19 Downtown Akron Underground Must-Dos

Last year, we published a list of Downtown Akron Must-Dos, full of things we think you should do whether you just moved to the area, or you simply want to make the most of your time here. However, if you’re way too cool for our mainstream list and want to deepen your experience, allow us to make some more…let’s say underground recommendations, for things you can do, we guess, if you want to, while you’re here in downtown Akron, that aren’t totally touristy.

1. Try Authentic Vietnamese Sandwiches at Evelyn's Coffee & Banh Mi

You’ll love these six-inch subs piled with cucumber, pickled veggies, cilantro, and avocado mayo. Make it spicy by adding jalapeños, and pair it with one of their smooth, bold, Vietnamese iced coffees. Order online for pickup or spend some time in the café.

2. See a Comedy Show at Jilly's Music Room or The Daily Pressed

It may be Jilly’s Music Room, but that doesn’t mean music’s all they’ve got. Visit the second Wednesday of each month for Point of No Return Improv, an interactive PG-13 comedy experience that’s a ton of fun. The Daily Pressed, a European-style café on the other side of downtown, also offers laughs each Tuesday, when they host comedy open mic nights.

3. Sip a Fancy Cocktail at the Northside Speakeasy

This warm, sophisticated craft cocktail bar will take you straight back to the 1920s. Order a classic Prohibition-era cocktail, like the Bee’s Knees, or try something more twisted and innovative, like the Saw You in a Dream (Empress Gin, Creme de Violette, Domaine de Canton, lemon, honey, egg white).

4. Visit the Seed Sharing Library

Just when you thought the library couldn’t offer anything else, bam! Seeds! That’s right. Start your very own heirloom garden with resources from your local library. You can borrow up to 6 varieties of seeds at one time, each packet with enough to start 3 to 5 plants. There aren’t even due dates or overdue fines on these babies. Welcome to the future.

5. Sing Karaoke at Ingy's Piano Bar

On Sundays from 6 to 10 p.m., you can sing karaoke with a community that’s “friendly, accepting, and encouraging.” Their work to carry on the legacy of their beloved late friend Debb “Ingy” Ingersoll means these Sunday evening gatherings are full of love, hugs, and of course, great karaoke accompanied by talented pianists. Pick out a song or two, and join the fun yourself.

6. Satisfy Your Vegan Cravings at NOMZ

They’ve got tons of vegan breakfast and lunch options to satisfy non-vegan cravings, thanks to their use of housemade vegan bacon, Daiya cheese, JUST Egg, veganaise, veggie patties, and vegan chicken strips. For vegan sides, they’ve got breakfast potatoes, fruit salad, cucumber salad, vegan fruit and yogurt, vegan pasta salad, and more.

7. Satisfy Your Carnivorous Cravings at Perfect Pour

Their specialty burgers are to die for. They’ve got lamb burgers, turkey burgers, blackened salmon burgers, Ohio Proud beef burgers, and more (including a couple meat-free options for all the vegetarians and vegans out there), with names like Little Bo Peep, Nemo, Putty Melt, and Birdgang. Pair your burger with something from their extensive bourbon list. Order an appetizer, too. You won’t regret it.

8. See a Movie at the Nightlight

Open seven days a week, downtown Akron’s independent, nonprofit movie theater is a major must-go. With something for everyone and films from around the world, a trip to the Nightlight is a perfect day or night out, especially if you enjoy appreciating cinema in community. You can’t beat their craft cocktail bar, popcorn, or candy selections, either.

9. Tour the Cummings Center for the History of Psychology

It houses the National Museum of Psychology, which features interactive exhibits, Sigmund Freud’s home videos, artifacts from the Stanford Prison Experiment, and more. The building is also home to the Oak Native American Gallery, as well as a number of rotating exhibits throughout the year.

10. Spend an Evening at Musica

In addition to the local and national indie bands you can see at this music venue in the Historic Arts District, there are intermittent theme nights you won’t want to miss—things like Vinyl Night (with guest DJs), karaoke, the Thursday Night Classic dance party, and other theme nights. Keep an eye on Musica’s calendar to see what’s happening.

11. Play a Board Game at The Green Dragon Inn

With over 750 games to choose from, specialty cocktails with names like Dwarven Forge and Pondering My Orb, a selection of coffee supplied by Akron Coffee Roasters, and a simple menu of appetizers, you’ll love this medieval-themed bar and café—whether you’re there to play Operation or Civilization. Bonus: If you purchase food from Heera Indian Cuisine, the restaurant right below the Green Dragon Inn, you’re allowed to bring it upstairs to enjoy it while you play.

12. Eat Sauerkraut Balls on the Rooftop of The Lockview

Fun fact: Sauerkraut balls are believed to have been invented in Akron and have been a staple here and only here since the 1960s. These breaded, deep-fried, ping-pong-sized balls of sauerkraut and ground meat can be found downtown at The Lockview. For a really fantastic experience, order them (and a drink, and maybe a meal) while seated on The Lockview’s rooftop patio, weather permitting. It will free you.

13. Visit the Emily Davis Gallery of the Myers School of Art

In addition to student artwork, this renowned gallery on The University of Akron’s campus welcomes lectures and exhibitions by contemporary artists from across the country and around the globe. Stop in to catch a lecture, or simply to peruse the art.

14. Order Cannoli from Totally Baked Pizza

These Steam Rollers cost $4.20 apiece and are filled with house-made cannoli cream. They’re the perfect dessert to follow one of Totally Baked’s totally crazy pizzas, like the Willie Nelson, which is topped with BBQ sauce, pork belly, breaded chicken, red onion, gorgonzola crumbles, Italian cheeses, jalapeños, and cilantro.

15. Buy a Book on the Honor System from Trust Books

In the basement of Northside Cellar is a cozy room with carpeted floors, low ceilings, and a curated selection of used books. Settle in, discover your next read, and when you’re ready to purchase, let yourself be intrigued by their unique check-out experience.

16. Get a Bottle of Akron Honey

The stuff is mind-blowingly good—raw wildflower honey made right here in Akron, with additional flavor options of hibiscus, habanero, and bourbon barrel. Akron Honey raises their bees respectfully in Akron’s neighborhoods and takes pride in their simple hive-to-jar process. They prioritize sustainability and offer tons of recommendations for honey usage. Spoiler: it goes with everything. Get yours from the Northside Marketplace.

17. Attend a Zodiac Party at Baxter's Speakeasy

The only thing better than celebrating a birthday is celebrating a birthday collectively with a mass of Scorpios, Geminis, Leos, or whatever sign you are, complete with burlesque, fire dancing, and tarot readings. Baxter’s Speakeasy holds their zodiac parties once a month on a Tuesday night. They’re 21+, and there’s no cover to enter.

18. Peruse the Selection of Comics, Collectibles, Manga, and More at Rubber City Comics

It’s the longest running comic book store in the Akron area, in business for more than 45 years. In addition to their wide selection of comics and collectibles, they offer free pull list subscriptions to customers. Their main location is on East Mill Street, and they also have a satellite location inside Northside Marketplace.

19. Sit in on BLU-esday Tuesday Blues Jams at BLU Jazz+

Or bring your horn and wail the blues along with other musicians, every Tuesday night in this atmospheric basement jazz club in the Historic Arts District (yes, it’s literally underground!). There’s no cover, but there is a ton of soulful energy, and the guarantee that you’ll have a good time.

See our updated traffic advisories and parking information to navigate and park downtown with ease.

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