CLEVELAND (Jan. 9, 2020) – While winter weather is sure to linger for a few months, the start of a new decade is the perfect time to embrace the “Roaring 20s.” From swanky cocktail bars to Cleveland’s history from the iconic twentieth-century decade to toe-tappin’ tunes at legendary jazz clubs, Destination Cleveland recommends locals make the most of this winter season by exploring Northeast Ohio. For those who prefer to plan in winter and explore during the warmer seasons, National Plan for Vacation Day on January 28 is the ideal occasion to organize a few staycations throughout the year.
RAISE A GLASS
Velvet Tango Room
For a fancy fling on the town, locals can sip on cocktails at the
Velvet Tango Room. Featuring drinks made from scratch with fresh ingredients, including a special blend of bitters, a truly authentic cocktail experience awaits. Residents can enjoy classics like the French 75, Tom Collins and Old Fashioned, or they can try CLE-inspired drinks like The Cleveland Rose or The Rust Belt. For the full speakeasy experience, guests can listen to a jazz trio in the lounge every night or make a reservation for the “secret” back room.
- 2095 Columbus Road, Cleveland
- Monday - Friday, 4:30 p.m. - 1 a.m.; Saturday, 6 p.m. - 1 a.m.
The Vault
Clevelanders can bank on a great night as they enjoy drinks in century-old bank vaults at The 9’s cocktail bar,
Vault. Guests enter through the secret entrance (no password required) and immediately feel transported into the speakeasy era. Located beneath the Cleveland Trust Rotunda, this lounge serves signature cocktails, like Millionaire’s Row and the Corner of Euclid and Bourbon, as well as creative small bites.
- The 9 - Level B1, 2017 E. 9th St., Cleveland
- Tuesday - Thursday, 4 p.m. – 12 a.m.; Friday - Saturday, 4 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Society Lounge
Inspired by the term “café society,”
Society Lounge serves hand-crafted cocktails and tapas in the heart of Downtown Cleveland. After residents descend the stairs to this speakeasy, they will find the glamourous social scene of the 1920s brought to present day. Locals can warm themselves with a variety of spirits, including a Chargarita smoked cocktail or a Society Lounge original creation like the 4
th St. Sour.
- 2063 E. 4th St., Cleveland
- Monday - Thursday, 5 p.m. – 12 a.m.; Friday, 5 p.m. - 2 a.m.; Saturday, 1 p.m. - 2 a.m.;
Sunday, 1 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Speakeasy
Clevelanders who are feeling the chill of winter should check out the Ohio City hot spot,
Speakeasy. Located under the same roof as Bier Market and Bar Cento, this Prohibition era cocktail lounge is open on Friday and Saturday nights and caters to guests that are ready to bust a move and groove to DJ-mixed music.
- 1948 W. 25th St., Cleveland
- Friday - Saturday, 10 p.m. - 2:30 a.m.
HELP YOURSELF TO HISTORIC LANDMARKS
Cleveland History Center
Residents can step out of the cold and into the past as they learn about Cleveland in the 1920s at the
Cleveland History Center. Locals can immerse themselves in the region’s storied past by taking a ride on the Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel, touring the Hay-McKinney and Bingham-Hanna Mansions or exploring the decade’s advancements in automobiles and aviation.
- 10825 East Blvd. Cleveland
- Tuesday - Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sokolowski’s University Inn
If locals are looking for comfort food this winter, they can enjoy a delicious meal at
Sokolowski’s University Inn, Cleveland’s oldest family-owned and -operated restaurant. Founded in 1923, the award-winning restaurant specializes in Eastern European cuisine like homemade stuffed cabbage, pierogi and chicken paprikash. And as residents wait to select their food in the cafeteria line, they can peruse the photos of Sokolowski’s famous visitors.
- 1201 University Road, Cleveland
- Monday - Friday, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Friday, 5 - 9 p.m. (bar late); Saturday, 4 - 9 p.m. (bar late)
Marble Room Steaks & Raw Bar
While
Marble Room Steaks & Raw Bar opened in 2017, the building it is housed in on Euclid Avenue was a National City Bank in the 1920s. Clevelanders can gaze in awe at the opulent bank building’s marble pillars, gilded tiles and antique fixtures while enjoying steaks, seafood and cocktails. Groups can even spend time in the bank executives’ offices, which have been converted to dining boardrooms and cocktail lounges, or check out the original National City Bank vault.
- 623 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
- Monday - Thursday, 11:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Friday, 11:30 a.m. - 11 p.m.; Saturday, 4:30 - 11 p.m.
- Sundays: open for private parties
ALL THAT JAZZ
The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland
If winter has Northeast Ohioans feeling blue without any ideas of where to go to, they should try puttin' on the Ritz. Every Saturday, the
Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland Hotel hosts an evening of jazz music at the chic
TURN Bar + Kitchen. As Clevelanders enjoy the live jazz, they can enjoy cuisine that highlights the region and sip crafted cocktails like the Emerald Necklace Daiquiri or The CLE signature drink.
- 1515 W. 3rd St., Cleveland
- Saturday, 7 - 10 p.m.
Nighttown
Nighttown has been a cornerstone of Cleveland‘s music scene for more than 50 years. The historic venue has hosted some of jazz's greatest musicians, along with local up-and-coming acts. From dinner and desserts in one of the many dining rooms to drinks at one of the venue's three bars while enjoying live performances, Nighttown offers a one-of-a-kind night out on the town for Clevelanders and their visitors. In January, residents can listen to performances from Hot Club of Cowtown, Jeremy Clyde and Badi Assad.
- 12387 Cedar Road, Cleveland
- Monday - Thursday, 11:30 a.m. - 12 a.m.; Friday - Saturday, 11:30 a.m. - 1 a.m.;
Sunday, 10 a.m. 12 a.m.
Bop Stop
For an intimate jazz performance setting, Clevelanders can see new-to-the-scene artists or well-established acts at
Bop Stop, located in the Ohio City neighborhood. Residents can even be a part of the performance at free Jazz Jam Sessions held throughout the month where they can bring an instrument or call out a tune to be played. And every ticket purchased at the Bop Stop helps to support programming at The Music Settlement.
- 2920 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
- Opens one hour before showtime on evenings when there’s a performance. Please check calendar for event postings.
For more ways to beat the winter blues, information on new attractions and activities or to learn more about Destination Cleveland, check out
thisiscleveland.com, follow us on
Twitter,
Facebook and
Instagram and subscribe to our channels on
YouTube and
Pinterest.
DON’T FORGET: Destination Cleveland’s Concierge Team is also available to help residents and their visiting family and friends explore the region. Contact our team through email at
cleconcierge@destinationcle.org, live chat at
thisiscleveland.com or stop in the Cleveland Visitors Center (334 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 44114) Mon. – Sat., 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. to plan your adventure.
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ABOUT DESTINATION CLEVELAND: Destination Cleveland is Cleveland’s destination marketing and management organization. This private, non-profit organization’s mission is to drive economic impact and stimulate community vitality for Greater Cleveland through leisure and business travel. Cleveland welcomes 19.2 million visitors annually. For more information, visit www.thisiscleveland.com.