entertainment

In the digital age, it seems as if there is endless entertainment at our fingertips at all times. But that doesn’t mean it’s all good.

We hit the streets in an exhaustive search for the most delectable dishes, shoppable spots and entertaining experiences across Stark County. Enjoy our editor’s picks, and don’t miss the readers’ choice roundups in more than 100 categories.

The Lions Lincoln Theatre hosted Dancing with the Massillon Stars “Hooray for Hollywood!” in May to a sold-out crowd, raising more than $90,000 for the Lincoln Theatre.

Don’t expect to find the latest superhero flick on the marquee of the Nightlight Cinema in downtown Akron.

Most of Ohio’s craft breweries offer guests a peek at production, but Thirsty Dog might be the only one to put a bar right in the center of the action.

Every city has a hip neighborhood. Highland Square is Akron’s.

The Auricle can be a little hard to find—it’s in the basement—but once you do find it, the literally underground bar has plenty to keep you around.

A hand-painted crest with a knight’s steel helmet ringed with plumes, a shield, sword and crown welcomes you to one of Stark County’s newest spots to sip wine—honey wine, that is. McAlpine Meadery, which opened a year ago, brews artisan honey wine, also known as mead. Decorated in medieval accoutrements that reflect the owners’ love of history, McAlpine Meadery offers 30 different flavors, including orange blossom, apricot, blackberry, blueberry, strawberry, pear and star-thistle, which is made with star-thistle honey, raisins and tea.

Trying to define a dive bar is a little like former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart’s attempt to define pornography in 1964: “I shall not today attempt further to define the kinds of material I understand to be embraced … but I know it when I see it.” It’s safe to say most restaurant-chain bars, such as a TGI Friday’s, don’t qualify as a dive bar. Nor would anything with “Martini” in its business name.

Dan Mueller walks from table to table at Scenic Brewing Co. to ask customers what they think of the beer. For him, it’s a way to break the ice and get input about his brews.