Griffin Cider House

Excellent and unique ciders, great selection of gins, and the bar tenders are very knowledgable about their selections. The atmosphere was warm and cozy, perfect for a Cleveland winter night. I was very impressed and will be coming back!

Visited this place for the first time this weekend. The ciders were very nice and they even had a mulled cider option (perfect now that winter is here). The space itself is cool too. I believe you can bring in your own food. I think it seems good as a place to stop before you grab dinner or if you are catching up with a friend for just 1 – 2 drinks. Something was off putting about the servers/​owner though and I can’t put my finger on it… Nothing terrible, but I feel like they were too anxious to tell you what they wanted about the place they didn’t listen to you or give you a chance to ask questions.

I was really excited to have a craft bar around the corner The gin selection here is great; the cider is pretty bomb. They have a good tap selection of beer. As I sat down and looked at the menu, I was thinking I had found my new watering hole. Alas.
The bartenders there are, how can I say this kindly? Douchebags? They’re pretty much getting paid to hit on girls all night and not be, I dunno, bartenders? I was there with a male friend, and he pretty much only talked to me. I thought it might be just a one off, but it was confirmed further later.
The second bartender was so busy flirting with a group of girls (to the point of watching constant Youtube videos), that one of the girls pointed to me and told him we might want something. I had been trying to flag him down, who was about two feet away, for probably half an hour. He didn’t even bother to apologize. The third bartender was incompetent and brought me the wrong check. The original bartender, whom I sure could see the guy who wasn’t providing any service because he was too busy trying to get laid, stood around the corner dicking around on his phone.
If you want some nice drinks, you’ll get some. No, I should reword that. You’ll get some nice drinks with any service if you’re a cute white girl. Sorry everyone else — if you don’t seem boneable, you should probably go elsewhere.

To be fair, not a huge cider fan. And the atmosphere was a bit more divy and hipster than I was expecting (that is probably on me, not them), but I’m a sucker for flights and experimentation, and they did both. Some of it worked (the ginger cider was great) and some did not (hop cider… UGHHH and this from a big IPA fan). But its always good to see them trying. If you like cider a lot, check it out. If not, it still might be worth checking out once, just to make sure they don’t have a style you’ve overlooked.

While the cider is definitely delicious, they also have really good cocktails! They have an enormous gin selection and a ton of gin cocktails.
They had a cider a little bit ago that tasted like a cross between a beer and a cider that disappeared quickly! The varieties are diverse and there’s a cider for everyone — even if you think you don’t like cider. Right now they are serving a warm apple pie cider «toddy» that is perfect for a cold evening. The atmosphere is always cozy and the bartenders are welcoming and friendly.

Quaint Cider House with a vintage and local ‘pub’ feel. Staff is knowledgeable and friendly. Great place to converse and enjoy spirits and cider with friends!

Very interesting selection, in a good way! They have sweet and dry ciders for those of you who like variety. The pours are quite generous, I left with quite a buzz after one cider and a tasting. The owner is very pleasant and so is the atmosphere! Its a good place to (put all the electronic devices down and) catch up with friends.

Good for meeting friends, no TV or anything aside from an Internet jukebox so you can focus people and cider. I highly recommend the Flight of the Griffin, try several varieties of cider in one go, figure out what you like.

I’ve been back a few times since my original review. Most recently, I attended and event hosted by the owner which included tastings and the history behind ciders from around the world. Such a cool event! I had no idea there were such distinct flavor and attributes based on the region where the cider was made. I have a whole new appreciation for cider!
The owner is super knowledgeable and puts on an excellent program. I would highly recommend attending a future class or event at the cider house!

Okay. Drove here from Twinsburg. By far the best cider around. Makes me think of my trip to England. Owner Richard and Bartender Wilbur are exceptionally nice and helpful.
The cider selection is abundant and delicious. Tried the Pear and Afterburner. Pear reminds me of England. Fruity and refreshing. Afterburner is unique and fantastic. It’s ginger with this taste I can’t put my finger on. The Owner says it’s brown sugar. Love it. Had 2 pints.
The only downfall is no kitchen. However, they do offer pasties after 6p. I heard they were good. Looked good. And there are places to eat close by in walking distance. We got Angelos pizza to deliver to the bar.
Overall, we will be back. Many times. Wish it was closer to my house. But I will travel.
Great find. Great people. Fantastic cider!

They have cider, it is very good cider. I could not tell the difference between the flavors, but I am no cider expert. I am merely a beginner at tasting cider.
The location is off the beaten path of most of my Lakewood favorites, and they do not serve food. Those close to me know how I feel about places in Cleveland that don’t serve food and have slightly higher than average drink prices. My prognosis is generally they (places without food) just don’t last no matter how novel the idea (see: World of Beer).
My personal opinion is I see this more as a novelty to the other options that exist. If you love cider and you are not hungry you will probably like it. If you are just so-​so on the cider I would check something else out.

I stopped in with my craft beer and cycling group last Saturday, and we all thoroughly enjoyed Griffin Cider House! Griffin’s ciders are all delicious (I’m particularly fond of the Griffin Original and Burley Man.) Our bartender was very friendly and helpful, as was the owner and Cider Master.
It’s very nice to have a different option in Lakewood for good drinks, as opposed to the numerous burgers n beer joints. Football (or, as Americans call it, soccer) was also showing on both TVs– a refreshing change from all the usual sports that are shown in every bar. It definitely made the place feel more British.
Can’t wait to go back!

If you love cider, this is the place for you. If you don’t, it’s probably not the best choice, although they do have bottles of beer and non-​cider drinks.
Here’s the great thing. Even if you don’t love the super sweet taste of a hard cider, they have options for you. XB and burley man are drier versions of the traditional cider.
We got the flight so we could try all the ciders. When we were there last night, they had 5 house-​made ciders and 3 others from local businesses. We tried all 5 of the house and 2 of the others. I particularly liked the after burner, which has a bit of ginger mixed in the cider, and the honey oat, which was sweet and refreshing almost like a sweet wine.
The service was very friendly, and the front of the bar is very loud (weird acoustics) so it feels pretty intimate in there. Definitely try it out!

Best (and only) English cider house in all of Cleveland! Features a rotating draft selection of locally sourced and produced Griffin Cider Works cider, as well as a few guest ciders from other local breweries. Along with cider, they also feature a large selection of gins and are capable of making you a delicious gin drink (such as a Tom Collins). If you’re into craft cider, gin, or are looking for something new to try, this is a great place to check out! A sample flight (4 4oz glasses) or two of ciders amongst friends is the best way to try them all and have a good time!
And for the friend who doesn’t like cider, they also have a fridge behind the bar with some craft beers (such as Great Lakes).

I do not like hard cider… or so I thought before stopping into Griffin Cider House. Tucked away on Madison, I drove right by it the first time because of construction and my terrible directional sense. I stopped in with my friend on a busy Friday night and one of Griffin’s first weekends being open. We sat at the bar, and though it was crowded, the staff was very accommodating, attentive, and though prompt, I didn’t feel rushed in anyway. The owner was even circling the bar and talking with everyone. Beers and liquors are offered for people who are not cider lovers, but I was enticed by their cider menu, and figured when in Rome, right? Being a gin drinker, the Cannaught Ranger, which is infused with juniper and elderflower caught my eye. I tried it. I loved it. I asked the charming bartender for his opinion for my next cider to try. He recommended the After Burner, which tasted more like a hard ginger beer than a cider, in a very good way.
Also, the glasses the cider is served in are pretty awesome. They somewhat resemble a light blub, but they provide a nice grip. I like that they aren’t in some frilly girly glass.
Though the traditional apple juice style ciders still may not be my libation of choice, Griffin Cider House redefined my cider views with their variety. I am now a cider fan! I’m excited to go back and try their other non-​traditional ciders.

I feel that I am so fortunate to have moved to Lakewood 20 years ago and watch the city grow and develop into a mecca for foodies. The old Madison’s on Madison Avenue was recently refurbished and up popped this absolutely wonderful establishment!
I popped in with a group of friends and we were treated to some fine flights of ciders and got a bit of education on what was being stocked and poured. The staff couldn’t have been friendlier and I have to say this is a welcome addition to the neighbourhood.
I’m glad that this is just a block from my house because I think this may be my pub of choice.
Well done, Griffin Cider House!

I was super excited to check out this new Cider House after visiting the one in Pittsburgh. Being celiac (gluten-​free), cider becomes a go-​to drink when out at bars… and Angry Orchard is widely available, but so sweet it’s hard to drink more than one or two beers. I was happy to find this cider house to have more taps for cider than beer, and mostly all Griffin Cider which is amazing! Not too sweet, variety of flavors… and the Burley Man XB makes Über your friend. Atmosphere is cosy, but open, plus there is a back room for extra space on busy days. No food, but there is a nice taco place nearby. This will be my new go-​to when in town for Tribe games!

I’ve been a devotee of Griffin Cider for a few years now, so I was delighted when they announced their own venue. They do not make sticky-​sweet training wheels cider; they are crafting real English-​style cider that’s on the dry side with a bit of natural apple funk. In addition to that, they’re stocking some excellent gins. Drink offerings aside, this is a cool place that feels just right inside, and it occupies a unique niche in the Cleveland craft beverage scene. I suspect I’ll be a regular.

I have met the Proprietor/​Cider Master a million times over the years at beer festivals. Great dude and I have no problem spending my money on his fine product. Place looks great. Simple but not trying to be hip like seemingly every place that opens nowadays has the same cookie cutter feel. Still reminds me of the old Madisons in its heyday. I can still see the old men smoking Pal Malls and drinking High Life. The ciders are priced great at 5.00. Some of them are a lil higher in ABV so that makes for a great value! The day I came they had a special going. 8 bux for 6 samples I wana say? So for 16 bux we got to try all the stuff they had on at the moment. They do seasonal ciders and shandys mixed with local beer. Not just Fatheads but other Cleveland beers as well. Glad to see one business support another. Camaraderie goes full circle and everybody wins. This neighborhood is about to blow up and I hope they don’t give it some corny name like «Hingetown». Keep it Birdtown… and keep it gangster like that.

Another great addition to Lakewood. If you are a fan of hard ciders then you will absolutely love this place. I recommend the After Burner, basically its a ginger ale/​hard cider thing which tastes unlike any kind of cider I have ever had.
Also I’d say my review is more of 4.5 stars, but Unilocal does not allow half star reviews. Taking a half star off for no food and it felt a little warm in the place. Other than that, top notch place.