East Fourth Street (credit: Jeff Greenberg)

Clevelanders love summer. Windows are flung open far before the temperature merits, we move all activities outdoors (regardless of the activity) and people flock to parks, beaches and outdoor festivals to enjoy lazy summer days. This in mind, it’s no surprise that patio dining in Cleveland is very popular. I asked my fellow employees where they most like to spend an evening of outdoor dining and received a stream of responses, each a different suggestion from the one before (aside from The Harp, frequently mentioned for impressive lake views). Here is the list of some of Cleveland’s great spots to eat, drink and be merry in the summer:

Barking Spider (East)
11310 Juniper Road, Cleveland; 216.421.2863
Eclectic assortment of cheap imported and domestic beers along with live entertainment seven days a week. Located on a college campus with Bohemian-type feel.

Brennan’s Colony (East)
2299 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights; 216.371.1010
Large patio with covered bar and seating plus an overall fun atmosphere.

D’vine Wine Bar (Downtown)
836 West St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland; 216.241.8463
This summertime happy hour location is perfect for people watching. They offer a great selection of wine and tapas on a bustling downtown street.

Garage Bar (Near West)
1859 W. 25th, Cleveland; 216.696.7772
Great party atmosphere (especially after Burning River Roller Girls bouts)!

Guarino’s (East)
12309 Mayfield Road, Cleveland; 216.231.3100
Guarino’s, Little Italy’s oldest reataurant offers a romantic atmosphere with live music, hanging lights and tons of plants and flowers.

The Harp (Near West)
4408 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland; 216.939.0200
Large patio boasting lake views with plenty of seating and a big stone fireplace.

Luxe (West)
6605 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland; 216.920.0660
Very spacious, nice atmosphere and the food is great. Some nice martini options here.

Mulberry’s (Near West)
2316 Mulberry Avenue, Cleveland; 216.443.4843 
Nice view of the bridges at night, great drink specials and they’re adding sand volleyball courts.

Nighttown (East)
12387 Cedar Road, Cleveland Heights; 216.797.0550
Great patio for a date. Small, quaint and pretty romantic.

Pacers (West)
14600 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood; 216.226.2000
Very long, spacious patio out front and affordable menu.

The patio at Prosperity Social Club in Tremont.

Prosperity Social Club (Near West)
1109 Starkweather, Tremont; 216.937.1938
Eclectic atmosphere with old-school patio chairs, picnic tables and decorations.

The Rumbar (East)
8800 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland; 216.707.4053
Like an island retreat in the middle of the city. Try a mojito!

 

The patio at Sergio's SARAVA on Shaker Square.

 

Sergio’s SARAVA (East)
13225 Shaker Square, Cleveland; 216.295.1200
One of the best Sangrias in town accompanied by Samba music, people watching, delicious food, and a fantastic happy hour that won’t break the bank.

Shooter’s (Near West)
1148 Main Avenue, Cleveland; 216.861.6900
Casual waterfront dining along the crooked river. Good drinks and great views.

Stone Mad (West)
1306 West 65th Street, Cleveland; 216.281.6500
Amazing stonework and a lovely outdoor fireplace.

The Treehouse (Near West)
820 College Avenue, Cleveland; 216.696.2505
Candle lit tables at night plus awesome “Guinness is Good For You” fresco painted against the back wall of the building.

Velvet Dog (Downtown)
1280 West 6th Street, Cleveland; 216.664.1116
Themed rooftop patio with awesome views of the Cleveland skyline and a fun, young crowd on the weekends.

Viva Fernando (West)
24600 Detroit Road, Westlake; 440.808.0000
With fun, live music and house-made Sangria, Viva Fernando’s 220-seat patio is a great place to visit on a warm summer night. You’ll feel like you’ve left Cleveland, and landed in a colorful town in Spain.

West Park Station (West)
17015 Lorain Avenue, Cleveland; 216.476.2000
Outside bar and fireplace with plenty of seating and an all around good time.

Winking Lizard (West Suburbs)
32045 Detroit Road, Avon; 440.937.7612
Nice laid back atmosphere with a large patio and seating area.

100th Bomb Group (Near Airport)
20920 Brookpark Road, Cleveland; 216.267.1010
More of a restaurant than a bar, but their massive patio overlooks Cleveland Hopkins airport and is a great place to sip wine at night.  –Submitted by Corinne Allie, Social Media Specialist

Editor’s Note: There’s not way we could have covered all the patios. Click these lists from the Plain Dealer and About.com to supplement ours.  Add your favorite by commenting below or by sending them to @PositivelyCleve on Twitter.