CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio – Once upon a time, fans at the Blossom Music Center could bring their own food and drinks to all of the concerts held each summer at the big, beautiful amphitheater on the border of Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Times have changed, and these days, potluck parties are limited to Cleveland Orchestra concerts. Sad, right?
Well, there’s nothing wrong with being nostalgic about “the good old days,” we all do from time to time, but the freedom with food and booze at rock concerts back then wasn’t necessarily a good thing, even if it seemed like it at the time.
Moreover, with food and beverage now a major source of revenue for concert promoters, more attention is being paid to offering better and more diverse food and beverage options to consumers at venues.
Sure, you’ll pay more for a burger and a beer — that’s the reality in concert halls, amphitheaters, ballparks, and stadiums around the world — but these days venues offer a lot more than just burgers and beer, and the food tastes a lot better.
Live Nation, the global concert promoter that books and stages pop concerts at the Blossom and has a deal with the Cleveland Orchestra, has a corporate division dedicated to developing food and beverage experiences at venues it manages around the world.
And they’ve been keeping busy at Blossom Music Center for years.
The dining experience begins at the food trucks in the parking lot and continues throughout the property.
Dotted around the venue are the sit-down restaurant Blossom Grill (reservations recommended) and stands developed by Live Nation in partnership with celebrity chefs.
These include Koko’s Bavarian, Trejo’s Tacos, Volt Burgers, Art Bird, Badass Nachos by Chef Tim Love, Baked by Jon & Vinny’s, and CVT Soft Serve. Locals may recognize the Corbo’s Bakery trailer.
Several bars will be selling wine, beer and Liquid Death Water, as well as four craft cocktails created especially for Blossom.
While the food choices may seem random, they were carefully selected by Live Nation’s head of food and beverage Andy Yates and his team — Liquid Death-branded water, for example, was chosen in part because metal cans are recyclable, unlike plastic water bottles.
“Our mission is to disrupt concession stands and serve our fans what they want – great food done well,” Yates said. “For example, VOLT Burgers serves up a great product that’s better than any other burger joint. Koko’s Bavarian serves up an elevated take on traditional concession stand fare, and our sandwiches are made with humanely raised protein.”
Throughout the season, Blossom hosts a variety of pop shows, from rock to country to hip hop, which means it draws a diverse audience with a range of tastes.
“We cater to a wide variety of people and want our merchandise to resonate with all of our fans,” Yates continues. “For example, Trejo’s tacos are a favorite with many fans, and we’re also proud to feature local partners — fans love stopping by Corvo’s stand, for example.”
Trejo’s Tacos and the Bolt Burger have been served at the venue for several years, while Coco’s Bavarian and CVT Soft Serve were introduced this year.
“We listen to fan feedback and tweak our concession stand, offering something new every year,” Yates said.
The menu tweaks are thoughtful rather than random: there’s a reason, and a deeper, unseen meaning, behind every drink and food choice.
A view of the sunset from the lawn at Blossom Music Center during a recent pop concert. (Photo by Scott Mayberry Photography)
Trejos tacos are among the curated food selections Live Nation will be serving at Blossom Music Center. (Photo: Amber Patrick, Live Nation)
Koko’s Bavarian Sausages are among the curated food selections offered by Live Nation at the Blossom Music Center. (Photo: Amber Patrick, Live Nation)
The “Live Juice” cocktail is one of the drink options at Blossom Music Center. (Photo: Amber Patrick, Live Nation)
The Bolt Burger is one of the curated food selections offered by Live Nation at Blossom Music Center. (Photo: Amber Patrick, Live Nation)
Blossom Music Center has expanded its dining options over the years. One of the options is Corbo’s Bakery. (Photo: Paris Wolf, Cleveland.com)
The cocktail stand at New Kids on the Block at Blossom Music Center. (Photo: Paris Wolf, cleveland.com)
Blossom Music Center has expanded its dining options over the years, and one of the options is Coco’s Bavaria. (Photo: Paris Wolf, Cleveland.com)
Blossom Music Center has expanded its food options over the years, and one of the choices is Trejo’s Tacos. (Photo: Paris Wolf, Cleveland.com)
Live Nation corporate bartender Sean Kenyon will create four signature cocktails, served in plastic keepsake shakers. (Photo: Paris Wolf, Cleveland.com)
Blossom Music Center has expanded its food options over the years. One of the options is the Bolt Burger. (Photo: Paris Wolf, Cleveland.com)
Live Nation corporate bartender Sean Kenyon has created four signature cocktails, which will be served in plastic keepsake shakers.
A view of the sunset from the lawn at Blossom Music Center during a recent pop concert. (Photo: Amber Patrick, courtesy of Live Nation)
The venue features several full bars, but four signature cocktails have been created by award-winning third-generation bartender Sean Kenyon, who also owns two bars in Colorado and is a mixology consultant.
Blossom’s signature “Live Juice” cocktails are sold in plastic commemorative shakers with the logo of each show — for example, New Kids on the Block’s shaker has the tour’s name, “Magic Summer 2024,” appropriately painted in neon colors.
Cocktails are available throughout the premises, and each can be ordered as a mocktail.
Strawberry Vodka Lemonade Watermelon Chili Margarita Cherry Bourbon Lemonade Wild Berry Mojito
When appropriate, the bar will collaborate with a performing artist’s spirits brand, such as Chris Stapleton’s Traveler Blend No. 40 whiskey or Selvaray Rum, which is co-owned by Bruno Mars.
Blossom Music Center has upgraded its food options over the years, with recent choices including Trejo’s Tacos, Volt Burgers, Corbo’s Bakery and Koko’s Bavarian.
On the food side, the newest addition is German-inspired Coco’s Bavaria, a Texas-based brand that serves up specialty sausages, hot dogs, Bavarian pretzels, Belgian fries and more. The restaurant is named after co-founder Konstantin Prinz von Bavaria, known as Coco.
Sandwich options include jalapeño cheddar sausage topped with a generous helping of onions – all meat is humanely and sustainably raised, so you can rest assured you’re choosing it. For a snack, the large soft pretzels are even tastier when finished with a smear of butter.
Named after Mexican actor and business partner Danny Trejo, Trejo’s Tacos offers three types of tacos—chicken, barbacoa, and jackfruit—as well as chips and guacamole. The vegetarian jackfruit may be Trejo’s highlight.
Volt Burger is a concept created by the Maryland-based Voltaggio brothers of Food Network fame, and for those looking for a familiar taste, their smash burger and fries are a national favorite.
“Chef Art Smith’s Art Bird Chicken Tenders have always been a fan favorite,” Yates notes. Smith’s influence is immense: He’s a two-time James Beard Foundation Award winner and was Oprah’s personal chef for 10 years.
Blossom Grill offers a more relaxed sit-down dining experience. The full-service dining room is an open-air pavilion tucked into a wooded corner on the lawn. The grill opens two and a half hours before Cleveland Orchestra performances and two hours before Live Nation events. Orchestra goers can order picnic baskets or boxed lunches at least 72 hours before the performance for pickup before the show.
Those with a sweet tooth can satisfy their appetite with Corbo’s Dolceria and CVT soft serve ice cream.
Based in Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood, Corbo’s is a local favorite serving Italian cakes and pastries.
The Bolt Burger is one of the curated food selections offered by Live Nation at Blossom Music Center. (Photo: Amber Patrick, Live Nation)
CVT Soft Serve is new this year: chocolate and vanilla soft serve ice cream made with seven natural ingredients and served in a six-ounce recyclable pouch.
The evolving concession collection is sure to offer something for everyone.
And if you feel like bringing your own drinks, you can. On most show nights, the parking lots around the venue fill up with fans who then head out to “party” at tailgate parties.
Although I have some bad memories of Blossom Parking, it looks like fun.
However, we strongly encourage you to exercise discretion and designate a driver.
Send your food, drink and culture story ideas to Paris Wolfe at pwolfe@cleveland.com. Check out her past stories here. Follow Paris Wolfe on Instagram @pariswolfe.
