CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Forest City Brewery has developed a neighboring lot into an outdoor beer garden for customers to enjoy during the summer months. It turns out the space has some historic value in Northeast Ohio.
Forest City owner Jay Demagall said that a French family originally opened a beer garden in the very same lot in 1865. It was called the Atlantic Beer Garden. It was open until about 1915, when part of the garden was taken up by a warehouse.
“The beer garden is the only original beer garden that remains in Northeast Ohio,” Demagall said. “It is also the oldest beer garden in Ohio, and possibly the United States.”
Demagall and his team have restored the space for Forest City Brewery, located at 2135 Columbus Rd., Cleveland. They tore down an old house on the lot and cleaned up the area, adding seating, new plants and trees.
Demagall said that there are still three trees still standing from the days of the original Atlantic Beer Garden.
Outdoor events will take place in the beer garden, including free live music on Sundays from 3-6 p.m. Demagall plans to host community events and a fall music festival in the space, too. The beer garden is dog-friendly.
“It has become a hangout spot for our local neighbors who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of W. 25th St. and the Flats,” Demagall said.
You can find more information about Forest City Brewery, and its upcoming events, at its website.