westsidecub1976

SEX

If you can't get laid at the Hawk, then you can't get laid anywhere (at least that's what "they all" say). In reality, it is a pretty loose place. There may not be someone for everyone, but the Hawk provides a wider variety of options! From white trash rednecks to the biggest fattest bears in the city, you will find someone to stoke your fire at the Hawk. Like with any gay bar, there will be some drama and nonsense, but of all bars in the city, the Hawk is the one and only bar where twinks and queens are outnumbered. As for all the "Nazi" references in the other reviews, I'm not sure what to make of all that, but then I'm new in these parts. All I can say is that I'm Puerto Rican, and I never felt ill at ease in the Hawk. Yes, one will hear the occasional racist joke and anti-Jewish slur and anti-black slur, but this is probably more of a reflection on the West Side of Cleveland in general than this bar in particular. If any one thing stands out in the Hawk's favor, it is that of any gay bar or club in Cleveland, this is the one place that offers anything close to a "regular guy" atmosphere. Try as they might, the twinks haven't been able to take over this bar, maybe they will. But until that day comes, enjoy some real men for a change, and don't be shy about approaching someone, because the Hawk has the most easy-going of any bar crowd in Cleveland. Enjoy!

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.

Nice place to chill

Not usually my kind of bar, but after a long night of clubhopping or to start things off, Twist is the classiest place you will find in C-Town. Also conveniently located on the "gay strip" of Clifton Boulevard, right down from Lakewood. Go for conversation or the dance music, but not to hook up, unless you are a twink, because you will be drinking alone.

Sundays only

By the local talk and hype (I'm new around here), the "Stallion" sounded like some sort of leather fantasy. I was very disappointed. Sunday is good for eye candy, but unless you are big with pecs of steel, don't expect to get laid. The "leathermen" are probably only leather in name, not in practice, at least by Sunday's standards. Maybe when the leather clubs have a bar night the crowd is more butch, but on Sunday, despite the good looking men, none appeared like a 100% top. In other words, most of the guys looked like physically built bottoms, maybe versatile at best, all standing and posing or chatting with friends. The sex factor was pretty low- not like at other leather clubs I've been to. Too bad, cause Cleveland seems to be really in need of a good leather club.

Don't waste your time

I think of myself as a fair minded kind of guy, but after giving this place second and third chances, I've just given up. Guys I met told me how fun this place was....what did they mean by fun? The bartenders were OK- nothing special, but not unfriendly, but the men at the bar were nothing pretty, to say the very least. As a fan of beefy, studly, bears, I was very disappointed. Most of the guys were what some would call "trailer park" types, more at home in Barberton or Brunswick than the near West Side of Cleveland. For a bar in the middle of a black and Latino neighborhood, I would expect more of my fellow Puerto Ricans, but none were there, but many tired old black men were there- not my type! On most visits the Man's World is deserted. On a good night, maybe twenty men total, will be in both bars (Tool Shed and Man's World). Detroit Avenue at night is not a good place to be alone, and even the jazz club across the street closed. The projects are right down the street and hookers and hustlers wander the surrounding side streets, get the picture? Just being truthful, here, so if you go to the bars by yourself or late at night, be very careful. Best bet, go during happy hour to get a taste- if it does not suit yours, better off going to the Hawk or Leather Stallion on a Sunday.