In Cleveland for the National? Local ideas on what to do...

[jobathenut]

That's a darn shame that alice's place closed.And i would say without the alice cooper's photos and items,well then it did change.It's just a bar now.

They switched the name of Cooper'stown to Local Heroes (or something similar). Its still there and open, just a different name. Nothing really changed, except they took out all the photos of Alice.

[Basketball-collector]

I can tell you that I treat the trip to the Cleveland National as a mini-vacation. I'm not the type of guy that just has dinner at a Dennys & goes back to the hotel. Hell no - I do something substantial every single evening while I'm in Cleveland.

I usually go downtown most of the time. Since I'm a big music fan, I like to see some live music. For example, in 2007 I saw the band "Erasure" at the House of Blues and this past Wednesday night, I saw "Sugar Ray" there. I wish I was still in town to see "Ratt", who played there tonight.

[suicide_squeeze]

A few people have pinged me they are in town for the National, and asked about where to go etc. So here is the opinion of a married guy, in his mid 30s who doesn’t go out that much, but works downtown.

Downtown:
Downtown is split between the E. 4th area by the stadiums and the warehouse district (W. 6th and W. 9th Street).

Go to the warehouse district if you want to: Eat good steak / fish (Chophouse, Johnny’s), eat a lot of meat Brazilian steakhouse style (Brasa Grill), eat Sushi (Sushi Rock), enjoy a glass of wine (D’Vine Wine Bar), drink a lot (various), dance to really loud music with a glow stick (various). If you do any of the latter, best drunk food is Panini’s (open late, offer pizza and Primanti Brothers-style loaded sandwiches. Be sure to get a fried egg on the sandwich). For those with long memories, there is not much left of the Flats area (down the hill from W. 9th and across the river). Across the river is a piano bar and Rock Bottom Brewery, but it is not worth the effort trying to get over there. There is, however, a gentlemen’s club across the river (never been, so no reviews available).

Go to the E. 4th Street area if you want to: Go to the Legends auction (House of Blues), go bowling (Lucky Strike-style bowling alley / bar and restaurant), go to one of the best / largest comedy clubs in the nation (Hilarities at Pickwick & Frolic – I think I saw Lewis Black of the Daily Show fame is there this weekend), fine cuisine (Lola’s chef is Iron Chef Michael Symon, LaStrada is also pretty good), sample one of a hundred available beers (Winking Lizard, on Prospect just east of E. 4th). To me, best bar food and best place to go before/after Indians games is Harry Buffalo, on E. 4th just north of the Q. Try the Bison burger, its tasty and healthy.

Other of the more “trendy” areas just west and south of downtown are the West 25th street area and Tremont neighborhood. My opinion, it’s probably not worth the hassle to get to any of these places.


Airport:
If you are out by the airport, a couple of names for places to eat (slanted towards Rocky River area, that is where I live).

100th Bomb Squadron: Right by the airport. Outdoor eating/drinking available, located right at the end of the runway for the airport so it also offers interesting views.

Stino da Napoli: the best authentic Italian in the area. Located in Rocky River. Warnings, chef is a Italian native an takes a two week vacation each summer to go back to Italy, so phone first. Also, they do not take credit cards.

Salmon Dave’s : Good seafood, also in Rocky River.

Stonehouse Grill: On Center Ridge Road in Westlake. I live just down the street, good bar food in a relaxed environment.

Great Northern Mall (Take Brook Park Road about 3 miles west of the airport): All the typical things you would find around a mall.

Best place to pick up food, but too small to dine in: Danny Boy’s Pizza in Rocky River. Warning, portions are HUGE.

Best place for bar food if you have a car and a GPS: Moosehead Saloon in 7989 Columbia Road in Olmsted Falls. Probably a 15 minute drive, but set in an old firehouse, great food.

And in case you haven't seen them, two Cleveland Tourism videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysmLA5TqbIY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZzgAjjuqZM


Others, please feel free to add local knowledge.

Enjoy,
Matt

Matt,

Oh my God, my sides are aching!!

My wife and I just had a seriously great laugh over the two "Cleveland tourism clips" that you posted!

Thanks for the laugh!!!

Steve