The Cleveland Flats Documentary-Bars and Clubs - 1980s. - pixerpro.com

[MrBunnerabb]

I mixed or played every room on that street. Gone. Cleveland is a nice town with a sh*tstack of dime store politicians that screw every pooch they pet. It doesn't have to be pathetic but a lot of people get paid to make sure it doesn't actually blossom.

[19thSFGA]

I left cleveland in the early 80's it was a stinkhole then and now its dying.This is now a very dangerous city to live in the blacks are out of control and with the economy in the shape it is I think the future is grim.

[slushie360]

I miss Joe's Crab Shack...I still have a shirt from there I bought in 2001.

[ClevelandNightClub]

@slushie360 Maybe for part 2 you would let me get a picture of that shirt?

Tony

[MrAgreene]

i hope Cleveland can turn around. With the aquarium opening up in 2 months, casino coming, the medical mart and more, I hope cleveland can turn around

[ClevelandNightClub]

The flats were the only thing cleveland had and the city ruined it. Once I start getting more people responding with video clips from the clubs, I would love to use yours and interview.

[djhitman22000]

I used to DJ in The Flats for a long time. I worked RumRunners, Fagan's, Have a Nice Day Cafe, Bar Cleveland, The Attic and Banana Joe's. I think I have some Bar Cleveland video and Flats Photos if you want them for part 2. I miss The Flats and to this day when you tell people your from Cleveland The ask about The Flats. It's sad.

DJ Chad "The Hitman"

[HappierHealthierYou]

I am not being negative, but If you can leave Cleveland and go to a more progressive area with better weather please do. Cleveland is very hood.

[ClevelandNightClub]

@HappierHealthierYou I know cleveland sucks these days, and one day i will move to lauderdale or miami where the scene is better.

[HappierHealthierYou]

@ClevelandNightClub I hear you man, I am not trying to talk down on the city. I am Clevelander all day every day. Lets just say its a great city to say your from but not to live lol. I hear Lauderdale is the shit though. Man when I think about how much crime, weather, poverty is in Cleveland I shake my head. I will defiantly make some trips back for the casinos though!

[swarrior216]

Awesome video! Is the flats project still going on?

[greendog1455]

I owned and operated the Beach Club from 1993 until the bull dozers came in 2008. And I believe this documentory to be a fairly accurate account of how things went down and why, although lacking much of the interesting details...i could write a book.

[ClevelandNightClub]

@greendog1455 I would love to interview for a part 2. Do you have any video footage?

[greendog1455]

@ClevelandNightClub negative on the video- wish I had. I could fill in some gaps for you though. The facts which came out in court during the eminent domain case between the flats land owners v. the port authority(aka diversified developers inc.) was that the flats demise was a choreographed land grab. As the old adage warns- The city had a "bird in hand" and bet on "two in the bush"- And as time foretold, the city and it's citizens lost.

[greendog1455]

@ClevelandNightClub negative on the video- wish I had. I could fill in some gaps for you though. The facts which came out in court during the eminent domain case between the flats land owners v. the port authority(aka diversified developers inc.) was that the flats demise was a choreographed land grab. As the old adage warns- The city had a "bird in hand" and bet on "two in the bush"- And as time foretold, the city and it's citizens lost.

[03030303]

Would there be a presentation about the West Bank? I remember playing volleyball at night at a club in the Powerhouse. 

Do you remember "Moses Water Taxi"?

Lets not forget "Flat Iron Cafe" and the reggae of "Splash" as you would venture between the East and West Banks.

Something I will never forget is a bar owner who admitted that he intentionally sold drinks to underage drinkers. He said he would get popped by Liquor Control every so often but the sales would make up the difference...LOL

[ClubStyleDJ]

I got my start in the DJ business in the Flats. I DJ'ed in the millenium at Jimmy's, and spun at least once in almost all the places named. The stories I had forgotten and now remember... {oh gawd!!!} would make an x-rated pt 3 & 4. I also remember being there during those club raids that sparked the end. I Moved to San Diego '06. but drove through in 2010 and my heart sunk. I watched the birth...life...and death the once "place to be" Cleveland Flats.

Video... well done sir. Thanks.

DJ Geo

[ridiculous1100]

this is a great doc.. would love to see more.

[JohnnyRottenest]

It was too crazy. The young crowds were not sustainable since the nearest university is miles away, 30-somethings weren't interested in the idiocy that it became and owners just wanted to get drinkers in the door. The attractions were all gimmicks. There was no great place to get a coffee or a great food - it was just a series of night clubs which, if you don't feel like dancing, just wasn't fun. The flats area was doomed when it became synonymous with drunk teenagers.

[mjtwelve]

great video... 

[DytMfdguy]

very good presentation

[lifesfinallgoodagain]

Nice vid. The Flats was great back in its day. It was even OK in the very early 2000's. Triple parking (not just double, but TRIPLE parking), high crime, and not enough cops is what led to The Flats being how they are today. Something happened to the whole Cleveland metro in Feb 2000. The whole city lost its damn mind. The atmosphere completely changed and Cleveland went from being one of the best in the country to being one of the worst in about 2 months. It was amazing to experience.

[ClevelandNightClub]

I would love to get a hold of those videos and pictures for a part 2. What inside clubs do you have videos of?

[TroyDJs]

I have lots of pictures and footage. I was the "Entertainment Director" of the Flats East Bank and Director of Entertainment of the Beach Club. I spent the first 10 years of my career there 1985-1995.

-Pete Troy

[drakeup]

Awesome Video. I had been wanting to do something like this for years, but really wanted to be able to get some actual pictures and film footage shot back in the "hey day" I really hope people will send you some old pix and videos so a part two can be made.