By Katelyn Gainer, DAP Intern
Northside Bar and Grill, one of Akron’s longest running bars, has a long and unique history that continues its legacy today.
Dave and Linda VonAllmen bought the Northside in 2009, and together with their sons they continue the tradition of bringing food and music to the city of Akron.
Ask around about the Northside and you might hear about the bar’s scandalous history in Akron’s old Red-Light District. Today, The Northside is most known for its music.
Akron offers a wide variety of bars and restaurants but when asked what separates The Northside from other establishments, Dave said, “The live music, absolutely the live music.”
The Northside has been known mostly as a blues bar. “We have pretty much everything,” Linda said. Recently, acts range from rock, jazz, and acoustic to rockabilly and even a seventies rock show not long ago. The VonAllmen’s are always open to the idea of new music and acts. “I’m always open to anyone coming in,” Linda said.
Compared to other live music venues offered in the area the VonAllmen’s think the age group definitely separates the Northside from other music venues. [We have an older crowd.] The bottom end of crowd starts at about 25 to 30,” Dave said. “Other music venues in the area have a much younger crowd.”
While listening to the live music, Northside offers a variety of food to choose from. The VonAllmen’s admit that although it is bar food, there are still many good choices to order from off the menu. Currently the VonAllmen’s say the wraps seem to be a popular choice among customers. Also, another popular item is the Northside Burger, which the VonAllmen’s son invented.
The VonAllmen’s have brought their own touch to Akron with the Northside, and Akron has also helped the VonAllmen’s. They’ve been happy with Akron and the people “Akron has a good midsize market to draw from.” Dave said “Other businesses in Akron have been open to us and what we do and how we do it.”
