Highlights
- Live music
- Sports
- Live performances
- Great beer selection
oChef » Backstage – Cleveland
Backstage - Cleveland
Photo from Backstage
Backstage at a glance
Cleveland Kamms Corner
- 🍻 Bar & Pub
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 22 of the guests
#26 out of 62 places to eat in Cleveland
#4 Bar & Pub out of 5 in Cleveland
Good
7.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
223
Reviews
76.2%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Budget friendly
- Good food
Frequently criticized
- Service inconsistency
- Ambience issues
The bar Backstage Bar Cleveland, nestled in Cleveland’s vibrant Kamms Corner neighborhood, offers you a lively spot to unwind. You’ll find a welcoming atmosphere where live music sets the perfect backdrop for your evening.
It’s a casual and trendy destination, ideal for catching up with friends or enjoying a night out with great beer.
Overview: Introducting Backstage
Backstage offers a compelling proposition with its notably good food and excellent value, often featuring generous portions and affordable pricing. Many appreciate the friendly staff and lively atmosphere, especially during live music events.
However, the experience at Backstage can be a mixed bag. Some find the ambience occasionally uncomfortable due to issues like smoking or unbalanced sound during live acts, and there are reports of inconsistent service.
Good
7.5
out of 10
223
Reviews
76.2%
Satisfaction
41
negative
12
neutral
170
positive
Backstage holds a respectable overall score of 7.5, indicating a generally positive experience for many patrons. Customer satisfaction stands at 76.2%, which aligns well with the overall sentiment.
This assessment is drawn from 223 customer observations, with a clear majority of 170 positive remarks against 41 negative ones. Diving deeper, the Food (8.1) receives strong marks, often praised for its taste and variety.
Value (8.4) is a standout, frequently highlighted for its affordability and generous portions. While Service (6.9) and Ambience (6.9) are considered good, they don’t quite reach the same heights as food and value, suggesting areas for potential refinement.
What people like
- Generous, affordable portions
- Tasty, varied food
- Friendly bar staff
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service attitude
- Uncomfortable ambience issues
- Limited beer selection
Backstage appears to be a solid choice if you prioritize good, affordable food and a lively, casual setting, especially with live music. It’s a place where you can find great deals and enjoy a relaxed vibe with friends.
With a recommendation score of 7.7, Backstage is certainly worth considering. Just be prepared for potential inconsistencies in service and some aspects of the atmosphere, particularly if you’re sensitive to noise or smoking.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Backstage
Food (8.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 82% of the guests
The food here generally hits the spot, earning a 8.1 score and leaving 85.1% of customers satisfied. With 74 positive remarks out of 87 total, many rave about the great food and generous portions. Highlights include delicious quesadillas, corned beef egg rolls, and the Lemon Chicken Garlic pasta, alongside a variety of burgers and tacos that truly impress.
However, not every dish is a winner, with 8 less favorable comments. Some experiences mentioned rubbery chicken and old lettuce, leading to a few finding the food horrible. There were also specific complaints about awful drinks, which, while not food, can impact the overall dining experience.
Food
87
Reviews
85%
Satisfaction
8
negative
5
neutral
74
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great food variety
- Generous portions
- Delicious specialty items
What people don't like
- Rubbery chicken
- Old lettuce
- Inconsistent quality
Often praised
- foodThe menu selections were good and offered reasonable prices. The food tasted very good, and everything tasted awesome. The only downside was that there was only one bar for both the inside and the outside patio.
- beerMy only regret is sharing how great this place is, as I worry about it getting crowded. However, I'll gladly wait for a beer 🍻.
- drinksI had the best patty melt I’ve ever tasted. The drinks were very reasonable in price. Additionally, the bar maid was very friendly and efficient, contributing to a positive overall experience.
- quesadillaThe drinks he made were awful, even when trying different spirits. Despite the poor service, we enjoyed a great quesadilla and the cool patio. It was open on July 4th evening, offering a mix of good and bad.
- 8oz filet8oz filet, potato, vegetable
- Asian honeywingsAsian honeywings 10/10
- Bloody MaryShe made a great Bloody Mary with all the fixings
- Breakfast burgerBreakfast burger was a 9/10
- FoodEverything was great
- Lemon Chicken Garlic pastaThe lemon Chicken Garlic pasta is the truuthhhhh!
Frequently criticized
- beer selectionBeer selection is sort of limited
- chickenChicken rubbery...overcooked
- drinksthe drink he made was awful. tried tito’s and it was just as awful
- foodThe food was horrible
- green peppersDo not substitute GREEN PEPPERS for red bell peppers.
- grilled chicken Caesarmy grilled chicken Caesar was not good
- lettucelettuce tasted old
- red bell peppersDo not substitute GREEN PEPPERS for red bell peppers.
If youre looking for a place with a wide variety of generally tasty food and generous servings, its definitely worth a visit. Just be mindful that while many dishes shine, a few specific items might not always hit the mark, so choose wisely!
Service (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 82% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot has a lot going for it! With a good score of 6.9 and 65.6% customer satisfaction, many guests rave about the friendly staff and attentive service. Out of 61 comments, 40 were positive, often highlighting the great bartenders and overall good service.
However, it's not always smooth sailing. While many experiences are positive, 17 negative comments point to some issues. Some guests reported long waits for service, rude workers, or a bad attitude from staff, indicating that consistency might be a challenge.
Service
61
Reviews
65%
Satisfaction
17
negative
4
neutral
40
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Attentive service
- Great bartenders
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Rude staff
- Long wait times
Often praised
- staffThe staff was great
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The service was good and the food was excellent. The atmosphere was also nice, and the service was friendly.
- Emily, the bartenderEmily, the bartender was super nice.
- ServiceService:5
- attentive staffstaff is fairly attentive
- bar maidBar Maid very friendly and efficient
- bar tending staffGreat bar tending staff
- bartenderbartender on outside patio super friendly and helpful
- bartendersthe bartenders are phenomenal too
- big smileBig smile for us upon arrival!
Frequently criticized
- serviceservice was pathetic and snotty
- bartenderOur first drink was served by the owner, which was nice. However, the experience went downhill with the arrival of a 'cute boy bartender with lots of attitude. ' We found that if you want something or your drink is empty, you need to actively ask for it.
- backWe were motioned to bypass the line for our order. As I walked past the queue, I was punched hard in my back. I turned to see who would do such a thing but couldn't identify anyone in the sea of people.
- bad attitudeGave me a bad attitude when ordering food
- baronly one bar made for both the inside and outside patio
- drinks and serviceMy experience at this restaurant was incredibly negative. The workers were incredibly rude, preferring to talk to their friends rather than provide drinks and service. The atmosphere was completely garbage.
- gaslightedtrying to gaslight your customers
- liedshe lied about how many they made for me
- lunchtimeshould be another waitress or bartender during lunchtime
- menuMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing due to a recurring issue with the kitchen. The cooks need to actually read the menu. Specifically, they substituted GREEN PEPPERS for red bell peppers, which has happened for the second time.
Overall, service here seems to be a bit of a mixed bag. While youre likely to encounter friendly and attentive staff, be prepared for the possibility of slower service or less-than-stellar attitudes during busy times. Its worth a try, but keep your expectations balanced.
Ambience (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 68% of the guests
The vibe here generally hits the mark, with a solid score of 6.9 and a good 70% customer satisfaction. Out of 60 comments, 42 praise the nice place and family feel, often highlighting the live music and fantastic outdoor patio bar that adds to the lively atmosphere. However, not everyone is entirely thrilled. 15 negative reports mention issues like a poor view of the bands from the stage, unbalanced sound levels, and concerns about smoking on the patio.
Some also found the overall vibe a bit uncomfortable at times.
Ambience
60
Reviews
70%
Satisfaction
15
negative
3
neutral
42
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Lively live music
- Heated outdoor patio
- Friendly local vibe
What people don't like
- Poor band view
- Unbalanced sound
- Patio smoking issues
Often praised
- atmosphereThe atmosphere was also nice, and the service was friendly. I highly recommend this place to everyone who loves good food, a nice atmosphere, and friendly service.
- crowdthe crowd there were all really friendly
- live bandThey had a live band and the place was standing room only.
- live musiccatering to live music
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- Sly Fox Jam nightSeeing the old Sly Fox Jam night live on there makes my soul happy.
- TVsplenty of TVs, but not with sound so loud
- Wednesday night JamnightThe service was fast and friendly, ensuring you won't wait long for a beer or your favorite song. We're definitely returning for their Wednesday night Jamnight and look forward to catching a live band on the weekend soon!
- art on the wallsReally cool art on the walls
- bar tunesthat bar only plays banger tunes
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereCompleyevgarbage atmosphere
- dope smokingdope smoking goes on in plain sight
- drumsDrums were miked which was awful
- environmentEnvironment a little strange
- jam nightmonopolized by one group who played with unbalanced sound levels
- lead guitarlead guitar was hard to hear
- smokingsmoking at the patio bar
- sound levelsunbalanced sound levels
- stageThe stage is small
- uncomfortableso uncomfortable
If youre looking for a lively spot with good music and a great outdoor space, especially for a jam night, this place is worth checking out. Just be prepared that the sound might be a bit wild, and the view of the band isnt always perfect.
Value (8.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 25% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot truly shines! With an impressive score of 8.4 and an excellent customer satisfaction rate of 93.3%, guests consistently rave about the affordable prices and great drink deals. Based on 14 positive remarks out of 15 total, many highlight the reasonable pricing, especially for happy hour and drinks, making it a fantastic choice for your wallet.
However, there was one minor point raised concerning tips. While the overall value is overwhelmingly praised, a single customer expressed being upset over not tipping between each drink. This seems to be an isolated incident rather than a widespread concern about the establishment's pricing structure or overall value proposition.
Value
15
Reviews
93%
Satisfaction
1
negative
0
neutral
14
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable prices
- Great drink deals
- Excellent happy hour
What people don't like
Often praised
- priceThey offer a variety of food specials throughout the week, with only a day or two without them. The portions are very generous, and everything is priced at $10 or less. The food consistently has that delicious taste of good home cooking.
- pricesI really enjoyed the very nice patio area in the rear. The menu selections were good and offered reasonable prices. The food tasted very good, and everything tasted awesome.
- drink pricesFair drink prices
- affordableaffordable which is the best part
- drinksDrinks are about as cheap as they can get
- happy hourloved the happy hour on the outside patio
- moderately pricedMy experience at this moderately priced local bar was positive. I found it to have good food selections and a wide choice of drinks.
Frequently criticized
- tipsupset over not tipping between each drink
If youre looking for a place that offers fantastic bang for your buck, especially when it comes to drinks and affordable meals, this spot is definitely worth checking out. The overwhelming positive feedback on value suggests youll leave feeling satisfied without breaking the bank.
How are the prices at Backstage?
You’re looking at roughly $22 per person – reported by 22 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Bar & Pub, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average is $22, the actual spending is quite varied. Most guests spend between $11–$20 or $21–$30. However, there are also some budget-friendly options and even a few higher-end experiences, including one review over $101!
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 22 reviews.
See how this spot’s value for money stacks up against similar restaurants in Cleveland.
Given the mid-range pricing for a Bar & Pub, and the variety of spending options, we think the pricing here feels pretty fair. It seems like you can tailor your visit to your budget, whether you’re just grabbing a quick drink or settling in for a more substantial meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Backstage
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Service Intent
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Great Tunes and Food!
I stopped in with my buddy Kevie on Sunday as soon as they opened. The bar only plays banger tunes, which was a fantastic start to the experience. The food was also excellent, and the atmosphere was top-notch.
We experienced no wait time, making our visit seamless.
- bar tunes10
- food10
- atmosphere10
Service Intent
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
2
Rude waitress ruined my visit
My experience at 1: 30 on Tuesday was marred by an extra rude waitress. Despite being a frequent customer, I received a bad attitude when ordering food. While I suspect she was flustered due to the busyness and a single bartender, there was no excuse for her to treat me like crap.
- waitress1
- bad attitude1
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
Noise Level
- Loud
2
Disappointing Jam Night Experience
Advertised as a musicians jam night, my experience was disappointing. For over an hour, the event was monopolized by one group. The sound levels were unbalanced, with the drums being miked, which was awful.
The floor shook, and the lead guitar and vocals were hard to hear because of it. No one was allowed to jam, and I left after two hours. That drum absolutely does not need to have a mic!
They desperately need a sound man.
- jam night2
- sound levels2
- drums1
Service Intent
- Delivery
Service Type
- Takeout
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
1
Unforgettable St. Patrick's Day Incident
On St. Patrick's Day, the restaurant was incredibly packed. We had ordered ahead for pickup, and the line to get in stretched all the way to the parking lot. We were motioned to bypass the line for our order.
As I walked past the queue, I was punched hard in my back. I turned to see who would do such a thing but couldn't identify anyone in the sea of people. We haven't spent a dime there since and never will.
- line5
- order5
- back1
Service Intent
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
8
Good Corned Beef Wrap, Slow Service
My experience at the restaurant was very good, particularly the corned beef wrap. The service was slow, which was understandable as it was St. Patrick's Day. However, overall, it was a very good experience.
- corned beef wrap9
- service4
What Backstage offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Food at bar
- Hard liquor
- Happy hour drinks
- Food
- Wine
- Beer
- Happy hour food
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Table service
- Seating
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere and entertainment can you find at Backstage Bar Cleveland?
At Backstage Bar Cleveland, you can expect a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere. It’s a fantastic spot to enjoy live music, watch sports, and experience other live performances, making it a dynamic destination in Kamms Corner.
What dining and service options are available at Backstage Bar Cleveland?
Backstage Bar Cleveland offers food at the bar with table service and comfortable seating. You can also choose from convenient service options like outdoor seating, dine-in, and takeout, complemented by a great selection of beer, wine, and cocktails.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Backstage?
Backstage generally receives positive feedback, with an overall score of 7.5. Customers particularly appreciate the Value (8.4) and Food (8.1), while Service (6.9) and Ambience (6.9) are rated as good but have some room for improvement.
Are there any common complaints about the service at Backstage?
Some customers have reported inconsistencies in service, mentioning instances of staff having a “bad attitude” or being inattentive, preferring to talk to friends rather than serve. There were also comments about only one bar for both indoor and outdoor areas.
What kind of atmosphere can I expect at Backstage?
Backstage often features a lively atmosphere with live music and a friendly crowd. However, some patrons have found the ambience uncomfortable due to issues like smoking on the patio, unbalanced sound levels during jam nights, or a generally “strange environment.”