W Sports Bar's Uncertain Future, Cavs Lose Game 4: CLE Daily

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⌚️ Watch Boom: Cleveland watch influencer and retailer Teddy Baldassarre recently expanded as demand, content, and community grow.

🚽 Public Bathroom: The Flats now have two public bathrooms with a third coming to Perk Plaza.

🏀 Cavs Scores: Cleveland Cavaliers 89, Toronto Raptors 93

ICYMI: Located in the lakefront suburb Bratenahl, Sorella presents its takes on classic dishes in an upscale, yet approachable environment.

Today's Trivia

A statue in Rocky River Reservation marks the gravesite of what Yorkshire terrier, known as “The Most Famous Dog in World War II” and believed to be the first therapy dog?

The W Sports Bar shuts down next week with hopes of reopening in a new location.

Food & Drink | Douglas Trattner

On May 3, the W Sports Bar in Detroit Shoreway closes its doors after exactly one year in business. As Cleveland’s first women-owned sports bar, the venue established itself as a haven for fans of women’s sporting events.

• Trend: When it closes, it will be the second business to close at that address in the past year and a half. Banter, the poutine restaurant whose spot W claimed, shuttered in early 2025.
  

• Not Done Yet: "We’re exploring what’s next for The W, with our sights set on getting closer to the game day action,” management said in an Instagram post.  

The odds-on favorite for that new location would be somewhere Downtown, in the vicinity of Rocket Arena, where Cleveland’s WNBA team will return to the courts in 2028.

• More Women's Sports: A new WNBA team is not the only women's pro sports team coming to Downtown Cleveland. Cleveland was awarded a founding team in the WPSL Pro soccer league that is expected to begin play next year. 

Read more about the new WPSL league and Cleveland's involvement. 

Talk of the Town

Four current and four former Cleveland police officers have been indicted on grand theft, telecommunication fraud and tampering with records. The alleged crimes go back five years. The four officers who are still on the force have been placed on unpaid leave.  

Southwest Airlines is launching a winter seasonal nonstop service for visitors traveling between Cleveland and Dallas. The airline services, which will operate from Nov. 21, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027, are designed to add additional holiday travel options, according to the airline.

Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley is calling for a state review of spending and approvals tied to the planned $889 million Garfield Heights facility. O’Malley said it was “unlawful” for Ronayne and the county council to approve the initial contracts, called “Early Release Work” for the jail and for spending to continue.

Cleveland Police have arrested Blandin Metani, who was arrested after allegedly committing over $91,800 in damages to the Huntington Convention Center. Metani allegedly went to the center on three separate occasions, causing damage each time, reports Cleveland 19 News.

Strongsville Police Officers arrested a man suspected of shooting and killing a 61-year-old male victim at the Costco on Royalton Road. Police are still investigating the incident and looking for witnesses.

Underwhelming Cavs drop Game 4 in Toronto.

Sports | By CM Staff, Photo by daniel0685 via Flickr

The Cavs squandered a chance to take control of the series Sunday, falling 93-89 to the Raptors in Game 4 and heading back to Cleveland with the Eastern Conference quarterfinal tied 2-2. Here are three takeaways:

• A disastrous performance: Cleveland looked flat and overwhelmed in a game it had every reason to seize, failing to capitalize despite Toronto’s missed opportunities and letting the Raptors even the series.
  

• The first half set the tone: The Cavs scored fewer than 40 points before halftime, turned the ball over 11 times and gave up 12 offensive rebounds in a sloppy, stagnant offensive performance that put them in a hole.
  

• The bigger concern is the toll: Beyond losing Game 4, this kind of wasted effort can have consequences later in the postseason, forcing Cleveland to expend energy in a series that suddenly looks much tougher than it should.

Watch contributor Dennis Manoloff's takeaways from Game 4.

Things to Do This Week

Cleveland Guardians vs the Tampa Bay Rays (April 27): Cheer on the Guardians as they face the Tampa Bay Rays and bring along your furry friends for this special Bark in the Park event. All dogs must remain leashed and have up-to-date vaccinations for entry. $19+, 2401 Ontario St., Cleveland, mlb.com

Nostalgic Girl Dinner (April 28): Relive the early 2000s at the Vault with your favorite snacks, local vendors, create your own perfume bar, a jewelry charm bar, an AIM name wall and watch the best vines ever posted. Dress to the theme with low-rise denim and chunky jewelry. $40, 2017 East Ninth St., Cleveland, eventbrite.com

Mahjong 101 and Open Play (April 29): Head over to Le Burger on Cleveland’s West Side for a night of Mahjong. This is the perfect place for beginners to learn and for more experienced players to have some fun. $17.85+, 2407 Loraine Ave., Cleveland, eventbrite.com

Mastering the Espresso Martini (May 1): Curious about the history and crafting of an Espresso Martini? Look no further because Western Reserve Distillers is offering a master class diving into the origins of this drink, the techniques used and a hands-on crafting experience. $20, 14221 Madison Ave., Lakewood, eventbrite.com

Friday's Trivia Answer 

What Downtown apartment building, itself formerly home to a newspaper, served as the Daily Planet in the most recent Superman movie? The Leader Building

Check back tomorrow for the answer to today's question.

From the Editor

W Sports Bar is a cool experiment. What if women had a place to enjoy sports that catered just to them? With skyrocketing rents in Gordon Square, I don't think this closure means the experiment failed. Hopefully, we see a rebound in another neighborhood soon.

Have a story idea? Tell us what we should cover at conversation@clevelandmagazine.com.