February 7 First Friday: Love is in Downtown Edition

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

February 7 First Friday: Love is in Downtown Edition

January 31, 2025, DAYTON, Ohio – Fall in love with Downtown Dayton this First Friday! Love is in the air and it’s time to celebrate all of the special someones in your life. Get a sneak peek of all of the fun to be had in Downtown Dayton from 5-10 p.m. on Friday, February 7. Just one week from Valentine’s Day, it’s the perfect chance to buy something for your sweetheart from one of downtown’s unique and independent retailers, raise a toast over dinner to your best bromances and galentines during happy hour, and take your loved ones on a date to see incredible work from local and national artists at downtown’s signature galleries.

Coming soon: the Downtown Dayton Valentine’s Day Gift Guide! We’ve compiled dozens of Valentine’s Day gift ideas, experiences, special events, holiday menus and more in one place to make celebration plans easy. Watch the Downtown Dayton social media pages for more information soon, and don’t forget to make your reservations early! Find more events and activities happening around downtown all month long and sign up for the e-vents newsletter to get a weekly roundup of downtown events delivered directly to your inbox. See the calendar and subscribe now at downtowndayton.org/events-calendar.

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.: Grab your girlfriends for our annual Galentine’s Day Shows! An all-female-identifying cast taking audience suggestions and performing in celebration of female friendships everywhere. For tickets and other information, visit DaytonBlackBoxImprov.com
• Blind Bob’s, 430 E. Fifth St.: Come and hear great live music from Chirp, 2-22’s, and Yuppie!
• The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth St.: See “Susan Byrnes: Lightness and Weight” and “George Armstrong: A Zachary Armstrong Curatorial Project” on display now through April 12.
• Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park North: Visit the latest exhibitions, “Captivating Clay: Contemporary Japanese Ceramics from the Horvitz Collection,” “Making Faces: 18 Essential Kabuki Plays,” “The Need for Beauty,” and “A Taste for Pop: Gifts from S. Bradley Gillaugh.” Open until 5 p.m. on Friday.
• Dayton Live, Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center, 1 W. Second St.: CHICAGO takes the stage at the Schuster Center! Show starts at 8 p.m. For best and most accurate ticket prices, visit daytonlive.org
• Dayton Live, Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St.: Classic Albums Live Performs Queen: News Of The World. Show begins at 7:30 p.m. For best and most accurate ticket prices, visit daytonlive.org
• Dayton Society of Artists, 48 High St.: The Future of Female is a powerful juried exhibition showcasing the ideals, hopes, and experiences of women-identifying artists. Visit the exhibition 5-8 p.m. on First Friday!
• Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Ave.: It’s Free Juke Box Friday from 6-7 p.m.! Stick around for Irish First Fridays with a Miami Valley Pipes & Drums performance at 7 p.m. plus country, pop, rock, and classic covers from Dee & Pete.
• Edward A. Dixon Gallery, 222 N. St. Clair St.: The gallery has extended hours to conveniently be part of your First Friday Art Hop. See artwork from the Dayton area, around the U.S. and around the world. Light refreshments provided.
• Front Street, 1001 E. Second St.: Explore art studios, shops, and galleries across campus! Live demonstrations, gallery openings, and new work on display by more than 150 artists!  Meet our artists, learn about their work, or sign up to take a class! Art hop runs 5-9 p.m. on First Friday!
• K12 Gallery & TEJAS, 341 S. Jefferson St.: Happy Hour Paint In: Painters 21+ are invited to join us for a relaxing still life painting experience. Perfect for friends and significant others, this once-a-month opportunity is an equally fun and educational experience to explore the art of painting while enjoying your favorite drinks. 2 sessions 4:00-6:00pm and 6:00-8:00pm. Each session costs $30 drinks are not included.
• The Neon movie theater, 130 E. Fifth St.: See the full schedule online: neonmovies.com. Also enjoy beer and cocktail specials during First Friday, and you can purchase a DORA drink at the Neon to walk around downtown Dayton’ Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area before or after the show.
• Oregon Express, 336 E. Fifth St.: Honor and celebrate Bob Marley’s rich cultural legacy with 6 Degrees of Dub and Jah Sol! Music begins at 9 p.m.
• Yellow Cab Tavern, 700 E. Fourth St.: Dayton Drunk Theater presents “Hamlet (Kind Of)” with improv, drinking games, and general tomfoolery. Tickets are $10 at the door but they’ll go fast! This show is 21+.

DINING AND DRINKS

• Corner Kitchen, 613 E. Fifth St.: Half off glass pours during happy hour! 5-7 p.m. Stop by early to enjoy lunch starting at 11 a.m.
• Dayton Beer Company, 41 Madison St.: Happy Hour runs 3-5 p.m.! Enjoy $1 off all DBC core beers.
• Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Ave.: Enjoy Happy Hour specials from 3-6 p.m.!
• The Foundry, 124 Madison St.: Enjoy an amazing view of Day Air Ballpark and downtown Dayton alongside delicious wood-fired cuisine. Igloo rentals are available now for parties of up to 6!
• Jimmy John’s, 220 N. Main St.: Just in time for Valentine’s Day, try a Red Velvet Cookie, available for a limited time!
• Lily’s Dayton, 329 E. Fifth St.: Enjoy Happy Hour specials on Bao Buns and wine, highball cocktails, and craft beers on tap from 4:30-6:30 p.m.!
• Local Cantina, 503 E. First St: Happy Hour is from 3 to 6 p.m. with $5 Mustache Rides, $6 Local Margaritas, $2 Cerveza Amarilla, and $2 off appetizers
• 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.
• The Silos, 810 E. First St.: Pick up your passport to play! Visit all five vendors at The Silos in February to be entered into a gift card giveaway.
• Sueño, 607 E. Third St.: Happy hour at the bar runs from 4-6 p.m.!
• Table 33 Dayton, 45 W. Fourth St.: Table 33 is now open for dinner! Stop by their new location in the Dayton Arcade from 5-9 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays!
• Tender Mercy, 607 E. Third St. (Lower Level), Happy Hour runs from 4-6 p.m. featuring half-off select Signature Cocktails, beer, and wine.
• 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.
• Winans Coffee & Chocolates, 221 N. Patterson Blvd.: Happy Hour wine is $7 a glass from 4-7 p.m.!

SPECIAL SHOPPING DEALS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES

• 5 Star Salon Academy, 125 E. Second St.: First Friday: Galentine’s Day Edition! Join us for an evening of beauty, fun, and friendship with mini beauty services, decadent chocolate & wine, shopping with our local beauty vendors, and a raffle to support future beauty entrepreneurs and professionals. Tickets and more info at https://square.link/u/wBPKSN9Q
• 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.
• Dayton Metro Library, 215 E. Third St.: Teen Hangout! Teens in Grades 7-12 can socialize with friends, play games, and more. Teen Edge, 1st Floor
• Dayton Metro Library, 215 E. Third St.: ESL Classes (English Classes): DML’s ESL Classes are free programs for learning and practicing English speaking skills! Classes are taught in three different levels in the Main Library’s Opportunity Center. (This program is now held every Friday only, through at least May 30.)
• Eclectic Essentials, 510 E. Fifth St.: Get 10% off of all regular-priced merchandise! Enjoy free snacks and beverages while you shop.
• Gem City Tattoo Club, 436 E. Fifth St.: Tattoo flash sale! From 12:30-7:30 p.m., GCTC will offer traditional designs from our group of professional artists at a discounted price of $80-$100! Stop in and choose from 100s of designs. First come first serve!
• Mintha’s Boutique, 520 E. Third St.: Get 20% off your entire purchase when you mention First Friday!
• 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.
• RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E. Monument Ave.: Cosmic Theme Skate! Hit the ice with your favorite Star Wars characters as we blast off with some classic space-inspired music. The RiverScape Cafe will be open and skaters can also relax in our heated comfort tent. Skate admission is $7 and skate rental is $3. Weather Dependent.
• Pedal Wagon Dayton: The weather outside might be frightful, but good times are still to be had aboard the Pedal Wagon! Adults 21+ can grab a seat on the Polar Bear Express for $29 or book a private ride starting at $349 pedalwagon.com/dayton/polar-bear-express/
• 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!
• Square One Salon & Spa, 506 E. Third St: Enjoy First Friday & Saturday Specific Services at preferred pricing* on the first Friday & Saturday of each month: Cut & Style: $33.75 (save $11.25), Men’s Cut: $33.75 (save $11.25), 60-Min Signature Facial: $78 (save $26), 60-Min Massage: $65.25 (save $21.75), Gel Manicure: $45 (save $15), Gel Pedicure: $57.75 (save $19.25)
• Two Social, 123 E. Third St.: It’s the Third Street Throwdown! Join Dayton’s weekly platform fighter tournament starting at 6 p.m. featuring the iconic Super Smash Bros. Melee and the thrilling Rivals of Aether II.
• 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.

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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