LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- Whether it was for breakfast, lunch or dinner, the Diner on Clifton (aka Clifton Diner) has been a popular eatery for more than 20 years.

Forced to relocate due to a lease issue, owner Perry Drosos is not only moving the restaurant down the street to 11801 Clifton Blvd., but also taking the opportunity to rebrand the restaurant as the Dinerbar on Clifton.

The new 2,200-square-foot venue is set to open in early to mid-August with an updated menu and vibe.

"We're only a block away from where we used to be," said Drosos, who co-owns Dinerbar at Clifton with business partner Jim Gountis. "We're rebranding because we were forced to move. We have a concept that is a little bit different, because we have a bar now, which we didn't have before."

The new location is in the former Clifton Medical Arts Building, which Drosos owns and is also home to Huntington Bank.

"I purchased the building about 10 years ago in the event the Diner on Clifton would have to move," Drosos said. "So it worked out. It's a perfect scenario as far as having a place that's really in the same vicinity. That is, except for the amazing amount of work it is to open a new business and to build a restaurant from scratch."

Not only will Dinerbar on Clifton offer a full bar, including wine, but the venue boasts a large patio along Clifton Boulevard.

"We're kind of excited about people having a nice space outside to wine and dine," Drosos said. "Ultimately, we're kind of a diner, family-style restaurant open a lot of hours. We meant something different to different people, and our food was good.

"There were some favorite things, like our garden chowder, hot meatloaf sandwich with real mashed potatoes, and hot roast beef and hot roast turkey sandwiches with gravy."

Drosos said new menu offerings are of the healthy variety, including a spicy tuna poke bowl.

"We're excited to see Dinerbar open this summer," Lakewood Director of Planning and Development Bryce Sylvester said.

"It'll serve as a convenient and quality dining option for the surrounding neighborhood, which includes the Gold Coast neighborhood within a five-minute walk. The patio will be a great outdoor space in the warmer months of the year," Sylvester said.