The Mars Bar

As a native Clevelander, I’ve been a fan of The Mars Bar for a long time. Recently, my family and I decided to throw my younger brother a going-​away party there, and it couldn’t have turned out better. The owner George and his staff went above and beyond for us. Everyone had an awesome time and the food was delicious, especially the gyros. I’d highly recommend The Mars Bar if you’re looking for great food and drinks.

Went on a week day, Gyro was small, veggies were not fresh and the meat was dry and burnt. Wont be coming back.

Originally came because I found a Groupon and it is within walking distance from a friend’s house, but will be back for the gyros! I’m giving it 5 stars because I love small local bars, if you try to go with a big group, you will probably not get seating FYI.
It is a small dive bar, pretty great beer selection. The owner was the only one working on a Friday night, but he paid attention to us, we didn’t have to wait long for beers or food.
He told me that his mother actually makes the yogurt for the tzatziki sauce! The gyros were a good size (I took half home) and the basket of fries was enough for three to share, plus they were seasoned already.
We will definitely be back!

The gyro was dry and tasted old. Seemed like we were the only «out of the place» people (others were the regulars). Had to go sit at the bar to be helped.

Great Gyros!

Best gyros ever! That is all…

For starters… Thursday night gyro is best in town (just the way they make it in Greece) and its very good the rest of the week also… A great local neighborhood watering hole with a great atmosphere and affordable drinks!!! A must visit…

Great bar with a very fun and cozy atmosphere! You have to stop in and try their famous gyros! They are sooo good! Not only are they delicious but they are also huge, enough to share for two. I also loved the fresh cut fries I had with my gyro.
I think this is a great spot for watching the Cavs or Browns game and enjoy a bite, Great service and good beers on tap. Very laid back atmosphere. If you stop in this winter grab a seat at the end of the bar close to where they keep the lamb for gyros heated, It’s the warmest spot in the house!

Stopped up there last week and they had great food and service. George is great ! This week I tried to stop up on a Tuesday around 5:30 and it was closed. This was the second time I tried to stop up around 5:30 and it was closed. What’s up with that ! Seams like its a hit or miss.

One of the few bars in this area where I can be honest when I say, everyone knows your name. The bartenders are fantastic and service is usually spot on. The owner, George, is present for most shifts and is there to address any problems people have.
I don’t like gyros. Period. In fact I loathe them. BUT the ones at the Mars bar are spot on. tzatziki sauce is made from scratch and is good enough to dip the fresh cut fries in.
Anytime you need to watch a game and it’s not on one of the TVs just tell the bartender and they will put on the channel you want (they have the NHL network).
Overall, good place, good people, good time. Gets four stars because there is no liquor on Sundays. Need a gyro, go there.

A dive bar by any definition. Mars seems to be a place set towards an older crowd, which is no way a bad thing, but set in Lakewood there are so many better bars for the big partiers. If you’re looking for a great gyro though, this is your place. It’s good enough to bring my two star rating to a three. Otherwise the rest of the food is clearly frozen and unappetizing.
The beer selection is «meh». That’s really the best word for the whole place… meh. Every time I walk out of here, I smell like grease and meat. Not good for the rest of the night. Meh, means not much left to say. Go for the gyro and nothing else.

Started coming back here after many years of driving right by. From what I have heard they have new owners and the druggie former owners are gone. Over the years I have seen fights, people being impaled with darts, people puking and even someone who shall remain nameless took a dump on the floor by said dartboard. So, on to the negative aspects of Mars bar… it smells like food… Greek food. Dont get me wrong I love me gyros. especially when Im drinking, but when I head over to the Lido I dont want Trudy and all the other dancers getting hungry (I need them to focus on the task at hand)! They remodeled the place, kinda and it looks a lot like all the other Lakewood bars that took a perfectly good tavern feel and tried to Trend it up to look like a Tremont bar. The owner and bartenders I have seen recently have all been VERY friendly and are knowledgeable about the fine craft beers they sell. Cant put my finger on it but this is just a place Ill meet up for a few but continuously think about the next spot I wana head to next. Maybe It will grow on me… like Trudy did…

Went there on the recommendation of a friend and a tale of great gyros. What a disappointment the bar had a terrible stench, so we went to the so called patio. Service was okay considering the bar tender was doing it all. The gyros were terrible, I have never had one with mustard before and hope not to ever again. The meat was dry and overlooked and burned, fries were included with the gyro and were tasteless, they also were served inside the sandwich. Next time I will go to the Greek village.

This is a very small dive bar but it’s pretty cool. My only issue is that there was only one bartender when I went for an open mic night. She was very nice but was obviously swamped. So, while not her fault, I had to wait way too long for a drink. Overall, very postivie experience though and worth a trip if you’re in the area.

A friendly dive with an amazing hook, The Best Gyros In Lakewood!
Not much on the inside, but your choice of patio out back or up front on busy Detroit Ave. (Great people watching.) If this heat has been too much for you lately you need not fret. The back patio is covered and there are umbrellas at every table out front. (Which is more than I can say for their competition across the street.)
Large HD televisions with in your face seating at the bar provide a nice place to catch a game.

Occasionally i like to get drunk and eat a gyro. You can do both here.

One of my favorite Lakewood bars! Has that friendly neighborhood feel. Such a great place to meet friends, to watch a game, play the jukebox, or just hangout and chat.
They have a very stocked bar with one of the biggest liquor selections I’ve seen!
The barmaids are all friendly and pretty. The owner Georgie is also very friendly and makes you feel very welcome. They treat you right here.
The Gyros are outstanding! I like to order a side of Gyro meat and Tziki sauce. the portions are hefty.
Also there is a patio and the location is great.
A+++
I’d recommend this bar to anyone!

Pretty nice little bar, they even have a gyro spit right behind the bar.
Cozy bar, pretty small, but as long as there is a spot at the bar you’ll be happy!

Right across from the Beer Engine is a nice neighborhood bar with the aroma of gyros.
The service was good and friendly bartenders.
A new paint job, cool lights, with Greek music on in the background for the first half of the night of my visit and a mix of the jukebox and a sirius/​xm station of 90s alternative [sublime, pearl jam, rage] later on.
The crowd was a mix of working-​class and some yuppies. The place itself is pretty small, I wouldn’t come in the winter with a group more than 5.
There’s a foosball table and an outdoor patio [closed in winter].
Beer selection: 3 – 4 drafts but a very impressive bottle selection: about 2 – 3 dozen microbrew selections [even Chimay, at a pricey $ 9 for a bottle, it was an excellent craft brew] and all of the domestics. Their liquor selection was varied and they had a complete list of their liquors, beers, types, and ABVs: not enough bars do this. Prices seemed average for a lakewood bar, $ 4.50 for a tall draft burning river. $ 3 for a honey brown bottle.
A solid neighborhood bar with a great microbrew selection [for a dive bar] and I’d like to go back to try the gyros.

The Mars Bar is a typical corner bar on Madison. I would put this at the top 40% of Lakewood bars, rated on cleanliness and class. They serve gyro’s (you can’t miss the giant slab of meat in the corner).
They have a patio, new in 2009. I once asked a friend to meet there and she said «ew. Gross.» I thought that was uncalled for, but it gives you an idea of what a prissy girl would think of it. Even so, people around Lakewood love this place. It is pretty small and I wouldn’t think it is great for groups unless you wanted to stand and mingle.