Loyalty - Â A feeling or attitude of devoted attachment and affection. A few synonyms: Allegiance, Fidelity.
No matter which you choose, this place holds none of these qualities. Me and two good friends are in attendance at this shithole, 3-4 times a week on the regular. Im a heavy tipper, on principal. I bartended for 5 years, delivered pizza in high school, so I know tips are your bills being paid. I know you may be thinking,"he called it a shithole, why does he go there"? That's what gave it its appeal, its in a good location for action. 25th can get weird and I like it weird.
The food menu is not all that to begin with, nothing has ever really stuck out and amazed my taste buds. Last time I ordered food from this place, I felt like I bit into cumin, bay leaves and bread. Ever eat Pine tree bristles, me neither, but I imagine that is what it tastes like. Do yourselves a favor, fire the "Chef".
Back to my point about loyalty, I am loyal and that's why I took a vow to never step foot in this place again. EVER. Heres the story...
My buddy and I stepped outside for a breath of fresh air, the bathroom and hipster fumes are only tolerable for so long. Anyways, we come back in, not even 5 minutes later and some guy took it upon himself to take up both of our seats(unknowingly, but read on), one for his OG (overgrown), goofy self and the other for his satchel. Now don't get me wrong, im not crying, I am well aware theres no seat checks in a bar, but common courtesy... Nope, none of that either. I had my drink sitting in front of my seat, not to mention there were plenty of seats open in the bar. The 3rd guy with us was talking to some friends on his left, so he wasn't aware of the "seat thievery" going on. My buddy politely asks the guy if we can have our seats back, he moved his bag and turned his head, basically being a prick. He made a comment about it, then my friend got agitated and more sternly asked for the seats back. The guy still is putting up a fight about it, if someone told me that and asked me to move down, I would do it just being polite. That's just me apparently.
Knowing were regulars, watching the whole thing go down, both the bartenders throw out the idea we can leave, like we were nobody. That's when I got pissed. I put up with their lousy service, with bartenders looking like an even goofier version of Jonah Hill, not the current, in shape Jonah Hill either. The Superbad version. 9/10 people there on some type of shit, pick your poison. Nasty, overpriced food and a bathroom I still have nightmares about to this day. We all were in shock and got pissed that we were treated in this manner so quick. It didn't even get loud, could have been a lot worse, trust me. Â
As much as we used to be at this raunchy place, we were paying these morons bills, a few people there are cool as hell, so if theyre reading this they know who they are. None of them happened to be in on this particular day.
I don't like writing bad reviews, or having bad blood with local businesses. I love certain places and love even more finding new ones, which im in search of a new hangout now that this place is dead to me and will never see another dollar of mine as long as I live.
After knocking over his own beer on the bar, we walked out, aggressively, but did not do what we were all thinking about doing. Like I said, were not trouble makers, were grown men, but it could have gotten a lot rowdier. Â F*** ABC. Have a nice day!!!!
FYI, I have no problem going to the East Side ABC, ill have to update that review also.
UPDATE: still feel the same.
Been going to this spot for over 4 yrs at least once a week. Â Really don't know why? Â The bathroom alone should keep most people from going there. Â Cant tell you how many times I walked into the restroom and saw a grown man with his shirt over his face to protect himself from the God awful stench. Â I understand they want to be hipsters, not bathe to prove they live on the I don't care way of life but there are better ways to do it. Â The food is overrated and the newer bartenders that worked last night service was horrible. Â There are def better bars to go to on 25th with patios bigger than a 4ft by 5ft ashtray.
Review Source:I let the cold and lousy service slide for so long because of a couple of the good people working there. Tonight they crossed the point of no return when they kicked out one of my best friends in favor of some jerk who looked 9 months pregnant wearing Paul from the Wonder Years nerd glasses. If the clown would have been man enough to back up his remarks with fists, it would have been a different story. He was a typical patron of the ABC and just likes to bump his gums. I told the guy he was wrong and he said a few dumb words. I voiced my opinion and was asked to leave as well. We have spent way too much time and money at the dumb ass ABC to be treated like this. I told them I will never set foot in this place again. I add this dump to the list of boycotts with South Side and Flying Monkey. If that is how you treat your loyal customers, I will have no part of this mess. I work for my money and refuse to spend it at a place like this.
Review Source:I have never tried the food here but I can say they have a nice bar and lots of options. Â W 25th continues to get more and more popular which explains why this place was so crazy busy on my last visit. Â I think there are some pretty decent waits for food here and the bar was a few people deep so be sure to come with patience!
Review Source:My go-to on west 25th. The happy hours are killer. Colorful and random crowd, despite the uniformed cop that hangs out occasionally. The servers are great and don't waste your time.
Good beer selection, running the gamut from the very cheap to the fancy. The bar food is actually surprisingly good and pretty affordable; I've had the:
- jerk chicken nachos, which were searing hot and delicious (though my friend was unimpressed, but she's had "real" jerk before).
- the calamari, which was great.
- the BBQ sandwich, not on the site but was definitely on their menu as of april 2013. Banging.
The jukebox is a welcome addition, seriously.
You will be irritated here if you despise potentially loud people with unnecessary tattoos and piercings and require clean bar bathrooms.
All night happy hour on Wednesdays! Â The beer list is huge, sometimes you can get an expensive beer for really cheap if they are trying to deplete stock, and the food is usually spot on for a dive bar. The food is not greasy fried fare and microwaved snacks from--this stuff is a cut above. Â It's no Lolita, but it's damn good for a divey bar. Â Also, they have a bowling machine. Â A bowling machine! Â The service don't suck either. Â Actually, the service is great. Â This is the kind of place one could make their home base. Â It's got a good and comfortable crowd through the week, and the weekends are packed with all sorts of folks. Â The crowd is always a mix of many different types. Â I've seen business folk, hipsters, hip-hop dudes, and so on. Â That makes the jukebox play the perfect mix of everything awesome. Â ABC is full of awesome.
Review Source:Went here on a Friday night because Soho was too crowded. Â Crowns and ginger were normal. Â Hush puppies were bland but the sriracha aioli made up for it. Â Jerk chicken nachos were too spicy for me to eat but my bf loved them.
This crowd is not my style. Â Most people were under 26 and wearing clothes from Urban Outfitters. Â It has a pretty good vibe despite the uniformed police officer on duty.
(Forgot to review this place when I was here over the summer...)
ABC Tavern, I love everything about you and I'm so glad that I met you. Â 8 hours away and I'm still thinking about you. Â If I could clone you and bring you back to my little town in north Jersey, I guarantee you'd be a star.
I love this place and I wish I had come here sooner! This is a dark little bar with an amazing beer selection and a sweet happy hour (all day Wednesday I think) with great drink deals and food specials. The food is the best bar food I've ever had! I had the pork belly sandwich (yum), the shark bites (yum yum), and the chicken soup (yum). Apparently their chef was trained as a saucier so the soups and sauces are a must-try!!
The service is great here and full of personality! Really, nothing beats the price and selection of this place for beer. I can't wait till the new location opens. I'll probably be there everyday so I'll see you there!
Let's get one thing clear: I like dive bars. Â Low-key, relaxed ambiance, modest decor, unpretentious people minding their own business. Â Often equipped with a small but solid, inexpensive beer selection and amusements like a jukebox, dartboard, etc. Â A place where locals and friends can sit back and have a good conversation.
That said, I do not like bars that pretend to be dive bars, and unfortunately, ABC Tavern classifies as such. Â Sure, it's got a decent beer selection (what OC bar can hold its own without one?), ping pong table lurking in a too-dim room, tagged-up pool table complete with felt-less cue sticks and mismatched balls, and dartboard as pitted as a kid's face going through some rough puberty. Â All of which could have been almost charming, except for the other desperately deliberate attempts at dive-ifying what could've, should've been a comfortable watering hole: tiles randomly chipped off of counters. Â Every touchable surface, grimy, sticky and pointedly unwiped. Â Gritty floors. Â And worst of all, a permeating stench of urine, strongest at the back of the bar and concentrated around the bathrooms.
I mean, good god. Â We get it, you're so hip and divey, your bar is almost indistinguishable from a neglected public urinal. Â
Maybe it's just me, but I prefer to drink without having to smell some stranger's piss, leaning on counters that aren't sticky with old beer and other unidentifiable secretions. Â Sorry OC hipsters, I tend to love your hotspots but this one's a definite miss. Â On to the next.
This is by far one of my favorite places to hang out at when I'm in Ohio City. Â I've yet to try the food, but have been here plenty of times for evening and late night drinks and it always has me coming back for more. Â
So it's just a bar that serves drinks - why do I like it so much you ask? Â It's the vibe you get from this place. Â The music, the people, the decor - it's all so eclectic and inviting that you can't help but love it. Â Oh, and they have one of those old school bowling machines too. Â Again - what's not to love? Â
Check out the tiny patio out front (if you're lucky enough to snag a seat!) or head out back for patio part 2, or just hang inside - either way you'll be totally content in this dive-y, yet super cool spot.
This is a dive bar with an upscale mind. Â Sure, you can get $1.50 cans of beer but you can also get higher end beers and drinks. Â They also have a menu that is pretty dynamite, putting out more than just standard pub fare. Â You haven't lived until you've had the Atomic Dog!!
Their servers are always on the ball, even when they are super busy. Â It's definitely one of my favorite places to hang out in Ohio City.
Big fan of ABC. Great bar and always great service. The ABC/XYZ/V team members are all friendly and know how to bartend ...the way it should be done. They take care of me every time I'm in.
The drink and beer selection is vast. Â A few beers they have are even as cheap as 1.50$! As well as their impressive list of bourbons (ranging a wide span of price points).. one of the best in town. The food is always good and consistent. Â The jukebox is usually playing something good. There is a nice patio area out front and a outdoor area in back as well as the upstairs balcony that has a pool table and small party room. And nice big TVs with the major games always on.
One of my favorite meet up spots, bars to go out with a group or just a friend or two. Very mixed crowd and you will always run into people you know.
The crown jewel of Ohio City casual night life.
Once the ABC was revamped and remodeled, we loved it... it was a fun little spot with decent service and with an overall good vibe. Â That quickly changed on one night... long story short, someone slipped stuff into drinks... and thankfully knowing I was not feeling well, I took a cab home...
Ladies, beware if you are in this place and if you are there, guard your drinks like a hawk! Â You can have a much better and safer experience elsewhere.
Hands down our favorite stroll to place!
I used to love the old ABC and I was sad when I heard it had been sold. Not anymore. The food here is consistently great and the servers are always friendly. We like to sit outside and people watch and sip a cold "fancy beer". The food always comes too soon!
Their menu items and beer list are always changing, so we are never bored!
Sometimes you wanna go... where everybody knows your name....
This is that neighborhood joint that anyone is welcome. You're bound to find business people, hipsters, and college kids on any given night at the same time. Prices are right - and the food is amazing. In fact, you would never expect food in such an obscure place to taste SO good - but its a dream for a foodie like me.
Don't let the outside of ABC fool you. This is the place you want to be seen.
I'd only ever been here for late night drinks until a few weeks ago. As far as the bar and its service goes, this place is pretty average and gets incredibly packed, so be careful. They quit serving PBR for whatever reason. Perhaps not having PBR is the new hipster? (kidding, folks. PBR will continue to be the hipster standard, I'm sure.)
Now, the food. My boyfriend likes the atomic dogs, which sounded good to me, until I realized how massive it is and got scared. Instead, I got a burger, which was incredible! This burger was cooked on par with B Spot's and the greasiness made it even better! Fries were delicious and much like "fair fries" (grease), and when covered in malt vinegar, they are even better! Overall, it was a surprisingly superb meal, grease and all.
I must say, when ordering I was torn between the burger and pretty much everything else. The menu is diverse and tantalizing, though small.
Stopped into ABC Tavern in an attempt to satisfy a nacho craving that had developed. Â At the suggestion from a fellow yelper I decided to try the Jerk Chicken Nachos.
Final verdict on the nachos - interesting.
The "nachos" at ABC start off as any plate of nachos should with house made tortilla chips fried to crispy crunchy perfection. Â The jerk chicken was tender and moist, but there was a certain sweetness to the spice that was a bit off-putting. Â
When the word "jerk" appears in the description I expect there to be some heat behind it because....that's what jerk seasoning is supposed to do.
These nachos are also topped off with creme fraiche. Â Maybe it's just me, but I'd rather have REAL sour cream.
Again, back to my verdict of "interesting". Â I didn't hate this dish, but I didn't fall in love with it. Â It's one of those things that I would be happy to eat a bite or two, and then move on to something else.
As far as the rest of the bar goes....I really like this place. Â It has a real "old bar" feeling to it. Â The woodwork has been around for a while, and probably has seem some amazing things during its days. Â There is a decent amount of craft beers available include Bell's Two-Hearted Ale.
The service was fast and attentive, and was quick to make suggestions when and where needed.
Final verdict as a neighborhood bar - Great!
Came here with about 20 work colleagues, most of whom live in Hudson, Chagrin Falls, or along 77 south. Â It was hard enough prying them away from the oh-so-familiar GLBC around the corner, but they were sure glad I did. Â Beer selection (draft) Â was good, atmosphere was far less restrictive then GLBC, and the food was great.
For (i think) $12 we got two appetizers:  Nachos with real cheese, fresh peppers, pulled jerk chicken, and house-made chips along with red pepper hummus with fried pita bread.  Later on it was the best hot dog I've ever had: jalapeño stuffed, bacon wrapped, deep fried and tooling around with a big heap of fries.  The Atomic Dog at ABC was a hit with my colleagues too; 5 of us or about 25% ended up eating one.
So there you have it. Â ABC the Tavern can satisfy blue-collar, white-collar, hipsters, locals, and even gated-community exurbanites. Â
Bravo ABC, bravo.
I don't think ABC can fall under the "Dive Bar" category anymore. The menu is well-done and affordable, the beer selection is awesome, and they have bar bowling (need I say more?).
We had a pulled chicken sandwich, a cucumber-red pepper hummus club (there are two layers to the sandwich, hence the "club" moniker) and some very tasty fries. I don't think anything on the menu is over $8.
Service was quick and friendly. I'd go back in a heartbeat.
Good place. Good vibe. Great people. Prices are good during either of the two happy hours (and all day happy hour wednesdays!)
50¢ pool table=awesome.
Problems: it's not a dive bar anymore. Get a toilet seat please.
Other than that, you can probably see me there squandering my money a few days of the week. I like the ABC quite a bit.
ABC Tavern was a happy mistake. I was in Cleveland for the holidays visiting my family and friends at the Garage Bar across the street. I had bought gloves and shanghaied someone's scarf and wondered what part of spending winter in Cleveland was a good idea. After drinking at the Garage Bar, my friend said, "I'm hungry." She and I dumped our friends and texted them to meet us across the street at the ABC Tavern.
I won't go into the 1950 nudes in the back, the bowling machine, the upper area private area, or how my friend and I played "Can You Spot the Lesbian," which I won, because the bi girl I spotted was used as the tie breaker.
What I will talk about was how my friends and I discovered two key things there. The first one was called Kentucky Bourbon Ale. I stopped drinking Christmas Ale that night (and who was the moron who started this lacing the rim with cinnamon? This is coming from a California guy and we're the ones who shove oranges into our beers), but I've digressed, and made new friends with the Kentucky Bourbon Ale and it gave me its number. I'm waiting three days to call, but I want to call it now. I texted Christmas Ale and said we have to see new people.
The second thing I discovered there was the Atomic Dog. I was drunk and hungry. If I smoked weed, I can only imagine how much tastier it would be. I even went back the next day sober to see if I was right and you know what, I was. Now close your eyes. Actually don't, you can't read the rest of it if you. Get someone to read the rest to you. Make it your mom. I'll wait.
Still waiting.
All right, close your eyes and imagine the best hot dog that you'll ever taste. It's big and juicy. It is the gayest experience in your mouth next to that one and only time your uncle babysat you and let you drink all those tasty wine coolers all night long. The hot dog is wrapped with bacon and the dogs are sliced, and inside are jalapeño peppers. I believe there is a hollandaise sauce on the hot dog. It's not just food, it's an explosion in your mouth.
I'm starting to think that divey pubs with unexpectedly divine bar food is a Cleveland's expertise.
No, I'm serious. ABC Tavern nails bar food. Not just any old greasy grub though. This is borderline gastropub faire with unique, delicious twists and a hot-damn-that's-cheap price tag.
For instance, you can grab something traditional like a fresh, juicy hamburger or something a little different like a lamb quesadilla with cucumber sauce. All of the menu is made from ingredients fresh from the West Side Market too, which is just the icing on the cake (or the ketchup on the fries).
A large and vast brew selection doesn't hurt my love for ABC either. From cheap domestics and throwbacks to pricey imports and micros, they'll most likely have whatever you're looking for. And with fast, friendly and talkative service to boot? Someone calls Wayne's World 'cause I feel a "schwing" coming on!
Lastly, like many other bars in C-Town, ABC Tavern certainly isn't lacking in the atmosphere department. You can tell it's got history coming out its butt, plus some to spare. Old-school bar bowling? Check! Room for a private party upstairs? Oh yeah, they've got that too. My only issue came from not realizing how loud those damn bowling machines actually are-- especially when played by drunk people who are trying to throw the ball through the thing. Yikes.
Added bonus? This bar runs on a jukebox, people! I love that kind of vibe in a smaller bar, so don't forget to bring your dolla-dolla bills, y'all!
I really enjoyed this dive. Cara hosted a great happy hour (and I got me some fingerless gloves, woohoo!). They have a really long bottled beer list and I got my favorite (Left Hand Milk Stout). As per the other reviews, the staff is incredibly nice and helpful.
They have an old-school bowling game at the front and a pretty large area upstairs for gatherings. The main area is spacious and was adorned nicely with Christmas lights and a cute tree.
I have heard great things about the food and I hope that I will get an opportunity to try it next time!
Pretty solid bar.
I'm a fan of older bars with character and ABC Tavern definitely has plenty of it. Great atmosphere. Nice beer selection. Amazingly fast and friendly service. Last Friday evening it was packed and you never waited more than a few minutes for a drink.
Food is okay. I had shark bites on my first visit. I don't think I'm a fan of shark -- too fishy tasting.
I like the upstairs thing they have going on.... although when you're downstairs it can feel a bit awkward and you think that the dudes up there are looking down your shirt.
Only gets four stars because having a band play on that upper deck is like some kind of alternate universe where bands perform like air shows. I felt like an idiot standing and staring up the singers shirt.
And damn, that dude was hairy.
Excellent beer selection and the service was friendly, quick, and solid. Never had to stand at the bar and wait for more than a minute, and the place was packed.
So far, this is the only bar on W. 25th that doesn't make me seriously consider opening fire on crowds as a career option.
Sometimes it's the unexpected, unanticipated events and experiences, ones without any preconceived spoilers that make for the most pure moments in ones life. The latest discovery? ABC Tavern.
Located along the main drag of West 25th in Ohio City, ABC Tavern was a rare and welcoming accident. Last Saturday evening started out with my attempt to use up a Great Lakes Brewing Co. gift certificate that had been burning a hole in my pocket for quite some time. As I would later find out, it wasn't meant to be. At 7:30pm, the wait was close to an hour. Forget it.
A quick brainstorming of a Plan B resulted in my suggestion of a sleepy ol' Tavern with a generic title further on down W. 25th that I've been hearing whispers about. "ABC the Tavern" it was, as proudly and eloquently announced from the vintage art deco-ish marquee above it's entrance.
Inside, my first impressions of the dimly lit dive were of airy comfort in a relaxed atmosphere, all leading to a welcoming place of hospitality, spirit and soul. The space is long and somewhat narrow with tall ceilings. A long stool lined bar runs along the left side wall. A few high tops along the right. A pool table overlooking the entire bar sits a top a loft space.
Throughout our time here, the jukebox continued to pump out timeless classics and groovy tunes. Any man with a lot on his mind shouldn't have to sit alone with his thoughts and a head full of booze. The jukebox was a welcomed friend.
After browsing the extensive list of brews, ranging from the thrifty PBR tall-boy to a near endless list of craft beers that even the most snobbish brew-master would find adequate, I settled on a Dogfish Pêche. My accomplice, an Abita Purple Haze.
The menu was concise, yet well varied and adventurous compared to any other typical dive. Said to be under new ownership (as of last fall) by the same group that owns the nearby West Side Market Cafe, I could tell the menu items were heavily influenced by fresh WSM ingredients. Instead of ordering entrées, we settled on apps of Nacho's & Hummus. Again, both considerably better than what you'd expect from a typical dive bar.
Throughout the meal and my experience at ABC, I'd soon find out this place was anything but "typical". Friendly and accommodating service along with an inventive and inspired menu all in a no-frills, unpretentious space... well this my friends was an unexpected, yet welcome thing. ABC the Tavern, I look forward to my return.
Todd Rundgren played here-- or at least he tried. Apparently Liv's stepfather knows someone there, so he "sat-in" with some affiliated craptastic white-boy blues cover band.
Dear craptastic white-boy blues cover band,
When a rock god like Todd Rundgren is playing within 10 miles of your pathetic little band, shave your heads, don saffron robes and meditate in silence. Please don't sing, play lead or, God forbid, solo.
Signed,
The Universe
Otherwise, this is a great bar. The food is unreal. I had a "lamb quesadilla", lamb from the West Side Market sauteed with spinach and feta on a pita. Huge, reasonably priced and utterly delicious. Others in my group had the burger, jerk chicken sammy and shark bites. All finished every crumb!
The service is excellent. The staff knows all about the dishes on the menu and all the offerings on their well rounded beer menu. They are friendly, cool and very competent.
Don't be off put by the uber-hipster crowd. A few American Apparelled hipsters may stare at those who don't rock skinny jeans, but the staff definitely makes everyone welcome.
The last place on w 25th where on a Thursday you won't be over run by the people who got bored of w 6th/9th but think they are still there.
they have a pretty damn good beer list, limited on draft but good stuff in bottles. the prices are average to high ($3.50-7.00+ depending). the lamb quesadilla is fantastic and a great value at $6.75. happy hour twice a night, i think 4-7 and then 10-12 mon-fri. a cheap pool table, free darts, old school bowling, flat screens with sports, and super friendly bartenders who are more than willing to chat with you. overall a great bar.
your body cries out -
cheeseburger! I desire!
relief on two-five.
Clean and divey, my new West 25th street fave. Fun menu, great food, jukebox full of fun, bowling machine, pool table, an assortment of interesting characters, hot soup, shark sandwiches (really!) sweet bartenders. I gotta say, the burgers rock. All killer - no filler at the ABC!
Carry on.
It's not exactly dark and dank anymore, but definitely not West 6th Sleek. They are armed with a pool table, a dart board, and a bowling machine.
And possibly the best jukebox in Cleveland.
The food is...well, food. It's not bad, not exactly earth shattering...BUT, it's kind of fun to watch the guy make it for you, which he does, enthusiastically (there's an old serving window from which you can spy). He'll even talk to you while busy with his work. And it's all well-priced. Saves you money for the beer and drinks.
And they have a lot of beer and drinks. They have the Brooklyn-ish buck fifty PBR in a can, all the way to the Christmas ales and several other imports and exports.
Given the crowds that I've seen there, this place isn't exactly a secret...but the crowd is fun and diverse. I got into a fun conversation with the gal who owns the building (and the previous owner of the bar). Nice gal.
4 stars for the great beer selection at good prices, the pool table, jukebox and bowling machine.
The new owners have brightened the place up. Â I think it has one of the longest bars in Cleveland.
They now have food. Try the cheeseburger with super thin cut fries or the lamb quesadilla with ground lamb from the West Side Market.
It will be a good place to either start the night or to finish it.
Dark.
Dank.
Depressing.
Damn (right?).
People don't go here to party, unless they aren't allowed in any of the other West 25th joints.
People go here to drink. Lots.
If that is what you are looking for, it beats the televised glow of the Old Angle and the faux-automotive-ness of The Garage.
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