Inside: Harbor Inn

There's a big difference between being old and being the oldest—especially in the restaurant and bar industry. The former conjures images of decrepit surroundings and stale offerings. The latter implies a sense of entitlement. Most bars don’t stay open forever, so if you’ve outlasted your competition, it must mean you’re doing something right. That’s certainly the case with Cleveland’s self-pronounced oldest bar, the Harbor Inn. Located in the Flats across from McCarthy’s, the 103-year-old dive boasts great service, an incredible beer selection and an awesome atmosphere that will likely keep patrons coming well into the future.

Libations: Like an old sailor about to embark on a long voyage at sea, Harbor Inn has a stockpile of booze that could last for months, let alone its 200th birthday. The wares are proudly displayed, albeit haphazardly, on shelves that stretch the length of its seemingly 50-foot bar. The mountains of glass liquor bottles look like inebriating stalagmites in a long-forgotten cave. Suffice to say, liquor enthusiasts will be satisfied, as will blue-collar beer guzzlers when they gaze their eyes on a wall featuring the bar’s 100-bottled selections. The impressive collection more than compensates for Harbor Inn’s lack of draft beer, and at an average price of $3 a bottle for some of the best microbrews around, it won’t break the bank either.

Food: While Harbor Inn features your standard, deep-fried pub grub, you’d be foolish to pass on the daily specials cooked by the owner’s sister. Think classic home comfort food: spaghetti and meatballs and chicken paprikash, for example. If you want it, you’re going to have to come early, though. The kitchen primarily serves the local lunch crowd, and isn’t typically open past 4 p.m.

Décor: The appropriately named Harbor Inn resembles a ship port galley, one that would likely attract seasoned sailors sharing sea shanties while sipping suds. The interior is old, but in a way that exudes character, not neglect. Brick walls create a dark, cozy feel, while lifesavers, fish nets and various nautical flare keep the harbor theme going. There are the standard beer signs, promotional posters and multi-colored Christmas lights that typically adorn dive bars, but nothing that detracts from the unique space. Most impressive is the massive wooden bar. Built to resemble the curves and points of a ship’s hull and bow, it’s a dominating physical attribute that lends even more charm to this already charming space.

Crowd: Like all good dive bars, the Harbor Inn plays host to no-nonsense clientele who need only a good drink and good friends to have a great time. You won’t find ladies sporting slinky club apparel here. Harbor patrons are more comfortable in jeans and a favorite T-shirt. They range from 21-year-olds to middle-aged boomers—but all are young at heart.

Service: Nothing beats a bartender who knows the wares behind her own bar. Take the friendly mixologists at the Harbor Inn. Ask them to recommend one of the 100 bottled beers on hand, and they can run through the gamut without a second thought. They’ll do it all with a smile of course, and frequently stop back to check on you to make sure your glass hasn’t yet hit bottom.

Bottom line: There’s a reason Cleveland’s oldest bar has been open for 103 years. Harbor Inn combines a cool dive atmosphere with an awesome drink selection and friendly staff, making it the perfect alternative to a typical night on West 6th Street.