All Axs to close; new establishment coming soon

Downtown Willoughby bar All Axs announced via Facebook post that its last day of operation will be Feb. 1.

General manager Dennis Baker II said some of the bar’s staff will be moving to a new venue — a music hall and show bar in Mentor-onthe-Lake opening Feb. 20.

Baker said some of the reasons they are making the move are to host larger groups of people and to provide better entertainment value.

“We’re turning people away every weekend, so we decided it’s a lot better for us to go and get a bigger venue where we can accommodate more people, better drag shows and better bands,” Baker said.

All Axs opened in downtown Willoughby in 2018 and was known for being LGBT-friendly and hosting entertainment like drag shows and concerts.

The new establishment, named Valhalla MOL, will have an upgraded space and atmosphere, according to Baker.

“Everybody is welcome and 99 percent of the way we ran All Axs is how we’re going to run (Valhalla MOL), just essentially on a bigger scale.”

The Feb. 20 opening will feature a show from rock band Saving Abel, with doors opening at 7:30 p.m.

Valhalla MOL will be located at 7865 Plains Road in Mentor-on-the-Lake, in the building that used to be Music Lynxx and Backstreet Cafe.

Baker said drag queen shows are already being scheduled for the coming months.

He also said management is looking into installing a balcony in the new location, whose specific capacity has not been determined.

Mentor-on-the-Lake Director of Administration and Finance Hollie Bartone said the city has informed management of the permits and license needed before opening. She said Valhalla MOL management indicated they would follow up with the city in the near future.

Baker said Valhalla MOL will have a full kitchen, stage and lighting effects, along with an enhanced VIP section for private events.

The name ‘Valhalla’ was inspired by the great hall in Norse mythology’s afterlife, which was ruled by the god Odin.

The Feb. 20 opening will feature a show from rock band Saving Abel, with doors opening at 7:30 p.m.

RENEE BORCAS — THE NEWS-HERALD Feb. 1will be the last day of operation for All Axs in downtown Willoughby before the business moves to a new location under the name Valhalla in Mentor-on-the-Lake, which opens Feb. 20.