Rivergate Tavern

I am new to the area & have heard great things about Rivergate Tavern… now learning that Santiago’s is the take-​out/​pizza side of the tavern! I couldn’t wait to try it out as it’s in walking distance from west 25^th (it will be once the bridge opens) & it didn’t let my team of movers down! It was delicious, cheesy, hot & perfect. We already found our local pizza place!

As I am not from the area, i’m a little confused with the Sainato’s /​Rivergate difference. The food (and from other reviews, I’m guessing it comes for Sainato’s) is amazing. Had the PMS calzone (Pepporoni, Mushroom, Sausage).definitely equivalant to NYC calzones… although I must admit I rarely have had NYC calzones.
Beer is cheep, service is friendly… just what you want from a bar! If you’re looking for something a bit more lowkey, this is definitely the place to go.

Not a bad place. Really sparce and random clientelle. BUT, drinks were somewhat stong, bartenders were cool, Greg Hovaround was Djing me 90s hip hop songs and the have a Flavor Flav mural dammit! If any of those stars were not to align again. it might drop a star. To quote the immortal Heavy D «now that we found love, what are we gonna do with it?».

There aren’t too many unpretentious and «normal» bars in the downtown/​OC area. The Rivergate fills the bill though.
In terms of décor, they’ve managed to put enough interesting artwork in to mitigate the bland walls and otherwise average atmosphere. They have three large TVs over the bar and another on the other side. This turns out to be helpful when you’re with a Spartan fan on the Ohio State/​Michigan game day! Thankfully the bartender gave us a TV to watch the Big Ten on… something that on this «holiday» some might not have done.
The food is average. We had the mushrooms (frozen, probably from GFS) and the wings (over-​done and average sized). I probably wouldn’t go out of my way for the food, but then again, it’s priced well, so hey… maybe I would!
I’m happy to have the mix of «townie» and «rower» bar in my neighborhood. Worth checking out!

*I feel as if the newly opened Rivergate Tavern is owed ½ of my recent Sainatos review. They essentially share the same space. The two places are divided by a half wall and a door. The food comes from Sainatos, but I think the tavern is it’s own entity…
Take the hill down Columbus Road, towards the Cuyahoga River, across the rusted Depression-​era lift bridge, adjacent to the Heart Crane Memorial Park, just East of Rivergate Park, on the corner of Columbus and Merwin and you will find Sainatos and the attached Rivergate Tavern. A brick monolith surrounded by a sea of industry that used to be.
Sainatos/​Rivergate Tavern has become home to many of us at the summer league rowing session at the nearby Western Reserve Rowing Association. It’s a place where firefighters, local townsfolk, and rowers converge. A friendly bar staff, adequate beer selections, HDTV’s to catch the Tribe game and a huge menu.
A newly formed connected bar has joined Sainatos called Rivergate Tavern. Inside Saianato’s doors and through another set of doors to the right takes you to the bar area known as Rivergate Tavern. The food though comes from the same long standing Sainatos take-​out kitchen. I’m pretty sure both the bar and older kitchen area of Sainatos are one in the same, although the bar area looks much newer and more conducive for relaxing and staying for a while than the take-​out side of this place. Either way, the food, especially the pizza and wings that come out of this place are legit!
The pizza we ordered was a basic pepperoni and cheese. The pie was sinfully good. Greasy pepperoni slices, cheese that strung as you bit into it and a crust that was, as proclaimed by the bartender, entirely homemade, as evidenced on how good it was. No frozen discs of dough used here. Everything’s made on site.
After a long evening of water sport, there are fewer things that complete the night than a cold beer, a good pizza and crispy wings. Sainatos is one of the few gems on this barren, almost eeriely deserted industrial side of town that is sandwiched in between one of the many bends of the Cuyahoga River. A gem worth seeking out even.

Checked this place out after rowing last night. Nice little sports bar hooked on to Sainato’s restaurant. Beer was pretty cheap with a pretty good tap selection. A few TVs. Not incredible ambiance. Too new-​feeling. (white paint, tile, etc). Service — well the bartender was great and doing everything he possibly could. But it was pretty busy and he didn’t have much help. Consequently, it took awhile to get our beers and food. Granted, it was a Tuesday night, but still.
Overall, not too shabby, but nothing to call mom about either. Hopefully they’ll sort out their service issues. For now, I prefer Hoopples across the bridge.

I went to the Brite Winter Festival last night which was a great time. A lot of people came here for some drinks and the place was packed wall to wall. The interior of the bar was very nice with exposed brick and air ducts and a very open feel. This was the perfect place to thaw out after being outdoors for an extended period of time. I hope that this place succeeds and benefits from when they build the casino down the street. It could be a very strategic location (I am hoping).

Rivergate Tavern is a brand new sports bar/​pub that has recently opened in the Flats on Columbus Road. Food service is provided by Sainato’s Restaurant next door. In fact, we ordered the pepperoni pizza and it was fabulous! Definitely recommend the pizza! Great and fun atmosphere. TVs over the bar will be sure to have any local game on. Great tip… try the mini-​beer shot — totally yummy! It may be mini… but it is definitely NOT beer!!!