Trip Planner: A Guide to Cleveland's Indie Music Scene

The city's independent music scene is built on legendary venues, neighborhood record stores and local artists who keep the calendar full year-round. Whether you're catching your favorite touring band, discovering a new local act or digging through vinyl before a show, these stops belong on every music lover's itinerary.

Day 1

BREAKFAST

At Lucky’s Café in Tremont, try the cheddar scallion biscuits topped with scrambled eggs and sausage gravy, a mouthwatering favorite of national chefs and locals alike.

MORNING

Examine contemporary art from around the world that now finds a home in the Transformer Station, a historic substation that is an anchor destination in Hingetown in the Ohio City neighborhood.

LUNCH

A short walk to W.25th Street puts you at the West Side Market, a food lover's paradise. Its maze of vendors and family-owned stalls selling everything from fresh meat and vegetables to baked goods and fresh flowers won't leave you wanting a thing. This is a must-visit if you're exploring Cleveland like a local.

AFTERNOON

Head to the ultimate homage to rock music: The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. This multi-level, interactive museum will take you through the history and evolution of rock music. Make sure to block off a few hours to get the full experience.

DINNER

If you’re looking for a bar that’s got a bank of big-screen TVs, shot girls and a massive collection of corporate-approved artwork, then you’d best avoid Prosperity Social Club in Tremont. This cool, little hangout offers an extensive beer list and amazing menu, as well as occasional live music.

PRE-SHOW

What goes hand-in-hand with Indie music lovers? Books. Head to Bookhouse Brewing for an awesome selection of craft beers, from barrel-aged beers to ciders, all housed in an incredibly cozy and historic taproom.

THE SHOW

Mahall's maintains an old-school working-man's bar physique, but churns out indie rock and pop most nights of the week. It's also a bowling alley with several operating vintage lanes.

LATE NIGHT

Bak in Hingetown at Jukebox, the rotating playlist is curated just as carefully as its list of craft beers and bar bites. (Where else could you find dishes like “Sweet Potato O’ Mine” and “Beast of Burger?”)

Day 2

BRUNCH

Beer + Donuts = Perfect. Get yourself to Brewnuts in Gordon Square where they make that oh-so-perfect pairing possible by making decadent donuts from a variety of tasty beers.

AFTERNOON

Grab yourself some underground sounds on a vinyl record shop hop around Cleveland. Definitely stop at Gotta Groove Records where, if you schedule in advance, you can take a tour of their vinyl pressing plant.

LATE AFTERNOON

Want to see a series of short films premiering at Sundance? Looking for a never-been-seen before art film? Go to the Cinematheque at the Cleveland Institute of Art in University Circle, an alternative film theater that shows art, independent and foreign films.

DINNER

Head to Citizen Pie in Cleveland's Collinwood neighborhood for a thin, perfectly-cooked Neapolitan pizza cooked in a brick oven direct from Italy with only the freshest ingredients.

PRE-SHOW

If edgy is your thing, stick around in Collinwood and the Waterloo Arts District to check out vinyl record store Blue Arrow Records. The shop’s floor — which is shellacked with old-school record covers — is worth the visit in and of itself.

THE SHOW

From pop rock to rock-a-billy and everything in between, The Beachland Ballroom, located in the Waterloo Arts District, is a mainstay of indie music in Cleveland.

LATE NIGHT

With its intimate stage experience combined with a killer craft beer selection, The Grog Shop in Coventry will have you rocking all night to international, national and local bands. Did we mention the amazing beer selection?

Find a Concert

Want to plan your trip around an upcoming concert? Search our events calendar for ongoing opportunities to find underground gems.