Openings & Closings

Velvet Dog on Downtown's West Sixth Street Is Closing After 25 Years

The Warehouse District bar, which was a staple of its neighborhood since 1998, closes its doors on Feb. 1. 

by Dillon Stewart | Jan. 24, 2025 | 6:30 PM

Danny Cunningham

Danny Cunningham

Since 1998, Velvet Dog has kept the party going through Downtown Cleveland's ups and downs as a popular weekend dance club and Browns pregame hangout.

 

But now, last call is ringing out on the West Sixth Street. The Warehouse District bar posted an announcement on its Instagram on the evening of Jan. 23.

"After more than 25 unforgettable years, it’s time to say goodbye," it read. "Join us for our final last call as we close the doors for good. Enjoy the final two weekends with us and come out for one last drink, shot, and dance. Final last call will be on February 1st!"

The original ownership group included Joe Hanna, Russ Kaz, Tom Culkar and former Cleveland Brown Frank Winters.

The bar will remain open through Feb. 1, with social posts promoting a final weekend bash.

We have contacted multiple management personnel in advance of publication and will update this story if we hear back.

 

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Dillon Stewart

Dillon Stewart is the editor of Cleveland Magazine. He studied web and magazine writing at Ohio University's E.W. Scripps School of Journalism and got his start as a Cleveland Magazine intern. His mission is to bring the storytelling, voice, beauty and quality of legacy print magazines into the digital age. He's always hungry for a great story about life in Northeast Ohio and beyond.

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