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BEST OF DAYTON WINNERS 2019-20: Bars, beer, breweries and nightlife

Dayton’s Century Bar has reopened in the three-story former Dayton Power and Light building, 18 S. Jefferson St. The historic cherry wood bar, the centerpiece of the original Century Bar, has been restored and installed in the new expanded space. Century Bar is co-owned by Diane Spitzig and Joseph Head. LISA POWELL / STAFF

Dayton’s Century Bar has reopened in the three-story former Dayton Power and Light building, 18 S. Jefferson St. The historic cherry wood bar, the centerpiece of the original Century Bar, has been restored and installed in the new expanded space. Century Bar is co-owned by Diane Spitzig and Joseph Head. LISA POWELL / STAFF
Best of Dayton
Updated Sept 21, 2021
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Whether you need to unwind after a rough day with a tall, cold Dayton-made brew or treat yourself with a hand-crafted cocktail made just for you, Dayton’s bar, brewery and nightclub scene has just what you need.

Maybe you’re looking for great new watering hole, a place to show off your mad trivia or dance skills or the diviest dive bar to chill with your closest friends.

These are the best breweries, brews, cocktails and bars in Dayton, as voted by the community in Dayton.com’s Best of Dayton 2019-20 poll.

Raise your glass to Dayton’s best!

And, remember to take part in the new Best of Dayton contest by clicking below.

CLICK HERE to nominate and vote in Best of Dayton

BEST BARTENDER

Barrel House in downtown Dayton hosted another birthday celebration for Dayton, Ohio. Dayton celebrated 223 years with some of its closest friends on Friday, April 5, 2019. Here is who we spotted. DAVID MOODIE/CONTRIBUTED

Credit: DAVID MOODIE/CONTRIBUTED

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Credit: DAVID MOODIE/CONTRIBUTED

🥇WINNER: Matt Ross, The Barrel House

417 E. Third St., Dayton | 937-222-4795 | Website | Facebook

SECOND PLACE: Randi Hamblin, Kings Point Pub

4660 Wilmington Pike, Dayton | 937-296-1915 | Facebook

THIRD PLACE: Chad McKanna, Buffalo Wild Wings (Kettering)

262 E. Stroop Road, Kettering | 937-424-3999 | Website | Facebook

BEST BEER, WINE OR LIQUOR SHOP

Beth Freyvogel and Mif Frank, third-generation co-owners of Arrow Wine & Spirits

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🥇WINNER: Arrow Wine & Spirits

615 Lyons Road, Centerville | 937 433-6778 | 2950 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood | 937-298-1456 | Website | Facebook

SECOND PLACE: Belmont Party Supply

2621 Smithville Road, Dayton | 937-252-4724 | Website | Facebook

THIRD PLACE: The Barrel House

417 E. Third St., Dayton | 937-222-4795 | Website | Facebook

BEST BLOODY MARY

🥇WINNER: Tank's Bar & Grill

2033 Wayne Ave., Dayton | 937-252-2249 | Facebook | Website

SECOND PLACE: Blind Bob's

430 E. Fifth St., Dayton | 937-938-6405 | Website | Facebook

THIRD PLACE: Trolley Stop

530 E. Fifth St., Dayton | 937-461-1101 | Website | Facebook

BEST COCKTAILS

Joe Head co-owns the Century Bar in downtown Dayton with Diane Spitzig. LISA POWELL / STAFF

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🥇WINNER: The Century Bar

18 S. Jefferson St., Dayton | 937-223-3382 | Website | Facebook

SECOND PLACE: Wheat Penny

515 Wayne Ave., Dayton | 937-496-5268 | Website | Facebook

THIRD PLACE: Salar

400 E. Fifth St., Dayton | 937-203–3999 | Website | Facebook

BEST CRAFT BEER BAR

The Barrel House hosted an International Women’s Day event on Friday, March 8, where nearly a dozen women who work at various levels in breweries throughout Ohio shared their experiences of working in a male-dominated industry. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: Tom Gilliam

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Credit: Tom Gilliam

🥇WINNER: The Barrel House

417 E. Third St., Dayton | 937-222-4795 | Website | Facebook

SECOND PLACE: Bunkers Sports Bar and Grill

893 E. National Road, Vandalia | 937-890-8899 | Website | Facebook

THIRD PLACE: Chappys Social House

7880 Washington Village Drive, Washington Twp. | (937) 439-9200 | Website | Facebook

BEST DANCE CLUB

After 15 years, Club Masque closed permanently at 34 S. Jefferson St. in downtown Dayton after its last show on Saturday, Jan. 25. The final show, hosted by Carrie J. Summers, included a list of Masque favorites: Mocha Lisa, Scarlett Moon, Alexandria Bellterra, Johnny Justice, and Emilie Viktoria, Jareje Rashad, Amaya Sexton, Katrina Reelfish, Sky Black, Kayla Fame, and Kar Kar O’Daniels. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

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🥇WINNER: Masque

Currently closed and seeking to reopen in new location | Website | Facebook

SECOND PLACE: Julia's Nite Club

8939 Kingsridge Drive, Miami Twp. | 937-439-2422 | Website | Facebook

THIRD PLACE: Ned Peppers

419 E. Fifth St., Dayton | 937-224-4888 | Website | Facebook

BEST DIVE BAR

🥇WINNER: Tank's Bar and Grill

2033 Wayne Ave., Dayton | 937-252-2249 | Facebook | Website

SECOND PLACE: Hole in the Wall

423 E. Fifth St., Dayton | (937) 813-2033 | Facebook

THIRD PLACE: Mack's Tavern

381 Miamisburg Centerville Road, Washington Twp. | 937-813-7217 | Website | Facebook

BEST GAY BAR

After 15 years, Club Masque closed permanently at 34 S. Jefferson St. in downtown Dayton after its last show on Saturday, Jan. 25. The final show, hosted by Carrie J. Summers, included a list of Masque favorites: Mocha Lisa, Scarlett Moon, Alexandria Bellterra, Johnny Justice, and Emilie Viktoria, Jareje Rashad, Amaya Sexton, Katrina Reelfish, Sky Black, Kayla Fame, and Kar Kar O’Daniels. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

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🥇WINNER: Masque

Currently closed and seeking to reopen in new location | Website | Facebook

SECOND PLACE: MJ's on Jefferson

20 N. Jefferson St., Dayton | 937-223-3259 | Website | Facebook

THIRD PLACE: The Stage Door

44 N. Jefferson St., Dayton | 937-223-7418 | Facebook

BEST HAPPY HOUR

Trolley Stop owner Robin Sassenberg  home is being rehabbed. It was damaged in Memorial Day tornadoes.

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🥇WINNER: Trolley Stop

530 E. Fifth St., Dayton | 937-461-1101 | Website | Facebook

SECOND PLACE: Mack's Tavern

381 Miamisburg Centerville Road, Washington Twp. | 937-813-7217 | Website | Facebook

THIRD PLACE: Bennett's Publical Family Sports Grill

67 S. Main St., Miamisburg | 937-866-4200 | Website | Facebook

BEST KARAOKE

The tables at Blind Bob's in the Oregon District are covered in posters for bands. LISA POWELL / STAFF

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🥇WINNER: Blind Bob's

430 E. Fifth St., Dayton | 937-938-6405 | Website | Facebook

SECOND PLACE: Soft Rock Cafe

877 E Franklin St., Centerville | 937-438-3093 | Website | Facebook

THIRD PLACE: Masque

Currently closed and seeking to reopen in new location | Website | Facebook

BEST LOCAL BREWERY

A flight of beer from Dayton's Warped Wing brewery. CONTRIBUTED

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🥇WINNER: Warped Wing

26 Wyandot St., Dayton | 937-222-7003 | Website | Facebook

SECOND PLACE: Yellow Springs Brewery

305 N. Walnut St., Yellow Springs | 937-767-0222 | Website | Facebook

THIRD PLACE: Crooked Handle Brewing Co.

760 N. Main St., Springboro | (937) 790-3450 | Website | Facebook

BEST LOCALLY MADE BEER

Warped Wing Brewing's top-seller is Trotwood Lager and the Best of Dayton winner for Best Locally Made Beer in the 2018 contest. CONTRIBUTED

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🥇WINNER: Warped Wing Trotwood Lager

26 Wyandot St., Dayton | 937-222-7003 | Website | Facebook

SECOND PLACE: Yellow Springs Brewery Boat Show

305 N. Walnut St., Yellow Springs | 937-767-0222 | Website | Facebook

THIRD PLACE: Crooked Handle Brewing’s Roadside Peanut Butter Porter

760 N. Main St., Springboro | (937) 790-3450 | Website | Facebook

BEST LOCALLY MADE SPIRITS

Double-gold-medal-winning Dayton Gin was first released by Belle of Dayton just last fall. FILE

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🥇WINNER: Belle of Dayton

122 Van Buren St., Dayton | 937-250-1837 | Website | Facebook

SECOND PLACE: Buckeye Vodka

827 S. Patterson Blvd., Dayton | 937-287-7076 | Website | Facebook

THIRD PLACE: Stillwrights

5380 Intrastate Drive, Fairborn | (937) 879-4447 | Website | Facebook

BEST MARGARITA

An Elsa's Bad Juan margarita. Staff file photo by Jim Noelker.

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🥇WINNER: Elsa's

Elsa’s On the Border, 1227 Wilmington Ave., Dayton | 937-938-7372

Elsa’s East Restaurant & Cantina, 3618 Linden Ave., Dayton | 937-252-9635

Elsa’s Kettering Sports Grill, 1216 E. Stroop Road, Kettering | 937-294-9210

Elsa’s South Restaurant & Cantina, 6318 Far Hills Ave., Centerville | 937-439-3897

Elsa’s Corner Cantina, 6204A Wilmington Pike, Sugarcreek Twp. | 937-310-1373

Facebook | Website

SECOND PLACE: El Meson

903 E. Dixie Drive, West Carrollton | 937-859-8229 | Website | Facebook

THIRD PLACE: El Toro Bar & Grill

Multiple Dayton-area locations | Facebook | Website

BEST PLACE TO HOOK UP

🥇WINNER: The Barrel House

417 E. Third St., Dayton | 937-222-4795 | Website | Facebook

SECOND PLACE: Julia's Nite Club

8939 Kingsridge Drive, Miami Twp. | 937-439-2422 | Website | Facebook

THIRD PLACE: Masque

Currently closed and seeking to reopen in new location | Website | Facebook

BEST TRIVIA

Bunkers Bar and Grill in Vandalia is one of the many sports bars that are gearing up for the Super Bowl. 2015 file photo by JIM WITMER

Credit: Jim Witmer

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Credit: Jim Witmer

🥇WINNER: Bunkers Bar and Grill

893 E. National Road, Vandalia | 937-890-8899 | Website | Facebook

SECOND PLACE: Blind Bob's

430 E. Fifth St., Dayton | 937-938-6405 | Website | Facebook

THIRD PLACE: Mack's Tavern

381 Miamisburg Centerville Road, Washington Twp. | 937-813-7217 | Website | Facebook

BEST WINERY

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant, located in the Cornerstone of Centerville, opens Monday, Aug. 26. The upscale/casual wine-themed restaurant has a full-service bar, private barrel-aging room, Napa Valley-style tasting room and gift store. LISA POWELL / STAFF

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🥇WINNER: Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant

5220 Cornerstone North Blvd., Centerville | 937-900-9463 | Website | Facebook

SECOND PLACE: The Winery at Versailles

6572 State Route 47, Versailles | 937-526-3232 | Website | Facebook

THIRD PLACE: Valley Vineyards

2276 US-22 & OH-3, Morrow | 513-899-2485 | Website | Facebook

BEST OF DAYTON WINNERS IN OTHER CATEGORIES

>> Food & Dining winners

>> Arts, Music & Entertainment winners

>> Shopping & Services winners

>> Fitness, Outdoors & Recreation winners

>> People & Places winners

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