About No Surf House
A Cleveland nonprofit supporting touring musicians and the arts.
What We Do
We provide free short-term lodging for touring musicians, subsidized housing for early-career artists, and produce community music events.
Everything we do supports working artists directly — removing barriers, building community infrastructure, and keeping music alive in Cleveland.
Learn more on Candid
The Story
No Surf House started with a simple observation: touring musicians need affordable places to stay, and Cleveland had empty rooms. We bought a house, renovated it, and opened the doors.
We boast four guest rooms with six beds, perfectly sized for one touring band at a time, and offer laundry & kitchen facilities and plenty of space to spread out and relax.
NSH in the News
The House
We own the building. It's a renovated three-story former duplex built in 1915 and located on Cleveland's vibrant West Side.
The house features four guest rooms, a shared kitchen, laundry facilities, two turntables, a great front porch, and art covering the walls. It's a real place, not a corporate space.
Take a Tour
The Name
The name "No Surf" comes from the Euclid Beach Band's 1978 regional hit "There's No Surf in Cleveland," a metatextual surf rock masterpiece about everything the city has to offer despite the lack of North Coast boarding opportunities.
It's 4.5 minutes of pure local pride and musical history wrapped in a wave of natural harmonies.
Listen here
The People
Founded and operated by a small team of music lovers, organizers, and Cleveland locals who believe supporting artists strengthens communities.
Our Staff & Board
Philosophy
No Surf House believes in art for artists' sake and that creatives deserve a sustainable living like any other workers. The best way to support art is to support artists directly. Remove barriers. Build community infrastructure that lasts. When artists thrive, neighborhoods thrive.
