Today's Hidden Gem: The House of Swing!
Eleven years ago I walked into the House of Swing and stumbled upon one of the best Hidden Gems in Northeast Ohio! Oh, I had driven by it my whole life. And my Aunt and Uncle said they had been in there many times in their younger days. Not until one of my dearest friends turned me onto this 'diamond in the rough' did I actually step inside and experience the entire phenomenon!
If you enjoy jazz, blues, and even swing music, The House of Swing is the place to be! Especially for LIVE music!
The House of Swing is celebrating 31 years this Saturday, May 31st! Owner Linda Kallie is the perfect host, especially on these big occasions. She knows how to throw a hopping party. She is gracious and so appreciative of her patrons. She is one of the reasons The House of Swing is the great place it is today! Blues DeVille will headline this year's anniversary party. There will be delicious food, beverages galore for the party guests, fun, friendship, and the yearly toast to Lou, his memory, and the legacy he started many years ago!
31 years ago, Lou Kallie opened The House of Swing (where jazz is king) at 4490 Mayfield Road in South Euclid.
Lou had a long musical history. Back in 1965, he owned 'The Library' in the Little Italy area. That's when he met Linda. He played the music he grew up with and loved but it did not catch on with the 60's crowd. He also played drums in the band, 'The Wild Bunch,' hoping to emulate the likes of Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich. Kallie had an amazing collection of over 15,000 records which he still wanted to share with others after 'The Library' closed. He opened The House of Swing as an outlet where he could share the music he loved while jamming with his very own band, which he did every Monday night.
Besides the record collection, there were and still are loads of memorabilia displayed throughout the entire bar ranging from bumper stickers...album covers....remembrances of all the live bands that have ever played in the Swing....musical pictures, portraits, posters....sports memorabilia of all kinds....fun inflatables....and picture montages of the many devoted patrons who have visited Linda and Lou over the last 31 years!
When you enter the Swing, you feel like family. You are welcomed with open arms and always treated to a wonderful time! A wonderful place to go any night of the week. Linda has live music there 4 nights a week. The other nights, classic tunes playing on the loud speaker!
Lou was actively involved in his city, his neighborhood. Linda recollects how he managed a slew of softball teams as well as starting the Cleveland Heights men's hockey league. Linda says Lou will also be remembered for his 'one liners!'
Lou Kallie passed away suddenly in October of 1995 of a probable heart attack. He was 67 years old. Lou's memory lives on in The House of Swing. However, his ashes also rest in a special place within the bar so he can overlook and oversee his great success --which continues today!
Linda, as well as Lou's son, Harry, have carried on Lou's legacy, his memory. Harry helps Linda out at the Swing in many capacities keeping the music alive and the drinks flowing. Linda has many other great bartenders (including Richie Rich) and a wonderful support staff which have helped her keep the bar open after Lou's passing. She can not believe it has been 31 years. There have been a number of changes through the years. Linda has upgraded with the times adding more televisions, making a bigger stage area, and many other betterments!
Linda says she is not sure how much longer The House of Swing can endure, but for now, it's still alive and kicking and one of the best neighborhood bars in Northeast Ohio!
Come one and all Saturday, May 31st for the 31st anniversary celebration of The House of Swing and see why it is this week's Hidden Gem!
Eleven years ago I walked into the House of Swing and stumbled upon one of the best Hidden Gems in Northeast Ohio! Oh, I had driven by it my whole life. And my Aunt and Uncle said they had been in there many times in their younger days. Not until one of my dearest friends turned me onto this 'diamond in the rough' did I actually step inside and experience the entire phenomenon!
If you enjoy jazz, blues, and even swing music, The House of Swing is the place to be! Especially for LIVE music!
The House of Swing is celebrating 31 years this Saturday, May 31st! Owner Linda Kallie is the perfect host, especially on these big occasions. She knows how to throw a hopping party. She is gracious and so appreciative of her patrons. She is one of the reasons The House of Swing is the great place it is today! Blues DeVille will headline this year's anniversary party. There will be delicious food, beverages galore for the party guests, fun, friendship, and the yearly toast to Lou, his memory, and the legacy he started many years ago!
31 years ago, Lou Kallie opened The House of Swing (where jazz is king) at 4490 Mayfield Road in South Euclid.
Lou had a long musical history. Back in 1965, he owned 'The Library' in the Little Italy area. That's when he met Linda. He played the music he grew up with and loved but it did not catch on with the 60's crowd. He also played drums in the band, 'The Wild Bunch,' hoping to emulate the likes of Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich. Kallie had an amazing collection of over 15,000 records which he still wanted to share with others after 'The Library' closed. He opened The House of Swing as an outlet where he could share the music he loved while jamming with his very own band, which he did every Monday night.
Besides the record collection, there were and still are loads of memorabilia displayed throughout the entire bar ranging from bumper stickers...album covers....remembrances of all the live bands that have ever played in the Swing....musical pictures, portraits, posters....sports memorabilia of all kinds....fun inflatables....and picture montages of the many devoted patrons who have visited Linda and Lou over the last 31 years!
When you enter the Swing, you feel like family. You are welcomed with open arms and always treated to a wonderful time! A wonderful place to go any night of the week. Linda has live music there 4 nights a week. The other nights, classic tunes playing on the loud speaker!
Lou was actively involved in his city, his neighborhood. Linda recollects how he managed a slew of softball teams as well as starting the Cleveland Heights men's hockey league. Linda says Lou will also be remembered for his 'one liners!'
Lou Kallie passed away suddenly in October of 1995 of a probable heart attack. He was 67 years old. Lou's memory lives on in The House of Swing. However, his ashes also rest in a special place within the bar so he can overlook and oversee his great success --which continues today!
Linda, as well as Lou's son, Harry, have carried on Lou's legacy, his memory. Harry helps Linda out at the Swing in many capacities keeping the music alive and the drinks flowing. Linda has many other great bartenders (including Richie Rich) and a wonderful support staff which have helped her keep the bar open after Lou's passing. She can not believe it has been 31 years. There have been a number of changes through the years. Linda has upgraded with the times adding more televisions, making a bigger stage area, and many other betterments!
Linda says she is not sure how much longer The House of Swing can endure, but for now, it's still alive and kicking and one of the best neighborhood bars in Northeast Ohio!
Come one and all Saturday, May 31st for the 31st anniversary celebration of The House of Swing and see why it is this week's Hidden Gem!
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