🍻 Cleveland’s Oldest Bars

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop. Ever sipped a beer in a place older than your grandparents? We found the bars that make it possible 👴🍺

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We built this city on rock 'n' roll? Try booze in a bar.

Cleveland’s first permanent settler, Lorenzo Carter, opened the city’s first saloon. And we’ve had tens of thousands come and go.

Check out our list of the oldest bars still going, below in The 216 Rundown. Some go back to the 19th century.

Clevelander Tom Kaschalk has been fascinated by bars since growing up in the Union-Miles neighborhood – and he’s written a book about it, “Cleveland's Neighborhood Taverns: A Pub Crawl Through History.”

“In the 1960s, there were 1,700 within the city limits,” says Kaschalk. “After fighting in World War II, soldiers would buy buildings, open bars and live upstairs.”

Most catered to Polish, Slovenian, Czech and Hungarian immigrants. Black culture thrived in bars like Gleason’s and Corner Bar (owned by famed boxing promoter Don King) in an area dubbed “Cleveland's Harlem.”

“Racial tensions and white flight to the suburbs in the ‘60s started a decline,” he says. “But we still have so many great old bars.”

At 8 p.m. Thursday, Kaschalk will hit Happy Dog to talk about the city’s glorious bar history. More info.

The Ugly Broad personified dive bar and, over 50 years, became one of Cleveland most storied places.

Jake and Molly Zard are working on bringing a new set of stories, with their demon child of metal and pinball wizardry… Black Magick.

The couple purchased the watering hole – whose motto was ‘The Best in Beer and Bullshit” -- after Ugly Broad owner Sherry Perry decided to retire.

“My wife and I are avid pinball players, and we listen to metal and punk rock,” says Zard, a member of Cleveland Pinball League. “We’re doing a bar that we would like to hang out in.”

After spending years shopping for a spot, they jumped at the chance to take over the 1924 building as soon as they saw it.

“The bar was beat up and we’ve had to a lot of demo work,” he says. “But the space is perfect – and we get to honor the Ugly Broad legacy.”

The Zards will display the iconic sign inside and serve a menu consisting of “hi-ball cocktails,” bottles and cans, and a few food items. But the motto – “Live Slow, Flip Fast” – says it all.

“Stoner, sludge, Motorhead, Sabbath, punk,” says Zard. “And pinball – that’s what it’s about.”

Terrible news. The Red Chimney, a Slavic Village institution that was featured in the new Superman movie, suffered extensive damage in a fire on Tuesday.

In a social media post, owners wrote: “The Red Chimney suffered a devastating fire earlier today. While the loss is immense and heartbreaking, we are profoundly grateful that no one was injured. The outpouring of support from our incredible community has been nothing short of overwhelming. We’ve been deeply touched by the visits, the kind words, and the unwavering loyalty shown by so many customers, friends, and family members who have rallied around us. The road ahead will undoubtedly involve challenges, but the love and support you've shown us fuels our determination to rebuild.”

According to Cleveland Fire, the building that houses the restaurant and apartments sustained $300,000 in damage. There were no injuries.

The Red Chimney opened in 1970 and has retained its original look all these years. It is closed indefinitely.

Cleveland is lucky to have so many old joints.  Raise a glass to the oldest…

Hotz Café: The 1919 Tremont jewel entertained Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Ty Cobb. The bottle-cap stools and shuffleboard game look like museum pieces.

Jerman’s: This 1908 gem is in a house and has a worn-but-vintage look and feel. The stories are as vintage as the décor – like when Eliot Ness used to raid the place.

Greenville Inn: This storied roadhouse claims to be the oldest saloon in area, with an opening in the late 1800s.  It looks like the backdrop to some old western.

Herb's Tavern: It’s been kicking since the 1920s and operating as Herb's for 62 years. The décor and vibe transcend time.

Dover Gardens Tavern: It goes back to the late-1800/early-1900s. DGT was a general store (and bootlegger during Prohibition) before reverting to a bar after the repeal.

Guarino’s: Opened in 1918, this classic Italian joint attracted colorful characters – from Dean Martin to old mobsters Moe Dalitz and James "Jack White" Licavoli.

White Oaks: A vintage gem of a joint that's been open since 1928 and looks like something out an old black-and-white movie.

Close Quarters: This 1930s spot is so cozy that a dozen drinkers will pack the place. Time stands still.

DePompei's: DePompei's, you see, dates back to 1934 and little has changed ever since – from the fabulous rectangular bar to the woodwork.

Academy Tavern: Larchmere has antiques shops. But is there a find that's more classic and vintage than this 1939 spot?

Gunselman's Tavern: Many bars roll out a "speakeasy" theme, but this 1936 spot looks like one you'd see in an old gangster flick.

Harbor Inn: This comfy symbol of the Old Flats has attracted beer guzzlers since 1895. The bowling machine is a beaut and the vibe is timeless.

Merry Arts: Art Carver opened Merry Arts in 1932 in the middle of the Great Depression. As the story goes, Art was so merry that his pals suggested the name Merry Art’s.

Parma Café: The pink flamingo says Parma, but this circa-1934 joint resides in another time – when it was a regular stop after a shift in the factory.

Clark Bar: The 1930s Tremont watering hole rolls out vintage vibes and look of an old-timer. There are also a bunch of stuffed monkeys on the wall.

The Flat Iron Café: It’s been open since 1910 – when iron and ore workers would stop in for a beer and stumble out after a dozen. Still has a worker vibe.

Crobar/Croatian Tavern: Check out the classic bar stools, the vintage Stroh’s sign, the woodwork in this 1921 joint.

Sachsenheim Hall: Opened in 1895 as a private club, it went public in 1910 – and kept on serving during Prohibition. Love the taco nights.

The Rowley Inn: Located across from the Christmas Story house in Tremont, this 1906 gem was a regular stop for the cast during filming of the 1983 movie.

Parkview Nite Club: "The joint at the end of 58th Street," as the Parkview calls itself, opened in 1934. But the dive bar goes back to the 1920s, when it was a speakeasy.

Lakewood Village Tavern: Madison Avenue is the Embassy Row of old dive bars — and this circa-1939 spot is the oldest. Little has changed since the ‘70s.

Der Braumeister:  The German spot started as a speakeasy in 1925, then a men's-only bar, then Herzog's and finally the DB. Prost!

👉 View Listing on Zillow

It’s always ‘80s night somewhere, but this is a full-on time machine.

At 7:30 tonight, Lost ‘80s Live hits MGM Northfield Park no less than nine hitmakers and MTV stars from the decade.

Whoa, it’s A Flock of Seagulls, General Public, Icicle Works, The Vapors, Big Country, China Crisis, Belouis Some, Josie Cotton and the Polecats. Rad, totally. More info.

Jaywalkers cross West 25^th Street and Lorain Avenue, 1951.

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