On game day, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse never stops rocking. Our Cleveland Cavaliers raced through a lightning-quick rebuild and came out the other side as one of the most exciting teams in the NBA. Trust us, hoops hype is through the roof here in The Land.
So, whether you’re pre-gaming before tip off or looking to keep the party going after the final buzzer, CLE’s gotcha covered. Check out our picks for the best spots to grab a bite (and drink) on any night out at the Cavaliers game.
Gateway District
The sign says it all: Tacos, tequila and whiskey. How could you go wrong? Barrio’s Gateway location, just a quick stroll from the FieldHouse, is a CLE fave for a reason. Craft a custom taco and down a casa-made margarita to celebrate another Cavs win.
Celeb chef Michael Symon’s Cleveland spin on barbecue (using Bertman’s Ballpark Mustard and Eastern European spices) provides the fuel for 48 minutes of heart-pounding NBA action. Load up on brisket, kielbasa, and ribs — and then get ready to cheer your heart out.
Score a little luck of the Irish for the home team with this East 4th hotspot’s corned beef and cabbage. Traditional pub food like burgers and wings also available. Oh, and don’t forget a pint of Guinness, Harp, or Smithwick’s on draft.
For the real sports bar experience, head down Prospect Ave. to City Tap. Their late-night menu features mini tacos, the half-pound City Tap Burger, loaded nachos, chicken quesadillas and more. Plus, its bar offers more than forty beers on tap.
The Flats / Warehouse District
Another must-visit on The Flats East Bank. Grab a craft cocktail at the bars (yes, plural) and munch on burgers, tacos and even chicken ’n’ waffles until closing time. We know you’re here for the grub, but don’t leave without playing a few games on that classic “NBA Jam” arcade machine or hitting the rooftop pad for a breath of fresh air.
Never miss a second of the action at this sports-bar-meets-nightclub on West 6th. Whether you’re pregaming with a few rounds of Skee Ball or catching the latest Cavs highlights on one of their 30+ HDTVs, Dive Bar offers an atmosphere unlike any other in The Land. Plus, over 36 beers on draft with full bars in both the front and the back.
This Warehouse District landmark mixes nightlife with that classic sports bar atmosphere. Wolf down a plate of Burning River Fish Tacos or bite into the fan-fave Cleveland Cheesesteak. Or both. We won’t tell anyone.
Playhouse Square / Avenue District
As us sports fans (and our gray hair) well know, Playhouse Square doesn’t have a monopoly on high drama in Cleveland — but the theater district is a must-visit on game night. If you want to eat light before tip off — or celebrate a win with a decadent dessert (like the chocolate and hazelnut tart) — then Bin 216’s your choice.
Casual, comfort food in the historic Halle Building. Dig into a plate of Lotso Notso Fries while perusing the huge menu of burgers, chicken and even the impossibly-large Monte Cristo. Anytime breakfasts available all day, too.
Masthead slings a Neapolitan-style pizza with the best of ‘em, complete with either traditional toppings or more Cleveland-friendly ones like sauerkraut and corned beef. Or belly up to the 100-foot bar and order their Hazy Headlines for a citrusy taste of summer. Who couldn’t use some of that during basketball season?
At this Old-World gem in the heart of CLE, enjoy Oktoberfest year round with an authentic German beerhall experience. And when we say authentic, we mean it. Beers brewed on site, menu items like baked pretzels and schnitzels and even a nod to The Land with Cleveland-style beef stroganoff and pierogis.