Fireplaces At Cleveland Restaurants, Bars Are Winter Oases

CLEVELAND, OH -- There are few more relaxing places to be on a cold winter's night than in front of a fireplace. Our ancestors would gather around a fire and tell their tales of survival and bravery. Likewise, we often find ourselves sipping our favorite beverage, staying warm and with friends at our favorite watering hole, particularly if it has a fireplace.

These are a few of our spots around town that have fireplaces, inside or outside on a patio. The trend to build fire pits on outdoor patios coincided with the smoking laws. People would be standing outside in the cold weather smoking cigarettes and freezing their butts off. Hence, businesses owners started to put heaters out there or, if they could, build fire pits and elaborate fireplaces.

As always, we invite you to comment on these selections and add your own favorite places with fireplaces.

Sokolowski's University Inn, Tremont

If you've ever enjoyed a beer and some of this Cleveland culinary institution's Polish comfort food sitting in front of the massive fireplace, you have found a little piece of heaven. Sokolowski's University Inn is Cleveland's oldest family-owned restaurant and won a Beard Award for Classic American Food a few years back. The bar has the best view of downtown in the city.

Stone Mad, Gordon Square District

This Irish Pub just north of Detroit Avenue on W. 65th Street offers the kind of fireplace that must be seen to be truly appreciated. The Stone Mad owners used stone from various sources to create an outdoor patio that invites you to warm up next to its beautifully constructed fireplace.

The Harp Irish Pub, 4408 Detroit Road

Located just off the newly re-constructed Shoreway, the Harp prides itself as a classic Irish pub with the food to match its authentic decor. The fireplace helps create a rustic charm. Sunsets over the lake are a summertime attraction.

Prosperity Social Club, Tremont

Although the heat source in this bar/restaurant is technically a stove, it provides a good deal of comfort to patrons who find the fish n' chips to be some of the best in Cleveland. The Prosperity Social Club is one of the oldest continuously existing bars in Tremont, and that's saying a lot in a neighborhood that is filled with bars and restaurants.

Photo By Mark Holan