The W Sports Bar, celebrated as Cleveland’s first women-owned sports bar, will shut down its Detroit-Shoreway spot at 5428 Detroit Ave on Sunday, May 3. The bar opened about a year ago, and the owners are framing the move not as a final whistle but as a strategic relocation, saying they are eyeing a new home closer to downtown.
In a statement to Cleveland Scene, the owners confirmed that May 3 will be the last day at 5428 Detroit Ave and repeated that they are "exploring new options." The outlet noted that the bar had been open exactly one year and reported the team’s spin on the closure as "this isn't goodbye, it's a move." According to Cleveland Scene, the group is especially interested in landing downtown near Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Downtown Move Could Ride Incoming WNBA Wave
Per WNBA announcements and local coverage, Cleveland is set to welcome a WNBA franchise that will begin play in 2028 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. That future game schedule is already drawing attention from local hospitality operators who want to be within walking distance of the arena for watch parties and game day crowds. The W’s owners say a downtown address would put the bar right where that women’s pro sports calendar is about to heat up.
Detroit Avenue Spot Struggles To Keep Tenants
The building at 5428 Detroit Ave has now cycled through two tenants in roughly 18 months, a stretch that has raised quiet questions about margins and foot traffic along that Gordon Square block. Banter closed its Gordon Square location in early 2025, as reported by Cleveland Magazine. Cleveland Scene coverage of The W’s departure noted that the address had already seen one recent exit, underscoring the churn in the neighborhood.
What Comes Next For The W
The bar’s official website bills The W as Cleveland’s first women-owned sports bar and highlights its watch parties, leagues and community events. That site will remain the main source for updates on hours and any downtown plans. The owners say they will share details about a new location after the May 3 closing weekend. Until then, The W plans to run its scheduled events through the final weekend, with staff on hand to help regulars navigate the transition.
