Dig In: Pints and Pies Craft Beer and Pizza Festival Returns to Akron

Akron’s Pints and Pies Festival is back, delivering a perfect slice of local craft beer and pizza culture. Here's what you need to know.

Cleveland pizza obsessives and craft beer lovers, your favorite crossover event is back. Pints and Pies Craft Beer and Pizza Festival lands at the Akron Civic Theatre this Friday, serving up suds, slices, and all the neighborhood pride you can handle. If you’ve ever argued over Neapolitan versus New York while holding a hazy IPA, this is your Super Bowl.

What It’s All About

The Pints and Pies festival fuses two of Northeast Ohio’s most beloved cuisines: microbrewed beers and piping hot pizza. Breweries from across the region team up with local pizza shops for this annual event, transforming the Akron Civic Theatre into a bustling Babylon of cheese pulls and heady aromas.

Expect craft beer samples from:

Akron’s Lock 15 Brewing Co.
R. Shea Brewing
Hoppin’ Frog Brewery
...and a rotating cast of other Ohio favorites

And if you’re the type who has Ooni oven envy, you’ll appreciate pizza purveyors like:

Luigi’s Restaurant (an Akron institution)
Angelo’s Pizza
Somewhere Like Home

Where to Find It

You’ll find the action on Friday night at the atmospheric Akron Civic Theatre (182 S. Main St.). This venue, famous for its dazzling 1920s movie palace vibes, can fit a crowd—and you’ll want to gather your carb-loving crew for a feast.

Date: Friday, Oct. 9
Time: Kicks off at 7 p.m.
Location: 182 S. Main St., Downtown Akron
Tickets: Check Akron Civic Theatre’s site for updated pricing and VIP options

Why Pizza and Beer Still Reign Supreme

Some food pairings are timeless. At Pints and Pies, the combo becomes a local ritual. Cleveland and Akron’s beer scene is as inventive as ever, and our pizza shops have serious attitude—think crispy crusts, wild toppings, and decades of family recipes. This fest puts them all under one roof.

You’ll taste wild collaborations, meet the folks behind your favorite mains, and probably wind up debating whose Grandma Pie reigns supreme. Plus, let’s be honest: a cold brew in one hand, a hot slice in the other, the Civic’s twinkling ceiling overhead—it’s the kind of night that makes Northeast Ohio special.

What to Expect (and How to Pace Yourself)

If you’re new to the festival, here’s how to do it right:

Grab a brew wristband when you arrive (21+ for alcohol)
Start light with pilsners and move to stouts only after you’ve tackled at least 2–3 slices
Don’t skip the weird pizza: last year’s truffle honey slice created actual arguments
Hydrate! Beer + pizza = easy path to mid-evening nap
Take home swag from breweries and pizzerias

Pro Tip: Early Bird Gets the Pepperoni

Lines build quick at the buzziest pizza booths and seasonal taps—hit your top spots right after doors open. No shame in planning a pizza strategy.

Tickets and Details

The festival is one night only, and tickets typically sell out ahead of time. General admission gets you all the samplings, but keep an eye out for VIP access (those usually include extra pours, exclusive slices, and lounge perks).

See the Akron Civic Theatre box office for the latest ticket links and safety info

Save Me a Slice

Local, lively, and just a little unhinged: Pints and Pies perfectly captures why food fests in Northeast Ohio hit different. Round up the crew, embrace the garlic, and toast a pint to our incredible food scene. See you under the neon pizza sign!