BLU Jazz+
Historic Arts District, Akron
Bar in Akron, United States
Book with PearlWhy go
BLU Jazz+ on E Market St is Akron's clearest answer for a date night with a built-in focal point: live jazz in an intimate downtown setting. It works better than a standard bar precisely because the music gives two people something to share. Confirm the performance schedule and cover charge before you go, as programming shifts seasonally. Easy to book under normal circumstances.
About BLU Jazz+
The Verdict
BLU Jazz+ is not primarily a cocktail bar with live music on the side; it is a dedicated jazz venue where the drinks program earns its keep without overshadowing the performance. If you arrive expecting a standard Akron bar night out, reset that expectation before you walk through the door at 47 E Market St. This is a sit-down, listen-to-the-music kind of evening, which makes it one of the stronger date night options in the city precisely because it gives two people something to share beyond conversation.
What to Expect
The atmosphere leans intimate rather than electric. Sound is the defining feature of any visit: live jazz sets the room's energy, on a good night the music does the work that décor and lighting alone cannot. For a second visit, the move is to arrive early enough to secure a table with a clear sightline to the stage rather than one tucked toward the back. The crowd at BLU Jazz+ tends toward adults who came specifically for the music, which keeps the noise quality different from the general bar buzz you find at Good Company (Akron) or Hoppin' Frog Brewery.
Because core venue data; hours, pricing, current programming, is limited in our records right now, check directly with BLU Jazz+ before booking to confirm the current performance schedule and cover charge structure. Jazz venues can shift programming seasonally, the lineup on any given night significantly affects whether the evening is worth the trip. That said, the address (47 E Market St, downtown Akron) puts it in a walkable position relative to other evening options, which is useful if you want to build a night around it.
For date night specifically, BLU Jazz+ works better than a loud brewery or a generic restaurant bar because the format creates a shared focus. You are not just sitting across from each other, you are both oriented toward something. That structural advantage is real. If live jazz is not your format at all, D'Agnese's at White Pond Akron offers a quieter, more conventional dining-and-drinks experience instead.
Booking is easy relative to comparable live music venues. Walk-in risk depends on the night and the act, but this is not a venue where you need to plan weeks ahead under normal circumstances.
Know Before You Go
- Address: 47 E Market St, Akron, OH 44308
- Format: Live jazz venue with food and drinks
- Booking difficulty: Easy, walk-ins generally possible, but confirm for headliner nights
- Date night suitability: Strong, shared performance focus makes it structurally better than a standard bar
- Leading seat: Request a table with a direct sightline to the stage
- Tip: Confirm current hours, cover charges, performer schedule directly before visiting, programming changes seasonally
- More Akron options: Full Akron bars guide | Akron restaurants | Akron experiences
Planning details
- Location
- 47 E Market St, Akron, OH 44308
- Website
- blujazzakron.com
- Phone
- +1 330 302 8127
The take
The Take
The Vibe
BLU Jazz+ reads like a downtown working room where live music is the organizing principle. The room is intimate and lived-in rather than museum-quiet: approach on foot and you hear the music before you see the sign. It sits comfortably within Akron’s Historic Arts District, channeling the neighborhood’s Rust Belt-to-cultural-space transformation while keeping a low-key, confident presence. The combination of a bar, kitchen and nightly program gives it a warm, relaxed energy that still feels polished — a local music room that privileges performance and conviviality over formality.
Best For
This is a go-to spot for an evening out: think dinner and a set rather than a quick drink. The venue’s model — music playing alongside a functioning bar and kitchen — makes it well suited for dinner and late-night plans, and it works especially well for date nights and special evenings when a live-jazz backdrop matters. Its downtown location and walkable block also make it a practical stop after work or as part of a longer night out in Akron’s hospitality corridor.
Ordering Tips
Expect a combination of bar service and kitchen offerings rather than purely table-service fine dining. Because BLU Jazz+ programs music across the full arc of an evening, plan to settle in for the night rather than a brief visit; arriving earlier improves your chances of a comfortable seat. The venue’s downtown, walkable location makes it easy to pair with nearby restaurants or bars, and checking the performance schedule before you go helps you time your arrival for the sets you want to hear.
Venue details
Ambiance
Relaxing atmosphere with dim lighting, exposed brick, and intimate seating for light socialization during live jazz performances.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
Accessibility
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Lounge
- Late Night
- Closes by Midnight
- Music
- Live Jazz
- Live Music
- Yes
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- D'Agnese's at White Pond Akron; Notable alternative
- Dontino's La Vita Gardens; Notable alternative
- Good Company (Akron); Notable alternative
- Hoppin' Frog Brewery; Notable alternative
- Luciano's Cucina Italiana; Notable alternative
Bar context
How It Compares
Among Akron evening options, BLU Jazz+ occupies a distinct position because it is the only venue on this list built around a live performance format. That makes direct comparison difficult on price or food quality alone. Good Company (Akron) and Hoppin' Frog Brewery are better choices if you want a more casual, drop-in evening where the bar itself is the destination; no cover charge concerns, no performance schedule to work around. For a date night where you want energy and structure without the formality of a jazz club, Good Company is the more flexible pick.
D'Agnese's at White Pond Akron and Dontino's La Vita Gardens lean toward dining-first experiences, which suits couples who want the meal to be the centerpiece rather than background to a set. If the priority is a proper sit-down dinner with drinks rather than drinks alongside live music, either of those is a stronger fit than BLU Jazz+. Luciano's Cucina Italiana similarly skews toward the dinner-as-main-event format.
The honest recommendation: book BLU Jazz+ when you specifically want live jazz to anchor the evening. It is not competing with the breweries on beer selection or with the Italian spots on food depth; it is competing on atmosphere and experience format, on that measure it has no direct rival in Akron. For broader evening planning, see our full Akron bars guide and Akron restaurants guide. If you want a benchmark for what a serious cocktail-and-live-music venue can look like at a higher tier, Jewel of the South in New Orleans or Julep in Houston set the reference point.
Explore Akron
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full BLU Jazz+ guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare BLU Jazz+
| Venue | Booking Difficulty | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| BLU Jazz+ | Easy | No published awards |
| D'Agnese's at White Pond Akron | Unknown | No published awards |
| Dontino's La Vita Gardens | Unknown | No published awards |
| Good Company (Akron) | Unknown | No published awards |
| Hoppin' Frog Brewery | Unknown | No published awards |
| Luciano's Cucina Italiana | Unknown | No published awards |
A quick look at how BLU Jazz+ measures up.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does BLU Jazz+ have outdoor seating?
No outdoor seating is documented for BLU Jazz+ at 47 E Market St. The venue's identity is built around its indoor atmosphere, where the acoustics and intimacy of the room are central to the experience. If outdoor seating is a priority, Good Company in Akron is a better fit.
What's the signature drink at BLU Jazz+?
No specific signature drink is on record for BLU Jazz+. What is clear is that the drinks program is designed to support a live jazz setting rather than headline it; expect a bar menu that complements the music without competing with it. Come for the sets; treat the cocktails as a bonus.
Does BLU Jazz+ have happy hour deals?
No happy hour pricing is documented for BLU Jazz+ at 47 E Market St, Akron. For confirmed deals before a live set, Hoppin' Frog Brewery is a nearby alternative with a more publicized pricing structure.
What's the crowd like at BLU Jazz+?
Expect a room of people who are actually there for the music; this is not a background-noise bar. The atmosphere leans intimate, which filters for a more attentive crowd than a typical downtown Akron bar. It suits anyone who wants to listen rather than be heard.
Is BLU Jazz+ good for groups?
Small groups of two to four work well given the intimate room format at 47 E Market St. Larger parties should check ahead on capacity and table availability, since a jazz-focused room prioritizes sightlines and acoustics over group-dining logistics. For big group dinners with a livelier setup, Dontino's La Vita Gardens or Luciano's Cucina Italiana are more practical choices.
