Wow. When they say this is the best dive bar in Cleveland, they aren't lying! My wife and I were 0.3 miles away and walked here. We arrived around 8:00 PM on a Saturday and there was a small crowd. We were able to get a seat at the bar.Waitstaff was amazing. I had a few Miller High Life drafts ($3.00) and she had a Labatt Blue Light Draft ($4.00). Bartenders were extremely attentive. This is an epic bar. I'd return in a second. It was easy getting an Uber/Lyft. If you want a dive, you definitely want to stop here. This is a 5 star visit based on service and price point. read more

See all

Great place to get groovy. Went there about 7 times always was a nice evening after. Decent food and service was exquisite.

Always a good time --but come with friends! As crowd can be sparse. Food--not so much.. unless you count a bag of chips dinner!

This is supposedly Cleveland's oldest bar, and I can believe it. It's dark, quiet, and tons of random paraphernalia on the walls. Stopped in here for the first time yesterday and there were maybe 5 people in the whole place, so service was prompt. Grabbed a can of Bell's Two Hearted IPA and watched the remainder of the baseball game. The bartender was super nice, even though she was dealing with a hangover . Definitely a dive bar, which is right up my alley. I'll let the photos I post do the rest of the talking read more

See all

Great meeting place for friends. Owner is very friendly and helpful. Oldest bar in Cleveland located in the flats.

We are here from out of town... this place made us want to move to Cleveland! The daytime bartender is real, funny, and fives what you give! If you go with an attitude, you will get one! And this is the exact environment we love! This place is full of real people, which makes it the best place we found in Cleveland! Don't mistake the humor at the bar for rudeness.... it is the best place, hands down! Shout out to Amanda.... who kept us coming back! Best bartender ever! read more

Absolutely the best dive bar in Cleveland. Lauren is the best dive bartender in Ohio. 5 stars

Called to ask a general question about hours. Was told, "It's f****** 11 at night what the f*** do you want" I'm sure the atmosphere is cool, but customer service seems terrible. read more

Great staff! Enjoyed the atmosphere, reminded me of bars I grew up going to back home.

I been this place 100 times I love it it keeps getting better and better every time we go there I definitely will be back soon

No food, the bartenders are great love them! And it's an old bar come in with no expectation

Fun old school seafarers type bar. Authentic right down to the patina and cheap drinks. If this your type of place, check it put! If your idea of a seafarers bar is a Margaritaville place with paintings of happy lobsters on the walls...probably not! Not open Monday or Tuesday. Not sure about Sundays. read more

A truly classic Cleveland dive bar, through and through. Weathered and tested over the years and still known by many in "The Land" as the oldest bar in these parts. No muss. No fuss. No pretentious BS. Just great beer, people and vibe. Basically the coolest bar in the Flats, in my opinion. You always know it's open and will be a great time, no matter when you go. The beer selection is out-of-control huge and amaze-balls. And old school bar games...yup, they've got 'em! Plus the patrons are usually all just down-to-earth Clevelanders looking to chill out and have a good time. Harbor Inn is the perfect neighborhood bar. Now, I realize it can get a little sketchy over in that area of the Flats. But, if you can quickly park and get inside the bar without drawing too much attention to yourself, you'll be fine. Totally kidding. It's not that bad over there. Kind of. Seriously, this bar is one that only a true Clevelander can appreciate. It's got the history, the vibe, the thorough beer list and the low price tag. And if you visit us and understand it's awesome-ness, then maybe we'll let you into the cool-kid's club. Maybe. read more

Harbor Inn - Dive Bars Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Tried to go there on Tuesday August 16, 2022 at 2:05 in the afternoon. It was CLOSED!

A very cool old-school bar run by the same family for over 40 years. "Wally", the owner is friendly and makes you certainly feel at home. He can be usually found at the end of the bar cracking jokes and telling stories. I was in Cleveland working a trade show nearby and it was pretty apparent that I was from out of town; no matter... I was treated as if I had been coming here for years and was a huge tipper. I appreciate that sort of welcome after I had been working my tail off all day and NEEDED a cold beer. The Harbor Inn boasts a huge bottled beer selection- if it's beer imported into this country- they probably have it. Wally says they have no less than 300 different types of bottled beer in their coolers. The really good news is that It won't cost you an arm and a leg to try a beer that you aren't familiar with, so why not? I know that this is not the main reason for going to a bar, and please forgive me if I offend the ladies, but the bartenders at the Harbor inn are not only kind, sweet and efficient.... but knock out beautiful in a way that isn't easy to describe. (Begin rant) I wish that I could bottle the Harbor Inn's positive customer-focused attitude in an aerosol spray and apply it liberally to some of the folks working in bars in the Chicago suburbs. (End rant) Let's say that the "good vibes" atmosphere at the Harbor Inn is a nice bonus over and above all of the other good things that they have to offer. Check them out when you are in the flats- you won't be disappointed. read more

This is the ecebtientisl flats bar. Personal Barr tender, private bowling machine, and karaoke... ok maybe juke box but it is old school cleveland and it is awesome read more

Ok Harbor Inn, I see you. It's the diviest of the dive bars, and I mean that in the best way possible. The nautical decor is a hoot, you're located in the Flats, and there are no issues getting parking. The drinks are well-made and there's a huge bar selection. This bar has undoubtedly seen a lot of things-- gotta love their history. You'll probably get a little buzzed, you'll probably make friends with a stranger, and you'll probably have a great time. If you're not having fun, you're probably not trying hard enough. Not much else to say here! Pure Cleveland. read more

Now this is my kind of dive bar. We were in Cleveland trying out breweries for a friend's birthday. Looking for a place to get some drinks and some birthday shots. Found this place of Yelp. The decor is nautical and rather outdated but I love that. Jukebox, pinball, bowling game etc. The drinks were really cheap. Good bartender that knew how to make shots. Place was dead. At one point we were the only ones in the place. Shame. I will be back when in town. Skip McCartheys a cross the street. read more

After escaping a endless stream of mushrooms in Florida i decided to head north and away from the MUSHROOMS. I discovered this bar on my journey to escape the mushrooms and boy let me tell you it was a breath of fresh air. There was no and I mean NO mushrooms in sight and i could not be happier. read more

A great place for a good drink. The Harbor Inn, not only has a great upstairs room to rent out for large groups, but the downstairs -the true heart of the Harbor Inn - is where the magic happens. Imagine yourself stepping into one of the oldest bars in Cleveland and hearing a mix of classic Polka tunes and "I'm on a Boat". Yep, there you go! I also suggest doing the "dusty bottle tour". They have lots to choose from, many of which will burn going down and you can absolutely get your $3 worth. read more

This is the only bar I like in the Flats. It is a classic Cleveland bar with a historic feel. If any of your friends drag you down to the Flats to go to Shooters or Christie's, sneak away and go to the Harbor Inn by yourself. It will be well worth your time. And with the extra money you save by not going to the above mentioned businesses, you could easily afford a cab to W. 117th and go to the Lido Lounge or to W. 25th and go to Monroe's. read more

Stopped in today around 2 pm. No one there really. Kitchen closed, no problem. "Would you like a bowl of chili?" Ok, even tho it is September in Cleveland. Bill came and a Luke warm bowl of chili was $6.75....what? That is alley cat pricing. Very nice inside for a dive bar want to love it. Will try again, but first impression not so good read more

Easily one of my top five favorite bars in Cleveland. The Harbor Inn is a great spot to meet up with groups of friends, as there is plenty of space around the bar and tables that can be rearranged as needed. (they also have a rather big space on the 2nd floor, but I think it's usually open for private parties or for busy holidays). The bar is one of the oldest in Cleveland and it has a lot of character and charm because of it. They have an extensive beer selection and they carry every beer that you can see on display on the wall behind the bar. Added bonuses: arcade style bowling machine, photo booth and dart boards. They have cool Harbor swag (tshirts, etc) on sale -- always a nice gift for friends and family. The staff is fantastic and always welcoming to regulars in a "Cheers" everybody knows your name style. Huge parties go down on holidays and for various fundraisers. The Halloween party is an outrageous costume party and it's something you have to see to believe. They also have fundraisers; the .5 k race and costume contest around the parking lot behind the bar was a big success and they were able to raise a good amount of money for charity. That was yet again, another must see event. If you like drunk and sober people dressed like idiots and freaks, then be sure to attend at least one of their many zany parties. Overall, awesome joint to grab some drinks with friends or to witness some wild and memorable parties! read more

Lookin' for somewhere out of the ordinary to go? Forgot to wear your bra and you want a beer? Harbor Inn just might be lookin' for you! They've got a nice friendly atmosphere in that long bar and you will make a friend or two if you're not careful. read more

Harbor Inn - Dive Bars Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

See all

Take 15 people here, drink a lot of beer and play darts. Don't overthink it, you'll hurt yourself. read more

Harbor Inn - LOVE this place - Dive Bars Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

It's no secret that my wife and I love to hit the dive bars when we travel. And Harbor Inn was the star of our trip through Cleveland! Excellent dive with plenty of good options on tap and in bottles. Friendly bartender, friendlier patrons. Our intention was to have one and move on (it's easier to see a handful of bars that way), but we ended up sticking around for a couple hours and a couple shots, and a few beers. Next time we're in Cleveland, we'll be back. read more

I went here with a group of girls and really wasn't expecting much considering it was just a chill bar but was I wrong. They had darts, random bowling game, upstairs - maybe a secret patio area, and plenty of alcohol for cheap. If you love Pinnacle Whip, they have every flavor here so great stuff to make tasty shots. It was a weekday so I didn't go crazy so I just had their Guinness. It tasted flat to me so the bartender was nice enough to switch it to something else. I'd come again if I'm in the area. It's down in the flats so not sure if I would come here during the night time.... read more

A mainstay of my college years in the mid-70's and a must when I'm in town. The Harbor Inn has always epitomized much of what makes Cleveland one of America's most underrated major cities. Patrons are welcome here whether they come here daily or are first-timers . . . there are 300+ different beers on tap or in bottle, and you won't be gouged on their prices . . . more a pub than a dive bar, down to the darts games. It would be hard not to be comfortable here. read more

I was finally at the harbor inn, after what was the worst concert ever, at jacobs pavillion, nautica, scene pavillion, plain dealer whatever! Why I can tell you is this place is awesome, we walked over from the horrible venue we just experienced, only because I or my wife and I recognized the huge building board that was painted in the side, we were both like hey isn't that the picture we saw on yelp, of what the harbor inn has painted on it somewheres? Cause coming from the west side of the river you are begins the Harbor inn, so khool. So we walk up, walk right in, sit smack in the middle, bar stil glistening wet from being wiped down, old fishing boat captains wheel in the top center of over head bar, old push button cash registers, still working, bar tenders at tentative and nice, cause the too things I asked for, Midori, Bombay Safire , they did no have, I should have had a PBR but oh well I'm not a true bar enthusiast anymore, but this place is a real bar! Dart board bowling machine that's temporarily out o service, so khool, the whole bar sang Billy Joel's "Piano Man" at 11:00 pm. Really!!! So if you looking for your dads or uncles hell your aunt and Ma's old hang out, look no further, 1218 Harbor Inn read more

I know this bar is for sale, but I just hope whoever the new owners are don't change it too much. As of right now, it's a great spot. Huge bottled beer selection, lots of bar games -- including the all-important bar bowling -- and nautical decor that manages not to be cheesy. It's big enough to accommodate a lot of people, but small enough to not feel weird if there's only a handful inside. There are lots of reasons this is a legendary bar. read more

We had such a great time with bartenders Brit and Greg. Super friendly, the owner was so nice. Made us the best drinks and helped us choose some fun new shots. read more

Our second home, one of the best bars in Cleveland, can't beat the prices and Dan is always welcoming behind the bar. The party room upstairs is a great size and a ton of fun, had several parties up there and always a success. read more

I used to love this place. I'll just say that the service today is bad. Not crowded so there's no excuse. Careless bartender.

Great neigborhood bar on the West Bank of the flats. Run by the same family for over 40 years, the oldest bar in Cleveland. The staff is very friendly, attentive, and fun. Many regulars and youre guaranteed to make friends with these laid back friendly folk who just love to have a good time. Old school bowling game, pinball, darts, a fantastic jukebox which often plays "Turn Me Loose" by Loverboy (when im there anyway). Name your favorite or most obscure beer, they have it. U like Schlivovica? If u know it, u know what im.talkin about. They have it. Great place to start before any event elsewhere, or to end the night after an event. But i tend to arrive there early and end up staying til close. If ur a Clevelander and havent experienced this, u need to. Highly recommended. read more

Oldest bar in Cleveland and ranked Best Dive Bar in Cleveland. What else can you say about this place. You walk in and it is what it is...a dive bar. Wide selection of beers which is good. Some old-times in the bar look like they have been there since the placed open...but that is what gives this place character. You got to at least hit this place once if you are in the Cleveland area. read more

Harbor Inn is a dive bar. To some people, that's an insult, but I love dives. Especially the ones with character. And you are bound to get some character when you are the oldest bar in Cleveland. The beer selection is GREAT for such a old, dive-y place. I'd guess over 30-35 craft beers in bottle. And cheap! The most expensive beer is around the $4 range. I go for Happy Hour after work a lot (thurs-fri afternoons) and Miller Lites are $2 and a large selection of shots are $3. They will let you bring food in since they do not serve food after lunch. They are also great at accommodating for large parties. If you call and let them know you are coming, they will make arrangements. They also have an upstairs party room for the larger groups. For entertainment, they have 2 dart boards, bar bowling and a TouchTunes machine. The basics, but staples in a good dive bar. If you are downtown and are looking to grab a drink in a laid back atmosphere and want to see a little living Cleveland history, then jump on into the Harbor Inn. read more

The Harbor Inn Rocks - Always has (my Dad use to drink there) & always will - Great ol' Cleveland Bar.

Harbor Inn has been around forever and is a must stop place in Cleveland. I have spent many a drunk hour in this place over the years. And you should really be drinking heavily to be able to ignore the layer of dirt over everything...after a few drinks it just becomes part of the ambiance!!! You never know who you might run into here...retirees, blue collar workers getting off of a shift, teachers, nuns, local celebrities.... read more

LOVE LOVE LOVE this Dive bar. You will never know who you will see at this bar. People are always friendly and drinks are cheap with a huge variety! If you are daring, you can even ask for 40 year old shots from around the world for $2! Definitely worth the adventure :) read more

I'm sure back in the low to mid 90s this place was poppin'. Today, it's a bit of a ghost town but the dart boards are still as good as ever. Nicely seasoned with all those holes in them. Huge bar. And some pretty cool paraphernalia in there I must say. read more