New alternative nightclub & restaurant coming to downtown Dayton

A new alternative/gay-friendly destination called “Evolution Nightclub at The 804” is in the works at 804 E. Monument Ave. just east of downtown Dayton, according to the nightclub's founder, although the building's owners say the nightclub founder's statements are "premature and inaccurate."

“We’re hoping to open Sept. 1,” Evolution founder Grant Dixon told this news outlet in an interview Friday morning. “We’re pretty excited about it.”

Dixon applied for a full liquor license and said he is poised to begin the build-out of a 4,500-square-foot space that he said he has leased. Plans call for opening a restaurant inside the nightclub early next year, with a tentative target date of Feb. 14, 2018, Dixon said.

But Jeff Mohlman, co-owner of The 804 Building, said late Friday that Dixon "did not have the authority to speak on behalf of the owners of 804 E. Monument," calling Dixon's statements about the nightclub "premature and inaccurate."

Mohlman said he and the other co-owners of the 804 E. Monument Avenue building "are excited to become a part of a revitalized Downtown Dayton and will give updates regarding the property at a more appropriate time."

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Dixon said the building's location will be a plus for his proposed nightclub.

“We’re blocks from downtown, close to the ball field, and next to Tech Town, which is building out at a record rate,” Dixon said. “We’ll be in the heart of it all.”

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Dixon said he believes there is a need for a new, 21-and-over, alternative/gay-friendly nightclub that “is absolutely open to everyone.”

“I think the options are limited for the alternative crowd in downtown Dayton,” Dixon said. Evolution Nightclub “will be an affordable place, with a nice dance floor and DJs,” and will also host special live shows, he said.

Dixon, a 1980 graduate of Xenia High School, worked in and managed nightclubs in Kettering, Dayton and Huber Heights several years ago, and said, “I’m ready to do it all again.”

Evolution will likely employ 20 to 25 when it and its restaurant are up and running fully, Dixon said. The 804 Building that houses Evolution Nightclub is also being marketed as a business center and event venue.

Dixon also is founder of Miami Valley Homecare, a senior home-care service, which he will continue to operate, he said.

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