The Velvet Dog has as far as I know, one of the best, if not only rooftop bars in downtown Cleveland. Their isn't anywhere to sit unless you have bottle service but it's still a great atmosphere.
We arrived a bit early on a Friday night, around 10 and it was very empty. Around 11 though this place was pretty packed! What I love most is, if you aren't feeling the dance scene there are some side rooms (I think the 3rd floor) with a bar to the side. Plenty of seating in there to talk and enjoy your drink.
Staff was really nice and quick. Only negative, we tried to do bottle service but kept getting told different prices on the tables. We were then all ready to order a bottle of Dom when she finally told us there was a 3 bottle minimum. Later someone else told us it was only 1. Table never got filled so their loss of a couple hundred $$$.
I'll be back but since I am pretty much out of the huge drunk dancing scene, I'd hit up happy hour and then head somewhere more laidback.