The people of Northeast Pennsylvania know a good thing when they see it.
They cast more than 161,000 votes in this year’s Access NEPA Best Of fan favorites poll, choosing the top spots for dining, music, shopping, events and more as well as the superstars in jobs ranging from doctors and social media influences to coaches and photographers. The contest, now in its second year, also included some new categories this year, such as best virtual event and best virtual graduation, in response to the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on local life.
Congratulations to this year’s winners, and remember to check AccessNEPA.com every day for lifestyles and entertainment news along with a comprehensive regional events calendar.
Love & Romance
- Baby Shower Venue: Constantino’s Catering & Events
- Bridal Shower Venue: Constantino’s Catering & Events
- Flower Shop: McCarthy Remick Flowers
- Limo Service: Gilbride Limousine
- Place for a Bachelor Party: Mohegan Sun Pocono
- Place for a Bachelorette Party: Maiolatesi Wine Cellars
- Place for a First Date: Cooper’s Seafood House
- Place to Buy a Bridesmaid Dress: Tunis Bridal Shoppe
- Place to Buy a Wedding Dress: The Blushing Bridal Boutique
- Place to Buy an Engagement Ring: Steve Pronko Jewelers
- Place to Buy Lingerie: Boscov’s
- Place to Pick Up Someone: Mohegan Sun Pocono
- Place to Propose: Nay Aug Park
- Place to Rent a Tux: Tuxedo by Sarno
- Wedding Registry: Live with It by Lora Hobbs
- Wedding Venue: Scranton Cultural Center at The Masonic Temple
Arts & Entertainment
- All-Ages Venue: F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts
- Art Venue: AFA Gallery
- Brewery Tour: Susquehanna Brewing Co.
- Casino: Mohegan Sun Pocono
- Concert Venue: Pavilion at Montage Mountain
- Dance Company/Studio: Dave Ragnacci Dance Studio
- Drive-In Theater: Circle Drive-In
- Escape Room Venue: Electric City Escape
- Fundraising Event: Rally For Restaurants
- High School Marching Band: Tunkhannock Area High School Marching Band
- High School Musical: Pittston Area Drama Club
- High School Play: Wyoming Area Drama Club
- Holiday Light Attraction: Festival of Lights at Stone Hedge Golf Course
- Local Festival: La Festa Italiana
- Local Theater Troupe: Act Out Theatre Group
- Local Theater Venue: Scranton Cultural Center at The Masonic Temple
- Movie Theater: Cinemark 20 & XD
- Museum: Everhart Museum
- New Event: Ballet Theater’s “The Nutcracker” at Circle Drive-In
- New Local Album: “Missed Opportunities,” Modern Ties
- New Virtual Event: “Flat Stanley,” Act Out Theatre Group
- Ongoing Cultural Event: Pittston Tomato Festival
- Open Mic: Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple’s Underground Microphone
- Orchard: Lakeland Orchard & Cidery
- Original Band: University Drive
- Parade: Scranton St. Patrick’s Parade
- Parking Lot Event: Scranton Co-op Farmer’s Market
- Party Cover Band: Flaxy Morgan
- Place to Shoot Pool: Idle Hour Lanes
- Pumpkin Patch: Roba Family Farms
- Theater Production: “Beauty and the Beast,” Phoenix Performing Arts Centre
- Twirling Group: Lynnette’s Twirlerettes
- Virtual Event: Garth Brooks Drive-In Theater Concert Series
- Virtual Graduation Ceremony: North Pocono High School
- Virtual Performance: “The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley: Online Edition,” Act Out Theatre Group
Eat & Drink
- Ambiance: AV Restaurant & Lounge
- Asian Restaurant: Thai Rak Thai, Scranton
- Bagels: National Bakery
- Bakery: Lynn Sandy’s Bakery
- Beer Menu: Sabatini’s Bottleshop & Bar
- Boneless Wings: Nina’s Wing Bites & Pizza
- Breakfast: Henry’s on Clay
- Brewery: Susquehanna Brewing Co.
- Brewpub: Wallenpaupack Brewing Co.
- Brunch: State Street Grill
- Cheesesteak: Steve & Irene’s
- Chinese Restaurant: China Palace
- Chocolate: Dunmore Candy Kitchen
- Church Picnic: Mary, Mother of God
- Coffee Roaster: Electric City Roasting Co.
- Coffee Shop: Zummo’s Cafe
- Deli: Abe’s Deli
- Delivery: Pizza Bella
- Desserts: Minooka Pastry Shop
- Diner: Glider Diner
- Doughnuts: Krispy Kreme
- Farm-to-Table Restaurant: Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar
- Food Truck: Hooked
- French Fries: Downtown Deli
- Frozen Yogurt: Manning’s
- Hamburger: The Barrel Restaurant
- Hoagie: Hank’s Hoagies
- Hot Dogs: Coney Island – Lackawanna Avenue
- Ice Cream: Josie’s Frozen Custard & Italian Ice
- Italian Food: Cafe Rinaldi
- Italian Ice: Rita’s
- Japanese Restaurant: Kyoto
- Kielbasi: Trovato’s Meat Market
- Liquid Lunch: Roosevelt Beer Garden
- Long Lunch: The Loading Dock
- Lunch on a Budget: Catalano’s
- Lunch on the Go: Caravia Fresh Foods
- Mexican/Southwestern Restaurant: Chicano’s
- New Restaurant: Pizza Avenue
- Organic Menu: Alter House
- Patio Dining: Cooper’s Seafood House
- Pierogies: The Pierogi Cafe
- Potato Pancakes: Jones’s Potato Pancakes, Harveys Lake
- Restaurant: Alfredo’s Pizza Cafe
- Romantic Restaurant: Bar Pazzo
- Round Pizza: Rosario’s
- Salads: Scanlon’s
- Sandwiches: Cara Mia’s Gourmet Delicatessen & Pizzeria
- Seafood: Hooked on State Street
- Service: Alfredo’s Pizza Cafe
- Soup: Zuppa Del Giorno
- Square Pizza: Maroni’s Pizza House
- Steakhouse: Frank’s
- Stromboli: Fratelli’s Pizza & Pasta House
- Sushi: Sushi Thai
- Takeout: Pizza by Pappas
- Thai Restaurant: Thai Rak Thai
- Vegetarian/Vegan Menu: Eden — A Vegan Cafe
- Wine Menu: Lucchi Family Wine Cellars
- Wings: Kelly’s
Goods & Services
- Barbershop: Loyalty Barber Shop
- Bicycle Shop: Cedar Bicycle
- Boutique: New Laundry
- Candy Store: Port Clinton Peanut Shop
- Car Dealership: Matt Burne Honda
- Car Wash: Northeast Auto Reflections Detail Spa and Mobile Wash LLC
- Carpet Cleaner: Stanley Steamer
- Cigar Shop: Summit Cigar Bar
- Comic Book: Store Comics on the Green
- Curb Appeal: The Daisy Collective
- Curbside Pickup: Gerrity’s
- Customer Service: Head to Toe Salon & Spa
- Decor: Jerry’s for All Seasons
- Dry Cleaner: Eagle Cleaners
- Farmer’s Market: Scranton Co-op Farmer’s Market
- Garden Store: Corky’s Garden Path
- Hair Salon: RD Salon & BlowDry Bar
- Health Food Store: Everything Natural
- Jewelry Store: Boccardo Jewelers
- Kids’ Birthday Party Venue: Bee’s Backyard
- Landscaper: DJ2 Lawn Care
- Library: Scranton Public Library
- Men’s Clothing Store: Boscov’s
- Mom/Pop Grocery Store: Malacari’s Produce & Deli
- Perfume Store: Noteology
- Pet Supply Store: Stately Pet Supply
- Pipe Shop: Pied Piper Pipes
- Place to Buy Beer: Cadden Brothers Beer Distributors
- Place to Buy Music: Gallery of Sound
- Place to Get a Wax: Sapphire Salon
- Second-hand/Thrift Store: On&On
- Shoe Store: Runway
- Ski Shop: The Ski Corner
- Spa: Woodhouse Day Spa
- Store for Music Equipment: Magdon Music
- Tailor/Seamstress: Alterations by Liza
- Tanning Salon: Tanfastic
- Tattoo Parlor: Native Stray Tattoo
- Tree Service: Titan Tree Service
- Unique Gift Shop: Over the Moon
- Vape Shop: Vape Dragons
- Veterinarian: Dr. Emily Gillette
- Vintage Clothing Store: Esther’s Consignment
- Winery: Nimble Hill Winery & Brewery
- Women’s Clothing Store: Burlap & Bourbon
Nightlife
- Bar in a Restaurant: Alfredo’s Pizza Cafe
- Bar You Can Smoke In: The V-Spot
- Best-Looking Bar Crowd: Backyard Ale House
- Bike Night: Thirst T’s Bar & Grill
- Cocktails: AV Restaurant & Lounge
- College Bar: Ale Mary’s at the Bittenbender
- Corner Bar: Roosevelt Beer Garden
- Drink Specials: Cooper’s Seafood House
- Happy Hour: Honeychilds’
- Happy Hour Food: The Down Pour
- Karaoke: The V-Spot
- LGBTQ-Friendly Bar: 12 Penny Saloon
- Live Music Venue: River Street Jazz Cafe
- Margaritas: La Tonalteca
- Martinis: Fireside Martini Grill
- New Bar/Club: The Down Pour
- Pet-Friendly Restaurant/Bar: Abbiocco
- Place to Shake It: The Woodlands
- Pub Trivia: Benny Brewing Co.
- Sports Bar: Happy Valley Sports Bar
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade Bar: Andy Gavin’s
- Strip Club: Grandview
- Young Professionals Bar: Trax Bar + Kitchen
Media
- Afternoon Radio Show: Hoover, Rock 107
- College Radio Station: WVFM, Marywood University
- Morning Radio Show: Prospector, Rock 107
- Radio Station: Rock 107
Health & Recreation
- Bowling Alley: Idle Hours South (South Side Bowl)
- Gym/Health Club: NEPA Fit Club
- Ice Rink: Revolution Ice Centre
- Local Park: Nay Aug Park
- Martial Arts School: Fifth Dimension Martial Arts Academy
- Pilates: The Salt Barre
- Place to Go Camping: Knoebels Park Campground
- Place to Go Hiking: Ricketts Glen State Park
- Place to Go Running: Lake Scranton
- Place to Picnic: Frances Slocum State Park
- Pool: Lackawanna State Park
- Running Event: Steamtown Marathon
- Skiing: Montage Mountain Resorts
- Sports Venue: PNC Field
- State Park: Lackawanna State Park
- Tubing: Montage Mountain Resorts
- Waterpark: Camel Beach
- Yoga: Rhythm Yoga
- Zumba: Gianna Muracco
Superstars
- Barber: Toxic at Loyalty Barber Shop
- Bartender: Olivia Romano at Big House Tobacco
- Boudoir Photographer: Lynsey Noel Photography
- Caterer: Constanino’s Catering & Events
- Chef: John Tabone, Bar Pazzo
- Chiropractor: Complete Chiropractic and Rehab
- College Coach (Female): Tara Macciocco
- College Coach (Male): Mark Duda
- Colorist: Katie Franko, Sapphire Salon
- Dentist: Dr. Jason Hanyon
- DJ: EJ Dougher (EJ the DJ)
- Doctor: Dr. Michael Gilhooley
- Esthetician: Nicole at Sapphire Salon
- High School Actor: Nate Scullion
- High School Actress: Hannah Danielowski
- High School Coach (Female): Kathy Healey, Hanover Area
- High School Coach (Male): Mark Seitzinger, Scranton Preparatory School
- Librarian: Mrs. Nicolas, Diocese of Scranton Virtual Academy
- Licensed Acupuncturist: Jackie Stefanski
- Local Actor: Jovon Barnes
- Local Actress: Sarah Neel
- Local Author: Christopher Vernon
- Local Blogger: NEPA Pizza Review
- Local Comedian: Sergio Marzitelli
- Local Dancer: Lindsay Sherrick
- Local Filmmaker: Scranton Films
- Local Instagrammer: Gia Mazur (@miss.gia.m)
- Local Podcaster: “Sons of the Hunt”
- Local Radio Personality: Prospector, Rock 107
- Local Social Media Influencer: Gia Mazur
- Local Theater Director: Chuck Yarmey
- Local TikTok Personality: Heather B. (@handittoheather)
- Local TV News Personality: Joe Snedeker
- Local Tweeter: @sportsTT (Times-Tribune sports department)
- Local Visual Artist: Autumn Granza
- Local YouTube Star: NEPA Pizza Review
- Makeup Artist: Sarah Karpowich
- Massage Therapist: Tori Siconolfi
- Mechanic: Paul at Gibbons Ford
- Medium/Psychic: Inner Harmony Tarot
- Nail Technician: Just Jess
- Naturopath: Juanita
- Newspaper Columnist: Chris Kelly
- Newspaper Reporter: Jim Lockwood
- Nip/Tuck: Dr. Scot McKenna
- Personal Trainer: Mike Marcinek
- Pet Groomer: Hair of the Dog
- Photojournalist: Christopher Dolan
- Physical Therapist: Allied Services
- Piercer: Amy Jones, Marc’s Tattooing, Pittston
- Solo Musician: Jovon Barnes
- Stylist: Jessica Stein Perechinsky
- Tattoo Artist: Dez Del Rey
- Therapist: Amanda Rosentel
- Travel Agent: John Madden
- Wedding DJ: EJ Dougher (EJ the DJ)
- Wedding Singer/Band: Daddy-O & the Sax Maniax
- Wedding/Portrait Photographer: Ruby Tree Photography
- Wedding Planner: Desirae Risse Weddings & Events
Shocking Moment of 2020
- The entire year
