared apps before visiting the Black Pig (another Ohio City gem), then two of us went back after dinner for another drink. It was bloody Marys all around for us, and they were spicy-licious - best I've had in a while. Service was fine, especially considering how packed the place was. And the people watching was great."

Caddyshak Inn

★★★★☆ 4.4 (37) • $

"Great dive bar. Bar keep was friendly. Chips, chicken tenders and fries mushrooms were good. Was introduced to a peanut butter whiskey, which was pretty amazing."

Grog Shop

★★★★☆ 4.1 (93) • $

"Looking for a spot to catch a show and have some Grog? Well this Shop is it as who doesn't love a good old fashioned punk show on a weekday night!Coming here I wasn't all too sure what to expect but what I found was an awesome little venue that was just super fun the whole night away!This is a decent sized place with a good amount of floor space to mosh and chill on with the stage kinda in the corner basically everywhere is a decent view as long as your talk enough!Parking here was easy for me as I found a spot on the streets before the venue and it wasn't the only one so I know that is always a relief!Some of the shows here can sell out so if you know about it in advance then definitely take advantage of the presale if there is one!Overall it was a show it sounded good the people who worked at the venue were nice and it was a good time so with that it sure I'll be back here again at some point to see Leftover Crack or who knows who else either way I'll see you in the pit!"

Ugly Broad Tavern

★★★★☆ 4.3 (18) • $

"This is a Cleveland bar. It's got a pool table, a rottweiler, a country-music blaring jukebox, and regulars who didn't get the memo about the city-wide smoking ban... and I absolutely love it. The owner is a nice lady who sits at the bar and shoots the shit with you for a minute. The rottweiller, Shiloh, is the sweetest dog you'll ever meet. If you stick a dollar in your back pocket, she'll steal it and let you chase her around the pool table. [Shiloh's dollars end up in a donation jar to help fight breast cancer.]Cleveland bars are generally cheap, but this one is ultra-cheap. Also it has inexpensive and amazing bar food. We always end up ordering mozzarella sticks in the "keep 'em coming" kind of way. Grab a game of pool or watch a game on one of the TVs.... Play around on the jukebox [which has non-country music too] and marvel at the John Wayne-themed bar [no joke]...All the while not breaking the bank. [$1 Genny cans are the real deal here]. I've gone here with just boys, mixed groups, and just my group of girlfriends and have always been please in every situations. No weirdos talk to you. It's just a bunch of locals trying to forget about the day and I'm happy to join them. It's such a great dive that even the Ugly Broad cartoon mascot [who is REALLY ugly] couldn't keep me away. Five stars!"

Beachland Ballroom and Tavern

★★★★☆ 4.2 (175) • $$

"I've had the pleasure of coming here on a few different occasions, the biggest being CleMosh 2023 and 2024. The fact that they have two stages just adds to the excitement and the experience! The festivals I've been to draws in really great crowds metal heads who never made me feel unwelcome or unsafe. That is a sure thing I can say, if you're at a metal show you will be a safe, wild and well coming community! the actual venue is very beautiful, the main stage is lit with dazzling and fun lights! There feels like there is a rich history of joyous excitement bedded into the walls! You can feel the atmosphere change in a great when you walk though the doors! I've only tried their chicken tenders and fries from the tavern but I will say it was the most delicious mouthwatering bites I've had after dancing around and having the time of my life fr hours! If ever have the opportunity to see a band play here, definitely take it!You won't regret it! Also side note, there is a really cute antique shop in the basement that is worth checking out!"

Harbor Inn

★★★★☆ 4.3 (42) • $

"Fun old school seafarers type bar. Authentic right down to the patina and cheap drinks. If this your type of place, check it put! If your idea of a seafarers bar is a Margaritaville place with paintings of happy lobsters on the walls...probably not! Not open Monday or Tuesday. Not sure about Sundays."

Jose's Landing

★★★★★ 4.7 (15) • $

"We were back in Canton on our way home from the scary, deep south, and I have to admit it feels downright civilized! It helps that we stopped by Jose's. I haven't been there in years, and they have made a lot of improvements. The outside area, looking toward the lake, is great this time of year. There was a breeze, and I just love the new (to me?) bistro lights. I was a tiny bit sad to find the pinball machine AWOL, but then I promptly forgot after (downing too many Chilled Fireballs and) discovering the super fancy iTunes jukebox. That kept me AND the hubby entertained, which is no small feat. You see, he likes country (which makes little sense given he's foreign and has only lived in the north), and I like to get crunk. Anyway, we both found lots to like, and no one even seemed to notice how incompatible our tastes are. Long story short. This was a great night out for me and the hubs. We got a break from the kids, we didn't blow a ton of cash, and we were only a *little* buzzed when we woke up the next morning. (Next time I'm sticking to three drinks!)"

Close Quarters Pub

★★★★☆ 4.1 (42) • $

"The name says it all bar, kitchen and storage area, can't be more than 500 square feet. Yet they produce some of the best wings! I love this lil hole in the wall. I use to live like 5 houses down from it on the lake side. It was always fun to roller skate and if I was lucky I could get a tow back home from a passing car or bike. Great people! Great drinks good times! I miss life on the Great Lake Erie"