Sporting a small stage for performances, a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere, and a staff who go above and beyond, this is a one-of-a-kind spot! Cocktails Cleveland delivers what the boys want from karaoke and dirty dancers during an awesome happy hour.
We believe that LGBTQ+ people deserve safe vacations that allow them to be their authentic selves. That's why our City Guides aren't locked behind a paywall. Can you contribute today?
Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated
Need more Cock in Cocktails
Whoever Ohiocub77 is, I agree with a lot of what he has to say in his reviews. James is about the only reason to come here (Saturdays and Sundays I think). Transexuals camp out at the bar every Friday and Saturday. The area is seedy, but i"ve never had any trouble either, yet I would caution guys unfamiliar with the area to keep their eyes open and not park too far away. The biggest reason not to come here is it's just plain boring- the biggest crime in a gay bar. Most of the bartenders prefer canned music over letting customers play the jukebox, it seems. Guys are playing wii, which occupies much of the floor. Why? Stay home and play your video games, this is a bar. That's what I mean by more cock in cocktails. At one time gay bars were all about sex. It's good to have some moderation, but most of us aren't asexual creatures. Cocktails is not conducive to cruising. And considering the neighborhood, if I'm gonna get drunk, it will be somewhere safer.
Alot of Trannies
This seems to be where alot of the trannies are hanging out these days, but it is still good time. James the bartender is the friendliest and best bartender in Cleveland and he keeps us coming back. I read posts about the neighborhood being unsafe. Although the neighborhood does look seedy I have NEVER had any trouble entering or exiting this bar which is more than I can say for the other bars on Detroit. Crowd is hit and miss...one weekend it will be packed, the next it be dead
Another enigma
I'm tired of reading so many negative bar reviews, but here's another. I don't feel safe in this neighborhood, especially late at night. On Saturdays, drag queens reign (why, isn't this leather?). Every time I've been here, only about 5 people are in the bar. The downstairs leather dungeon is closed. The strippers are glorified twinks. Cocktails is not worth your visit.
2 stars in reality, five in potential
Cleveland's theme apparently is to locate gay clubs in the worst possible districts, and Cocktails fits the bill. Don't go alone at night, especially late night, unless you are not afraid to get mugged, stabbed, carjacked, or raped- and not in a good way! Some of the bartenders are very friendly and flirty, like James, and that's about the only reason to go. They once had a leather dungeon, now closed, and strangely, crossdressers outnumbered leather men. I won't be returning, but the bar has potential. I was told that the Akron counterpart- Cocktails Akron- is much better, but I've yet to go.
Forget about this place if you want to have fun
I went with a friend to see the dancers on Friday night. Lame-O! For an alleged leather club, the strippers were smooth and shiny like Hollister models. Drag queens (Why?!) were holding court at the bar. The bartender, seriously, pranced and skipped behind the bar ringing the bar bell repeatedly. While the staff struggled to arrange the strippers' musical selections, the sound system went dead, to loud complaints. When gay guys on a stripper night are begging for the jukebox to be turned back on (and not demanding strippers to perform) you know something's not quite right. The lower level bar is closed, apparently for good. There is no real leather left in Cleveland. For all the CLAW hype, all of the city's leather action happens once a year when out-of-towners arrive. Why don't gay Clevelanders demand more? I'm starting to think that this town gets just what it deserves. Sad.