After serving as a landmark of downtown Youngstown’s nightlife for more than 35 years, Cedar’s Lounge will relocate after this weekend to a yet undisclosed location.
To celebrate the lounge’s final days at 23 N. Hazel St., a “Cedar’s Mini-Fest” will be held Friday. The event, presented by Wild Kindness Records and Pixel Pop Photography, will feature performances by the Building, Andre Costello and the Cool Minors, Rahkeem Brown, and the Raspberry Reich; records and local wares; comic and art vendors; and more.
David Pokrivnak said the event is a way for his record label, Wild Kindness Records, to offer “our respect and a grand send-off.”
“[Cedar’s] is the only place in the area to find such a high threshold of talent and creativity,” Pokrivnak said.
Alyssa Olmi, a sophomore at Youngstown State University, said Cedar’s isn’t just one of the oldest bars downtown — it’s also the most unique.
“What makes it so cool is that it reaches out to so many different crowds,” she said. “One night will be swing dancing, and then the next night, a live band will be playing.”
Every Thursday night from 10 p.m. till 2 a.m., Cedar’s hosts Swing Night, which members of the YSU Dance Club often attend.
Kristi Yazvac, vice president of the YSU Dance Club, said Cedar’s is a stress-reliever for many club members.
“Cedar’s was always our getaway place whenever we were stressed over school or just wanted a fun night outside of the dorm,” Yazvac said. “We had at least three-fourths of the club going each Thursday for Swing Night, and we became regulars there.”
But although Cedar’s will soon leave its North Hazel Street location behind, its legacy will persist, she said.
“Cedar’s is just a classic. When you go to other bars downtown, they just don’t have the character Cedar’s seems to have,” Yazvac said. “Youngstown has made some changes over the years, but Cedar’s always seems to have stayed the same.”
