About Us

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Gunselman's Tavern: A History of Community and Tradition

Gunselman's Tavern has been a fixture in the Fairview Park community for over 80 years. It all started in 1936, when Henry Gunselman took over The Pastime Cafe. The bar quickly became a popular gathering place for locals, who came to enjoy the friendly atmosphere, cold beer, and good food.

Henry Gunselman was a tough and resourceful man. He survived a robbery at gunpoint, a fire that caused $11,000 in damage, and early mafia shakedowns.

Gunselman was also a generous man. He was known for backing local bowling, baseball, and basketball teams. He was also a sports expert and a horseshoe champion of Ohio.

The Gunselman family owned the bar until 1959, when they sold it to local Fairview hotel owner Louie Miller. Miller sold it to Red Martin who continued to operate the bar as a neighborhood shot and beer gathering place and it remained a popular after work spot for tradesmen for many years.

In recent years, Gunselman's Tavern has undergone a transformation. The new owners added a kitchen and patio that made the atmosphere and the bar has become a popular destination for people of all ages. In 2018, Gunselman's Tavern was voted the best burger in Cleveland by the readers of cleveland.com. 2022 winner of The Best Burger in Cleveland by Scene Magazine readers. 2023 Cleveland Magazine Best of the West Best Burger in Cleveland gave Gunselman's a win by every major publication in Cleveland. 

Today, Gunselman's Tavern is a thriving business that is still deeply rooted in the Fairview Park community. It is a place where people can come together to enjoy good food, good drinks, and good company. It is a place where tradition meets innovation and where the past is always remembered.

Here are some additional facts about Gunselman's Tavern:

• The bar was originally called The Pastime Cafe. The building was built in 1920. 
• Henry Gunselman took over the bar in 1936 after the previous owner couldn't pay a bill.
• The bar was robbed at gunpoint in the 1940s.
• The bar caught fire in the 1950s.
• The Gunselman family owned the bar until 1959.
• The bar was voted the best burger in Cleveland in 2018, 2022, and 2023.

Gunselman's Tavern is a beloved part of the Fairview Park community. It is a place where people can come together to enjoy good food, good drinks, and good company. It is a place where tradition meets innovation, and where the past is always remembered.