More Northeast Ohio Music Venues Institute Vaccination Policy

More than a dozen Northeast Ohio music venues are joining forces to institute a vaccination policy as COVID-19 cases in the state of Ohio continue to rise.

By Tuesday, September 7, all patrons must show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test from within 48 hours.

In a press release issued today, Cindy Barber of the Beachland Ballroom said that many national touring bands already are setting similar requirements so this new policy helps clubs keep their music calendars intact.

“As Northeast Ohio venues, we all want to have the same base policy so our fans can understand and feel protected when they come out to support live music," Barber said.

Kathy Blackman of the Grog Shop in Cleveland Heights said clubs are proceeding with caution.

"We had a show scheduled for last Saturday and they canceled because one of the band members had COVID," Blackman said. "He was vaccinated and he ended up in the hospital for three days and they canceled that tour."

The vaccination policy is subject to change based on the public health situation. 

The participating music clubs and theaters are:

The Agora/AEG (Cleveland)

Beachland Ballroom and Tavern (Cleveland)

Bop Stop at the Music Settlement (Cleveland)

The Foundry Concert Club (Lakewood)

Grog Shop (Cleveland Heights)

Happy Dog (Cleveland)

Jilly’s Music Room (Akron)

Mahall’s (Lakewood)

Music Box Supper Club (Cleveland)

Musica (Akron)

The Nightlight (Akron)

The Rialto Theater (Akron)

Westside Bowl (Youngstown)

The Winchester Music Tavern (Lakewood)

While the venues are not collectively mandating masking, they recommend patrons wear masks when not eating or drinking. The CDC recommends masking indoors based on the current spread of the delta variant regardless of vaccination status. 

National venue operators AEG Presents and Live Nation also recently announced plans to require  proof of vaccination for entry to shows.