Twist Social Club

Over a year ago. This is a good chance to criticize Cleveland. I lived there on and off for more than thirty years and never managed to date a single nice gay guy the whole time. After college, a lifelong resident told me plainly that Cleveland is fine for raising a family but offers nothing for anyone wanting an alternative lifestyle, and she was right. Gay Americans who pay attention know Cleveland has one of the worst gay communities in the country. I've heard of men turning down excellent jobs at places like Cleveland Clinic and Deloitte because they believed it would be nearly impossible to find a long-term relationship there. They chose lower-paying jobs in bigger cities like Chicago, where they struggled with higher costs, but were happy because they could have a personal life. The gay scene is on the west side, and some people there have a bad attitude if you live east. That petty local rivalry was something I avoided. Cleveland is still conservative, so gays often stay closeted and paranoid. Why deal with that? There are plenty of other places to work and live. Many married men stay deeply closeted and lead double lives, which is harder with modern technology. I gave up on having a gay life in Cleveland and wish I had moved long ago. I wasted much of my gay youth and am now making up for lost time in a city with a great community where I can be myself. I feel sorry for guys stuck in Cleveland because of jobs or school. Cleveland makes gay unhappiness inevitable. Also, bars were racially segregated into the year 2000, which is disgraceful in the gay community. Living on the west side just for the gay scene isn't great either—it's lower income, less educated, very Ohio, and run-down. Hard drug abuse is common in the Cleveland gay scene. To be clear: don't choose Cleveland if you're gay—it's not necessary.

A visitor · Over a year ago

“not a large dance floor”

It's a nice place, but the dance floor is just an area where tables were pushed aside, so it's not good for dancing. The crowd is okay, drinks are average, and the bartenders are slow to notice you need a drink.

A guest · Over a year ago

When I've been here, getting a drink takes forever, and some patrons act like they're in New York City, which is ironic because New Yorkers are actually friendly.

A recent visitor · Over a year ago

“Close to my apt!”

There are good theme nights during the week, outdoor seating in front, and a chic side room with a bar for private events.

A local visitor · Over a year ago

“Fantastic place to visit”

What's neat about this place, besides being a great gay-friendly spot, is that it's just around the corner from where I live.

A visitor · Over a year ago