CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It started with an ominous moan. Then a whistling howl. Then the wooden door slammed. Out of the walls lunged something hairy and weird - far hairier and weirder than anything you'd see in a neighborhood bar.

A strapping man who looked like he could pummel five werewolves bounced out of his stool like a frightened little girl.

Egads, those Parmaniacs have outdone themselves at the Post and Beam.

Every year, owners Sue and Larry Moran retrofit the bar - 11790 Snow Road, Parma, 440-888-6303; tinyurl.com/pp32j3s - into a lair of tomghoulery for Halloween. The Morans' monster mash is a cauldron brewing with ghouls, gourds, goblins and grim reapers - one that culminates with a Halloween soiree and costume contest at 8 p.m. Oct. 24.

Yes, they dig up most of their spooky scare-ems via the Internet. But it is a reminder of the role saloons, clubs and eateries have played in the world of the paranormal.

"Bars and places that people frequent at night are always more likely to have spirits - especially when they're serving alcohol," says Chris Woodyard, author of the Haunted Ohio book series. "There's an old theory that people who drink open themselves up to bad spirits. And, you know, drunk people tend to see ghosts more than sober people."

That's not to chalk up all saloon sightings to pickled minds and hazy vision.

"Dramatic things tend to happen in bars and clubs - like someone might die or get shot," says Woodyard. "Or maybe there was a disruption to the place and the spirits were dislodged."

The world of bars and clubs and eateries is transient, with openings and closings, renovations and repurposings, owners coming and going. Sometimes, the ghosts of the original owners aren't down with the program.

"Sometimes, an old owner will be like, 'This used to be my house or bar - I can't believe they're doing this to my place,'" says Woodyard. "Or maybe they just want to stick around to watch over the place."

We can only guess, since ghosts rarely sit still long enough to finish their cocktail or their entree. But these 13 bars, clubs and eateries have been known for their spirits.

Agora, 5000 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com: Whoa, that might be ICP on the stage, but that is definitely NOT a juggalo running across the stage. It's the "ghost in yellow" - a spirit dressed in a yellow raincoat that has been seen dashing around the bar, the stage, the catwalk and the balconies at the Agora Theatre, which opened in 1913 as the Metropolitan Theatre. They have yet to card the ghost, so who knows how old it is.

Burntwood Tavern, 8188 Brecksville Rd, Brecksville, 440-546-7680; burntwoodtavern.com: To become a "real" employee of this Brecksville eatery, you must meet the Big Boss. No not the current owner-chef, Bret Adams. Rather, the man who transformed this 19th century schoolhouse into a Spanish-themed landmark: George Stark. The ghost of Stark allegedly still oversees the place. It even makes a point to "initiate" new employees by calling out their names and patting them on the back. He is said to be a friendly ghost - ah, but does he give Christmas bonuses?

Don's Pomeroy House, 13664 Pearl Rd, Strongsville, 440-572-1111; donspomeroy.com: Ah, this circa-1847 mansion is the perfect setting for a breezy day... just check out the woodwork, grove of thick old trees, white picket fence and luscious plants. And don't forget to check out the Pomeroy House Ghost. The longtime resident got a lot of run when the joint fell into disrepair and was the creaky, creepy place on the corner in the 1960s. Some say the presence dates back to the 19th century, when it was a stop on the Underground Railroad and slaves would take shelter in the cellar.

Johnny Mango, 3120 Bridge Ave, Cleveland, 216-575-1919; jmango.com: Hungry for Jamaican jerk chicken and a ghost a la carte? This Ohio City cafe allegedly serves up a trio of ghosts -- the result of three deaths that took place in the area. The oldest is named Margaret, a woman who died when a trolley car crashed into the Cuyahoga River in 1895. The place even brought in a psychic to squelch the spirits, but the stories persist. As they say in a graveyard, you can't kill a ghost story.

LockKeeper's, 8001 Rockside Road, Cleveland, 216-524-9404; lockkeepers.com: A good ghost story travels better than ghosts, it seems. You heard the one about Sophie - the ghost of Sophie Sarnacki that resides in this upscale eatery? Yeah, that Sophie - the owner of Zimmerman's Tavern was shot and killed inside the tavern in 1956. That building, which housed LockKeeper's Inn for, let's just say, a SPELL, was eventually knocked down. LockKeeper's opened across that location in 1992. According to lore, Sophie pops in once in a while. "All sorts of things happened at that old location," says LockKeeper's manager Brian Woehrman. "But I've never seen her... but people still talk about her."

Mahall's, 13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-3280; mahalls20lanes.com: This circa-1924 bowling alley still retains its old charm, look and vibe. A perfect game! That is, if the ghost doesn't turn your strike into a gutter ball. She supposedly wears a long dress and likes to mess with the lights. While Mahall's is renowned for its fried chicken, we've yet to hear of any poultrygeist going on.

Pickwick and Frolic, 2035 East Fourth Street, Cleveland, 216-241-7425; pickwickandfrolic.com: Located on the site of the old Euclid Avenue Opera House, this classy joint wears its past on its sleeves, er, I mean walls. It still boasts the old chandeliers and wallpaper, not to mention the old-school spirit and, oh yeah, that ghost. She is very adept at turning the lights on and off and has been seen darted around Hilarities Comedy Club. Owner Nick Kostis thinks she might've followed him from a previous venue he operated in the Hanna Theatre, where she used to pull the same stunts. Ah, but can she tell jokes?

Renaissance Hotel, 24 Public Square, 216-696-5600; marriott.com/hotels/travel/clebr-renaissance-cleveland-hotel: Did you know that this ornate Cleveland hotel opened the same year the "Ghosts of Slumber Mountain" came out? Probably not, since even film historians have forgotten that silent-era flick. But this circa-1918 hotel is said to contain ghosts that do not slumber. These resident pranksters are said to do more than make doors creaks; they turn the lights on and off and even flush the toilets once in a while. Thankfully, they do not pee on the seats.



Rider's 1812 Inn, 792 Mentor Ave, Painesville, 440-354-8200; ridersinn.com: In life, money couldn't buy love for Suzanne. And in death, she's still paying for it. You see, Suzanne is the restless ghost that haunts this Painesville locale. In the 1830s, Suzanne was known as the "ugliest woman in Painesville," according to Haunted Ohio author Chris Woodyard. Her wealth, however, made her very attractive to Joseph Rider, founder of the inn. He married her in 1834. Six weeks later, however, Suzanne died under "mysterious circumstances," presumably at the hand of Rider, who was deep in debt and looking for a fast payout. "She was stirred by renovations at the place," says Woodyward. "I've felt her energy myself - she's real."

Spitzer House Bed and Breakfast, 504 West Liberty Street, Medina, 330-952-2129; spitzerhousebandb.com: Good help is hard to find these days. Check out the servant girl at this 19th century Victorian home which operates as an inn. The place is said to have a few ghosts, but one in particular keeps popping up - maybe because she's noisy or nosy or both. "I've heard her laughing in the halls and she's approached me," says Woodyard. "It's one of the big haunted places in the area." Note: The ghost girl supposedly plays the piano - not sure if she does requests.

Taverne of Richfield, 3960 Broadview Road, Richfield, 330-659-0610; taverneofrichfield.com: This circa-1886 gem boasts all kinds of glamor and elegance. Check out the woodwork, the classic saloon, the beautiful ballroom, the underground lounge. But please stop and pay tribute to Baxter, er, the ghost of original owner Baxter Wood. "He looks a bit like Abraham Lincoln," says general manager Jackie Wainilko, who has seen him standing at the top of the stairs looking down at the front entrance. "He's seems like a good spirit -- sometimes we'll hear a glass break and figure he just wants a little attention."

Variety Theater, Lorain Avenue and West 118th Street, Cleveland, tinyurl.com/ojfrdng: Ghosts like old places. Places with drama and stories. And they love creaky, left-for-dead places. Trifecta - it's the Variety Theater! This Spanish gothic vaudeville and movie house opened on Nov. 24, 1927, with a screening of Clara Bow's "Hula." It closed in 1986, after hosting Motorhead. Ah, but do not call it abandoned - for it is still home to a gaggle of ghosts. One hangs out by a balcony, others by the stage and drinking fountain. A group called Friends of the Historic Variety Theater sometimes does ghost tours and is trying to bring the back the Variety back to life. Supposedly, the ghosts are on board.

Winking Lizard, 1615 Main St, Peninsula, 330-467-1002; winkinglizard.com/locations/peninsula: Hundreds of beers, dozens of TVs and, oh, of course, a stylish ghost. She reportedly likes to hang out around the bar and sip cocktails -- not your regular wing-and-beer woohoo girl. She's more the flapper type and has been hanging around for many decades. After all, her presence predates this casual eatery, which took residence in this mid-19th century building in the 1990s. Some say she came to town when the Ohio and Erie Canal arrived. Only one way to find out... buy her a drink.