Queer Cleveland

Hamilton’s Ultra Lounge/Martini Bar, a upscale gay martini bar and lounge, opened at 1415 Euclid Avenue in December 2003. Hamilton’s was a “sleek, intimate, [and] dimly lit” 3-floor multilevel martini and cocktail bar decorated in moody “burgundy, black, and brushed aluminum” hues. Hamilton’s uppermost floor contained the Ultra Lounge, an open “loft space” with plush seating available throughout. Hamilton’s large Martini Bar, located on the ground floor, offered patrons an array of alcoholic mixed drinks and light snacks alongside ample seating. Below the Martini Bar, Hamilton’s basement club level boasted a “petite but functional dance floor, complete with a resident DJ.” Though Hamilton’s was gay owned (and largely gay operated) from its opening, it wasn’t until 2005 that the bar began to heavily market toward a predominantly LGBT+ crowd. As its gay patronage increased, Hamilton’s began hosting a wider variety of entertainment and events of interest to local LGBT+ community members. Hamilton’s frequently hosted local and national live entertainment, drag revues, circuit parties, and LGBT+ themed events throughout the week. By late 2006, however, Hewlitt reversed course and again “turned Hamilton’s straight.” Hamilton’s closed in late 2007.

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Additional information coming soon.

Resources

• Burnett, Erich. “Gay Bait and Switch.” Scene. September 20, 2006.
• Cicora, Elaine T. “We’ll Drink to That.” Scene. February 4, 2004.
• Glaser, Chris. “Minorities Report.” Scene. July 27, 2005.
• Thompson, Mike. “Cleveland.” The Guide Magazine. March 2006. Page 30.
• Trattner, Douglas. “Bar Outs Itself – Comfortable Theater District Spot Makes Some Substantive Changes.” Plain Dealer. September 2, 2005.

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2000s African American Spaces Defunct Downtown Entertainment Venues Mixed Gender Spaces Playhouse Square