June 6 First Friday: Pride Downtown Edition

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

May 30, 2025, DAYTON, Ohio – Patio season is here and Downtown Dayton is ready to celebrate a brand new month! Stop by your favorite Downtown Dayton businesses on First Friday, June 6, for a sneak peek of everything that Dayton has to offer! From happy hour specials, to live music, and even a much awaited return of the North Arcade, there’s something for everyone to do this First Friday. Don’t forget, the Downtown Dayton Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area is in effect from noon until midnight every day for guests 21 and older to explore First Friday fun with a drink in hand!

The first weekend in June also marks Pride Weekend in Downtown Dayton! The Greater Dayton LGBT Center’s Dayton Pride 2025 kicks off on First Friday at the Affair on Saint Clair featuring live entertainment, vendors, and more! The fun continues at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 7, with the Dayton Pride 2025 Parade and Festival on Saint Clair Street. That’s not all, The Oregon District is hosting PRIDE on Fifth 2025 from noon until 6 p.m. with live performances, vendors, and a family zone!

First Friday is part of Summer in the City, presented by AES Ohio. 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 Friday House Team “Grandpa’s Scream Jar” and a specialty show! Tickets and more info at com/
• The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth St.: See “Laura Sanders: Force of Nature,” “Erin Holscher Almazan: What These Arms Hold,” and “Christine Gaffney: Well-Balanced.” The gallery is open 11a-6p daily. Free and open to all.
• Blind Bob’s, 430 E. Fifth St.: Catch live music from Houseghost, Haley & The Crushers, Summer Crush, and Midview! 8:00 p.m., 21+, $10 at the door
• The Dayton Arcade, 35 W. Fourth St.: Dayton Silent Disco is hosting a special pride party at the Dayton Arcade! Music starts at 8:30 p.m. 21+. Get discounted presale and group tickets at daytonsilentdisco.com
• Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park North: Visit the latest exhibitions, “Captivating Clay: Contemporary Japanese Ceramics from the Horvitz Collection,” “Jamie Wyeth: Unsettled,” and “Themes in Yoshitoshi’s 100 Aspects of the Moon.” Open until 5 p.m. on Friday.
• Dayton Society of Artists, 48 High St.: The Dayton Society of Artists welcomes you to the 2025 Spring Juried Show, “Peace Talks” alongside “Sisters: A cyanotype series by Suzi Hyden.” Open 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. and more music at 9 p.m.
• Edward A. Dixon Gallery, 222 N. St. Clair St.: See the vibrant artwork during “Living Color Art Exhibition,” a group exhibition on display until July 11.
• Front Street, 1001 E. Second St.: Explore art studios, shops, and galleries across campus! Live art 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!  Don’t just see art, live it!  Of course, Kool Beanz Cafe will have things fired up and ready to make your lunch fresh.
• The Human Race Theatre Company, 126 N. Main St. Ste. 300: Catch “THE COMEUPPANCE” at The Loft Theatre! As the sun sets on the eve of their twentieth high school reunion, a close-knit group of former classmates reunites to pre-game the monumental night. Bonded in their youth as outsiders, they now navigate the complexities of adulthood with humor, heart, and a hint of nostalgia. More info at humanracetheatre.org
• Levitt Pavilion Dayton, 134 S. Main St.: Enjoy a FREE show on the lawn from REO Classics Band featuring Terry Luttrell!
• The Neon movie theater, 130 E. Fifth St.: See “The Phoenician Scheme” on First Friday! See the full schedule online: neonmovies.com.
• Oregon Express, 336 E. Fifth St.: Enjoy a night of great tunes featuring The Red Bandana Band and Skip & The Broken Records! Free entry! Music starts at 8 p.m.
• RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E. Monument Ave.: It’s 80s Night with Retrobution! Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy a FREE show from 7 to 9 p.m. The RiverScape Café will be open selling food & drinks along with alcoholic beverages for guests 21+.
• Yellow Cab Tavern, 700 E. Fourth St.: Kick off Pride Weekend at Yellow Cab Tavern! See heavyhead and Tybee and the Buzz on Friday. $7 cover starts at 9 p.m.

DINING AND DRINKS

• Club Evolution, 130 N. Patterson Blvd.: You Dropped the Bomb on Me First Friday – get $1 cherry bombs and $3 Jager bombs all night!
• 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.!
• Jimmy John’s, 220 N. Main St.: Try the NEW Toasted Sandwiches: Roast Beef & Cheddar, Chicken Bacon Ranch, and Ultimate Italian!
• 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.!
• 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.
• The RiverScape Café is open for the season offering sides, flatbreads and desserts. Because RiverScape MetroPark is part of the downtown Dayton DORA footprint, visitors can also enjoy a variety of beer, wine, cocktails and hard seltzers. Hours of operation are Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 4 to 9 p.m., with Happy Hour specials offered daily from 4 to 7 p.m.
• 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.
• Sueño, 607 E. Third St.: Happy hour at the bar runs from 4-6 p.m.!
• Table 33 Dayton, 45 W. Fourth St.: Enjoy some late-night pizza! The oven is on and the bar is open 9p-12a on Fridays & Saturdays.
• Tear Drops Steakhouse, 111 W. First St.: Now open! Today is opening day for the brand-new Tear Drops Steakhouse in Downtown Dayton.
• 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

• 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.
• CORPORATE, 119 E. Third St.: First Friday sale! Get 15% off from 11a-6p every First Friday
• Dayton Arcade, 24 W. Third St.: Enjoy an evening of local art, music, and community during First Friday in the North Arcade! The recently developed North Arcade comes alive with a unique mix of vendors, artists, and makers showcasing the best of Dayton’s creative scene.
• 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!
• Greater Dayton LGBT Center, 136 N. St. Clair St.: Dayton Pride 2025 – Affair on Saint Clair! Enjoy entertainment on the street between First and Second Streets and food trucks between Second and Third Streets. Free to attend!
• 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.
• Pedal Wagon Dayton: Pedal Wagon Dayton: Hop around to some of Dayton’s best breweries on the Brewery Cruise! Seats are $39.50 for adults 21+ or rent a private ride for up to 15 people! com/dayton/brewery-cruise/
• Rabbit Hole Books, 29 W. First St.: Shop the Free Book Fair for Adults from noon until 8! Folks nineteen years old and up are welcome to stop by and pick out ANY THREE BOOKS in the store for FREE with a few other nifty giveaways planned!
• The Silos, 810 E. First St.: Grab your helmet – The Silos is a Dayton Bike Meet stopping point with a drink special every First Friday (weather permitting)
• 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 Styles! A new way to experience Square One with Preferred Pricing on Select Services! Available only on First Friday & Saturday of each month with select service providers. Book early – appointments fill quickly!
• Two Social, 123 E. Third St.: Battle it out at Dayton’s premier weekly platform fighter tournament! Featuring the iconic Super Smash Bros. Melee and Rivals of Aether II.
• Urban Krag Climbing Center, 125 Clay St.: First Timer Friday! First-time visitors can register for a belay class at urbankrag.com to get a day pass, rental gear, and free week membership! Must be 14 years or older to qualify.
• 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.

-###-