📰 Taverne of Richfield's Bold New Era

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Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop.

Joke of the day:

“Why don’t the Cleveland Guardians ever get lost at the ballpark?

Because they always find their way to the diamond!” ⚾😎 (Go Guardians!)

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In today’s 216 Scoop Edition:

• Fireworks & cheer: Beloved Taverne of Richfield celebrates a big, bold dream

• Sound the trumpets: Fast-growing sport of medieval mayhem to make Ohio debut

• Ten Cent Beer Night: Commemorating Cleveland’s craziest night with… beer

• Party early, party late: Twist gets ready for Pride

• Festival weekend starts early with two celebrations

• ICYMI: The 2025 Cleveland Patio Guide: Top bars and restaurants for summer

  
  
  John Petkovic & Victor Takakura

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IN THE NEWS

Fireworks & cheer: Beloved Taverne of Richfield celebrates Olesia’s big, bold dream

Olesia Pochynok had a big, bold dream: To renovate a historic 1886 Victorian building and transform it into an elegant escape that feels like a European inn.

Then everything was thrown into doubt, just as she was conducting a training meeting to prepare for the opening: Ohio announced its stay-at-home order in response to Covid in March 2020.

“I was already scared because it was such a huge project and then everything shut down,” says Pochynok. “I thought I was done and went home and sat and thought, and figured I had to at least try takeout.”

Within days, there were lines in front of Olesia’s Taverne of Richfield, which employed 13 full-time workers to provide family dinners and to-go catering for Easter and Mother’s Day.

“It was a blessing from the gods,” says Pochynok. “I learned so much and made a connection with people in a difficult time.”

The experience adds deeper meaning, as Olesia’s celebrates its fifth anniversary – 6 tonight.  The party doubles as the seasonal unveiling of its patio, and includes food and drink specials, music and fireworks.

It’s also a chance to hit Olesia’s – a stellar, 12,000-square-foot eatery that feels like another time and place.

It boasts two dining rooms, a banquet room, conference area and a basement bar-club. The interior, designed by Architectural Justice, is a deep dive into baroque modern: glowing lights and chandeliers, glass doors, mirrors, intricate wallpapers, moody lighting.

Of course, the calling card is the food.

Pochynok, who moved to the U.S. from Ukraine in 2000, developed her eclectic take on international cuisine during trips across Europe. The vegetarian, vegan and American dishes are borne out of her time in America.

“So many people have responded for the party -- it’s going to be fun,” she says. “But it’s made me think about the work that went into the place, how we were shut down, and the people who believed in our food.”

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Ten Cent Beer Night: Commemorating Cleveland’s craziest night with… beer

The bobblehead giveaway craze didn’t start until 1999. So, what could the Cleveland Indians do to lure fans to an empty stadium in the ‘70s?

Hmm, how about 8-ounce cans of Stroh’s for a dime?

More than 25,000 fans – double the usual count – showed up to partake in Ten Cent Beer Night and watch the Tribe play the Rangers on June 4, 1974.

Great idea – until it wasn’t.

Sixty thousand cans were sold. By the second inning, a woman ran onto the field, flashed her breasts and tried to kiss an umpire. Then a streaking man ran out and slid into second base. (Ouch.)

By the ninth inning, more than 200 drunks rushed the field – leading to 15 minutes of infamy. The riot featured fights, flying cans, flashing knives, firecrackers, bloodied fans and players and clouds of marijuana smoke.

Ah, Classic Cleveland… At the time, it was seen as a stain on the city. Now, it’s celebrated as one of our craziest nights.

From 4:30-6:30 p.m. today, Collision Bend in the Flats will mark the anniversary with a bash that, yes, features beer for ten cents a glass. (Two glasses per person.) More info.

“We initially thought that this could be our worst idea ever, but figured we could use this as the perfect opportunity to bring back the idea as a nod towards Cleveland baseball and celebrate how far we have come,” goes a Collision Bend statement.

Sound the trumpets: Fast-growing sport of medieval mayhem to make Ohio debut

Call it medieval human cockfighting where combatants don full body armor and shields and wield battle axes, maces and swords for epic matches conducted in a cage.

Sound the medieval trumpets for Armored MMA – a brand of cage-fighting that takes combat back to the Middle Ages.

Come Saturday, we’ll get our first glimpse at the fastest-growing sport of savagery when Armored MMA: Medieval Cage Fighting makes its Ohio debut at the Hall of Fame Village by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton. Tickets are going fast. More into.

The roots of the sport go back 900 years. The modern version goes back to the 1990s, when medieval competitions in Russia spread across Europe and Asia.

There are few rules in the three-round bouts. Combatants engage in hand-to-hand combat and martial arts kicks and tricks and forearm blows. The knights are armed with weapons – but don’t worry: They’re blunted and inflict damage by applying force rather than stabbing or cutting.

After all, we wouldn’t want any heads lopped off.

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The 216 Rundown

Party early, party late: Twist gets ready for Pride

Pride in the CLE is Saturday, and the warm-up parties are coming to Twist Social Cleveland. At 9:30 tonight, the West Side gay club will host True Colors Karaoke – your chance to party and sing Pride-themed anthems and classic hits. At 8:30 p.m. Thursday, it hosts Love out Loud Pride Drag show -- hosted by the fabulous Latrice Joy J-Love and featuring performances by Monica Lexin and Anhedonia Delight. More info.

Festival weekend starts early with two celebrations

Rib'N Rock 2025: The saucy chowfest returns to its original location, The Shoppes in Parma – er, Parmatown, as it was called back when Rib’N Rock debuted three decades ago. It features ribbers, vendors, games and bands, and kicks off with a hot dog eating contest. Thursday through Sunday. More info.

St. Francis of Assisi Festival: The Gates Mills church festival rolls out carnival rides and games, food, music and a vintage car show. Thursday through Sunday. More info.

NOTES ON A COCKTAIL NAPKIN

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

ICYMI: The 2025 Cleveland Patio Guide: Top bars and restaurants for summer  

Raise a glass to the golden days of summer… It’s the 216 Scoop Cleveland Patio Guide.

It’s our road map to the best bar and restaurant patios in the area, and we’ll add to and update it over the coming weeks.

Some come with stellar views of skylines, the waterways, streets. Some are secluded getaways from the world. Some pair well with al fresco dining, a glass of wine, and cappuccino.

Check it out here. And feel free to print it out and follow the map through summer.  

VINTAGE CLEVELAND

East Bank Flats, 1980s: From 1985 to 2003, the Watermark on Old River Road defined fine dining in Cleveland. It is now the home of Collision Bend Brewing Company.

Ooh and don’t forget! Tag @The216Scoop on Facebook & @216Scoop on Instagram to get your photos in the Scoop!

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WEATHER

Wednesday, June 4

84 🌡️ 68 | 🌤️ | 25% | 💨 WSW 15 mph (13 knots)

Thursday, June 5

70 🌡️ 63 | ⛈️ | 60% | 💨 W 7 mph (6 knots)

Friday, June 6

72 🌡️ 64 | ⛈️ | 50% | 💨 W 8 mph (7 knots)

_{Please note that weather conditions can change rapidly. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking a reliable local weather service.}

Live Shows in the 216

June 4, 2025

• Ava Preston – Riverdog Retreat (7:30 PM)

• Ben Gage & Emilie Clepper – (5:00 PM)

• Bethany Joy Music – Dunlap's Songwriter Showcase (8:00 PM)

• Black & Blue – West Geauga Recreational Council (6:00 PM)

• Charming Disaster w/ Cowboy Princess Brigade – The Foundry (7:00 PM)

• Cowboy Princess Brigade – The Foundry (7:00 PM)

• Dreadlock Dave – Tommy Boys (7:00 PM)

• Eliza & The Delusionals – Mahall's (7:00 PM)

• Frida – B Side Lounge (7:30 PM)

• Grace Gardner – Mahall's (7:00 PM)

• In The Heartland – Michael Stanley Band Tribute on Goodtime III (7:30 PM)

• In The End – Rockin On The River (7:00 PM)

• Kate Stephenson – Mahall's (7:00 PM)

• Laytonium – Grog Shop (7:00 PM)

• Mr. Jeff – Central Park (10:00 AM)

• MyHeartYourGlove – Kling Thing! (7:00 PM)

• Pete Lazard – Pete Lazard @ Wine Dive (7:00 PM)

• Silkies – Beachland Ballroom & Tavern (8:00 PM)

• Swamps of Jersey – The East Shore Park Club (6:00 PM)

• The Mann – B Side Lounge (7:30 PM)

• The Rapscallions – B Side Lounge (7:30 PM)

• The Local Honeys – Beachland Ballroom & Tavern (8:00 PM)

• Violet Ray – Grog Shop (7:00 PM)

  June 5, 2025

• Bethany Joy Music – Forest City Happy Hour (5:00 PM)

• Charming Disaster + Super Secret Cult Band – The Foundry (7:00 PM)

• Chris Stephens – Weston Skaggs Concert (7:00 PM)

• Cowboy Princess Brigade – Charming Disaster + Cowboy Princess Brigade at The Foundry (7:00 PM)

• Dreadlock Dave – Tommy Boys (7:00 PM)

• Grace Gardner – Mahall's (7:00 PM)

• Laytonium – Grog Shop (7:00 PM)

• Maria Petti – Nora's Public House (7:00 PM)

• Mickey Bell – Cuyahoga Valley Church (7:00 PM)

• Pete Lazard – Pete Lazard @ Gunselman's Steakhouse (7:00 PM)

• Sun Junkies – Akron, OH (8:30 PM)

June 6, 2025

• 1988 – The Shop Bar and Grill (7:00 PM)

• Abbie Gardner – G.A.R. Hall (8:00 PM)

• Alex Dominish – Vermilion Valley Vineyards (6:30 PM)

• Andy Bopp – The Treelawn (8:00 PM)

• Bill Bellamy – Cleveland Funny Bone Comedy Club (9:30 PM)

• Bill Squire – Frrrriddddaaaayyy with Bill Squire (9:30 PM)

• Black & Blue – West Geauga Recreational Council (6:30 PM)

• Company Housing – The Winery at Spring Hill (6:30 PM)

• Dombresky – FWD Day + NightClub (9:00 PM)

• Grunge DNA – Headquarter's Bar and Grill - Brooklyn (8:30 PM)

• Istvan Medgyesi – Beachland Ballroom & Tavern (8:00 PM)

• Jagged Little Pill – The Alanis Morissette Tribute Band – Jilly's Music Room (8:00 PM)

• Mourning Dove – The Winchester (8:00 PM)

• New Constellations – Beachland Ballroom & Tavern (8:00 PM)

• Stupify Disturbed Tribute – Middleburg Heights (8:00 PM)

The 216 Sports Area

Upcoming Games

Guardians

Away vs. Yankees, Wednesday June 4th, 7:05pm EST

Away vs. Yankees, Thursday June 5th, 7:05pm EST

Home vs Astros, Friday, June 6th, 7:10pm EST (Free Shirt Friday)

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