Crowbar

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  Crowbar is a gay bar that is frequented by both gay and straight alike.  I generally find it to be a fun place overall.
  
  I think Zack H's comment that Crowbar is reminiscent of The Square in Akron is pretty spot on.  My wife and I used to go to Square with friends when we lived in Akron and we found Crowbar to be Sandusky's larger equivalent.   The decor is modern/trendy with swanky accents.  When I visit Crowbar, I actually feel like I've left Sandusky.  It's a good mix of straight and gay folk, but the bar is able to maintain its identity and focus in light of the mix.  
  
  This place generally comes alive late in the evening.  The inside seems to play host to a show of drag and dance, while the outside is the more reserved location for chitchat and games.  Both inside and out, the club is mostly home to a younger set of people.  I noticed a number of people comment that the drinks were medium priced to high, but I thought it was pretty cheap when sticking to beer and the basics (like gin an tonic).  Service is awesome--the bartenders are pros and take care of everyone.
  
  While I find the place to be fun, even as a straight patron, it is a little watered down in some aspects.  It's now Sandusky's only gay bar, which means it has to cater to a wide range of people.  When something tries to serve an entire community alone, it can't really focus on a few amazing things that make the place special.  Thus, the music gets a little tired, the drag shows get a little repetitive, and so on and so forth.  I wish Club X was still around just to at least offer a dive bar alternative.  With the size of the LGBTQetc community in Sandusky, especially during the summer, I'm surprised that this is the only gay bar in town.  Sine I don't live in Sandusky, I don't get tired of the joint, but I could see it getting worn down by this place if I were a local.  One option just isn't enough.

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  Posted on 10.22.12 Eric C.

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  This place is so hit or miss... some nights I feel welcomed other nights I don't. Depending who is here it can be fun, Leslie and Jen take good care of you and are super fun and friendly. Being that this is the only gay bar in town now I am kinda forced to come here every now and then. Typical gay crowd and repeating drag shows every weekend. I would like to see the performers do new acts every other week because after you have seen it once it can be annoying a repetitive. I am a little disappointed in this place at times because I feel it can be a really great bar with a little help. The songs played could be a little more than standard top 40 that everyone hears all the time. Even if they did an 80's or indie night it would be so much fun! Drinks are pricy and served in plastic that I do understand for late night but the last thing I want to do is drink draft beer out of a plastic cup. No cover and can be younger crowd at times. I have had crazy experiences here every now and then, like the man peeing all over the women's toilet and was told by the bar tender to "deal with it" he's the owners friend and he can do whatever he wants? I have been to plenty of "Gay" bars and shared bathrooms with men etc. but I felt that was a little extreme I really could go on and on but it is what it is.

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  Posted on 08.10.12 Stephanie C.

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  Crowbar reminds me a lot of The Square in Akron. It's a laid-back gay bar with a large number of straight men and women who come to "support the gay community". From what I remember, half of the people who were there appeared to be straight. The interior is definitely posh and upscale. Not a big fan of how run-down the area appeared, though. Prices are okay, I guess. $5 for a B-52 shot in a small Solo cup isn't exactly cheap, but keep in mind you're in a tourist town when you come here. Wendy's doesn't have a dollar menu, but a $1.79 menu (as of 2008), if you catch my drift.
  
  Just a word of advice: the drag queens here have NO filter. Absolutely none. One of the dancers tore pages out of the Bible one night, mostly likely an attempt to shock the crowd (I listen to Behemoth and Aeon, who include shout-outs to Satan in their songs, so that wasn't too shocking for me). While the drag shows are small and the drag queens and kings vary in terms of talent, they definitely know how to put on a good drag show, even though it was short.

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  Posted on 07.18.12 Zack H.

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  Crowbar is a gay bar by definition only. It actually draws a well integrated crowd of straight and gay alike. So go with an open mind and chances are you'll have a good time.
  
  I'm pretty sure there's shows every weekend. And by show I mean a lip syncing drag queen and girls channeling their inner Usher dancing around with fake hair glued to their face. It's entertaining to a point but can get old. Luckily there's a back patio that often holds quite a show itself. Crowbar draws a young crowd who can't always hold their liquor. Plus, there's often breaks in the shows with a decent DJ so there's plenty of opportunities to dance your face off.
  
  Drink prices are higher than most places but inline with Cleveland club pricing which is what I think Crowbar is going for. It's sleek decor definitely is above par with a lot of Sandusky bars.

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  Posted on 04.25.12 Tina W.

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  Sandusky, OH has quite a large LGBTQ* community, but... Crowbar is just "meh".  I really expected better and realized that it's just like every other gay bar in most smaller cities/towns: music that is way too freakin' loud, expensive drinks, and the uncomfortable feeling that everyone over 40 is constantly trying to take me home.
  
  The service from the bartenders is quite good; they're able to handle large crowds almost effortlessly from the four different times that I've been. The drag shows are quite entertaining, as always, but that's not what makes a club great.
  
  If I had any suggestions, I would probably start with the DJ staff: they play great music, but have no idea how to read a crowd at appropriate times or how to adjust the levels to match the room and/or crowd. Everyone loves to dance and have a great time, but I don't think everyone should feel like their ears are bleed when they leave. Granted, this is typical of many different clubs, but it doesn't mean that it's how it should be done.
  
  Really, I had a great time and had some great drinks that were over-priced, but that doesn't mean there isn't plenty of room for improvement.

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  Posted on 12.22.11 Philip B.

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