crobar

crobar opened in February 2022 at 3244 Saint Clair Avenue, Cleveland, taking over the former premises of the Croatian Tavern. The tavern began operating in 1921 and relocated to that site in 1946. Before crobar’s launch, Gerard Guhde bought out Joe Lasic, the tavern’s owner, and assumed management, bringing local and regional acts into the booking programme. The former dining room, which had included a stage, was reworked for larger bands. A new sound system replaced the jukebox-only setup in 2022.

Its bookings span electronic music, house and disco, with local bands and touring performers also appearing. crobar was created as a venue for underground artists and a safe setting for Cleveland’s queer and trans community. Church of Drum and Bass has promoted nights there. PERF centres on underground electronic music and features queer, trans and people-of-color DJs. DJ Navy Jayde hosts the monthly ENIGMA¿ party, which explores Black and queer electronic culture. Artists who have performed at crobar include KC, Alpha Rhythm, amita and Navy Jayde.