Akron's bar scene is unpretentious and concentrated in three areas: downtown (the new microbreweries and the bourbon bars), Highland Square (the indie / dive end), and the campus periphery on Exchange Street.
Thirsty Dog Tap House and Aqueduct Brewing anchor the downtown end — both make their own beer on site, both serve solid pub food, and both have outdoor seating in summer. R. Shea Brewing in Merriman Valley is worth the short drive for the canal-side patio.
The Lockview on South Main does grilled cheese sandwiches and a serious local-craft draft list — exactly the right place after an evening event at Lock 3 across the street. The Office Tavern in Highland Square is the after-hours bar for everyone leaving the closing restaurants. Annabell's on Market in Highland Square has live music most nights, ranging from local punk to jazz.
For coffee, Akron Coffee Roasters (downtown on Exchange and at Lock 3) and Compass Coffee (Northwest Akron) are the two reliably good local roasters with sit-down cafés.