A Machine Gun Kelly Themed Cleveland, Ohio Roadtrip
Richard Coulson Baker, aka Machine Gun Kelly, AKA.. simply ‘MGK’- dropped an album in 2020 that couldn’t have been more perfect timing. ‘Tickets To My Downfall’ was the pop-punk rock 2000’s-esque album that many of us didn’t know we needed and amidst a year of craziness – he debuted as the No.1 on Billboards Top 200. In case you’re not a big music person – it’s a pretty big deal. Since he became popular, we thought we’d show you all how to have a perfect Machine Gun Kelly-themed weekend in Cleveland, Ohio.
Click here for our top 100 favorite Machine Gun Kelly songs playlist!!
Tickets To My Downfall is a mix of a little love for our favorite Transformers star Megan Fox and a little rap to keep it flowing with his rapid-fire rap aesthetic. {If you didn’t know – the name Machine Gun Kelly came from how fast he rapped. His friends and fans dubbed him MGK around 15, and it just stuck!} Now that we’re all huge fans of him and can’t get enough of screaming his lyrics in our cars- les take a Machine Gun Kelly-themed road trip through Cleveland, Ohio!
Regardless of whether you’re with girlfriends, with your love-ah, or with your family – there is a ton to do in Cleveland for all types of adventurers. In an interview, MGK even talked about his favorite parts of the city: Sports, the food, hanging out with his friends, and concerts.
In This Post
Grab A Bite
Cleveland is a foodie haven, chock full of eats you really won’t find many other places. One of these places you won’t find anywhere else is Machine Gun Kelly’s own 27 Club Coffee! The premise behind 27 Club Coffee is honoring all of the musicians who died too soon at 27; Jim Morrison from The Doors, Amy Winehouse, and Kurt Cobain from Nirvana are all posthumously members. For more info on The 27 Club, Rolling Stone magazine gives us a great breakdown.
Besides just being an awesome coffee shop, hence his slogan ‘Local Coffee Dealer’ – they serve alcoholic beverages, brunch, and lunch/dinner food. We ended up there around lunch so we tried:
- 2 Adult Bevs: the ‘Peach Picante’ and the ‘Strawberry Berry Smash’
- The Crispy Chicken Wrap – Delicious!
- A Pink Latte – I got mine with oat milk (better for the environment) but it’s literally pink! (Also delicious!)
The ‘Crispy Chicken Wrap’ 
The ‘Peach Picante’ & ‘Strawberry Berry Smash’
Not to mention we got to sit in one of the Instagram famous black leather alcoves on the 27 Club Coffee quote wall. (The first photo from this post!) I was so glad to get to see it because he really was one of my favorite artists in 2020!
Other Restaurants
As for a few other restaurnts reccomendations, in his video about Cleveland, Machine Gun Kelly mentions a few of his favorite haunts.
- Hanini Subs – For late-night subs.
- Zanzibar Soul Fusion – MGK specifically referenced the Kool-aid and said in his interview to ‘tell them Machine Gun Kelly sent you’. Apparently, when he’s in town it’s a favorite haunt for him and his daughter! There are three different locations around town in Shaker Square, Downtown, and Euclid.
A few places that Ev and I loved for dinner while we were there: Townhall and Noble Beast Brewing! Both of these places had awesome brews and a good vibe for a night out.
Cleveland Sports
Coulson Baker makes it very clear that his experience in Cleveland was all about the community. How do you get to know a community anywhere? You eat, you drink, you go where the locals are. In the case of Cleveland, Ohio – the locals are all about their sporting events! Being a family man himself, and Machine Gun Kelly road trip to Cleveland wouldn’t be complete without taking your kiddos to a Cleveland Browns game!! According to MGK –
‘Any sports event will be the wildest one you’ve ever been to.’
Machine gun kelly
Let’s tell you about my (Shelbs) experience going to a Cleveland Browns game. I get there, and it’s probably the most crowded sporting event I’ve ever been to – and it’s LOUD. When the Browns made a mistake during the game, people would throw beers from up in the stands and onto the field. It was pouring rain, and yet somehow, the crazy energy was still there. We highly recommend hitting up any game you can on a weekend getaway!
Besides just the Cleveland Indians (Major League Baseball), the city also has its very own NFL team, NBA team, and professional hockey team. Any Machine Gun Kelly-themed road trip to Cleveland would not be complete without a trip to at least one game!
- Major League Baseball – Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field – Get Tickets Here
- NFL – Cleveland Browns at First Energy Stadium – Get Tickets Here
- NBA – Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse – Get Tickets Here
- Cleveland Monsters American Hockey League at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse – Get Tickets Here
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
As an actor & musician, and Machine Gun Kelly themed road-trip wouldn’t be complete with seeing a few museums and the Rock & Rock Hall of Fame!
First and foremost – the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was such an awesome addition for us during our weekend getaway – and we couldn’t wait to tell you all about it! It’s not a long tour but well worth your while if you’re a music junkie like us!
Getting to learn about artists that came from Cleveland, like Machine Gun Kelly, was interesting to say the least. A whole wall is dedicated to artists like ‘The Outsiders’, John Legend, Kid Cudi, Marilyn Manson, and the Black Keys who are from Cleveland!
As for other artists not from Cleveland, there is a ton of memorabilia. Getting to see The Beatles wall was one of our favorite parts!
Anyone else think MGK deserves to be included in the Hall of Fame? At least the Cleveland section? There are only a few artists in the last few years that have come close to hitting that level of fame. Click here to cast your vote for the inductions to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame!
Concerts in Cleveland
Before moving on to sell out bigger concert venues and play in world-renowned music festivals like Lollapalooza, and the Leeds Festival in Britain– Machine Gun Kelly was playing in smaller venues. Across Cleveland, Ohio there are 9 music venues he’s played in!
- James Pavillion at Nautica (formerly called the Nautica Pavillion) in 2011, 2012, 2014
- The House of Blues Cleveland in 2011 again not once but twice, 2014, 2015, 2016
- The Cleveland Heights Grog Shop in 2010
- Peabody’s in 2010 not once but twice
- Agora Theatre in 2011, 2012, 2015
- Cayuhoga County Fairgrounds in 2012
- Keybank State Theatre for the 2017 Alternative Press Music Awards in 2017,
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the Alternative Press Music Awards, seven separate times in 2014
- Wolstein Center in 2018
If you’re looking to see an MGK concert in Cleveland, follow along here. (Ticketmaster and Stubhub will be your best bet for getting tickets quickly and his shows always sell out fast!) If you’re just in a live music kind of mood – check out any of these venues for a show. To check the weekend you’re traveling to Cleveland – check here at Songkik.
Casual Live Music
For more of an easy Friday night with a good beer – there are a few other venues around Cleveland that don’t require tickets ahead of time. For our more spontaneous readers – these are perfect for a last minute weekend getaway!
- Cebar’s Euclid Tavern – Built a new outdoor stage during the covid shutdowns so be sure to check that out! Address: 595 E. 185th St. Cleveland, Ohio
- Coda – Perfect for our kareoke loving friends and outdoor concert lovers! Address: 2247 Professor Ave. Cleveland, Ohio
- Kelley’s Pub – In the Lakewood neighborhood. Address: 13525 Lakewood Heights Blvd. Cleveland, Ohio
- Music Box Supper Club – More intimate and perfect for date nights. Address: 1148 Main Ave. Cleveland, Ohio
- Smedley’s Bar and Grille – A mix of musicians come together on Thursday nights! Address: 17004 Lorain Ave. Cleveland, Ohio
- The Winchester Music Tavern – Another venue in Lakewood | Address: 12112 Madison Ave. Cleveland, Ohio
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72 Hour MGK – Roadtrip Itinerary
This itinerary assumes you’re going to drive in on an early Friday. Three-day weekends are the best kind of weekend getaways!
FRIDAY NIGHT:
- Visit the House of Blues for dinner and a show
- Drinks After
SATURDAY:
- Amp up for your concert by seeing the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
- Grab lunch at Zanzibar and get a Koolaid!
- MGK Concert or Concert at a music venue nearby
- Grab a late-night Hanini Sub!
SUNDAY:
- Take a morning walk by the lake at the waterfront park to clear your head after a night out and to get you hungry for brunch!!!
- Brunch at MGK Coffee Shop
- Cleveland Browns Game
For more Ohio roadtrip ideas, get our Romantic Cleveland Guide and our adventurous Cincinnati Weekend Getaway Guide!
Where To Stay
The best hotels in Cleveland are going to be downtown, Ohio City and Asiatown. All of these are closest to the stadiums, Downtown Cleveland and all of the best places to really enjoy a quick trip. You coulllddd stay further out but really you’re going to want to be close to the action for such a quick trip! Our top picks:
- Metropolitan at The 9 – Where a lot of pro-athletes stay! You mayyy or may not rub shoulders with a pro – football player or NBA player?
- Hyatt Regency Cleveland at The Arcade – A Instagrammers haven.
- The Glidden House – a peaceful and historic mansion!
A NOTE FOR THE HATERS: Chances are if you’re reading this – you’re just as happy blaring ‘Way Too Hot To Be Acting Like That’ and ‘Bloody Valentine’ at ear-shattering levels in your car while you sing along. Please use your keyboard warrior skills for good.. and not enlighten me that MGK was born in Texas, not Cleveland. Cleveland is where Richard Coulson Baker became Machine Gun Kelly. (If he didn’t consider himself from there – he probably wouldn’t have put his coffee shop there.. just sayin’.) SO! That’s why we dedicated an entire blog post as a tribute for all of us fangirls.
When you’re done exploring all the best parts of what Machine Gun Kelly loved about Cleveland – make sure to take a walk along the Cuyahoga River and enjoy! (Maybe while eating one of those Hanini’s subs MGK is so fond of!)
Make sure to snag all of your road trip basics (below), get your travel insurance, and have fun jamming to a new playlist!
Until next time friends,
SHOP
Jade
Wow, I’ve never been to Ohio but this roadtrip sounds neat! I would love to do this one day.
MacKenzie
Coming from a new, but massive, MGK fan, I saw this post and immediately had to read it. I love MGK, so it was really entertaining for me to read these little tidbits!! (As for the haters, I didn’t even know MGK was born in Texas because he always talks about Cleveland, so… exactly what you said haha)
Evan and Shelby
MacKenzieI’m so glad you loved it! Lol it always makes us feel at home when we find other music junkies like us!!!
Charlotte
Eeeek! I lo r the idea of this themed trip! Thank you so much for your post it’s amazing!