Great Lakes Brewing Co   

Besides giving birth to one of the region's most popular craft brews, the Great Lakes Brewing Co. happily offers a place to enjoy a fresh beer. Located in turn-of-the-century buildings on Ohio City's cozy Market Street, Great Lakes gives off a rustic atmosphere that belies its relatively young age (open since 1988). Comfy bar stools provide the right location to enjoy a pint of Dortmunder Gold, Eliot Ness Lager or any one of the rotating pub-only exclusive beers on tap at the brass-and-wood bar or ratskeller-style space downstairs. When hunger strikes, ask for a menu, or move next door to the dining room. While not particularly long on selections, the menu is excellent, featuring delicious pretzel chicken, tasty pierogies, burgers made with meat fresh from West Side Market and personal pizzas, among other fish and vegetarian options. Since 2002, Great Lakes is smoke-free. If you prefer to drink and drag, there are a few tables perched on the sidewalk, and on Mondays the place morphs into an Irish pub.