April 5 First Friday: Spring has Sprung Edition

For More Information: Call (937) 224-1518 or e-mail sands@downtowndayton.org

March 29, 2024, (DAYTON, Ohio) – Spring has sprung! This flourishing month holds many adventures ahead to jumpstart the spring season. There’s no better way to enjoy the beautiful spring weather this April than by exploring the small retailers, restaurants, galleries, and amenities that make our community thrive. Enjoy happy hour specials, new art at downtown’s signature galleries, live performances, shopping deals and more from 5 to 10 p.m. this First Friday, April 5!

Spring isn’t just a season for beautiful weather and gorgeous flowers – it also means the return of baseball! This First Friday, April 5, is Opening Day for the Dayton Dragons at Day Air Ballpark! See the Dragons kick off another great season downtown as they take on the Lansing Lugnuts. Be sure to grab a bite before the game! Explore nearby places to eat at downtowndayton.org/things-to-do/dining and read on to see some of the Happy Hour specials you’ll find in celebration of First Friday.

Enjoy the warmer temperatures outdoors as Out on 5th returns! Back for another great season, Out on 5th and the Oregon District close part of Fifth Street to traffic to create a pedestrian promenade perfect for exploring downtown businesses. Out on 5th runs each weekend in the Oregon District now through the end of October. DORA is also in effect this First Friday and year-round across most of downtown. Guests 21 and older are welcome to carry alcoholic beverages purchased from participating vendors and served in approved DORA cups throughout the DORA boundary. See a list of the participating vendors, a map of the boundaries, and more helpful tips at downtowndayton.org/DORA.

Check out the individual First Friday listings below, and remember the most up-to-date event listings can be found in the online calendar published on the Downtown Dayton Partnership’s website. Subscribing to the weekly e-vents email newsletter also keeps one up to speed. For more information about First Friday, or to find business addresses, parking, upcoming activities and more, visit the DDP website at DowntownDayton.org. Invite friends and family to partake in First Friday fun! “Like” and share the First Friday Facebook page.

ART, DANCE, MUSIC, AND FILM

• The Black Box Improv, 518 E. Third St.: Take in comedy from local improv group Low Hanging Fruit followed by a special show. For tickets and other information, visit DaytonBlackBoxImprov.com
• Blind Bob’s, 430 E. Fifth St.: Hero Jr. & RIND are coming to rock! Doors at 8pm. $10 admission. 21+ only.
• The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth St.: It’s the final chance to see and experience 112 artists’ work on display during the 30th Open Members’ Show! Exhibition open until 8pm. Light refreshments provided.
• Corner Kitchen, 613 E. Fifth St.: Enjoy live music every First Friday! Parking validated with $20 purchase.
• Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park North: See “Telling Stories: World Literature in Art,” The Artistic Life of Aka Pereyma,” “James Pate, Techno-Cubism: The Art of Line Painting,” and “Hand-Colored Photographs” now on exhibit. Open until 5 p.m. on Friday.
• Dayton Theatre Guild, 430 Wayne Avenue: See the inspirational musical “Flight of the Lawnchair Man.” Tickets and more information at https://daytontheatreguild.org/
• Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Ave., 937-224-7822: Live music at the Dublin Pub! Stop by for a pint and listen to live music for Irish First Fridays. Happy Hour from 3-6pm; Juke Box Friday from 6-7pm, and Irish First Friday!
• Front Street, 1001 E. Second St.: Enjoy an evening of live music, food trucks, studio and gallery hopping, shopping, and more! It is always free to attend and park at our art hops. We are a family and pet friendly community. With artwork and handmade goods from more than 250 artists, you’re going to want to get here early!
• The Neon movie theater, 130 E. Fifth St.: See “Wicked Little Letters” and a special showing of “Blackout” on First Friday! See the full schedule online: neonmovies.com.
• Oregon Express, 336 E. Fifth St.: Join us for 199X – a 90s dance party! Sexbox will be playing 90s RnB, Hop Hop, Rave, Brit Pop, Punk, and any other genres to set a nostalgic mood. Entry is free!
• PNC Arts Annex, 46 N. Ludlow St.: See “Five Lesbians Eating A Quiche” an interactive show! Tickets and more information available at daytonlive.org
• Schuster Center, 1 W. Second St.: The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance welcomes the celestial celebration “Total Eclipse: The Sun and the Planets.” Tickets start at just $5! Tickets and more information at daytonlive.org
• Skeleton Dust Records, 133 E. Third St.: See works from local photographer, Fea Fotos, on display through April and May.
• Yellow Cab Tavern, 700 E. Fourth St.: Cab Grass presents another show in the 2024 Roots & Heritage concert series! Cover starts at 7pm, music starts at 8pm. All ages welcome with a guardian. $17 in advance of $21 at the door.

DINING AND DRINKS

• The Foundry, 124 Madison St.: Enjoy an amazing view of Day Air Ballpark and downtown Dayton alongside delicious wood-fired cuisine.
• Jimmy John’s, 220 N. Main St.: The Caprese Salami Pesto is back and also available as a wrap! For dessert, enjoy the new Lemon Berry Cobbler Cookie!
• Lily’s Dayton, 329 E. Fifth St.: Happy Hour food and drink specials run from 4:30-6:30 p.m. every First Friday!
• Local Cantina, 503 E. First St: Happy Hour is from 3 to 6 p.m. with $5 Mustache Rides & Same Same Margaritas along with $2 off dips! Now taking reservations and catering orders!
• Moeller Brew Barn, 416 E. First St.: It’s a Party on the Patio! Enjoy specialty cocktails, beer, crafted grilled & smoked food. Join us pre-and-post games on the Patio. Open 11am-11pm. Happy hour 11am-5pm with $5 pints!
• Mudlick Tap House, 135 E. Second St., (937) 895-4066: Join us for Happiness Hours from 4-6 p.m. with $2 off draft beers and $2 off shareables, ½ price bottles of wine, $8 Old Fashioned, and $9 Manhattans.
• Oregon Express, 336 E. Fifth St., 937-223-9205: Every First Friday join us for Happy Hour deals from 5 to 8 p.m. Stop in for some of the best pizza in Dayton. Dine in, carryout and curbside pickup available.
• Salar Restaurant and Lounge, 400 E. Fifth St., 937-203-3999: Kick off your First Friday with happy hour at Salar from 4-6 p.m. with cocktail specials, $5 house wine pours, $1 off of all beers, and bar bites specials. Enjoy dinner, too, available for dine in or carryout.
• Table 33 Dayton, 130 W. Second St.: Fridays are wine night at Table 33, with $3.33 wine pairings with any entree.
• Troll Pub Dayton, 216 Wayne Ave.: Every Friday at the Troll Pub is part of W.T.F Happy Hours: Wednesday, Thursday & Friday from 4-7 p.m. featuring 1/2 Priced Pints & 1/2 priced apps, and $4 Fireball Shots.
• Trolley Stop, 530 E. Fifth St., 937-461-1101: Enjoy Half-off Happy Hour every day 3-7pm! $3 wells and half off select appetizers.
• Two Social, 123 E. Third St.: New menu launch, every first Friday! Try all 6 drinks on the new menu and get a free shirt! You have all month to collect all 6 drinks on the punch card.

SPECIAL SHOPPING DEALS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES

• After5, 111 E. Third St.: Mention First Friday at checkout to take 20% off of your total purchase!
• Choice Juice Boxx, 31 S. St. Clair St.: Spend $50 at Varsity House to receive 10% off from your Choice Juice Boxx purchase.
• Club Evolution, 130 N. Patterson Blvd.: Audience applause chooses the winner of a karaoke contest and $75! No cover. Karaoke starts at 8:30 p.m. with the contest starting at 10:30 p.m.
• Dayton Dragons, 220 N. Patterson Blvd.: It’s Opening Day! Gates open at 6pm and game time is 7:05pm. Tickets required. The Dayton Dragons take on the Lansing Lugnuts at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District to kick off the 2024 season!
• Dayton Metro Library, 215 E. Third St.: ESL Classes (English Classes) take place in the Opportunity Space every Monday and Friday, from 4:30-5:30 PM. New Americans are invited to take part in this free program that is taught in 3 different levels. For more information, contact the Ask Me Line at 937.463.2665.
• Omega Music, 318 E. Fifth St.: New release day! Explore the new releases on vinyl, CDs, and more. All day 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Oregon District.
• The Oregon District, Fifth Street: Visit the pedestrian promenade at Out on 5th! Enjoy extended outdoor seating, vendors, entertainment, and more as you visit your favorite Oregon District businesses.
• Pedal Wagon Dayton: Pedal Wagon Dayton: Hop around to some of Dayton’s best breweries on the Brewery Cruise! Seats are $35 for adults 21+ or rent a private ride for up to 15 people for $499! com/dayton/brewery-cruise/
• Picture Perfect Paint Parties, 123 N. Ludlow St.: Come and enjoy our grape tastings of the month and a mini-paint party canvas. Register at www.pictureperfectpaintparties.com or call 937-265-0691 for more information.
• Sole Touchers, 37 S. St. Clair St.: Mention First Friday to receive 25% off all shoes in store!
• Talbott Tower, 131 N. Ludlow St.: Visit the businesses of Talbott Tower! Enjoy live music, food, and beer while you shop special discounts at more than 20 businesses.
• Vidia’s Closet, 27 S. St. Clair St.: When you shop this women’s clothing boutique in the St. Clair Lofts on First Friday, you can take 20% off your entire purchase! Shop in-store and enjoy a complementary glass of wine.
• Wild Whiskers, 33 S. St. Clair St.: New month, new deals! All through April, buy 2 get 1 free any size Vital Essentials dog & cat freeze-dried mini nibs, $3 off Northwest Naturals freeze-dried meal toppers, $3 off Austin & Kat functional botanical meal toppers, $2 off Skout’s Honor stain & odor products, $2 off West Paw Seaflex products, $1 off My Perfect Pet gently cooked trial bars.

The Downtown Dayton Partnership’s website has a complete list of downtown’s arts and cultural amenities, as well as a dining guide, parking map and much more.

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