The Hawk

“New in Town”

As a new Cleveland resident coming from the South, I heard good things about the Hawk from friends. Stopped by on a weeknight with some buddies, and the regulars were okay but nothing special. The bartender was an older short guy telling corny jokes. Not a cool spot. I gave it another shot on a weekend alone—my friends wanted to dance, I just wanted to relax. Complete opposite experience. The decent regulars were gone, replaced by trashy white guys and scary-looking homeless black folks. There were women, maybe lesbians, I didn't care to find out. The straight bar next door, Now That's Class, was fantastic. Cool bartenders, fun crowd. If you're gay but straight-acting and not looking to hook up, skip the Hawk and go there. As a music fan, Class had live bands and was a blast. The Hawk feels like an old, post-AIDS 80s dive. Can't believe gay bars like this still exist. Go Cleveland.

A visitor · Over a year ago

“Puked in my mouth”

This place is full of fat old guys, flamboyant bottoms, and social outcasts. If you don't love Kesha, Britney, Lady Gaga, and other terrible music blasting all night, you won't enjoy yourself.

A guest · Over a year ago

“Rough trade”

Yeah, this isn't your older brother's gay bar—it's more like your father's from pre-Stonewall. Full of dirty old men, the occasional trans person, plus the necessary twinks and beards, the Hawk is a throwback to a sleazy past before dance clubs and shiny people came out. The crowd here is rougher but not necessarily tougher than at Cocktails or Man's World. Cocktails and Man's World attract rent boys and curious straight types, while the Hawk is definitely gay. Instead of Abercrombie or Hollister clones like at Hush, Bottoms Up, or Twist, you'll find leathermen tired of leather bars, horny old and young guys, and every kind of bear, cub, otter, and hairy out-of-shape dude. Not many black guys come, and when they do, most whites leave. More tough-guy attitude than actual fights, though white trash types occasionally throw punches for entertainment. If you can handle or are horny for old-fashioned American trash, stop by the Hawk. Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays are usually best.

A recent visitor · Over a year ago

“The hawk is a great place!”

I don't get the bad reviews. It's a bar—not a sissy bar or a twink bar, it's a neighborhood bar. It's not flashy or fancy, and it's not filthy like some idiots claim. Places like Man's World, Cocktails, and Stallion are actually filthy and nasty, including the people who go there. The Hawk has a lot of regulars; get to know them. It's not cruisy, young, or for pretentious types. Once you know the people and bartenders, it's a blast. So don't knock the bar because no one talked to you, the bathroom wasn't clean, or a bartender was rude (which means you were rude). Don't knock the atmosphere—it's a local regulars' bar. If you act like you just came from Bounce or Twist, you won't fit in. It's casual and people are themselves. It's a bar, not a palace.

A local visitor · Over a year ago

“Skip it!”

Weird people, bad music, screaming bearded types. Is this what Cleveland wants in a community bar? Skip it.

A visitor · Over a year ago