GRAND RIVER, Ohio — Northeast Ohio Seafood Lovers who are “In The Know” are well aware of Pickle Bill's Lobster House, the sprawling, extremely-nautically themed restaurant that’s been shelling out the shellfish here in Grand River since 1982.
Pickle Bill’s is known for its stellar seafood, its waterfront views and its elaborate, and eclectic decor that ranges in theme from whimsically quirky to straight up, fever dream nightmare fuel.
But Pickle Bills has another iconic feature that has become an integral aspect of the Greater Cleveland Summer Experience.
It’s a barge. And a bar. It’s a Barge Bar. It’s a floating bar, tethered to the restaurant itself, and it rules. According to Pickle Bills owner Marianne Powell, her customers are big fans.
As you may suspect, maintaining an on-the-water-watering hole does offer some complications.
Every year, following the summer season, the barge is moved down river to be winterized in preparation for next season. This year, the much-anticipated return was delayed due to tricky maintenance issues.
This is not the first time Pickle Bill’s Buoyant Barroom has caused ownership headaches. The multiple instances of the bar getting loose and floating away have become celebrated local lore.
Fortunately, when the barge recently made its way back up the river to begin her delayed summertime service, she steered straight and true and is finally back where she belongs, ready to serve.
Ideally, the Barge Bar will remain both functional and docked for the remainder of the season, but if you should happen to see a fully stocked party bar floating past the Mentor Headlands over the next couple months, don’t panic. That happens. And it always finds its way home.
