Never Say Dive

It was my first time in Cleveland, and my friend took me to Never Say Dive, and I absolutely loved it. It had a wide range of food options, including vegan. The drinks were great too. Everything was also very affordable for the portion sizes. The staff was friendly and the vibe was very warm. I also really liked the quirky decor. I 100% recommend.

The cocktails are delicious and strong! I had the strawberry daiquiri and it was well balanced with some complexity from black pepper. My partner liked the Old Brooklyn too. The kitchen is open til 11 at least on Fridays. Good spot for a date if you want to eat and drink cocktail bar fare but like a more casual atmosphere.

I'll start out with the bad- it was pricey. That's it. Nothing else. Now the good- the place is super classy. We were lucky to find open seats at the bar because the place is a gem. The bartender was welcoming and friendly. She did a great job answering our menu questions. She made our drinks perfectly. We ordered a burger, the homemade chips, and charred corn to split between my wife and i. It was made surprisingly fast. All the food tasted great and seemed very fresh. All that and a total of 5 drinks were just under $100, not including tip. But they worked their tails off so an above average tip was earned. We really enjoyed ourselves here and can't wait to be back.

This new spot in Brooklyn is amazing 👏 we will definitely be back. The cocktails are top tier, but you can also get a normal drink or beer if you're feeling more casual. The food is incredible. I got the vegetarian version of their smash burger and it was the best one I have had in Cleveland. My husband got the hot dog and it was also amazing. Bravo! So glad to have a new spot close to home.

Super cool atmosphere ! Very unique food you won’t find anywhere else ! everything we had was SO yummy . Open late !

10/10 food, 10/10 atmosphere/vibes and most importantly, 10/10 people. We had a really great experience there and we will definitely be back. As others have said, it’s not cheap, but they clearly use top shelf ingredients and that increases cost. So it is 100% worth it. I definitely feel like we got our money’s worth and I can’t wait to go back.

UPDATE: I wanted to update my review since it's been awhile since opening. I can honestly say that Never Say Dive is one of my favorite bars and restaurants (and it's not just because it is walking distance from my house). The food is amazing, highly suggest the fried quarter, best fried chicken ever! The burger is solid, and the snacks are to die for! We love the pickled eggs so much. I personally love the small menu that changes every couple months and I can honestly say I have never had a bad meal here. Next is the drinks! Omg the drinks here are so so delicious! Like I have said in the past, they have a little something for everyone. Want a cheap beer? get a Narragansett, want a fancy cocktail? they have that too! A delicious house made seltzer? yup they have that as well. NA cocktails are also a thing here. Last but not least, the servers.. We love you guys so much! This place has truly turned into such a great local bar and all of the bartenders and servers are truly the best. They always make you feel welcome every time you walk through the door and genuinely I can't wait until the next time we stop in. Original review: Such an amazing recreation of the space! I am so excited that this amazing spot is in Old Brooklyn (and walking distance from our house!) The drinks are amazing and they have something for everyone. Cheap beer, house-made seltzers, delicious cocktails, NA cocktails. Just a great spot. Can't wait to come back.

If you have ever wondered what wine goes with the best fried chicken you have ever had. Never Say Dive has the answer. (Tuesday night special) If you have ever wondered if corn on the cob can be top tier side dish for a king Never Say Dive has the answer. And if you wondered if you can have a cold beer with caviar, again Never Say Dive has the answer. This bar/restaurant/passion project absolutely blew me away. From an unassuming patio to a quant bar and dining room. It’s only after letting it soak in that you realize they somehow managed to use every color known to man in there esthetic without offending your senses. Further the menus, wall art, and dish-ware compliment this aesthetic without being cheap or too on the nose. The cocktails are simply better than you expect. The food is some of the best I’ve ever had. The environment is as relaxed as a family Sunday meal. If you want to experience Cleveland culture at its peak. Check out Never Say Dive. And do NOT call it a dive bar. Or do. They won’t care either way.

Stopped in around 7p on a Wednesday. Busy but we got a table. I enjoyed the "fancy enough" vibes--dark, kitschy, retro atmosphere with excellent crafted cocktails and seasonal menu. Service was attentive and helpful. Chatted a bit about the place and menu because it was our first time. Drinks were awesome and food was incredible. Also got to play a few rounds of trivia that was hosted by a mother/daughter combo and they were a delight. I look forward to going back!

Came here with a group of folks, after our Run Club event. We sat on the outside tables on this warm evening. What a fun and unique spot, with a really solid menu of upscale food items you would not expect at a dive-style bar. My wife and I ordered several dished to share and enjoyed them all...a 3-item snack board (pickled eggs, chips with caramelized onion dip, fried & spiced almonds), a mushroom toast and of course a Dive Guys burger. This was plenty of food for two people to share and gave us a great cross-section of their menu options. Many more unique food items to try, anxious to get back and explore that menu further!

On a random week day my friend and myself decided to try out Never Say Dive for drinks. The place is like a second cousin to LBM (which I love). The owner use to work at LBM, so I expected some similarities. Ambiance: When you enter you immediately feel the neighborhood bar, Cheers vibes. I would definitely frequent the place if I lived around the corner. My friend and I opted to sit on the patio due to it being a beautiful night. Food: I decided to try some food as well and the burger was amazing! They changed their menu throughout the year and have plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. Drinks: Two words....CRAFT COCKTAILS.....let your favorite spirit guide your choice. Tip: Great place for a quiet summer night.

This might be my new favorite spot! Drinks are some of the best I've had in recent memory - really appreciate the elevated rum drinks. The vibe is perfect - you could come rocking Converse or stilettos and not be out of place. Definitely recommend the cheese board - they use Old Brooklyn Cheese Co. and it's fantastic!

I wanted to update my review since it's been awhile since opening. I can honestly say that Never Say Dive is one of my favorite bars and restaurants (and it's not just because it is walking distance from my house). The food is amazing, highly suggest the fried quarter, best fried chicken ever! The burger is solid, and the snacks are to die for! We love the pickled eggs so much. I personally love the small menu that changes every couple months and I can honestly say I have never had a bad meal here. Next is the drinks! Omg the drinks here are so so delicious! Like I have said in the past, they have a little something for everyone. Want a cheap beer? get a Narragansett, want a fancy cocktail? they have that too! A delicious house made seltzer? yup they have that as well. NA cocktails are also a thing here. Last but not least, the servers.. We love you guys so much! This place has truly turned into such a great local bar and all of the bartenders and servers are truly the best. They always make you feel welcome every time you walk through the door and genuinely I can't wait until the next time we stop in.

Really enjoyed our time here. Lots of vegan and vegetarians options that were still satisfying and flavorful. The strawberry daiquiri was my drink of choice.The inside was wonderfully curated - it didn't feel 'decorated' or gimmicky. Service was prompt and friendly. Parking across the street was nice, would love to see them try to get some lights put in over there though.

Part of me never wants to say Never Say Dive - but that would be gatekeeping. So let's discuss. Not being a local, it was hard to pick out this humble bar in the humble Old Brooklyn neighborhood. Street parking in the adjacent residential roads is your best bet. You may be wondering what exactly a "high-low bar" is. Walk in and you'll start to understand - kitschy decor like a life size Star Trek Picard cut-out and lava lamps, obscenely bright blue tabletops with checkered floor tiles somehow make sense paired with bottles of French wine, caviar, and beautifully plated Toast. There are a few patio tables out front for nicer days, but I found myself really enjoying the vibes inside the bar, and the hugely varied clientele. We arrived to a packed house, but gave our name to the friendly hostess that evening who pointed shared that we would be able to get drinks at the bar and transfer our tab over to our table once we were seated. The bartender immediately hooked us up with a bottle of water and some cups and menus. While the food items are on the pricier side, the drinks were all very reasonable, ranging from $3 (yes, THREE) drafts and cans to $15 cocktails, and even some house-made seltzers which I will return to try. Each cocktail is creatively crafted and named - my Metallicus was a soothing green with all the refreshing flavors of a spring patio day. Hospitality is certainly a strong suit. Our tatted waiter sat comfortably with us to review the menu and gave us ample time to decide on some food items to share. The menu isn't very long, but if you're anything like me, you'll want to bring as many friends as possible so you can order one of everything. We ended up sharing several items, some more sharable than others. The favorites were the Asparagus, Dive Dog, and Mushroom Toast. You wouldn't think that a hot dog could be elevated, but the perfectly crisp poppy seed bun, tender kobe dog, and subtle pops of caviar are simply *chef's kiss*. I nearly licked the plate to get every smear of white bean puree under the Asparagus, and the Mushroom Toast was a wonderfully complex mixture of flavors. Cavatelli was on the salty side (though the pasta itself was pillowy and delicious), and sweet soy marinade on the poke-style Tuna Toast was just okay. Can't wait to see the next menus this talented and down-to-earth crew come up with!

Never Say Dive is such a cute bar with cheap beer, fancy cocktails and a variety of food options. The decor is unique and the bartenders are very friendly. A fantastic new addition to Old Brooklyn! Definitely check this place out.

This is a lively, fun neighborhood gem with thoughtfully prepared food and cocktails with tons of flavors. If I recall everything correctly former LBM employees are at the helm, and the quality of the fare reflects that. Service was attentive and very friendly. Given this is the first review, hopefully I haven't ruined the experience for their regulars (was packed at 6pm)! :-) Ultimate hip bar and restaurant, neighborhood gem!

Never Say Dive is the cool cousin you always wanted to emulate when your family got together at a large reunion: dressed in grungy clothes, but looking rad as hell, that basically describes the interior of Never Say Dive, which is within walking distance of my house. By the exceptional owner/operators of LBM, Never Say Dive, if I may be biased to my neighborhood, is better than its Lakewood sister. The menu has a wide variety of items, from a humble but delicious smashburger to weekend specials topped with caviar, and the cocktail menu absolutely SLAPS. I went the other weekend to get a special featuring tequila, watermelon, chile de arbol and a mozzarella foam. Sounds funky, tastes fantastic. It's this kind of playful inventiveness that has made Never Say Dive the best new bar in Cleveland. Thrilled for their success and that I can get this deliciousness any day of the week (well...except for Mondays and Sundays when they're closed). Hot tip: they have a fried chicken bucket & champagne deal on Tuesdays that is unbeatable.

First time visiting Never Say Dive and it was a great experience! Some of our neighbors recommended that we visit the bar so we took their advice and checked them out. The bartenders thoroughly reviewed the menu and assisted us with selecting our drinks - Emily was great! Would definitely recommend visiting Never Say Dive if you're looking for a casual spot with great drinks and service. Looking forward to returning!

Came here with a friend and had a really nice time! The outside is pretty unassuming, but the inside is so fun. We sat at the bar and enjoyed chatting with the staff and looking at all of the decor. The cocktail options were creative and tasty and the bartenders were incredibly attentive. We also ordered appetizers and food and enjoyed all! The one thing holding me back from absolutely loving this place is that I wasn't blown away by the food quality and portion size relative to the price point. You should definitely expect to order a few items if you come with an empty stomach. That being said, I will definitely be back to try more cocktails and hope to check out the patio while the summer still lasts!

This is the bar Old Brooklyn had been waiting for! It's trendy, but not so over the top that common folks (like myself) feel out of place. The drinks are a-ma-zing!!!! The bar tenders were able to switch a few ingredients upon request to make even better custom cocktails! I invited a friend to join us at the last minute, and they repeatedly thanked me for introducing them to that place. We have been waiting for this in Old Brooklyn, and the owners did not disappoint! I have not tried their food yet, but if the atmosphere and drink customization is any indication, the food will be creatively delicious! Also, of note, they are LGBTQ+ friendly per the sticker on their front entrance. Because they are awesome!!

The vibe of NSD is unique, feels like you've gone through a portal into the past. Staff is excellent and food is great!

What an amazing spot. This is exactly what old Brooklyn needed! Want a cheap beer? They got it! Fancy cocktails? Yep! Amazing food? Absolutely! The burger here will easily be on the list for best burger in Cleveland for 2024!! High quality indgredients and an amazing bun! Must try! Not into meat...plenty of vegan options available too!! Absolutely make this a stop if you are in the neighborhood...and if you aren't...make your way over because it's that amazing!

Funky dive bar that has exceptional food and drinks. Seriously, the food is fantastic. Flavors galore, put together with a high level of skill. And the staff are genuinely friendly and welcoming.

Did it again came here on a date night and tried some of their gluten free options and some new cocktails - always have to have a pickled egg!!!

Very cool bar with amazing specialty cocktails. Our bartender was amazing and always up for a good laugh. We had a ton of fun and excited to come back to try the food.

Good stuff. Good vibes. Handsome owners. Ranked number one best bar in the galaxy by forbes. Sylvia don't know sh#t.

This bar has amazing cocktails, but the homemade seltzers are actually more unusual and delicious. Try the strawberry seltzer - it's a heavenly blend of dark rum, light rum, port, seltzer water and strawberry jam.

This place is amazing, the vibe, the beautifully preserved interior, the service, the drinks, and the food. All of it. We ordered the chips and dip (yum), asparagus (sooo unique and delicious), cheeseburger, hot dog and mushroom toast. Everything was absolutely incredible and many unique twists on classic dishes. Service also great and super friendly, we loved sitting at the bar. Please visit this gem!

I stopped in during opening week and was very excited to visit! I ordered a Flux Capacitor and was a bit disappointed with the flavor profile. It reminded me closely of red Kool-Aid. We also ordered a N/A Blackberry Cobbler and it was sadly syrupy. Since we stopped in a bit later, we were not able to try their food menu options as the kitchen was closed. The vibe overall was chill. I'm personally not sure if I'd try it again, but don't let my experience deter you!

Ambiance was good. Service was good. Dinks were good. Food was average at best. Who serves a burger with no chips or fry's? An appetizer that was basically chips and French onion dip? I would go for a drink but not the food.

Cool place we stopped at after the Old Brooklyn farmers market. Very few bars that have gluten free food so I had to stop and try it. I had the cheese board but brought my own crackers, it was good. Also the shrimp cocktail. Nothing special... it was all right. My partner had the burger and said it was delish.

Such a cute place. Tried the yacht club drink, kolhrabi Caesar and udon. Everything was delicious and service was excellent

Great food, amazing atmosphere, staff/owners friendly and courteous. Location within walking distance of my home. Need I say more? I'll be back soon.

You know how you walk in to a place and you immediately decide if you like a joint or not? This is one of those places and I DIG IT. Attention to detail is awesome. It's comfortable, interesting but not trying too hard. Staff is genuine, which is really nice. We didn't eat the food but the menu is eclectic and local, I'll definitely check it out next time I'm here which will be SOON. Really excited for this gem in old Brooklyn I think they have a bright future ahead.

Had duck breast and carrots and almomds place is one my favorite restaurants in Cleveland

menu is super limited and the space is small. the staff is very friendly and the decor is cool. glad something like this opened in this area. food was good but expensive for what you get. portions are smaller.

Went there a couple of weeks ago. Had cheap beer and a good time. Will definitely come again.

Cool chill vibe, but let me tell you.....Hands down one of the BEST burgers I've had. Juicy, big, and delicious. HIGLY recommend!