Photo by Shane Wynn
Front entrance to Jilly's Music Room.
Music provides a soundtrack for our lives. We dance to it, chill out listening to it and mark the memorable moments of our lives with it in the background. Memories are made every night at Jilly’s Music Room in downtown’s Northside District.
With a sophisticated atmosphere, this live music venue showcases local, regional and national bands in a variety of genres. Jilly’s opened on Thanksgiving weekend in 2013 and has been rocking the house ever since. “Fun stories are created [at Jilly’s] every night,” says founder Jill Bacon Madden.
What is your favorite event? Do you have a favorite performer?
That's like asking us to choose a favorite child — we love them all!
If you were a patron, why would you come back time and time again?
The comfortable atmosphere, the fabulous music, and the fun.
What do you like about being located in downtown? What drew you there?
Downtown Akron is where things are happening and we can thank (recently retired) Mayor Don Plusquellic for that. His passion for downtown has been unparalleled for decades...everything good that's happening, is because of his tireless stick-to-itiveness, and the energy he created motivated people to follow his lead. Twenty years ago, there wasn't much to be proud of — today, Downtown Akron boasts a minor league baseball stadium, public amphitheater, countless wonderful restaurants and bars, art galleries, beautiful landscaping, a leg of the Towpath Trail and rejuvenated canal, numerous private businesses, a convention center, a STEM school, a transit hub...and on and on.
Other than your business, what is the coolest thing to come to downtown?
We're very excited about the new Northside Courtyard Marriott scheduled to open in mid-November. Downtown needs a great new hotel.
What are 3 of the best things about Jilly’s?
The vibe, great live music and exceptional service.
Why should people walk into Jilly’s when visiting downtown?
People should visit to experience fantastic live music and to have a whole lot of fun.
