Entry No. 33 — the Cleveland file — filed under: speakeasy
Pins & Needles
Tucked away in the basement of the historic Mahall's 20 Lanes, this retro lounge is a meticulously designed 1970s rec-room time capsule. It serves up nostalgic wood-paneled vibes, vintage highballs, and classic vinyl soundtracks late into the night.
The story
Before it became Lakewood's worst-kept subterranean secret, the space beneath Mahall's 20 Lanes was known as the Locker Room, a cramped basement spot hosting scrappy DIY music shows alongside the venue’s original ten lower bowling lanes. In June 2022, owner Cory Hajde and partner Dennis Tvrdik collaborated with the hospitality team behind Tremont's Cloak & Dagger to turn the underutilized square footage into something far weirder: a 1970s suburban rec-room time capsule.
Every detail was secondhand-sourced to mirror your grandparents' 1970s basement—wood paneling, plush vintage sofas, checkered floors, old beer cans, amber lamps, and a wall lined with period vinyl. Disaster struck six months in when a December 2022 blizzard burst a pipe overhead, collapsing the ceiling and destroying the original furniture. Instead of calling it quits, the team knocked out an adjacent old restroom, scavenged a fresh batch of vintage furniture, and reopened in March 2023 with expanded seating for 50 people.
The drink list leans heavily into '70s nostalgia without feeling like a cheap gimmick. The bartenders spin classic era cocktails, highballs, and amaros, mixing mainstays like Painkillers, Mai Tais, Golden Cadillacs, and White Russians alongside signature drinks like the Yugo and Sweet Caroline.
What it's like
To find it, you have to slip past the bowling noise on the ground floor and head downstairs into the basement. You'll step through the door into a low-lit retro sanctuary bathed in amber light, warm wood paneling, and classic vinyl records spinning in the background. Since there are no reservations, grabbing one of the vintage couches on a busy weekend night means arriving early or waiting out a seat. Order a retro cocktail or a highball, lean back into the vintage upholstery, and enjoy feeling completely off the grid.
The move: Slip downstairs past the bowling lanes to this cozy basement hideaway, order a retro 'Yugo' or 'Sweet Caroline' cocktail, and lounge on the vintage sofas under the warm glow of amber lamps.
- 📍 Lakewood
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 13200 Madison Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Cleveland Curiosities — Pair your 1970s basement hideaway with a daytime stroll down Madison Avenue to browse real human bones and taxidermied oddities.
- Museum of Divine Statues — Trade the dim wood-paneled rec room for a decommissioned Polish Catholic church filled with rescued religious statues just two blocks away.
- Amazonia — Follow up a retro basement highball with a secret jungle cocktail hidden behind a taco joint less than half a mile down the road.
- Bad Medicine — If one hidden bar isn't enough, head a mile south to this dentist-office-disguised listening lounge for another round of record-spun drinks.
Good to know
Do I need a reservation to get into Pins & Needles?
No, Pins & Needles operates strictly on a first-come, first-served walk-in basis.
Where is Pins & Needles located inside Mahall's?
You'll find it hidden in the basement of Mahall's 20 Lanes, adjacent to the historic lower ten bowling lanes.
What kind of drinks are on the menu?
The bar specializes in 1970s classic cocktails (like Golden Cadillacs, Mai Tais, and White Russians), highballs, amaros, signature retro drinks like the Yugo and Sweet Caroline, and vintage-style canned beers.
How many people can the lounge accommodate?
Following a full rebuilding and expansion after a burst pipe in late 2022, the basement lounge comfortably seats about 50 guests.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: mahalls20lanes.com · coolcleveland.com · clevelandmagazine.com
last checked: 2026-07-21