17 Places to Hold Your Next Event in Downtown Akron

Barley House is a large sports bar on the corner of State and Main, with garage-door-like windows that open onto the sidewalk and allow for a seamless flow from the restaurant’s interior to the patio. They have a full menu of classic bar food and a number of draft beers and seasonal cocktails. The vibe is fun, laid-back, and casual, with plenty of TVs and bar games. The restaurant has a private room available for events like casual weddings, business lunches, dinners, reunions, and more. Find additional information about Barley House here.

Bounce Innovation Hub serves Northeast Ohio entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses. Their 300,000-square-foot complex is home to 50+ organizations, 250+ creators and workers, and expanses of space for coworking, events, and meetings. Certain spaces in the building, like the Signal Tree space, can be used for a variety of events, professional and otherwise. Learn more about Bounce’s rentable spaces here.

Jilly’s Music Room is a live music venue in the Northside District, hosting local, regional, and national bands in a variety of genres every week. They also boast a 100% gluten-free menu, a stage area, plenty of seating, and a wrap-around bar. If you’re looking to host a private event in a space that’s cool, intimate, and nearby plenty of other things to do in the Northside District, Jilly’s is a good choice. Learn more here.

DeJuan’s is a chic venue on the corner of Main and Exchange that offers casual dining with a fine dining feel. The interior is decorated in black and white and has a modern feel—an elevated backdrop for patrons to dine on prime cuts of steak, fine seafood, and unique specialty dishes. Their space is generally only available for parties of up to six people, but accommodation can be made for larger parties and private events by contacting them directly.

Crave is an upscale restaurant serving eclectic new American cuisine. Their two-story, 8,000 square foot space inside the historic Landmark Building, located in close proximity to cultural attractions like Lock 3 and the Akron Civic Theatre, is simply beautiful. The second floor features two spaces available for special events like rehearsal dinners, business meetings, holiday parties, reunions, and more, complete with a private bar and easily accessible restrooms. Call 330-253-1234 to discuss booking their space.

Northside Marketplace is an anchor in the Northside District of the neighborhood. With 100+ local vendors, multiple restaurants, unique shops, a full bar, and a central seating area all located inside, it’s an ideal spot for club meetups, parties, showers, game nights, and more. Visit this page on their website to inquire about hosting an event in their space.

Street Craftery is a candle and canvas studio, where visitors can dream up their very own scent creations, participate in guided painting activities, learn to sew, splatter paint, and more. While Street Craftery can accommodate all sorts of small- to mid-size group events, they especially welcome bridal events like showers and bachelorettes. Owner Da’Shika Street will help curate all the details to make sure the bride-to-be feels lots of love from the people around her, while creating lasting memories. Learn more here.

Imagine your event on rails: Thanks to the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad’s private train car rentals, it can be. Zip through our region’s beautiful national park while celebrating a special occasion of any size—from small bachelorette gatherings, for instance, to fundraisers and large holiday parties. The railroad staff will help you with food and beverage choices and provide tables, chairs, linens, and anything else you may need. Learn more about renting a private train car here.

You might think the Akron Children’s Museum is just for kids’ birthday parties. They do, in fact, have an extensive list of children’s birthday party packages, all of which are sure to impress the littles. But did you know the museum is also available for adult parties, fundraisers, and vendor fairs? The 7,000 square foot space, filled with hands-on exhibits designed for kids but still kind of fun for grownups, too, accommodates up to 450 guests. Learn more here.

The Akron Art Museum’s beautiful architecture and 7,000+ pieces of world-class art from 1850 to the present make for a stunning backdrop to elegant events such as weddings, galas, and holiday parties. The indoor Beatrice Knapp McDowell crystal atrium and outdoor Bud and Susie Rogers Garden offer breathtaking views of Akron’s skyline amid lush greenery and contemporary design. Plus, guests have the opportunity to peruse the galleries, resulting in an unforgettable, multisensory experience. Learn more about how to rent the space here.

Greystone is a seven-story building built in 1917 by the Freemasons. Today, it’s a beautiful space for banquets, weddings, meetings, galas, showers, and other special events. The Barrister’s Lounge, Billiards Room, a two-story ballroom, and the spectacular Egyptian and Doric rooms are truly one-of-a-kind spaces and can accommodate more than 200 guests. Learn more about Greystone here.

Musica is a live music venue in the Historic Arts District, under the neon DANCE sign and nearby BLU Jazz+, the Nightlight, Akron Art Museum, and other cultural attractions. Its interior is grungy and gritty in the best way possible, with a full bar, exposed brick, and plenty of standing room. In addition to showcasing live entertainment several days a week, Musica’s space can be booked for private events like holiday parties, reunions, fundraisers, and more. The room’s capacity is 375. Plus, there’s a 14’ x 21’ stage, and if you need audiovisual equipment, they provide it. Find additional information about booking Musica for a private event here.

Reserving a meeting room at the Main Branch of the Akron-Summit County Public Library is a great option for staff retreats, game sessions, club meetings, presentations, seminars, and other casual or business functions. There are several different room sizes available to book—which even include the auditorium with its capacity of 425, and the High Street Atrium. Learn more about meeting room rental options here.

If you’re looking to hold a large, glamorous event that will leave a memorable impact on your guests, you’ll be enchanted by the elegant 159 Events on Main. Located in downtown Akron’s historic Law Building, the high ceilings, vintage chandeliers, large windows, brick columns, beautiful woodwork, and old bank vault will make for a breathtaking backdrop to your wedding, gala, or large holiday party. The space accommodates more than 300 people, and rental packages include tables, chairs, and white linens. Learn more about renting the space here.

The Green Dragon Inn is a medieval-themed board game bar and café located on East Market Street. Stepping into the venue is like entering another world and another time. In addition to a menu of coffee, cocktails, drafts, handhelds, shareables, and a collection of 750+ board games to borrow from, they have two private rooms that can be booked by the hour: The Library is a secret room tucked behind a bookcase that can seat up to 24 guests, ideal for events like small graduation parties, game nights, or bachelor/bachelorette celebrations. The Dungeon seats 12 and is perfect for private gaming sessions or birthday parties. Find additional details here.

Not only does Missing Falls Brewery have some of your favorite craft beers and burgers in downtown Akron—they’ve also got an event space perfect for holding corporate events, parties, showers, wedding rehearsals and receptions, and more. Their space accommodates 125 guests, all of whom are sure to love the brewery’s extensive food and beverage options, and probably their selection of arcade games, too. Inquire about reserving their space for your next event here.

BLU Social is an ambient event space in the Historic Arts District of downtown Akron. Located above BLU Jazz+, downtown’s intimate jazz club, and across the street from BLU-Tique Hotel, it’s perfect for a fundraiser, holiday party, rehearsal dinner, post-wedding brunch, or the like. The space can accommodate up to 80 people and offers a full bar and kitchen, with easy access to the jazz club and plenty of other entertainment nearby. Learn more about BLU Social here.