June 7 First Friday: Summer Celebration Edition

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

May 31, 2024, DAYTON, Ohio – We’re rolling into the summer with warm weather, sunny skies, and tons of fun in beautiful downtown Dayton! You’re invited to kick off the start of a new month and see everything that downtown has to offer at First Friday from 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday, June 7! Downtown’s unique and independent retailers, restaurants, and galleries are getting ready to celebrate this new season by showing off their one-of-a-kind and newest finds, offering up specials on happy hour and select menu items, debuting incredible local art, hosting live entertainment, and so much more.

The summer fun is only just getting started on First Friday. If you want to stay up with everything happening in downtown Dayton, take a peek at the AES Ohio Summer in the City calendar featuring exciting events from the Downtown Dayton Partnership, downtown businesses, and organizations. Printed calendars are available at select downtown businesses, but you can find a digital copy anytime on the Downtown Dayton Partnership website.

Next up, the challenge is on! Start gathering your team members for the Downtown Adventure on Saturday, June 29! This scavenger hunt-style race will take you around downtown to find clues and complete challenges for the chance to win cash prizes. Registration is open now and more information is coming soon to the Downtown Adventure webpage.

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.: Live music from Sheller, Fea, and Paige Beller starts at 8pm. $10 admission for this 21+ show.
• The Brightside, 905 E. Third St.: The Michael Harris Tranz-Fusion brings high-energy, original music, and classic covers to the Brightside! Show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets available at the door. All ages welcome.
• The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth St.: Tess Cortés Artist Talk begins at 6:30 p.m. on First Friday. Tess Cortés is an award-winning Dayton-based digital media artist and Instructor of Motion Design at the Modern College of Design, Kettering. In conjunction with the exhibition, the artist has also produced a limited-edition video print available for purchase in The CoSHOP Pop-up Print Shop.
• Corner Kitchen, 613 E. Fifth St.: Enjoy live music on the patio 8-10 p.m. every First Friday! Parking validated with $20 purchase.
• Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park North: Visit the latest exhibitions, “Hand-Colored Photographs” and “Captivating Clay: Contemporary Japanese Ceramics from the Horvitz Collection.” Open until 5 p.m. on Friday.
• Dayton Metro Library, 215 E. Third St., second-floor gallery: See “What’s New?,” an African American Visual Artists Guild traveling art exhibit on display through Thursday, June 30, during regular Library hours.
• 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; Miami Valley Pipes & Drums performance at 7pm and music at 9pm.
• Edward A. Dixon Gallery, 222 N. St. Clair St.: Meet California artist and Dayton native, Juko, at an artist reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on First Friday. Light refreshments provided.
• Front Street, 1001 E. Second St.: Explore studios, galleries, shops and boutiques right in the heart of Dayton’s Arts District! This month the Front Street Gallery is proud to feature “Alchemic Configurations,” the work of David Brand. Food trucks and live music from Nasty Bingo in the courtyard. Visit frontstreet.art for more information.
• The International Peace Museum, 10 N. Ludlow St.: Join the museum’s 20th birthday celebration for a day full of celebrating, meeting old friends, exchanging stories, and learning about new programs in the works. Free event! 5 to 8 p.m.
• Levitt Pavilion, 134 S. Main St.: Jordy Searcy takes the stage as part of the altafiber Rock/Pop Series. The free concert begins at 7 p.m. Chairs and refreshments available. Guests are also welcome to bring their own chairs, food, and drinks to the lawn.
• Moeller Brew Barn, 416 E. First St.: Hear live music at the Brew Barn from 7-10 p.m.
• The Neon movie theater, 130 E. Fifth St.: See the full schedule online: neonmovies.com. Enjoy beer and cocktail specials during First Friday!
• 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!
• Skeleton Dust Records, 133 E. Third St.: See the colorful and stimulating works of local artist Sydney Joslin-Knapp through the months of June and July.
• Yellow Cab Tavern, 700 E. Fourth St.: Cab Grass presents Slippery Creek for 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

• Dayton Beer Company, 41 Madison St.: Get $2 off DBC pints from 3-5p.m.! Dragons Pre-Game Special: $4 DBC Core Beers 6-7 p.m.!
• 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.
• Day Air Ballpark, 220 N. Patterson Blvd.: The Dayton Dragons take on the Lansing Lugnuts! First pitch is at 7:05 p.m.
• JAM Dayton Foodie Tour: Tours begin at 3 p.m. at Sueño and will take guests on a walking, talking, and eating tour of downtown restaurants. Tickets are $100 per person. Register at tours
• 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.
• RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E. Monument Ave.: 90’s Night featuring The Wet Bandits. Friday, June 7 from 6-9 PM. Guests are encouraged to dress up in their favorite 90’s attire and come jam out at RiverScape for a free 90’s concert, featuring some of the greatest hits from the decade. Concert-goers can enjoy delicious food from McNasty’s Food Truck, plus cocktails, beer and other hard beverages available from the RiverScape Café for those 21 and over, as part of the Downtown Dayton DORA. Admission is free.
• 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 25% off your entire purchase! Spend $100 or more and receive a free $25 gift card.

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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