Cleveland At Night

Cleveland, Ohio, is a bustling city bursting with culture, a world-class arts scene, diverse dining and hospitality options, and plenty of natural beauty. Cleveland has plenty to explore, whatever the hour. During the day, visitors can travel around the various museums and art galleries, explore the beautiful city parks, and indulge in the city’s incredible culinary landscape. But there’s still plenty of life in Cleveland at night.

The “Rock and Roll Capital of the World” has an electric music scene, with live music venues scattered through every neighbourhood, catering to all tastes and genres. If watching local talent perform is how you prefer to spend your evenings, then you’re in luck. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. From stand-up comedy and first-class theatre to quirky cafes and historic haunts, you need never be bored in Cleveland. Our comprehensive guide will ensure that you never have to worry about how to fill the hours after the city’s main attractions have closed their doors. These are the best ways to spend your evenings in Cleveland. 

Cleveland At Night

20 Things To Do In Cleveland At Night

1- Attend A Concert At The Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica

Summer in Cleveland brings concerts at Jacobs Pavilion.

The open-air amphitheatre is perched on the edge of the Cuyahoga River, providing a beautiful backdrop for their popular events.

The Pavilion plays host to various performances, including some big-name acts like Melanie Martinez and Yungblud.

Seating 5000 spectators, the Pavilion provides an incredible atmosphere.

Head to 2014 Sycamore St, Cleveland, OH 44113, United States.

2- Catch A Show At Playhouse Square

Playhouse Square is a popular venue for everything from Broadway productions to opera.

Whatever kind of performance art interests you, you’ll probably be able to find a show that suits your tastes at Playhouse Square.

It’s super easy to spot too.

Just look for the giant, illuminated chandelier hanging out front.

Go to 1501 Euclid Ave #200, Cleveland, OH 44115, United States.

3- Go To A Concert At The Agora

The “Rock and Roll Capital of the World”, Cleveland has its fair share of venues dedicated to the genre.

Of them all, Agora is one of the best rock-centric locations in the city.

Featuring up-and-coming bands and artists, as well as a host of internationally successful acts like Ice Nine Kills, Babymetal, and The Front Bottoms, it’s always well worth checking their calendar to see if there’s anything you want to try to score tickets for.

The agora is at 5000 Euclid Ave #101, Cleveland, OH 44103, United States.

4- Revel In The Vintage Vibe Of The Velvet Tango Room

The Velvet Tango Room is a cosy bar with a vintage aesthetic and all the glamour of golden-age Hollywood.

Decked out in polished wood and soft leather, the Velvet Room offers sophistication without compromising comfort.

Guests can sip on an extensive menu of fancy cocktails while enjoying live jazz.

Open until 1 am every day but Sunday, it’s the perfect spot for when you don’t want the night to end.

Find it at 2095 Columbus Rd, Cleveland, OH 44113, United States.

5- Soak In The Atmosphere Of The House of Blues

The House of Blues brings all the fun of the South to northern Ohio.

The House of Blues offers a menu bursting with southern flavour and a packed live music calendar featuring primarily blues and rock acts.

Dig into classic southern dishes like jambalaya, Cajun shrimp, gumbo and cornbread.

Wash it all down with a cocktail menu that, of course, features plenty of bourbon.

Go to 308 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44114, United States.

6- Conquer Squire’s Castle

If you have time to head just outside the Cleveland city limits and into the woods of the Willoughby Hills, you can discover a host of scenic attractions like Squire’s Castle.

The compact ‘castle’ was the 19th-century gatehouse to a never-completed manor.

Briefly used as a holiday home by its eccentric owner, the house has long since been stripped of any furnishings, and the empty shell is now preserved as a museum for visitors to explore.

Open until 11 pm every day; it makes for a rather spooky evening adventure.

Head to 2844 River Rd, Willoughby Hills, OH 44094, United States.

Recommended tour: Smartphone-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Cleveland Sights & Stories

7- Explore The Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve

If you’d rather escape the hustle of Cleveland’s nightlife for the evening, head into the Lakefront Nature Preserve.

Open until 9 pm most days; it’s perfect for taking an early evening walk to unwind from a busy day in the city.

The preserve covers a small peninsula jutting out into Lake Erie.

The lookout point at its western tip makes the perfect spot to watch the sunset over the water.

Head in at 8701 Lakeshore Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44108, United States.

8- See What’s On At The Cleveland Public Theatre

Cleveland Public Theatre hosts more indie, grassroots productions, providing a glimpse into the heart of Cleveland’s performance arts culture.

The schedule of quirky, innovative shows offers an alternative to the polished productions of the city’s larger theatres.

Go to 6415 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, OH 44102, United States.

9- See A Show At The Happy Dog

Happy Dog has made a name for itself as the place to go for a hot dog.

That may sound niche, but the draw is in having over fifty toppings to choose from to customise your dinner.

From typical indulgences like specialty pickles and cheeses to more eccentric options like spaghetti-Os and Froot Loops, the Happy Dog almost gives you too much freedom to make questionable choices.

Head down to 5801 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, OH 44102, United States.

10- Play Games At The Tabletop Board Game Café

With over 1,200 games, the Tabletop Board Game Café guarantees a chill evening full of nerdy delights.

They also host regular Dungeons and Dragons and RPG evenings, which is a great way to meet new friends.

The café serves a tasty menu of snacks, sandwiches, and pizza.

They also have a bar so you can elevate the fun with the help of a wine smoothie.

Find the tabletop café at 1810 W 25th St, Cleveland, OH 44113, United States.

Recommended: Cleveland Browns Football Game Ticket at First Energy Stadium

11- Have A Drink At The Great Lakes Brewing Company

An evening at the Great Lakes Brewing Company is a great way to get a literal taste of the city.

The cosy brewpub stocks a wide range of tasty beverages lovingly crafted on site.

Their beers are also used in many of their meals, so you can still get some of the flavours even if you’re not a big drinker.

They also pride themselves in featuring other local producers in their dishes.

If you want to learn more about the brewing process, Great Lakes even offers a range of guided tours around the brewery, while their tasting classes will help you better appreciate the products.

Great Lakes Brewing Company is at 2516 Market Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113, United States.

Recommended tour: Original Cleveland Guided Brewery Tour with Lunch or Dinner

12- Enjoy Dinner And A Show At The Music Box Supper Club

Providing dinner, entertainment, and stunning river views, the Music Box Supper Club has it all.

The popular music venue is located right on the banks of the Cuyahoga River.

Hosting everything from rock and reggae to drag, it’s always worth seeing what events will run during your stay.

The Music Box is at 1148 Main Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113, United States.

13- Catch A Performance At The Great Lakes Theatre

Originally established as the Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival, Great Lakes Theatre is the place for those who love classical theatre.

The theatre is renowned for its polished performances and has won multiple awards.

Some famous and well-respected thespians, most notably Tom Hanks, who began his career in the entertainment industry here, have crossed its stage.

Find Great Lakes Theatre at 2067 E 14th St, Cleveland, OH 44115, United States.

14- Enjoy A Dinner Cruise on the Nautica Queen

While Cleveland is home to many exceptional restaurants, sometimes you want something different for your evening meal.

For a change of pace, climb aboard the Nautica Queen for one of their dinner cruises.

Starting by Cleveland Aquarium, guests can enjoy a decadent buffet dinner as they cruise along the Cuyahoga River.

Setting out around 7 pm, you can enjoy watching the sunset over the river as you keep your eyes peeled for the landmarks lining the banks.

The Nautica Queen docks at 1153 Main Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113, United States.

15- Take In The City Lights From Out on Lake Erie Aboard The Goodtime III

If you’re looking for the best place to appreciate the city lights and nighttime skyline, then hop aboard the Goodtime III for one of their City Lights Entertainment cruises and head out onto Lake Erie.

Along with a unique viewpoint of Cleveland, guests can enjoy a mix of DJs and cover bands performing on the deck.

Boarding typically starts at 9.30 pm, and the party lasts until midnight.

Snacks and sandwiches are available at the bar if you don’t have time to grab dinner beforehand.

Board the Goodtime III at 825 E 9th St, Cleveland, OH 44114, United States.

16- Meet The Ghosts Of Franklin Castle

A beautifully ominous, Victorian-era house, Franklin Castle has gained a reputation for being one of the most haunted locations in Cleveland.

Built in 1881, the house has seen several deaths, and there are also rumours of nefarious doings and reports of paranormal activity dating back to the ‘50s.

Those who like to delve into the spookier side of life can take a guided tour and participate in paranormal investigations.

The most daring among you can even opt to stay the night.

Franklin Castle is located at 4308 Franklin Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44113, United States.

17- Laugh The Night Away At Hilarities 4th Street Theatre

If you need something to soothe your nerves after confronting the ghouls of Franklin Castle, head over to Hilarities on 4th Street.

The intimate 400-seat theatre hosts a wide range of acts, including both well-known, established comedians as well as newer talent.

With a menu of tasty cocktails and snack plates, Hilarities provides all you need for a laid-back evening’s entertainment.

It’s the perfect way to end your day on a high.

You’ll find Hilarities at 2035 E 4th St, Cleveland, OH 44115, United States.

18- Relax In Edgewater Park

As the name suggests, Edgewater Park sits right on the shore of Lake Erie.

The peaceful park provides the ideal setting to enjoy unobstructed views of the stars over the water.

Encompassing a marina and a beach on either side of the main lawns, Edgewater Park is the perfect place to unwind at the end of a busy day.

Walk along the waterfront or sit back and relax on the sand or grass.

Make sure to grab a selfie with the Cleveland Script sign at the park’s west end.

19- Take In The View From Bar 32

For an incredible city view, head up to Bar 32 on the 32nd floor of the Hilton Hotel and gaze across Cleveland while enjoying the sophisticated atmosphere and extensive cocktail menu.

If you’re cool with heights, you can head onto the terrace for an even better view.

If the excellent vantage point of various local attractions isn’t enough to tempt you up there, Bar 32 hosts frequent live music events to sweeten the deal.

Head up 100 Lakeside Ave E, Cleveland, OH 44114, United States.

20- Stroll Through Rockefeller Park

Rockefeller Park is a 3-mile (5-kilometre) stretch of gardens and greenhouses lining Martin Luther King Jr Drive.

Each of the 25 gardens within the park represents a different culture from around the world.

Korea, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Italy, Greece, and India are just some of the nations represented.

The Park is open 24/7, so it’s ready whenever you need fresh air.

The park’s south end starts at 7 Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States.

Recommended tour: Little Italy Neighborhood Food Tour of Cleveland.

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