Flats on Fire: How Inferno and Rum Runners Keep Cleveland Going
- Kelly Coyne
- Mar 13
- 4 min read
Cleveland’s club scene can go toe-to-toe with nightlife giants, offering unforgettable experiences in the city’s hottest destinations. Two clubs leading the charge are Rum Runners and Dante’s Inferno, located in the Flats—one of the two major nightlife hubs, alongside West 6th.
Worried about cover fees? No need—neither Inferno nor Rum Runners charge a cover, making them accessible for a great night out without extra costs.
Cleveland is filled with passionate and dedicated people. Bottle girl, Beka Butterfield emphasized, “And then really just the love of the city in general people come up and they show out.”
Together, Inferno and Rum Runners play an essential role in Cleveland’s nightlife. Inferno boasts the largest patio in the city, while Rum Runners stands out as the only club offering dedicated Latin nights.
Butterfield got her start in the industry as a customer. She and her friends got a section at Inferno which turned into a job. In reference to Inferno, Butterfield iterated, “[It’s] The hottest club in Cleveland.”
When asked about the most memorable night at Inferno, VIP Manager Tyler Burdick pointed to this past New Year’s Eve. He recalled the club being packed, with barely any room to move.
A key element of the nightlife experience is bottle service, where bottle girls enhance the VIP atmosphere by delivering liquor and custom signs to guests. However, bottle girls often face misconceptions about their role.
Among many misconceptions include the judgement surrounding their attire. Butterfield said, “You’re not a stripper.”
Emma Libby, another bottle girl added, “I think people have such a negative outlook against it. I think they think that we’re wearing very skimpy clothing and we’re walkin’ around and ya know bein’ inappropriate but the job is actually the complete opposite of that. We are very much clothed. People are not allowed to just come up and touch us. We don’t get paid for a lap dance like it's nothing like that.”
Libby got her start in the industry differently than Butterfield. Libby was looking to get more involved in nightlife and build more connections. She has a passion for DJ'ing and felt bottle service was the perfect way to grow career-wise.
Inferno exudes happiness as soon as the customer walks in. Butterfield added, “The entire vibe of the bar. I mean it's a good vibe as soon as you walk in and like you leave knowing you had a good night.”
One of Inferno’s signature traditions is the Fire Drill, which happens at midnight every Saturday. During this event, bartenders pour free shots directly into the mouths of eager guests.
Unlike most clubs, Inferno also serves food until 2 AM, offering top-notch options like pizza and wings—perfect for a late-night bite.
As for drinks, the most popular order at Inferno is, by an overwhelming majority, a vodka Red Bull.
Running a club comes with unique challenges as opposed to other businesses. Owner of Rum Runners and Inferno, Maria Donofrio said, “Just keeping up with the times, keeping up with what everybody else is doing pretty much. There’s no really hard part of running the business, it's just keeping up.”
The club’s music selection has also evolved. Initially focused on EDM, Inferno has now embraced a Y2K theme, playing early 2000s hits. This shift complements the broader Flats scene, where Good Night John Boy plays '70s music, Decades covers the '80s and '90s, and Inferno takes over the 2000s.
Arthur Law, a security guard for Inferno and Rum Runners, has had a great experience working for both. He mentioned, “I would definitely say I’m happy about it cuz’ it gave me a lotta discipline…I would definitely say it's more on the grateful side. I can never be ungrateful about being where I’m at and the situations I’m in…”
Working at two polar opposite clubs has been a great opportunity for Libby and Butterfield. Libby said, “I think it’s fun to be honest with you cuz’ it allows you to experience two different crowds…makes you adapt to different situations.”
Cleveland is here to prove they belong with the big dogs in nightlife. Libby added, “It’s continuously elevating. I think it's a city with people that really love it like they love their city and they are always down to party at a new club or a new scene and they're always down for new things.”
The club scene in Cleveland is only growing. The growth is hitting Rum Runners and Inferno very soon so stay tuned. Burdick said, “I would just say that we have a lot in store.”
Looking to have a fun night out? Look no further than the conglomerate of Rum Runners and Inferno.
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, March 15: St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl, starting at Hi-5 at 12:30 PM and ending at Inferno at 6 PM.
Thursday, March 28: Fiesta Mexicana Party at Rum Runners from 10 PM-2 AM.
Purchase Tickets for the Bar Crawl:
Follow on Instagram:
Inferno Bottle Girls: @inferno.babes
Inferno: @infernoflats
Rum Runners: @rumrunnerscle
Book a Table:
Contact: 216-340-3770
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