BOP STOP @ The Music Settlement

This was my 1st time at Bop Stop and I loved it. If you are looking for an intimate gathering place to hear live jazz- this is it! Every seat in the house is a great seat. Right now, their kitchen is out of service so you'll have to grab something to eat at another venue before or after visiting.

Excellent venue, staff very friendly and accommodating. Checked out the Huntertones. Sound was amazing and will definitely return-not a bad seat in the place

Great small venue with a nice selection of beers, wines and alcohol. Nice stage and good sound.

I love this club! Every time I’m in town, I make it a point to stop by. It’s a cozy, laid-back venue with a great view of the water, reasonably priced drinks, and—most importantly—top-tier jazz performances. The bands that come through here never disappoint, and the fact that they have a nonprofit mission for music education makes it even better. This place is a hidden gem and a must-visit for any jazz fan! 🎶🔥

I enjoyed the bar menu, and the venue was very nice and intimate. I ultimately did not have a good time because of the music. I think any other performance would've been fine and a typical jazz club, but we went to a performance that was so free-form jazz that John Cage wouldn't have sat through the whole thing. It was ridiculously avantgarde and objectively, painfully loud. We read the website very thoroughly and nothing indicated that this was an incredibly refined-taste performance. I really wish the website had indicated that this was not a typical jazz set. Maybe the whole thing was an elaborate prank since we went on April 1st, but it's made me extremely hesitant to go back or recommend it to anyone. The venue is nice, and that music resonated with some members of the audience - I'm just there was no indication that this wasn't a typical jazz set on the website's very long description.

Bop Stop is now owned by the music Settlement. They don't serve food currently but apparently you can bring in your own food. They also have a bar. Some events are free, others require a ticket

What fun. I'm so glad I went there tonight. I got to hear a great organ trio, The Soul Message Band. I never got to hear Jimmy Smith, or Groove Holmes back in the day. Tonight I got to hear all those people. The Bop Stop is a great place to hear live music. Please go there. What fun!!!!!!!

Great live music venue. Very little on site parking. Will need to arrive early to get a spot in the parking lot or a spot on the street nearby.

Came here to see Aimée Allen Trio: Strings and C(h)ords with Tony Romano and François Moutin This was my first trip to the Bop Stop. Definitely not my last ! The jazz artists were really good. They played a mix of originals and music of other jazz artists. The place is a very neat space. Good acoustics, nice bar. The drink sales go to music education. Such a great investment in music education. Highly recommend looking into the shows that are on their website. Go and support this awesome place ! Thanks for a great night of jazz. Looking forward to attending additional shows. https://www.themusicsettlement.org/events/2021/10/22/aime-allen-trio-strings-and-chords-with-tony-romano-and-franois-moutin-bop-stop

What a cool experience! We came here to see Stanley Davis perform with the Dave Banks Big Band, and it was such a pleasure. This venue donates proceeds from the bar to The Music Settlement, which has a music school for children, as well as music therapy. What an awesome cause, and a great intimate space to see a show. There are maybe about 15 tables that seat 4 in front of the venue, and you can also sit at a bar that lines the back of the room. Right now they are looking for a new kitchen vendor, so it's drinks only and no food. We had a great time, and would definitely recommend this venue.

This was the highlight of our weekend trip. Tommy Lehman and the Uplift Band with musical guest Peachcurls did an amazing job. Acoustically, this place was spot on. We enjoyed that concession proceeds go to local youth music programs. The staff were friendly, the place was clean, and they do have a nice drink selection. Their food service group just left so we were limited to trail mix, cookies and chips, but I don know food will be back on the menu. Having the manager get up on stage and perform with the band was a nice touch. The audience was into it throughout the night, and the place was packed. Parking around the area is not easy so get there early as their private lot has limited space, but it is worth going if you are a music lover who enjoys supporting local talent and jazz music.

Looking for jazz without the hassle but with talent? You found it at Bop Stop. Had a fabulous time. Visiting CLE and our last night looking for some jazz to end our stay. Found Bop Stop! No reservation needed. Showed up about 45 min before showtime and had the whole place to pick wherever we wanted. Most people arrived around 15 min beforehand. Two levels to sit. Tables at stage level and tables at bar (bit higher) and sitting at bar. Our drinks were solid. We didn't have any food as we came after dinner. But they had a few bites. We arrived at sunset hour so caught a bit of the view. The music was fun, experimental, fresh yet still ode to the greats. The night got exciting at the end with a little impromptu from musicians in audience joining in with their own instruments. All in all a fabulous secret gem find. Also it's a non-profit to spread music, & train young musicians. Support the arts

Great music venue supporting a great cause! I came in on a Wednesday night looking for love jazz. Cleveland Scene has a nice daily rundown. Found a 3 piece jazz band and always wanted to visit the Bop Stop, so here I am. To say this place is intimate is an understatement. With that said, however, the tables and chairs are not on top of each other as some of the other music venues. You get plenty of elbow room! Gabe met me at the door, collected the cover, and showed me to a table. Gabe then served me up a bottle of wine before running back to the kitchen to prepare the hummus I ordered. After Gabe brought out my hummus, he went to the stage to introduce the band. Turns out Gabe was the only one working, and he was working his tail off taking care of the 30 or so patrons that all apparently walked in without tickets in advance. Turns out the Bop Stop is owned by a school and any proceeds from the venue go to support education. Gabe proclaimed them to be the only school with a liquor license in the area. As an amateur musician myself, and a fan of live music, I was hooked. I've been to music venues with better kitchens, better bars, and better service. But the design of the stage and seating here is better than all of those, and seeing the proceeds go to education, I would jump at the opportunity to return.

Would recommend for music would not for drinks. The bop stop sunset was just too tart for me

Wonderful gem of the neighborhood. Great concerts, great employees. Highly recommend.

Loved going to this spot for a jazz concert. The music was amazing and the food was delicious. They didn't have too many options but I tried the braised ribs and to my surprise, it was delicious and moist and did not disappoint. Would recommend for a lowkey date light and music for sure!

This place is great! It's a not--for-profit jazz club, so the performers are all highly skilled and interesting- some experienced jazz masters, some up-and-coming youngsters.The seating is tight and the venue is kind of small, but that is perfect for eclectic jazz, right? The place is clean and comfortable and the staff is super-friendly. The menu is small (it's a music venue, not a restaurant) but there is a full bar! Parking is a little tight. Doors usually open at 6pm with shows starting at 7, but seating is first-come-first served. A great place to hear some jazz. There is a cover charge, usuallyy $10-$15-ish, but the music was great!

We had a private event at Bop Stop this past weekend and it was exceptional. Bop Stop is a music venue. The stage is small but intimate, and holding an event here means you'll be up close and cozy with the performers. The atmosphere in here in general is outstanding. Its very warm, inviting, and makes for good conversation or performer observation. Its simultaneously friendly and romantic. You'll be happy to know that they have a small parking lot with a spacious amount of parking. I have to give tremendous props to the staff. The bartenders, security and other staff were working tremendously hard. The drink menu is very fresh and original, and the 2 drinks I had for the evening were a-m-a-z-i-n-g. The Rabbit Sour (bombay sapphire, lemon juice, egg white) and strawberry basil mojito had such original and crisp flavors. I could've easily had several. Bop Stop is a wonderful place to visit year round to catch some of their programmed music or to host your event. Not only are they the self-proclaimed "premier listening room" of Lake Erie, but they are a non-profit affiliated with The Music Settlement. They pride themselves on featuring local musicians. This place is truly a gem, and if you haven't been there yet, what are you waiting for? Set your bookmark and GO!

I was here for the Champion Fulton show and will come back as soon as they bring another act I like...Very good view and drinks...Didnt have dinner but will upgrade my review at I have dinner there

I've been the to Bop Stop a few times. Once when it was just the Bop Stop and once since the Music Settlement has taken over. Most recently my visit to the Bop Stop was for Ovation's Holiday Concert. It was a great concert for the price, $20, and I was happy to support this group and this establishment. I'll start with the Cons: 1. No valet. Parking in this "hood" is difficult on a good day, lest alone on a night when the Bop Stop is hoppin'. Valet would be VERY welcome; especially if I'm driving alone and have to walk in the dark alone. 2. Limited menu. Don't come here hangry. There aren't a ton of options, so you'll want to eat your dinner first. Pros: 1. Great space. I love this space for live music. There isn't a bad seat in the joint. 2. LIVE MUSIC! Hello?! This place offers live music on a regular basis, and it is good music. 3. You don't have to remain QUIET during performances. Many moons ago, this was the case, and thankfully now, it isn't. While we don't want you screaming and being rude to other listeners, but you can talk quietly with your table-mates. 4. While the menu IS limited, the food is good. I had no complaints about the cous-cous salad I enjoyed. My friend had the meatballs and she claimed they were tasty too. Most people, I think, have forgotten about the Bop Stop because it has been so long closed. Please, remember there's live music there almost every night of the week. Go, support these local musicians and make the Bop Stop Cleveland's new live music venue destination!

This is one of my favorite Saturday date night destinations. Perhaps there's a bit of bias in this review; I'm a classically trained musician. This venue brings in the best jazz musicians in the area and beyond. I imagine that many of the people who frequent this place have a deep appreciation for musical artistry and it feels wonderful to support a venue that provides a very intimate setting for memorable performances. I've been to Bop Stop 3-4 times. When the space was standing room only and when I could grab the table right in front of the fireplace, cozy up to it, (wine in hand) and just allow myself to get transported. No matter how many people are in that audience - you're going to get a very personal expression of dedication to someone's craft - and it's really magical. The space is great - acoustically speaking, you're not gonna sit in a bad seat. The service is perfect - The staff are definitely passionate about the space and they create a very inviting environment for all the patrons. I mean, I've never had a single issue. (Read my other reviews - sometimes, I tend to have issues.) I've received genuine smiles and conversation. A+!! This non-profit turns around all of its proceeds and puts everything right back into the Music Settlement. And when you realize how special that is - well, it should give you goosebumps and make you want another round of drinks. There's no other destination in Cleveland, that I know of - that's doing this. And it really makes my heart super happy. For the evening - you'll probably spend $20 per ticket (at most) and the drinks and small plates are definitely reasonably priced. You get good portions and good pours. We've made dinner plans out of it, and I wouldn't be opposed to doing it again. (My sweetie pie likes their chocolate chip cookies.) :) ... Which is saying something, cause he's particular. This isn't the venue for craft beer aficianodos. Don't get stuffy about that. (I know it's trendy and I like them too.) Enjoy your pilsner, your red, your white, your jack and coke - but don't get hoity-toity. The last time I went, they did have a rotating Platform brew in house and if you like Hendricks, have a G&T. But most importantly, SERIOUSLY do yourself a favor and be in the moment of some of the best live-jazz you're gonna get in CLE.

A very nice, intimate setting to enjoy listening to jazz. The music was from a local quartet, who played a mixture of original pieces and covers. They sounded great. Bop Stop is owned by The Music Settlement, so all purchases benefit local music education. Food selection is light, but quality. There is a wide variety of alcohol beverages, including local craft brews. While the setting may remind you of a classy jazz club, the vibe and attire is casual. Owner/manager who greeted us was friendly, and we had the opportunity to talk with the band before and after the show. Free parking on site as well. Overall a fantastic experience at a great venue

The Bop Stop is one of the best live music venues in Cleveland! I had been keeping an eye on it for a while before finally stopping in, and I'm so glad I did it. The atmosphere is so cool, and the view of the lake is gorgeous. The staff are nice and funny- in fact, the first time we stopped by, the owner came by to shake our hands and introduce himself. Definitely the kind of place where you get to know the regulars! The sound quality is great, and there's always an eclectic list of bands playing. The beer selection isn't huge, but it's pretty solid, with a good mix of domestic and craft choices. There is also food available, although I have not tried it yet. Please stop by and support a local non-profit, and a great cause! You are sure to enjoy some great music at an awesome venue.

A venue for live music, run by an individual who wears all the hats. Great space to hear jazz of every variety. Full bar, very limited menu, no table service. Go to the bar to order food and get your drinks. They deliver food to your table. We love going here and appreciate the limited very attentive hard working staff. Very reasonable cover charges.

First time here. Came to hear FiveOne Experimental Orchestra with my girlfriend. The place is easy to find on Detroit and if you arrive early there is a small parking lot there for free. It had a nice ambiance to it with a big window looking out on Lake Erie. Doors opened an hour before show and kitchen a. half hour before. That was useful info for us since we wanted to get there early enough to get a good table and eat dinner. But pretty much all the tables are good and although the food menu was pretty limited, the food itself was inexpensive and delicious. Service is a little slow but it was packed and the servers were working very hard. No fault of theirs. Bathrooms were clean. Overall a very nice experience. Would definitely return.

My 2009 review: "The Bop Stop is a music listening room. The managements requests you remain QUIET during all performances." These signs, liberally covering the tables and walls, say it all. The management isn't running a bar that happens to have jazz - they're running the downtown outpost of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music's jazz posse. The acoustics in the Bop Stop are second-to-none. The whole building was clearly designed for one purpose - listening to fantastic live jazz (primarily instrumental jazz, too.) 2016 update: The director of the Bop Stop wrote me in late 2016 to let me know that in 2014 the facility was donated to the Music Settlement, a community music school. They are now a non-profit club that still showcases jazz, hosting music classes during the day and performances in the evening (complete with liquor permit.)

One of the best jazz clubs in any city. The spectacular Lake Erie background sets a perfect late night mood... Enjoy great music, classic standards, and unobtrusive tiered seating. The most important point is that nothing gets in the way of the music. It's just great music + a cool atmosphere = one of the best jazz clubs I've ever been to around the country.

I have been here several times w friends since it re-opened as part of the Music Settlement. The venue is fabulous. There are concerts most evenings. All pricing is reasonable - entrance to drinks. No drink minimum required. People who come are serious about music and serious about a good time. I've come alone (unaccompanied female), and feel completely comfortable. Street parking is always ample. You may have to walk a block or two. FYI, it's not in a 'hood. Bop Stop is located in a community and neighborhood. Additionally, the Music Settlement has been conscious of where this venue is located and who the community is. They have done outreach in Spanish and included bi-lingual day programming. I truly love when I can get out and spend an evening at Bop Stop!

Intimate setting to watch some great live shows. Friendly staff, great drinks. Perfect for first date or anniversary. I take my wife and almost always leads to even more fun when we get home. My first born son was conceived after a night at the Bop Stop. Highly recommend!

I've only been here a few times since it was taken over by the Music Settlement, but it's a great venue. The room is quite nice, it's for a great cause and the musicians I've been able to see there have been astounding. I only really have one issue: I feel the PA system is overused for the size of the venue, at least on the nights I attended. I've not heard how the room sounds without it, but based on my experience listening to and playing several acoustic instruments I believe that on many nights they do not need the PA at all, particularly as I've yet to hear a system that sounds as good as an acoustic instrument. I'd at least like the chance to hear how that Steinway grand sounds on its own, especially as it has been masterfully played every time I've been there. For people unfamiliar with the area, the venue has a small parking lot, but unless you're quite early be ready to look for parking nearby. Finally, the staff has been pleasant and friendly. I've never eaten there, so I don't know about the food, but the drinks I've had tasted as good drinks should. And they taste even better when accompanied by great, innovative music.

The Bop Stop, Music Settlement and Manager: Gabe is, a winning combination!!! In December 2018, my family and I were searching for an appropriate venue to celebrate my sister's upcoming birthday-- with the Christmas holiday in the same week as her birthday-- didn't think possible to achieve the level of our hoped for expectations! But with Gabe and staff"s exceptional kind and generous cooperation-- we did it!!! Talk about spectacular and forever memorable in every sense of the word!!! Gabe went above-- he arranged our reservations (guests sz 15), music performance tickets, excellent seating (decor!!! and the beautiful fireplace!!!) the food was at perfect temp according to and per order/selection choice-- when delivered to our tables!!! In addition, our drinks were very good, generous and, great prices!!! I could go on and on... including other patrons in attendance that night too!!! The parking, safety!!!! However, just to say, that The Bop Stop is a wonderful addition, a beautiful look and soulful (*offering professional, marvelously... talented musicians to take the audiance there-- wherever "there" maybe:- )) ambiance-- that will make you feel as if you"re in a very upscale NY nightclub!!!!!! Impressive and well done!!!!!!! We look forward to visiting again! Thanks, Gabe!! Best Regards, Always!!! D.Sharp & Family

This is the most fun Ive had in an evening in a long time. Super talented performers, electric crowd, great atmosphere, well priced eats and drinks. Every Clevelander, east and west, should avail themselves of this amazing club soon!!!!!

Heard a lot of positive things about this non profit. What an amazing night my husband and I had. Staff are excellent, the venue is awesome, I'm so glad we finally went. We will definitely be back!!

The Bop Stop is one of the best kept secrets in Cleveland. Our band plays there semi-regularly and everyone who comes to see us there loves it. It's one of our favorite places to play and also to go to hear live music. Manager Gabe and the rest of the staff are really nice, acoustics are fantastic, atmosphere is romantic and cool, and they book a nice mix of quality musical acts. They are a non-profit (proceeds benefit the Music Settlement's education programs), so they don't have a full food menu or a big staff to wait on your table, so plan to eat dinner before you arrive and go to the bar to order your drinks yourself. The parking lot is also small, but you should be able to find parking on one of the side streets if it's full. Great place for a date night. If you went to the Bop Stop back in the day when they had a policy of no talking, that is not the case anymore, it is more relaxed now, but not rowdy or obnoxious. Just super chill and classy.

If you are looking for a REAL live Jazz venue in Cleveland, go to Nighttown in Cleveland Heights. The Bop Stop has always been a stuffy kind of place with little intimacy and very few good acts coming through. The service is indifferent. Jazz was not meant to be heard in concert hall type settings so, the "Quiet" signs are annoying. They were closed for a while and then reopened. They are in need of new, better management. I do hope the "For Sale" sign is real and means we will get new owners.