One
1970-2025
REWIND: 2000 YEARS
UPFRONT
CRITICS OF CLEVELAND HEIGHTS MAYOR BEGIN DAYS-LONG RECALL CAMPAIGN IN EFFORT TO OUST HIM
by
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS MAYOR
Kahlil Seren’s tenure as the city’s first-ever mayor could come to an end sooner than his term limit dictates.
That is, if enough of his city’s residents decide so.
Last weekend, a week after Cleveland Heights City Council posed the possibility of Seren resigning, a coalition of the mayor’s staunchest critics went around town collecting signatures to oust him from City Hall in September. Or force him to resign mid-June.
Roughly 30 dissenters guided the petition-signing events at seven parks, restaurants and cultural centers to once again remind Cleveland Heights of its leader’s apparent failures: from causing “extremely high staff turnover,” risking
a state audit, and allowing his wife, Natalie McDaniel, to incite a hostile work environment at City Hall.
“The undersigned have no confidence in Mayor Seren’s ability or willingness to conduct city business, lead City Hall, and execute the Mayor’s duties in accordance with the City Charter,” the petition reads.
“Each day he holds office,” it adds, “the City of Cleveland Heights continues to be put at risk and harmed.”
Josie Moore, a 2021 mayoral candidate who helped wrangle the recall campaigners—unofficially dubbed the Cleveland Heights Citizens Organized For Our City—told Scene that the coalition’s 30 circulators had collected “several hundred signatures” as of Friday afternoon.
Even from those who are unaware of Seren’s goings on. Of asking the county prosecutor’s office to possibly press felony charges against the officer who reported his wife’s December tirade. Or about him sneaking into the Law Department in the wee hours of the workday.
“People would simply like to trust who they elect,” Moore said. “Sure, they have jobs. Have to take care of their kids.”
“But a lot of them just want the drama to end,” she added.
And it’s possible that it may not. Even if the coalition gathers the 2,900 signatures needed—a quarter of the 2021 election voters—there’s no certainty they’ll get enough come September to oust Seren from office. “Or,”
Moore said, “we vote in November.” Which has itself no guarantee. Along with the six residents who’ve pulled petitions thus far to run, so too has Seren, as of Thursday. Voters could elect him to a second term if they so choose.
Melody Hart, a supporter of Seren who served on Council from 2019 to 2023, believes that a lot of the hubbub around the mayor and his wife have clouded actual city accomplishments. She was quick to rattle them off. Seren was the first leader to equip staff with electric vehicles or create a climate action plan. He’s been a boon to development, with five major housing projects and a potential walkability makeover of the dusty Severance Town Center across the street from
Photo
Mark Oprea
City Hall.
“I think [the recall] is just a waste of time,” Hart said. “I think everyone’s just jumping on the bandwagon because they want to pounce on someone.”
But what about the claims of antisemitism! And the three city managers who quit! About Seren telling Council, in the meeting last Friday, that he’s “not [their] negro!”
“Apologies are needed. But you also have to give people grace when they do, and handle things where you can also make a difference,” Hart said. “I don’t think this recall is going to do that.” – Mark Oprea
Geauga County’s First Women’s Shelter, Once the Subject of Protest, Finds a Home in Chardon
It’s fair to say that residents of Munson Township weren’t exactly thrilled when, last February, they heard a Christian nonprofit was bringing a homeless shelter to town.
Not just any homeless shelter: Geauga County’s first ever shelter for women, built by the Geauga Faith Rescue Mission as a companion to their men’s shelter down the road in Chardon. Affordable housing in Geauga was scarce; single women had a better chance living in their cars than finding a place to stay.
The residents of Munson didn’t seem to care.
“I’m probably going to be putting a target on my back,” one woman groaned at the meeting at Munson Township Hall, last February. “This is our children! This is our streets!”
“What about the safety of our students?” another woman said. “When you have residents leaving the facility—those who have access to weapons. They have access to drugs.”
This year, Nathan Long, the head of GFRM, found instead a welcoming second chance for his nonprofit’s shelter project: a tiny, four-bedroom space just down the street from GFRM’s men’s shelter on Washington Street, near Chardon Square.
Long, who helped take in $95,000 in private donations to secure the property’s mortgage, said applying for a variance with the Chardon’s Planning & Zoning Department was a polar opposite experience than he’d received in Munson.
“Oh, it was a smooth process; no one came out in opposition,” he told Scene. He laughed: “It was unanimous in the vote.”
There are roughly 40 homeless living in Geauga County, a tiny sliver of its population, at any given time, Long said.
But beds are scarce. Many live in
hotels, or out of their vehicles. Add on spoils from divorce suits, lost jobs, felonies and alcohol or drug addiction, and one’s chances of selling a landlord or keeping a home are small.
Which the space that Long hopes to fill: free beds for single women where there weren’t any previously. Yet with restrictions: only service pets are welcome; no kids; no victims of domestic violence; no one on a drug or alcohol binge; and no one on the National Sex Offender Registry.
“And they have to abide by house rules,” Long said. “And be looking for a job. Be in counseling. Proactive in getting back on their feet.”
“They can’t continue a lifestyle that led them to be homeless,” he added.
Five years out of the pandemic, cities like Cleveland have, with the help of federal funds under the Biden administration, created social programs to throw a hand to homeless who’ve been relegated to downtown streets or tent cities. As of March, its Home For Every Neighbor program paid for 12 months of rent for 154 people.
But rural counties often linger, either due to smaller general funds or, as in Munson Township, a deleterious perception of who exactly homeless people are, and what they’ll quote-unquote do to preestablished society.
All why Long said GFRM found its way near Chardon Square.
“I mean, we’re a community-supported organization,” he said. “Everything that they people see here—it’s saying, ‘We want to be here for someone.’”
“We don’t take tax dollars,” he added. “It’s all out of people’s generosity: we want you to be here.” –
Mark Oprea
Cleveland to Convert Parts of Huron and Prospect to One-Way Streets Downtown, Add Protected Bike Lanes
On your typical game day downtown, Huron and Prospect avenues just about shut down to normal street traffic. Road barriers are put up to cater to fans entering and exiting parking garages. Traffic bound for East 9th on Huron shifts to one-way.
“Most of the time it’s empty,” Matt Moss, Senior Strategist for Thriving Communities with Cleveland, told Scene. “Because there aren’t games going on, like, 24-7. So, we’re like, let’s just re-use that” space.”
Beginning sometime mid-June, that wishbone of a street pairing, linking the two densest streets in the Gateway District, will be completely redesigned to ease traffic and cater—permanently—to pedestrians and cyclists.
Along with a half mile’s worth of delineated bike lanes—with those plastic batons—those sections of Huron and Prospect will now operate in a one-way fashion, creating a kind of loop in concert with traffic from Ontario, Moss said.
This is Downtown’s first rung of the Cleveland Moves plan, the city’s years-long goal to re-do 250 miles of Cleveland’s major thoroughfares and streets with contemporary, green-hued bike lanes one might see in Downtown Boston or Ann Arbor, Michigan. And carry out “quick-build” projects in the next three years. (The project’s price tag is $200,000.)
Although some city planners believe that two-lane, one-way streets can be a detriment to retail on those streets (as cars are less likely to slow down), Moss argued that the added space for bikes, foot traffic and even patio space outweighs that slight increase in speeds.
Earlier this month, Bike Cleveland reported that Cleveland last year saw an increase in motor vehicle accidents and crashes, from 550 people hit in 2023 to 603 in 2024. And at least 16 more fatal crashes over that year span.
Moss said planning’s “quick-build” infrastructure—just a week’s worth of construction—could help out with that.
“And the change itself is harmless,” he said. “It’s actually beneficial that we can relocate space from cars to other things -- it’s not always the end of the world.
“But it’s actually nicer in the long run,” Moss added. “I think that’s what this is trying to prove.”
June’s modification of Huron and Prospect precedes a couple other notches on Cleveland Moves’ docket. Next year, construction is set to begin on similar bike-lane makeovers of Payne Avenue, on the Superior Midway Cycletrack and on the Memorial Loop, a three-mile bike lane linking Ohio City with Ontario Street.
As for more green lanes downtown? Moss suggested Gateway’s streets change could act as a proof-of-concept for others surrounding Public Square, Playhouse Square and even the white whale of all downtown corridors, East 9th.
“Ideally, in the next few years, if not sooner,” he said, “we’ll have a more connected network.” – Mark Oprea
Cleveland Clinic Doubles Back on Its Upfront Copay Policy
Ten days after a legal complaint accused them of violating state law, Cleveland Clinic decided this week to rollback a new company policy that would have required patients to pay
copayments before, and not after, their hospital visit.
On May 13, the hospital system based in University Circle announced that all patients would have to pay copays upfront for non-ER related services. That is, save for Medicaid, cancer and some urgent care patients.
The following week, Cassandra McDonald, a local policy analyst covering civil rights issues, filed a civil complaint in Cuyahoga County Court that accused the Cleveland Clinic of both discrimination and for failing to notify its customers at least a month before the policy change was set to go in effect, on June 1.
Copays, McDonald argued, should be paid after that flu test or STI check are carried out.
“This policy is over zealous and disproportionately affects financially vulnerable patients, including low-income individuals, elderly patients, and those with chronic illnesses,” she wrote in the complaint, “creating unreasonable financial barriers to healthcare access.”
Last week, the Clinic listened. Although it kept the requirement, come Sunday, for nonemergency outpatient services—from therapy to lab tests and primary care—it added the option for customers to pay over the long run, with a “zero percent interest payment plan.”
Its reasons leaned on self-sympathy: more than “half of copays,” the company said in a statement, were not paid by patients throughout 2024.
“We are required to collect copays,” the statement reads. “Doing so maintains our ability to provide the highest quality care to every patient who needs our services and invest in the communities we serve.”
Cleveland City Council, fresh off announcing $165 million of medical debt for hundreds of thousands of Cuyahoga County residents, lauded the decision to roll back what seemed a bit harsh from the get-go.
Last week, Cleveland Clinic reps, including Chief Community Officer Vicki Johnson, sat at the table in Council Chamber to listen to grievances that echoed those in McDonald’s complaint.
“I had honest conversations with the executive team at the Cleveland Clinic about how this policy could hurt people in our community,” Council President Blaine Griffin said in a statement Thursday.
“I’m truly grateful they took the time to listen and made changes that help ensure folks can still get the care they need,” he added. – Mark Oprea
LIGHT UP THE LAND
There are shining beacons all around Cleveland, leading the way during even the darkest times.
And you know where just to find them.
After tens of thousands of nominations and votes, here are the winners of Scene’s Best of Cleveland 2025 -- the people and businesses lighting up The Land, displaying excellence, and showing the way.
From newcomers to mainstays, these exemplary choices show the city’s vibrant fabric in all its luminary glory.
And they’re all chosen by you, the experts on where to go, what to eat, where to shop, and how to live the brightest life in Northeast Ohio.
Without further ado, the winners are...
10
12 14
16
by Gabe Wasylko.
by Erin Stinard.
Photos
Design
BEST OF CLEVELAND
BEST COLLEGE RADIO STATION
1. WCSB 89.3 FM (Cleveland State University)
2. WJCU 88.7 FM (John Carroll University) 3. WRUW 91.1 FM (Case Western Reserve University) BEST DRAG KING
1. Radius Linze 2. Ryder Slowly 3. Marquis Gaylord BEST DRAG QUEEN
1. Betty Aboddum 2. Thee Deja Snow 3. Monica Mod
BEST DRAG TROUPE
1. House of Blasé 2. Black Mass 3. Not Wearing Wigs BEST ENTERTAINMENT PODCAST 1. Tit for Tat 2. Guiltless Podcast
Cleveland America
BEST FAMILY OUTING
1. Cleveland Metroparks
2. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
3. Cedar Point
BEST FREE OUTING
1. Cleveland Museum of Art 2. Cleveland Metroparks 3. Edgewater Beach
BEST HOTEL
1. Metropolitan at The 9 2. Hilton Cleveland Downtown 3. Hyatt Regency Cleveland at The Arcade
BEST INDOOR WEDDING VENUE
1. Cleveland Museum of Art 2. The Mohicans Treehouse Resort and Wedding Venue
3. Hyatt Regency at the Arcade
BEST LOCAL INSTAGRAM
1. @imfromcleveland 2. @thingsivebeeneating 3. @cleveland.westside.eats
BEST LOCAL STARTUP
1. Hedge Witch Tarot & More
2. WXMX Cleveland
3. Basil and Rex
BEST LOCAL TV NEWSCAST
1. FOX 8 News
2. WKYC Channel 3
3. WCTU Cleveland 13 News
BEST NEWS PODCAST
1. Lay of the Land
2. Today in Ohio
3. Not Even a Podcast
BEST NEWS REPORTER
1. Natalie Herbick
2. Matt Greminger
3. Lynna Lai
BEST OUTDOOR WEDDING VENUE
1. Cleveland Botanical Garden
2. The Mohicans Treehouse Resort and Wedding Venue
3. Sapphire Creek Winery & Gardens
Photos by Gabe Wasylko. Design by Erin Stinard.
BEST PLACE FOR A FIRST DATE
1. Cleveland Museum of Art
2. Birdietown
3. Cloak & Dagger
BEST PLACE FOR A KID’S BIRTHDAY PARTY
1. Dave & Buster’s
2. Sky Zone
3. Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park
BEST PLACE FOR AN ADULT BIRTHDAY PARTY
1. 16-Bit Bar + Arcade/Pins
Mechanical
2. Birdietown
3. Superelectric Pinball Parlor
BEST PLACE TO TAKE A VISITOR
1. West Side Market 2. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 3. Cleveland Museum of Art
BEST PLACE TO WORK
1. Cleveland Metroparks
2. Cleveland Clinic
3. Sherwin Williams
BEST PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL
1. Saint Ignatius High School
2. St. Edward High School
3. Saint Joseph Academy
BEST PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL
1. Lakewood High School 2. Rocky River High School
3. Cleveland Heights High School
BEST RADIO SHOW
1. Danger Zone - 107.3 Alternative Cleveland
2. Mornings with Brady Marks107.3 Alternative Cleveland
3. Rover’s Morning Glory - 100.7 WMMS
BEST RADIO STATION
1. 107.3 Alternative Cleveland
2. 100.7 WMMS
3. RoXXXstarRadio
BEST SEASONAL FESTIVAL OR EVENT
1. Pride in the CLE
2. The Feast of the Assumption
3. Taste of Tremont
BEST SPORTS PODCAST
1. Bearded Browns Podcast
2. Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show
3. Here We Go Brownies
BEST SPORTS REPORTER
1. Terry Pluto
2. Andre Knott
3. Nick Camino
BEST SPORTS TALK RADIO PERSONALITY
1. Tony Rizzo
2. Ken Carman
3. Dan Menningen
BEST TV NEWS ANCHOR
1. Wayne Dawson
2. Betsy Kling
3. Stefani Schaefer
The Cleveland Museum of Art | Emanuel Wallace
Pride in the CLE |
Photo by Daniel Lozada
BEST OF CLEVELAND
BAND
Bittersweet Revenge
Navingale
BURLESQUE TROUPE
1. Cleveland Burlesque 2. Shrimply the Best! Burlesque
House of BurlesCLE BEST COMEDY VENUE 1. Hilarities 4th Street Theater
Imposters Theater
Happy Dog
CONCERT VENUE
Blossom Music Center
Beachland Ballroom & Tavern
The Agora BEST COVER BAND
Bad JuJu Cleveland
Hair Nation
World Zen’d BEST DANCE PARTY 1. Sapphic Night at No Class
Emo Night by Lake Erie Emo Club
Nocturnal BEST DANCE TROUPE
1. Cleveland Burlesque
2. House of BurlesCLE 3. 10K Movement
BEST DIRECTOR
1. Lou Graziani 2. Trinidad Snider 3. Robert Banks BEST DJ
1. Kimpiid the DJ 2. DJ Jack Da Rippa 3. Dr. Jay
BEST FEMALE COMEDIAN
1. Tabitha Jones 2. Deena Nyer Mendlowitz 3. Samantha Woodman
BEST FEMALE VOCALIST
1. Mallory Jean Petrolla
2. Ciix
3. Rachel Shortt
BEST FILMMAKER
1. Dustin Lee
2. Robert Banks
3. Edward Lee Cornett
BEST HIP-HOP ARTIST OR GROUP
1. Black Voltron
2. Koly Kolgate
3. Eli Moon
BEST ILLUSTRATOR
1. OKPants
2. Glen Infante
3. Chris Singleton
BEST LOCAL ALBUM
1. This is BS Too (Bessemer Saints)
2. The River Above (Druparia)
3. Breathe in Stereo (Breathe in Stereo)
Photos by Gabe Wasylko. Design by Erin Stinard.
BEST LOCAL AUTHOR
1. Ryan Polk
2. ZM Delgado
3. Michael S. Vassel
BEST LOCAL IMPROV
1. Hilarities 4th Street Theatre
2. Imposters Theater
3. Bingo Death Match BEST LOCAL PLAYWRIGHT
1. Fred Anthony Taylor
2. B.J. Halsall
3. Eric Coble BEST LOCAL RECORD LABEL 1. Wax Mage Records 2. Say Less Entertainment 3. Delayed Gratifcation Records BEST LOCAL SKETCH COMEDY 1. Imposters Theater
2. Bingo Death Match
3. Eargasm Comedy
BEST MAGICIAN
1. Rick Smith Jr.
2. Elie Magic
3. David Lee (Lake Erie Illusions)
BEST MALE COMEDIAN
1. Bill Squire
2. Justin Palko
3. Martin Malloy
BEST MALE VOCALIST
1. Chad Moon
2. Brian Maunus
3. Mike Rellick
BEST MOVIE THEATER
1. Cedar Lee Theatre
2. Cinemark Valley View
3. Capitol Theatre
BEST MUSEUM
1. Cleveland Museum of Art
2. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
3. Cleveland Museum of Natural History
BEST PAINTER
1. Eileen Dorsey
2. Frank Oriti
3. Kym Essence Hunt-Edge
BEST PHOTOGRAPHER
1. Kelly Funk (Funky Photos)
2. John C. Benson
3. Robyn White Photography
BEST POET
1. RoseGold
2. Kym Essence Hunt-Edge
3. Michelle R. Smith
BEST SINGER-SONGWRITER
1. Mikey Silas
2. Jenna Fournier
3. Susie Everiss
BEST STREET FAIR
1. Taste of Tremont
2. Cleveland Asian Festival
3. Lakewood Arts Festival
BEST THEATER
1. Playhouse Square
2. Cleveland Public Theatre
3. Karamu House
BEST THEATER COMPANY
1. Cleveland Play House
2. Great Lakes Theater Co.
3. Karamu House
At Taste of Tremont, it’s nothing but love | Emanuel Wallace
BEST OF CLEVELAND
BEST BICYCLE SHOP
Eddy’s Bike Shop
Sixth City Cycles
Blazing Saddle Cycle BEST BOOKSTORE 1. Loganberry Books 2. Mac’s Backs Books on Coventry
Half Price Books BEST BOUTIQUE 1. FunktiniLand 2. Salty Not Sweet
Spellbound
CAR DEALERSHIP 1. Westside Toyota
Serpentini Chevrolet
Jay Honda
CIGAR SHOP 1. Cigar Cigars 2. Dad’s Smoke Shop 3. Cousin’s Cigar
BEST CLEVELAND MAKER
1. Cleveland Clothing Co. 2. The Old Rusty Coop 3. Serene Design Co.
BEST COMIC/COLLECTIBLES SHOP
1. Carol & John’s Comic Shop 2. Cleveland Curiosities
3. The Geek Peek
BEST CONSIGNMENT SHOP
1. Flower Child 2. Cleveland Consignment Shoppe 3. City Goods
BEST EYEWEAR
1. Eye Candy 2. LensCrafters
3. Eyes on Chagrin
BEST FASHION DESIGNER
1. Rebecca Maxwell
2. Phillip and Jackie Wachter (Fount)
3. Jen Frisco (The Tapestry Spool)
BEST FLORIST
1. Urban Orchid
2. Blossom Flower Bar 3. Alexander’s Floral Designs
BEST FURNITURE MAKER
1. Cool Hand Crftd 2. Rustbelt 3. Sawhorse Woodworks
BEST GIFT SHOP
1. FunktiniLand
2. Cleveland Curiosities
3. Paradise Galleria
BEST GROCERY STORE
1. Heinen’s
2. Lucky’s Market
3. Dave’s Market
BEST HEALTH AND BEAUTY STORE
1. Revival Body Care
2. Ginger & Honey
3. Roots of Reverence Herb Shop
BEST HOBBY STORE
1. Apple Jax Toys
2. Lakewood Art Supply
3. Doki Doki Anime & Kawaii Shop
BEST HOME/GARDEN SHOP
1. Petitti Garden Center
2. Lakewood Garden Center
3. Gale’s Garden Center
BEST JEWELRY STORE
1. Oceanne
2. Gena Page Designs
3. Stadler’s Jewelry
Photos by Gabe Wasylko. Design by Erin Stinard.
BEST PET BUSINESS
1. Paws in the Land
2. Central Bark 3. Basil & Rex
BEST PLACE FOR A MANI/PEDI
1. Glossy Nails
2. Marco Alexzander Salon
3. Manifest Manicures
BEST PLACE TO BUY A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT
1. Royalton Music Center
2. Arrowhead Music
3. Woodsy’s Music
BEST PLACE TO BUY A WEDDING Dress
1. Radiant Bride
2. Galleria Gowns
3. Darla Foxx
BEST PLACE TO BUY HOUSEPLANTS
1. River Plant Co.
2. Urban Planting Cleveland
3. Wicked Plant Co
BEST PLACE TO FURNISH YOUR HOME
1. Mishi Lifestyle
2. All Things for You
3. Wild Iris Home
BEST RECORD STORE
1. My Mind’s Eye
2. Record Den
3. Mistake by the Lake Records
BEST RETAIL BEER SELECTION
1. Rozi’s Wine House
2. Simone’s Beverage
3. The Wine Spot
BEST SALON
1. Marco Alexzander Salon
2. Joy Beauty Salon
3. Tease Hair and Body
BEST SHOP TO FIND A PIECE OF CLEVELAND
1. Cleveland Clothing Co.
2. GV Art + Design
3. The Creative Hangars
BEST SMOKE SHOP
1. Daystar Boutique
2. Puff N’ Stuff
3. High Society
BEST SNEAKER SHOP
1. Second Sole
2. My Cuzin Vintage 3. Westside Skates
BEST SPA
1. Sacred Hour Wellness Spa
2. Urban Haven Wellness Spa
3. Bethesda Wellness
BEST STORE TO BUY CBD
1. Cleveland Botanical
2. High Society
3. Bethesda Wellness
BEST STYLIST
1. Marco Alexzander (Marco Alexzander Salon)
2. Meeka Scull (Foxy Salon)
3. Kevin Deighton (Deborah Colin Salon & Spa)
BEST TATTOO ARTIST
1. Lauren Callahan-Sawchik
2. Haley Gunz
3. Kyle Joseph Manley
BEST TATTOO SHOP
1. Reflection Room Tattoo Co.
2. Femme & Fauna
3. Green Light Tattoos and Art Gallery
BEST THRIFT STORE
1. Common Threads
2. Flower Child
3. Savers
BEST TOY STORE
1. Apple Jax Toys
2. Once Upon a Time
3. Learning Express Toys
BEST VAPE SHOP
1. Planet of the Vapes
2. Puff N’ Stuff
3. Hippie House
BEST VINTAGE SHOP
1. Flower Child
2. All Things for You
3. Paradise Galleria
BEST WINE STORE
1. Rozi’s Wine House
2. Minotti’s
3. CLE Urban Winery
BEST WOMEN’S CLOTHING STORE
1. Banyan Tree
2. Evie Lou
3. Paradise Galleria
Cleveland Clothing CO
BEST OF CLEVELAND
BEST BARTENDER
1. Matt ‘”Chewy”” Thompson (Twist Social Club) 2. Shaun ‘”Diggity”” Knapp (The Local Bar) 3. Diamond Romero (The Local Bar)
BLUES CLUB 1. Brothers Lounge 2. Music Box Supper Club 3. Bop Stop at the Music Settlement
COCKTAIL
1. Porco Lounge & Tiki Room
LBM
Westsiders
DANCE CLUB/BAR
Twist Social Club
No
Thirsty Cowboy
DIVE
Winking Lizard Tavern
The Local Bar
Sauced Taproom & Kitchen
Crobar
Twist Social Club
CLUB 1. Christie’s Cabaret
Larry Flynt’s Hustler Club
Diamond Club
HAPPY HOUR
Funhouse
Rowley Inn
Vibe Bar + Patio
HIP-HOP CLUB
B-Side
The Ivy
Rumor Bar & Lounge BEST JAZZ CLUB
Brothers Lounge
Bop Stop
BLU Jazz+ BEST KARAOKE
1. Corky’s 2. Sacred Vortex Teahouse & Kombuchery
3. Twist Social Club
BEST LGBTQ+ BAR/CLUB
1. Twist Social Club 2. No Class
3. Leather Stallion Saloon BEST LOCAL BEER
1. Great Lakes Brewing Co. 2. Fat Head’s Brewery 3. Market Garden Brewery BEST LOCAL BREWERY 1. Great Lakes Brewing Co. 2. Fat Head’s Brewery
Noble Beast Brewing Co.
Photos by Gabe Wasylko. Design by Erin Stinard.
Crobar | Courtesy Photo
BEST OF CLEVELAND
BARBECUE 1. Woodstock BBQ
Landmark Smokehouse
Jones Bones BBQ & Grub
BREADMAKER 1. On the Rise 2. Leavened 3. Get Baked Sourdough BEST BREAKFAST
1. Grumpy’s Café 2. Juneberry Table 3. Rowley Inn BEST BRUNCH
1. Astoria Cafe & Market 2. Juneberry Table 3. Rowley Inn BEST BURGERS
BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT
1. Heck’s Cafe
2. Doinks Burger Joint 3. Rowley Inn BEST BUTCHER SHOP
1. Ohio City Provisions 2. K & K Meat’s 3. Gibbs Butcher Block BEST CAKES
1. Luna Bakery Café 2. Fragapane Bakery 3. Kelsey Elizabeth Cakes
BEST CHEF
1. Doug Katz (Amba-Kiln-Zhug) 2. Emily Campion (Birdietown) 3. Matthew Mytro (Flour)
1. Li Wah
2. King Wah
3. LJ Shanghai
BEST CHOCOLATE SHOP
1. Malley’s Chocolates
2. Sweet Designs Chocolatier
3. Mitchell’s Fine Chocolates
BEST COFFEESHOP
1. Rising Star Coffee Roasters
2. Dahlia Coffee Co.
3. Addie’s Cup
BEST DELI
1. Joe’s Deli
2. Larder Delicatessen and Bakery
3. Jack’s Deli and Restaurant
Photos by Gabe Wasylko. Design by Erin Stinard.
BEST JAMAICAN RESTAURANT
BEST MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT
1. Das Schnitzel Haus
2. Hofbrauhaus Cleveland
3. Der Braumeister BEST GREEK RESTAURANT
1. Astoria Cafe & Market
2. Niko’s Bar & Gyros 3. Greek Village Grille
1. Glizzys 2. Happy Dog 3. Scooter’s World Famous Dawg House
1. Mitchell’s Homemade Ice Cream
2. Honey Hut Ice Cream
3. East Coast Custard
BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT
1. India Garden
2. Choolaah Indian BBQ
3. Vintage India
BEST IRISH RESTAURANT
1. P.J. McIntyre’s Irish Pub
2. The Harp
3. Stone Mad Pub
BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT
1. Mia Bella Restaurant
2. Luca West
3. Flour
1. Irie Jamaican Kitchen
2. Gar and Mar
3. Jamerican Kitchen Café
BEST JAPANESE RESTAURANT
1. Shinto
2. Ginko
3. Pacific East
BEST JUICE BAR
1. Pulp Juice and Smoothie Bar
2. Beet Jar
3.Restor e Cold Pressed
BEST KOREAN RESTAURANT
1. Seoul Garden
2. Korea House
3. Miega Korean Barbeque
BEST LATE NIGHT EATS
1. Barrio
2. My Friends
3. Happy Dog
BEST LATIN RESTAURANT
1. Barroco
2. Rincon Criollo 3. Batuqui
BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT
1. Cilantro Taqueria
2. Cozumel
3. Momocho
1. Aladdin’s
2. Sittoo’s
3. Zhug
BEST NEW RESTAURANT
1. Birdietown
2. Westsiders
3. Artis
BEST PHO
1. Superior Pho
2. Number One Pho
3. Bowl of Pho
BEST PIZZA
1. Il Rione
2. Cent’s Pizza
3. Vero Pizza Napoletana
BEST POLISH RESTAURANT
1. Prosperity Social Club
2. Rowley Inn
3. Little Polish Diner
BEST RESTAURANT
1. Rowley Inn
2. Westsiders
3. Artis
BEST RESTAURANT (ASIATOWN/ GOODRICH-KIRTLAND)
1. Li Wah
2. Superior Pho
3. LJ Shanghai
Cilantro Taqueria
Irie Jamaican
BEST RESTAURANT (BELLAIREPURITAS)
1. Glizzys
2. Locos Street Tacos and Burritos 3. Canary’s
RESTAURANT (BROADWAY/SLAVIC VILLAGE) 1. Red Chimney 2. 49 Street Tavern 3. The Hotdog Café BEST RESTAURANT (BROOK PARKMIDDLEBURG) 1. Fat Heads Brewery 2. The Aviator
Rivals
RESTAURANT (BROOKLYN)
Swensons Drive-in
Kintaro
Plaza Nueva Mexican Grill BEST RESTAURANT (BUCKEYE-S HAKER/BUCKEYE-WOODHILL) 1. Poppy 2. Zanzibar 3. The Vegan Club
RESTAURANT (CENTRAL)
1. The Crispy Chick 2. Carnegie Food Hub 3. Susanna’s Cafe
BEST RESTAURANT (CLARK-FULTON)
1. Johnny’s Bar on Fulton 2. Bruno’s Ristorante & Catering 3. Bella Luna
BEST RESTAURANT (CLEVELAND HEIGHTS)
1. Tommy’s 2. Zhug
Edwins BEST RESTAURANT (COLLINWOOD)
1. Citizen Pie
2. Doinks Burger Joint 3. Beachland Ballroom & Tavern
RESTAURANT (DETROITSHOREWAY)
1. Astoria Cafe & Market 2. Il Rione 3. Blue Habanero BEST RESTAURANT (DOWNTOWN)
1. Marble Room
2. Cordelia
3. Fahrenheit
BEST RESTAURANT (EDGEWATER)
1. Don’s Lighthouse Grille
2. Landmark Smokehouse
3. My Friends Restaurant
BEST RESTAURANT (EUCLID)
1. Mama Catena Vino e’ Cucina
2. Kim’s Wings
3. Beach Club Bistro
BEST RESTAURANT (FAIRVIEW PARK)
1. Gunselman’s Tavern
2. El Arepazo Y Pupuseria
3. Fairview Tavern
BEST RESTAURANT (FLATS)
1. Collision Bend Brewing
2. Alley Cat Oyster Bar
3. Lago East Bank
BEST RESTAURANT (GARFIELD HTS.)
1. Arthur Treacher’s
2. Jamaica’s Drumpon Jerk
3. It’s a Must Cafe
BEST RESTAURANT (GLENVILLE)
1. Squash The Beef
2. Smoked Out Tasty Bites
3. Comfort CLE
BEST RESTAURANT (HOUGH)
1. Crepes N’ Crisps
2. Urban Kitchen & Deli
3. Chateau Hough Vineyards and Winery
BEST RESTAURANT (LAKEWOOD)
1. Pier W 2. Rood Food and Pie 3. Cleveland Vegan
BEST RESTAURANT (LARCHMERE)
1. Batuqui 2. Poppy 3. Big Al’s Diner
BEST RESTAURANT (LEE-HARVARD/ LEE-MILES)
1. Angie’s Soulfood Café
2. Doc’s on Harvard
3. Shark’s Seafood & Deli
BEST RESTAURANT (LITTLE ITALY)
1. Mama Santa’s
2. Mia Bella Restaurant
3. Trattoria Roman Garden
BEST RESTAURANT (MAPLE HTS.)
1. Mr. Wonderful’s Chicken & Waffles
2. Sam Sylk’s
3. Wings Bar and Grill
BEST RESTAURANT (MOUNT PLEASANT)
1. Mt Pleasant BBQ
2. Samone’s Kitchen
3. W Bar & Grill
BEST RESTAURANT (OHIO CITY)
1. Momocho
2. Amba
3. SoHo Chicken + Whiskey
BEST RESTAURANT (OLD BROOKLYN)
1. Dina’s Pizza & Pub
2. Never Say Dive
3. City Diner
BEST RESTAURANT (PARMA)
1. Das Schnitzel Haus
2. Schnitz Ale House
3. Characters Sports Bar and Grill
Poppy
BEST RESTAURANT (ROCKY RIVER)
1. Joe’s Deli
2. Westsiders 3. Salmon Dave’s
BEST RESTAURANT (SHAKER HEIGHTS)
1. Brassica
2. Kiln 3. SASA
BEST RESTAURANT (SOUTH EUCLID/ UNIVERSITY HTS.)
1. Geraci’s
2. Jack’s Deli and Restaurant
3. Foodhisattva
BEST RESTAURANT (ST. CLAIRSUPERIOR)
1. Goldhorn Brewery 2. Landmark Restaurant 3. Angela’s Family Restaurant BEST RESTAURANT (STOCKYARDS)
1. Sachsenheim Hall 2. Rincon Criollo Take 2 3. Gually’s Bakery and Restaurant
BEST RESTAURANT (TREMONT)
1. Fat Cats
2. Rowley Inn
3. Dante
BEST RESTAURANT (UNIVERSITY CIRCLE)
1. L’Albatros
2. Sittoo’s
3. Jolly Scholar
BEST RESTAURANT (WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS)
1. Don Ramon Mexican Restaurant
2. Frederick’s Wine & Dine
3. Hammonds Soul Deli
BEST RESTAURANT (WEST PARK)
1. P.J. McIntyre’s Irish Pub
2. West Park Station
3. Gene’s Place to Dine
BEST RESTAURANT COCKTAIL PROGRAM
1. LBM
2. Westsiders
3. Artis
BEST RESTAURANT PATIO
1. Pier W
2. Collision Bend
3. All Saints Public House
BEST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT
1. Pier W
2. Marble Room 3. Amba
BEST SANDWICHES
1. Herb’n Twine
2. Larder Delicatessen
3. Rowley Inn
BEST SEAFOOD MARKET
1. Kate’s Fish
2. Catanese Classics
3. Shaker’s Fish Market
BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
1. Pier W
2. Blue Point Grille
3. Alley Cat Oyster Bar
BEST SOUL FOOD
1. Zanzibar Soul Fusion
2. Sweet Pork Wilson’s
3. Real Smoq’ed BBQ
BEST SPANISH RESTAURANT
1. Barroco
2. Mallorca
3. Sangria y Tapas
BEST STEAKHOUSE
1. Marble Room Steaks & Raw Bar
2. STEAK Cleveland
3. Gunselman’s Steakhouse
BEST SUBURBAN RESTAURANT (EAST)
1. Tommy’s on Coventry 2. Flour
3. Batuqui
BEST SUBURBAN RESTAURANT (SOUTH)
1. Lockeepers
2. Boss ChickNBeer
3. Delmonico’s
BEST SUBURBAN RESTAURANT (WEST)
1. Thyme Table
2. Boss ChickNBeer
3. Westsiders
BEST SUSHI
1. Ginko
2. Pacific East
3. Sora
BEST TACOS
1. Cilantro Taqueria
2. Barrio
3. La Plaza Taqueria
BEST TEA HOUSE
1. The Tea Lab
2. Sacred Vortex Teahouse & Kombuchery
3. Algebra Tea House
BEST THAI RESTAURANT
1. Thai Thai
2. Banana Blossom Thai
3. Thai Spice
BEST VEGAN RESTAURANT
1. Cleveland Vegan
2. Garden of Soul
3. Foodhisattva
BEST VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT
1. Tommy’s
2. Cleveland Vegan
3. The Root Café
BEST VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT
1. Superior Pho
2. Phnom Penh
3. Bowl of Pho
BEST WINGS
1. Rowley Inn
2. Woodstock BBQ
3. The Local Bar
RowleyInn
BEST OF CLEVELAND
BEST CAMPING SITE 1. Mohican State Park
Clay’s Resort Jellystone Park
Findley State Park
BEST COUNTRY CLUB 1. Lakewood Country Club
Barrington Golf Club
Avon Oaks Country Club
BEST CYCLING STUDIO 1. Cycle Fly
Cycle Bar
Everybody Cycle BEST DANCE STUDIO/CLASS
Dance FX
Island Beats
The Workshop- Dance + Fitness BEST DARTS
Iggy’s Bar
Harbor Inn
Tavern
BEST DOG PARK
1. Lakewood Dog Park 2. Taps & Tails 3. Avon Lake Dog Park
BEST ESCAPE ROOM
1. Escape Room Cleveland 2. Escapology 3. The Escape Game
BEST FRISBEE GOLF
1. Veterans Memorial Park 2. Punderson State Park
3. Sims Park Disc Golf Course
BEST GO KARTING
1. Swings-N-Things Fun Park
2. Boss Pro-Karting and Axe Throwing
3. WhirlyBall Cleveland
BEST GYM
1. Cycle Fly 2. Burn Boot Camp 3. TFIT Studio
BEST HIKING TRAIL
1. Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail
2. Ledges Trail
3. North Chagrin Reservation
BEST KAYAK RENTALS
1. 41 North Coastal Adventures
2. Great Lakes Watersports
3. Camp Hi Canoe & Kayak
BEST LASER TAG
1. WhirlyBall Cleveland
2. Arena 51
3. Scene75 Entertainment Center
BEST PHYSICAL TRAINER
1. Maggie Ruper (Cycle Fly)
2. Tori Hvizda (TFIT Studio)
3. Melissa Roth (Burn Bootcamp)
BEST PICKLE BALL COURTS
1. Lakewood Park
2. Studio West 117
3. Cleveland Premier Pickleball
BEST PLACE TO BIRD WATCH
1. Cuyahoga Valley National Park
2. Nature Center at Shaker Lakes
3. Cleveland Botanical Gardens
BEST PLACE TO ICE SKATE
1. Winterhurst Ice Arena
2. North Olmsted Recreation Center
3. Cleveland Foundation Skating Rink
BEST PLACE TO PLAY TENNIS
1. Lakewood Park
2. Clague Park
3. Cleveland State University
Photos by Gabe Wasylko. Design by Erin Stinard.
BEST ROLLER SKATING RINK
1.United Skates of America 2. Brunswick Skate Station
Roll Arena Family Skating Center
BEST RUNNING TRAIL
1. Rocky River Reservation 2. Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail 3. Lake to Lake Trailhead
BEST SKATE PARK 1. Lakewood Skatepark
Chenga World
Bay Skate Park BEST SKATE SHOP
Westside Skates
Next Level Skate Shop
Eastern Revival Skateshop
BEST SPECIALTY WORKOUT STUDIO 1. Cycle Fly
Burn Boot Camp 3. TFIT Studio BEST SPORTING GOODS STORE 1. Geiger’s 2. Play It Again Sports
Second Sole
BEST YOGA STUDIO 1. Studio West Park 2. Flow Yoga Studio
Inner Bliss Yoga Studio
Towpath Trail | Photo by Tim Evanson/FlickrCC
GET OUT
to do in Cleveland for the next two weeks
WED 06/04
Walnut Wednesday
Walnut Wednesday is one of summer’s great traditions. Today from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Perk Plaza at Chester Commons — at East 12th and Walnut streets — food trucks gather to serve up lunch to area residents and employees. Follow the Downtown Cleveland Alliance on Facebook for weekly updates on vendors, entertainment offerings and more. Admission is free, but the food will cost you. East 12th and Walnut St., downtowncleveland.com.
THU 06/05
Universal Language
Two people find a sum of money frozen deep within the sidewalk ice and try to find a way to get it out in this acclaimed French film. It screens at 8:45 tonight at the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque. 11610 Euclid Ave., 216-421-7450, cia. edu.
FRI 06/06
Jacinda Ardern: A Different Kind of Power
The former Prime Minister of New Zealand comes to the Mimi Ohio Theatre to discuss how a self-described Mormon girl plagued by guilt made political history. The talk begins at 7 p.m. Every ticket includes a signed copy of Ardern’s new memoir, A Different Kind of Power. 1511 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
GlamGore: 7th Annual Pride on the East Side
Special guests from Rupaul’s Drag Race and the Boulet Brothers’ Dragula will be on hand for this edition of GlamGore that celebrates Pride on Cleveland’s East Side. Doors open at 8 p.m. at the Grog Shop in Cleveland Heights. 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs.
Guardians vs. Houston Astros
The Houston Astros, a team that has missed the playoffs only once in the last ten years, come to Progressive Field for their oneand-only regular season visit. They take on the Guardians at 7:10 p.m. tonight and then again tomorrow and Sunday.
2401 Ontario St., 216-420-4487, mlb. com/guardians.
Adam Ray Is Dr. Phil Live
Comedian and actor Adam Ray (Curb, The Barbie Movie, MadTV, Hacks, Pam & Tommy, The Heat) hosts this parody of the Dr. Phil show. The event begins at 8 p.m. at the State Theatre. 1519 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
David Spade: I Got a Feel for It
The sarcastic comic who was a cast member on Saturday Night Live in the ‘90s has had a successful career as a comedian and actor. He performs tonight at 7:30 at Connor Palace.
1615 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
SAT 06/07
41st Art by the Falls Festival
This year’s event will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow at the Cleveland Metroparks Polo Field at in Chagrin Falls. Art by the Falls will showcase more than 160 artists from around the country, including painters, potters, jewelers, sculptors, photographers and other fine artists. Chagrin River Rd. and State Route 87, Chagrin Falls, 216-635-3200.
Sarah Millican
The comedian brings her brandnew standup show, dubbed Late Bloomer, to Connor Palace. Expect to hear Millican talk about how she had no friends as a kid and didn’t really hit puberty until 16. The show begins at 8 p.m. 1615 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Pride in the CLE
This annual all-day festival at Mall B features a diverse array of vendors —areas of interest include healthcare, activism, social groups and nonprofits as well as music, entertainment and DJs. The event kicks off at 11 a.m. with a march, and the festivities continue until 6 p.m. Admission is free. 300 W. Lakeside Ave., lgbtcleveland. org/pride/.
SUN 06/08
Crocker Park’s Block Party
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Crocker Park Block Party will transform Main Street and Crocker Park Blvd. at Crocker Park into “a bustling hub of excitement and entertainment” with food trucks, face painting and giveaways. Admission is free.
189 Crocker Park Blvd., Westlake, crockerpark.com.
MON
06/09
Guardians vs. Cincinnati Reds
The Guardians and Cincinnati Reds square off today at 6:40 p.m. at Progressive Field as part of a three-game series featuring the two Ohio-based MLB teams. 2401 Ontario St., 216-420-4487, mlb. com/guardians.
TUE 06/10
Food Truck Tuesday
This weekly event that takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Public Square (Rockwell and Ontario) will feature live music and some of the city’s best food trucks. It’s free, but the food will cost you. downtowncleveland.com.
WED 06/11
Shitshow Karaoke
Local rapper/promoter Dirty Jones and Scene’s own Manny Wallace host Shit Show Karaoke, a weekly event at the B-Side Liquor Lounge wherein patrons choose from “an unlimited selection of jams from hip-hop to hard rock,” and are encouraged to “be as bad as you want.” Fueled by drink and shot specials, it all goes down tonight at 10 p.m. Admission is free. 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Heights, 216-932-1966, bsideliquorlounge.com.
THU 06/12
Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School
Founded in 2005 in a dive bar in Brooklyn, Dr. Sketchy’s has now spread to more than 100 cities around the world. Dr. Sketchy Akron, a monthly drink and draw event that takes place on the second Thursday of each month at Jilly’s Music Room in Akron, gives patrons the opportunity to “draw glamorous underground performers in an atmosphere of boozy conviviality.” The fun begins at 7 p.m.; it costs $10 to draw. 111 N Main St., Akron, 330-576-3757, jillysmusicroom.com.
Dustin Nickerson
This SoCal comedian describes himself as “the world’s most average person,” so you can expect plenty of jokes about being married with children. He even has one bit about being honest with his kids, whom he calls his roommates. The show starts tonight at 7 at Hilarities, where the comic has shows
scheduled through Saturday. 2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
FRI 06/13
Sex N’ The City: A Super Unauthorized Musical Parody
This parody follows the Sex ‘n the City characters as they make their way through New York in the ‘90s. Tonight’s performance takes place at 8 at the Goodyear Theater in Akron. 1201 East Market St., Akron, 330-6597118, goodyeartheater.com.
Shear Bliss Opening Reception
Shear Bliss, an exhibit at Praxis Fiber Workshop, celebrates the “the labor-intensive and rewarding process of interlocking wool fibers.” An opening reception takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. 15301 Waterloo Rd., 216-644-8661, praxisfiberworkshop.com.
SAT 06/14
Demons 2
Asia Argento, Bobby Rhodes, Coralina Cataldi-Tassoni, David Edwin Knight and Nancy Brilli star in this horror film about people trapped in a building with demons. It screens at 9:15 p.m. at the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque. 11610 Euclid Ave., 216-421-7450, cia. edu
MON 06/16
Memorial Monday
Every Monday through Sept. 30, Fort Huntington Park hosts food tracks and live music between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. for this special event. Admission is free. West 3rd St. and West Lakeside Ave., downtowncleveland.com.
TUE 06/17
Outlab: Experiments in Improvised Music
Musicians are invited to bring instruments or any sound making device (drum kit and keyboard provided) that can be used to explore collective group improvisation. Please bring your own amps if needed. The monthly session begins at 8 tonight at the Bop Stop. Admission is free.
2920 Detroit Ave., 216-771-6551, themusicsettlement.org.
ACING IT
At Birdietown in Lakewood, mini-golf, cocktails, and food collide for fun
By Douglas Trattner
WALK INTO ANY OF THE DOZEN or so Puttshack locations sprinkled across the United States and you’re immediately bombarded by the lights, sounds and sensations of a futuristic mini-golf experience. Birdietown Mini Golf + Lounge takes a different approach. This new Lakewood destination is closer in spirit to the pastoral milieu of a well-manicured golf course than a blinkering amusement arcade. While the former boasts proprietary technology that digitally tracks a player’s strokes and score, the latter opts for the simplicity of the tried-and-tested paper scorecard and No. 2 pencil. Let me tell you: there are no mulligans when Big Brother is keeping score.
Our foursome enjoyed mulligans galore at Birdietown, where indoor mini-golf, cocktails, food and fun collide in a mature and meticulously designed two-level space. The one-off attraction is owned locally by Tim and Erin Frazee and anchors The Nest complex in Birdtown. Since opening this past winter, the place has been mobbed by couples and small groups looking for a unique way to pass the time. Like venues that feature shuffleboard, duckpin bowling and classic arcade games, Birdietown blends a sense of nostalgia with modern amenities. Upon arrival we checked in for our reservation and hit the bar for bevvies. We ordered craft cocktails like the So Fresh, So Clean ($13), an aromatic blend of mint vodka, lychee, Pernod and jasmine, a French 75 ($10), sparkling rose ($13) and local draft beer ($7). We had a few minutes until our tee time so we did some exploring. From the bar to the dining room to the upper and lower level nine-hole courses, everything is bespoke and beautiful. Custom-built furniture, dramatic lighting, artistic photography and soaring ceilings give the
upstairs space a buoyant quality while the lower level is dimmer, moodier and lounge-like.
After getting fitted for putters and grabbing balls, we hit the first hole. At first blush the course is compact, the holes pocket-size. But there was such care and attention paid to the design and construction of all 18 holes that a player is immediately engaged. Is this a course for daily stimulation? No, but it more than ably fits the bill for periodic amusement. Our group racked up some holes in one, more than a few bogeys and the odd quintuple bogey, but still managed to finish in time for our dinner reservation.
We sat in the sun-soaked dining room that looks out onto Madison Ave. and sipped from a bottle of Hedges cabernet sauvignon
The menu, devised by Jill Vedaa, is an easygoing mix of small plates, burgers and larger items with the chef’s signature global flair. Vedaa staples like white bean puree and her ethereal crispy calamari ($15) with coconut glaze are here, joined by a decadent pimento cheese dip ($13) paired with a mountain of dark, thin house-fried potato chips.
Let’s move away from calling every crab cake a “lump crab cake” unless it contains sizeable pieces of sweet meat. These ($25) do not, but they are nevertheless delicious, pan-fried until crisp and served with a citrusy aioli and carrot slaw. The pairing of lamb meatballs ($17) with cucumber mint labneh is a match made in heaven and the confit chicken
wings ($15) are finger-licking good. Sweet potatoes are rarely a better option than classic spuds in most applications and that’s the case here with the sweet potato skins ($16), which are stuffed with blue cheese and bacon. Restaurant ribs tend to be overcooked to the point of fall-off-thebone mush, but the baby backs ($16) served here retain the appropriate bite of real meat. The sauce isn’t scorched and there is loads of meat on the bones. Vedaa offers a welcome departure from the smash-burger craze with her big, beautiful pub-style bacon burger ($16) and fries. For a light vegetarian dish, consider the mushroom toast ($17) starring whipped ricotta, sweet caramelized onions and savory wild mushrooms. While walk-ins are welcome, management recommends making reservations for golf, dinner or both. We were there on a pretty chill Thursday, but our experience was timely, efficient and at a pace of our own. We played the main-floor Club Course but look forward to hitting the lower-level Lounge Course on our next visit. Because Birdietown is adults-only in the evenings, the atmosphere never descends into Chuck E. Cheese territory. In fact, minigolf makes a surprisingly appealing backdrop to dinner and drinks. Who knew?
dtrattner@clevescene.com
t@dougtrattner
from the Columbia Valley ($48).
Photo by Doug Trattner
Photo by Doug Trattner
BITES
First Look: Jolene's Honky Tonk, opening on East 4th Street in early June
By Douglas Trattner
“WE ONLY PLAY TWO TYPES of music here, Country and Western,” jokes Jason Beudert as he ushers me into East 4th Street’s next big destination.
Opening in early June, Jolene’s Honky Tonk (2038 East 4th St.) will bring a refreshing jolt of energy, enthusiasm and fun to Cleveland’s most prominent pedestrian-only strip. Offering four floors of balls-to-the-wall entertainment, the music-themed bar and casual restaurant gives people a place to go before or after dinner, shows and events in the area. Or just for the experience itself.
“East 4th is an entertainment district and it deserves to have really curated spaces that complement everything around it, and hopefully this is a place and concept that will be able to do that,” says Beudert.
Located in the space that once housed Greenhouse Tavern, Indie and Gabriel’s Southern Table, Jolene’s is a neon-colored tribute to the Queen of Country. Parton’s image is captured in a towering mural in the main room, where she earns the title “Saint Dolly.” The rear mezzanine was transformed into a mini version of the Grand Ole Opry stage, from which live acts and DJs will perform most evenings.
Jolene’s comes to us from the group behind such projects as STEAK in Tremont, The Yard on 3rd in Willoughby and other design-heavy projects. Guests can expect over-the-top drinks, gimmicks, games and more. A round of shots is delivered on a full-size acoustic guitar, Cowgirl Kool-Aid arrives in a bucket-size Solo cup, and draft beer comes by the boot-full thanks to a 48-ounce cowboy boot glass.
Once again, “the best rooftop on East 4th Street” comes back into service with promise of a long, thirsty summer. Knock back ice shots – shots served in ice shot glasses – before heaving them at a brass bell to shatter. Upstairs is also where you’ll find swing seats, fauxaxe throwing and matchless views up and down the block.
To eat, there is a simple menu of “tendies and nugs,” served by the piece and bucket with various sauces. Jolene’s features “modified service,” whereby servers will take orders for food and drink, but only deliver the drinks. A text will alert diners when their food is ready, at which point they will need to pick it up in the lower-level kitchen.
Beudert says that when the prominent space on 4th became available, he knew precisely what would make a great fit.
“Every country bar is built like you’re walking into a place in middle Texas – it’s so cliché,” he says. “We wanted to bring the energy of Nashville, but make it Cleveland.”
Lao Sze Chuan to Open in Strongsville
No local restaurant operator can match Sheng Long Yu’s breakneck pace. Since opening Shinto in Strongsville 20 years ago, the unstoppable entrepreneur has opened more than a dozen concepts, both locally and out of state, including Kenko, Hell’s Fried Chicken, Dagu Rice Noodle, YYTime, Build the Pho and Lao Sze Chuan. At present, Yu is building out a third Shinto location at Legacy Village and is just two weeks away from opening Ohio’s first Kyuramen at SouthPark Mall.
Next up for Yu is a second location of Lao Sze Chuan, which will open this winter at SouthPark Mall in Strongsville. The new restaurant is taking over the spot formerly occupied by Red Lobster, which closed last year.
Lao Sze Chuan opened in Chicago’s Chinatown in 1998, where it made a big splash thanks to its stellar Sichuan cuisine. Founder, chef
Tony Hu, went on to open a dozen or so Chicago locations of Lao Sze Chuan, but Yu opened Ohio’s first location last year at Pinecrest.
Yu described Lao Sze Chuan as an upscale Chinese restaurant.
“I think this will be an exciting experience for a lot of people who have ideas about what authentic Chinese cuisine means,” Yu explains. “From the food presentation, the plating, the flavor… it’s 100-percent different from anything we’ve ever done in our organization.”
Look for Lao Sze Chuan Strongsville to open this winter.
Swensons and Cordelia Collaboration Hits All Drive-Ins Throughout June
Fresh off the spicy home-grown collaboration with Black Cap Hot Sauce, which runs through the end of May, comes another delicious allOhio pairing from Swensons. This latest partnership pairs Swensons Drive-In with Cordelia chef-partner Vinnie Cimino.
Starting June 1 – and running through the end of the month –Swensons will feature two menu items created by Cimino that will be available at all locations. Those items are a Pimento Burger with Cordelia-style Pimento Cheese and Kool-Aid Pickles and Pimento Cheese served with Saltines.
To accomplish that tasty feat, 2,500 pounds of pimento cheese, handcrafted by Cimino and his culinary team at Cordelia, will make its way to all Swenson’s locations.
“This collaboration is truly a full-circle moment for me,” says Cimino. “Growing up in Akron, Swensons wasn’t just a restaurant – it was woven into the fabric of
my childhood memories. To now partner with an iconic brand that shaped so many of my formative experiences feels surreal. What makes it even more meaningful is knowing my own children will create their own Swensons traditions, connecting generations through something that means so much to our family and community.”
The month-long collab begins with a bang when Cimino and his team will act as curb-servers from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 1 at Swensons’ West Akron location (40 S. Hawkins Ave.).
The promotion wraps on June 30, when the Swensons food truck will park out front of Cordelia on East 4th Street. Customers can order Galley Boys and other Swensons classics.
Meanwhile, diners inside Cordelia throughout the month of June can enjoy a special limited menu that pays tribute to the Swensons partnership. Those items include Oysters with California Granita and Lemon Zest, a Galley Boy Tartare starring Olive Mayo, Banana Ice Cream with Peanut Butter Swirl and a California Slush Float.
“This partnership isn’t just exciting – it’s a true celebration of Ohio’s rich heritage and Swensons’ storied history, while delivering fun new flavors that push culinary boundaries,” says Dan Mesches, CEO of Swensons. “Collaborating with Chef Vinnie and Cordelia has been incredible – their passion for Cleveland’s cultural legacy and their talent for spotlighting our region’s unique character aligns perfectly with our mission at Swensons.”
dtrattner@clevescene.com t@dougtrattner
Photo by Doug Trattner
MUSIC
DON’T CALL IT A FAREWELL TOUR
Blues icon Buddy Guy brings his latest trek to Jacobs Pavilion
By Jeff Niesel
SINGER-GUITARIST Buddy Guy, the son of sharecroppers, grew up on a farm in Louisiana. He still keeps a farmer’s schedule when he’s not on tour.
“When I’m off the road, I’m an old country guy,” he says via phone from his Orland Park, IL home. “I love to get up when the rooster crows and then cook. That’s what you had to do on the farm. You had to be in the field at daybreak, so you had to get up when it was dark and do the food.”
Guy says he never even had an alarm clock.
“If we play until 11, I will take a shower and eat a bowl of soup and lay down dressed,” he says. “Before the phone rings, I sit up at the side of my bed, and when it rings, I say, ‘I’ll be right down.’ You learn that on the farm. My parents were sharecroppers. They worked by the sun. They didn’t work by the clock. That’s why you had to get up and cook. There wasn’t fast fried chicken then. If you wanted fast
fried chicken, you had to fast fry it yourself.”
For Guy, 88, who plays at 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 7, with Los Lonely Boys and Eric Gales at Jacobs Pavilion, the stretch of summer dates won’t necessarily be his last shows ever.
“I had a problem with management,” he explains. “They were calling it the farewell tour, but it’s more like the ‘slow down’ tour. Now, when you have connecting flight, if you’re connecting flight is late, they don’t wait on you. I was recently in Germany, and the plane hadn’t gone, but they closed the door, and I had to wait another five hours.”
The story of how Guy learned to play guitar is a remarkable one. As a child, Guy wanted to play guitar so badly that he made his own stringed instruments until he could afford to buy his first sixstring.
“I took rubber bands and stretched them out against my head,” he says. “At one point, we finally got a screen door, and I would strip the screen and nail the
pieces of string to the wall and I could pluck them.”
Guy remembers seeing a guitar player on the farm who could play Lonnie Johnson tunes. That gave him the idea that he could become a successful musician.
“I just felt like I wanted to do something that no other kid was doing,” he says. “Back then, if you played well enough, you could make a decent living. I kept at it. All of a sudden, when the British started playing the blues, things changed. They were playing music by my late friend B.B. King and Muddy Waters and Lil’ Walter, who just got a street sign in Knoxville, TN. But you couldn’t make a decent living until the British started playing out music. There was a TV show called Shindig, and they wanted to get the Rolling Stones on it. They said they would do it if they could do it with Muddy Waters. White America said, ‘Who the hell is that?’ The Stones said, ‘You don’t know him?’”
Guy started recording in the late 1950s after he moved to Chicago and recorded for famous blues labels such as Cobra, Artistic and Chess Records. Up until the 1960s, however, he continued to work as a tow truck driver.
“When I could stop driving the tow truck and make two dollars a night playing the guitar, that
made me feel a little better because I could finally get some rest,” says Guy, who has a cameo in the new musical horror film Sinners. “I finally realized that I could make a living.”
Released in 2022, Guy’s latest studio effort, The Blues Don’t Lie, features a slew of guests, including Mavis Staples, Bobby Rush, Elvis Costello, James Taylor and Jason Isbell. It shows Guy’s tremendous impact.
“Those guys we are all friends,” he says. “I did a Bobby Bland tune. He used to say that he played with damn near everyone who could play. He just loved to play like I do.”
Thanks to contemporary rockers such as Jack White and Black Keys, the blues remains a going concern. But Guy would like it if more young people wanted to hear the music.
“I don’t think enough of them are listening to the blues,” he says. “Your big FM station doesn’t play no blues. I got a son, and he didn’t really know what I did. I didn’t tell him to play the guitar. Like my daddy told me, I told him, ‘Whatever you do, don’t be the best, just be the best until the best come around.’”
Buddy Guy continues to keep the blues alive.|AEG Presents
LIVEWIRE Real music in the real world
THU 06/05
Charming Disaster
This New York-based duo inspired by the likes of Edward Gorey and Tim Burton takes a theatrical approach to its live performances. It plays tonight at 7 at the Foundry. Cowboy Princess Brigade and Super Secret Cult Band will open. 4256 Pearl Rd., 440-637-5483, foundryconcertclub.com.
Manilow: The Last Cleveland Concert
The man behind hits such as “I Write the Songs,” “Copacabana” and “Mandy” brings what he claims to be his farewell tour to Rocket Arena. The 81-year-old crooner got his start as a commercial jingle writer in the 1960s before getting a gig as the producer and arranger for Ed Sullivan and then working with singer Tony Orlando. His solo career would take off after the release of his self-titled debut in 1973. The concert begins at 7 p.m. One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com.
FRI 06/06
Andy Bopp
This singer-songwriter who released two albums with his band via a major record label comes to the Treelawn. His bio notes that his 1998 album, Life on Planet Eartsnop, is regarded as one of the top power-pop albums of all time. Tonight’s show starts at 8. 15335 Waterloo Rd, 216-677-8733, thetreelawn.com.
SAT 06/07
Buddy Guy
A Rock Hall Inductee, singer-guitarist Buddy Guy started recording in the late 1950s after he moved to Chicago and recorded for famous blues labels such as Cobra, Artistic and Chess Records. He’s continued to regularly release albums, and his latest effort, 2022’s The Blues Don’t Lie, features cameos by the likes of Elvis Costello and James Taylor. He comes to Jacobs Pavilion tonight. Los Lonely Boys and Eric Gales open the show. It begins at 6. 2014 Sycamore St., 216-861-4080, jacobspavilion.com.
SUN 06/08
Akeem Ali
The self-described “grooviest brother man from another land” performs tonight at 8 at the Grog shop in Cleve-
land Heights. His 2020 single “Keemy Casanova” shows off his lyrical skills as he delivers lines such as “From the South
of Cackalacky, Mississippi, Arkansas/And back to Tallahassee/I’m groovier than most players” over sparse funky beats. NNENA, Armand Rashad, and Mynameisbravo share the bill. 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland
Country singer Megan Moroney performs at Jacobs Pavilion. See: Saturday, June 14. | David McClister
WED 06/11
Tom Goss
Singer Tom Goss brings his Bear Friends Furever tour to Dunlap’s Corner Bar tonight. Goss will perform songs such as “Bear Soup,” the fourth installment in his beloved bear song anthology series. as well as fan favorites like “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places,” and “Nerdy Bear.” A press release boasts Goss aims to “celebrate body positivity, joyful indulgence, and the vibrant spirit of the bear subculture.” The show begins at 7 p.m. 3258 W. 32nd St., 216-417-2203, dunlapsbar.com.
THU 06/12
Caamp
The jam/folk band has come a long way since it started playing coffee shops in Athens, OH when band members were students at Ohio University. On tour in support of the new album, Copper Changes Color, a collection of somber tunes that show off singer Taylor Meier’s ability to convey emotion with his hushed vocals (see “Fairview Feeling” and “Drive”), the group performs at 6 p.m. at Jacobs Pavilion. Whitney opens. 2014 Sycamore St., 216-861-4080, jacobspavilion.com.
Hot Mulligan
The Lansing, MI-based pop-punk band performs tonight at 8 at the Rock Hall. The group’s third album, Why Would I Watch, features catchy melodies and upper-register vocals, recalling groups such as Wonder Years and Blink-182. 1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., 216-515-8444, rockhall.com.
Key Glock: Glockaveli Tour
The South Memphis rapper chronicles a life of hustling on his five studio albums. His latest effort, Glockaveli, recalls ‘90s gangsta rap as tunes such as “”Watch Da Throne” feature funk-based beats and rapid-fire vocals. The tour in support of the album comes to House of Blues. Doors open at 7 p.m.
308 Euclid Ave., 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com.
FRI 06/13
Pete Francis of Dispatch & C-Level Single Release Party
The local jam band C-Level teamed up with Pete Francis, singer of the national act Dispatch, for a song on C-Level’s forthcoming studio effort. They’ll celebrate the single’s release with tonight’s show by playing the tune with Francis. They’ll also back Francis as he plays a special set of Dispatch tunes. The concert
begins at 8 p.m. at the Winchester in Lakewood.
12112 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-6005338, facebook.com/TheWinchesterMusicTavern.
Halsey: For My Last Trick
The singer known for intense live shows returns to Blossom. The tour supports Halsey’s latest album, The Great Impersonator, and tour press materials promise a “career-spanning setlist and stunning visuals.” The eclectic album alternately evokes PJ Harvey, Paramore and Dolly Parton. Tonight’s concert begins at 7 p.m.
1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, livenation.com.
SAT 06/14
The Allman Betts Band
The Southern rock group performs at 8 p.m. at MGM Northfield Park — Center Stage. Fronted by Devon Allman and Duane Betts, the sons of Allman Brothers Band founders Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts, the group is celebrating seven years of making music and will play songs from its two major label releases, Down to the River and Bless Your Heart. 10705 Northfield Rd., Northfield, 330908-7793, mgmnorthfieldpark.mgmresorts.com/en.html.
Tommy James and the Shondells
The guy responsible for hits such as “Crimson & Clover,” “Mony Mony” and “Mirage” comes to the Goodyear Theater in Akron with his backing band, the Shondells. The show starts at 7 p.m. 1201 East Market St., Akron, 330-6597118, goodyeartheater.com.
Megan Moroney
This Georgia native got her start singing covers with her dad and brother while studying accounting at the University of Georgia. She made a splash with her 2023 full-length debut, Lucky, which includes introspective tunes such as “I’m Not Pretty.” The country singer-songwriter performs at 7 p.m. at Jacobs Pavilion. Laci Kaye Booth opens. 2014 Sycamore St., 216-861-4080, jacobspavilion.com.
Yagga Yagga Fest
Stompin Charleston, Dread Claytor, Mwatabu Okantah, DJ Hama, Brother Lover, Kabir, and Tommy Fox will perform at this special celebration of WCSB’s Sunday evening reggae and world music show hosted by Fox. Doors open at 7 p.m. at the Beachland Tavern. 15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
SAVAGE LOVE
SLUT BIOME
By Dan Savage
My girlfriend and I started to do butt play (her butt) about two months ago. It was a once-per-week thing, first with butt plugs and then, after two weeks, anal. Two weeks ago, shortly after anal sex, she caught a really bad flu (confirmed by a medical test) that lasted a week, with a stubborn fever and fatigue. She is not the type to usually get knocked out by an illness; she’s healthy, active, eats well, etc. After her symptoms finally passed, we waited about a week, and then we were back to business, though this time with just the butt plug. A day later, her fever and fatigue were back, and again they hit her harder than she’s used to and lasted a few days.
So, here’s the thing: Everyone’s talking these days about the importance of the body’s natural biome and healthy bacteria. I know that gut bacteria are obviously deeper in the intestine, but I’d imagine there’s got to be some “good bugs” in the ass, too, right? Basically, I’m wondering if she’s just been having a spate of bad luck with some coincidental timing, or if shoving stuff up your butt can actually weaken or damage your biome and kill your healthy bacteria.
Some other details: She doesn’t use any chemical anal douches or anything (just shower water, thoroughly applied by hand), the butt plug is silicone (washed with soap and water), we use Sliquid Sassy (a water-based lube), we never go A-to-V, and there’s no evidence we’re doing things too rough (i.e., some moderate soreness the day after but no blood).
Neither of us wants to give up our new hobby, but we also don’t want to risk damaging her immunity. Is there any evidence, medically or anecdotally, that this is a real issue?
Biology Upends Naughty Shenanigans
Your girlfriend’s gastrointestinal tract is thirty feet long — so, unless you’re hung like three consecutive horses and/or you’re shopping for butt plugs in the “you’ve got to be kidding me” aisle of the sex shop, BUNS, you’re only playing with the last six to ten inches. And the bacteria in your girlfriend’s rectum (good witch bacteria, bad witch bacteria) are on their way out, BUNS, not up, and douching and anal play can only hasten their departure. So, I would chalk your girlfriend’s recent post-
anal-play illnesses up to coincidence. And what she experienced was a thing or if it still a common thing (“flulike symptoms” are an early sign of HIV infection) — rabid anti-gay bigots would not shut up about it (they love talking about butt stuff), and actual gay men would schedule anal on the Fridays of three-day weekends. Just the fact that sexually active gay men into anal (#NotAllGayMen) don’t set aside three days to recover after anal sex is solid anecdotal evidence that this was a coincidence, BUNS, not a thing.
Trans woman from Denmark here. I’ve matched with a cuck on Feeld who’s looking for people who want to have sex with his fiancée. He was clear this is not a simple “hotwifing” scene, as he enjoys the humiliation aspect of it. So, if this thing happens (we are still negotiating), what word would I use to describe myself? What would my position be called? I heard on the podcast that the person who fucks the wife of a cuckold is sometimes called a “bull.” This strikes me as a very malecoded term. What if the third party is a woman? Does this touch upon some kind of some kind of gendered bias in the cuck culture? Is it more typical to want a man to fuck your partner?
Nervous About Terminology
You don’t fuck another man’s fiancée — or another man’s wife or girlfriend or boyfriend or husband with a term, NAT, you fuck another man’s fiancée with whatever it is you enjoy fucking people with, e.g. your fingers, your tongue, your toys, your dick (bio or strap-on), etc. Also, you will not have to present a business card with “bull” engraved on it when you arrive, NAT, and you will not be announced by a herald when you enter the bedroom. Cuckold scenes are about power, not nicknames, and you can enjoy the power play — you can enjoy having sex with this man’s fiancée without having to embrace and/or tacitly endorse terms other people use to describe themselves when they fuck other people’s partners.
That said, “bull” is the most common term for the third in a cuckold scene, and a bull is typically understood to be a dominant, wellendowed man who is sexually superior to the cuck. Some people feel the term is hypermasculine (in a bad way), dehumanizing (in a bad way), and racially loaded (in a very bad way). The stereotype of the Black bull — brought in to ravish a white wife while the white husband watches — is a common trope in cuck porn and play, and some find it deeply problematic. But something can be problematic and still be a turn-on; there are Black men out there who identify as bulls
and enjoy playing that role for couples who respect them as people. But the term is optional. If you’re into the dynamic and the chemistry wit this couple is right and you’re certain his fiancée has enthusiastically consented to “cheating” with you, you can and should go for it — as yourself.
But if you like the term, NAT, you aren’t disqualified from using it just because you’re a woman. While the term is male-coded, it’s also insertivepartner-coded (bulls do the fucking), but gay cucks refer to the men who sleep with their top husbands as bottom bulls. If gay bottoms can use the term “bull,” NAT, why can’t a woman?
Gay guy in a May/December relationship. Been with my partner for almost five years now. Moved to his state to be with him, embracing his life and friends entirely. My youthful desires/needs are changing, and I feel as though our paths will eventually diverge. Differences in libido, his unwillingness to open the relationship, a generational disconnect, the fact that we don’t share many common interests. He’s an absolutely wonderful person and I love having him in my life, but after getting consistent resistance to make some adjustments for me (as I have made for him) I am now questioning the future. I don’t expect a loveable old dog can change and I feel the writing is on the wall. But I want to make sure I give him a fair shot while also being fair to him and to myself. Am I wrong to have these thoughts? Do I need to put in more effort and continue talking about it?
Gay And Pressed
You’re not wrong to have these thoughts — you’re a May, GAP, you’re still figuring out who you are and what you want. That’s what Mays do. And Decembers who can’t roll with change would be foolish to partner with Mays. (Bone? Yes. Partner? No.) But if you’ve concluded that monogamy isn’t for you (anymore) and you don’t wanna do the wrong thing (cheat), then you’re gonna have to issue an open-or-over ultimatum to your partner. Issuing an ultimatum is scary because you could wind up breaking your partner’s heart and blowing up your life — and paying your own rent again — but if your sexual connection is waning and the generational disconnect is growing, your relationship is doomed unless it changes. Which means this very scary, very consequential conversation is the only way to save your relationship.
I’ve been a bottom since my youth. Sadly, my youth is long gone, and I can’t be bothered anymore, so these days I often end up topping by default.
And I am very bad at it. It takes an act of God to get me hard enough to get inside, and once I am inside, I come in seconds. It’s embarrassing! I guess the answer is practice, practice, practice, but the fact is I don’t get many opportunities — certainly not repeat opportunities with the same guy. What can I do solo to train myself to be slightly less useless at this?
Often Limp Dude
I posted your question to last month’s Struggle Session — where I respond to comments and invite my readers to give advice — and Jonathan, one of our superstar commenters, had some great advice for you: men of all ages can bottom, ED meds can help you get hard when you wanna top, and condoms can help you last longer by decreasing sensitivity. “It’s also not fair to have bottoms go through their prep [if OLD knows he’s likely to fail],” Jonathan added. “Really, the only place he should be topping is in a bathhouse or during an anon cumdump scene where the bottoms know he’s not their only source of pleasure for the evening.” My two cents: If you’re not into bathhouses and/or anon cumdump scenes — and not everyone is — consider investing in some high-quality silicone dildos, plugs in different shapes and sizes, and a comfortable harness. Having the freedom to switch back and forth between your dick and your growing collection of toys will take the pressure off your dick, OLD, and taking the pressure off is a highly effective ED treatment all by itself. Lots of gay men enjoy toys and a not insignificant number of gay men actually prefer them. So, having a nice collection of high-quality toys is a selling point, not a consolation prize, OLD, and including pics of your toys in your profile will attract the attention of men who love being pegged as much or than they love being fucked. And succeeding with toys instead of failing with dick — will do wonders for your confidence, OLD, and boys you pegged the shit out of will be hitting you up for repeats.
P.S. Gay sex doesn’t have to include anal penetration — instead of “defaulting to top,” you could embrace being a side. Jerking off with other guys at JO parties, I’ve been told, is a great way to make new friends.
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