Dayton937

Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More

Bar Louie

Austin Landing Welcomes Bar Louie & Bar 145

By

Austin Landing is significantly expanding its bar scene and enhancing its nightlife culture by opening two new bars, Bar Louie and Bar 145. Both bars will be located beside the new luxury cinema, set to open in 2016 pending Miami Township approvals.
db492c06-8a4b-4d4d-82be-b4a807829d49_hBar 145, known for its burgers, bourbon and bands, will feature a spacious patio with high rise tables, a 50-seat oval bar split by an industrial size garage door, and flat screen TVs. Utilizing local farmers and purchasing fresh products daily allows Bar 145 to offer customers a vast amount of exclusive specials. With the option to “Stack Your Own,” customers are given an opportunity to create a burger or sandwich choosing from 10 Artisan Cheeses, 14 House-made Sauces, and Over 23 toppings ranging from Roasted Red Peppers to Peach Habanero Chutney to Roasted Duck & so much more!

Made famous for their handcrafted signature martinis, Bar Louie also features an exceptional selection of traditionallyBAR-LOUIE and regionally inspired American food including small plates, burgers and sandwiches. Open for lunch dinner and late night dining, their scratch kitchen is always open until last call. The bar will feature 30 draft beers to include imports, microbrews and local favorites as well as over 20 wines by the glass to satisfy both beer and wine lovers. Cocktail drinkers will revel in made to order martinis, mojitos and margaritas made from the highest quality ingredients, fresh fruit and hand squeezed juices. Guests will be able to enjoy themselves at several community tables, the spacious center bar or soft seating areas to socialize or catch the game with friends and family.

 

Both bars are dedicated to staying local, and providing unforgettable experiences to every guest. Each bar will be 6,200 square feet and plan to open next summer. Pending township approvals, the construction of the bars will begin In October.
“The addition of the restaurants and live entertainment is going to energize the nightlife scene at Austin Landing,” said Marketing Director Kayla Long. This is a great fit for Austin Landing. We anticipate a good presence from the 238 hotel rooms and 274 apartment units in the coming year. Since Bar Louie and Bar 145 are going to be the first late night options to stay open past midnight, Austin Landing is excited to draw in new people who have not yet experienced its one-of-a-kind atmosphere.

Could You Be The Next Tater Tot Eating Champ?

By Leave a Comment

Bar Louie at The Greene will host their 5th Annual Rock the Tot contest this Thursday, June 7th at 8pm. According to GM Justin Steel, all 68 Bar Louie restaurants across the country will be hosting the chow down.  The rules are quite simple, you have 6 minutes to eat as many tater tots as you can. Steel says he expects that about 15 folks will compete in the annual eat off.

Defending champ Jeff Dunn from Centerville, a former employee of Bar Louie, ate 3.5 pounds of tots to claim his 3rd consecutive championship last year.  The Tot champ will claim a trophy, a $250 Bar Louie gift card, a tot T-shirt and free loaded tots for a year!  If the winners time puts them in the top 5 nationwide, the winner will be flown to the Championships in Cleveland, where they can compete for $500 and free tots for life!

To enter you must be at least 18, sign a waiver and be ready to eat!  There’s still room to enter, it’s free to compete aand you can still sign up here.   Contestants will need to check in by 7:30pm

New this year is a 4 Person Team Tot Relay.  The first team member eats a pound of tots, then tags off to the next, until all each of the 4 has consumed their pound.  The team that finishes first will win a $200 bar tab for the team , Tots T-shirts  and FREE loaded tots for a year for all!

Contact Bar Louie Beavercreek if you are interested in joining  or want more info at 937-427-3900.

 

 

 


 

Martini Madness

By Leave a Comment

The best things in life come in martini glasses.

That is the valuable, out-of-the-classroom lesson I learned last Friday when my roommates who graduated this May came back in town for the University of Dayton’s annual Alumni Weekend to, in one of my friend’s words, “relive the glory days of one month ago.”

I wish every weekend was Alumni Weekend: Enjoying drinks and appetizers at Bar Louie with some of my best friends!
I wish every weekend was Alumni Weekend: Enjoying drinks and appetizers at Bar Louie with some of my best friends!

After bouncing around ideas on how to start our weekend off right, we quickly agreed upon catching some drinks and food at Bar Louie, 4492 Glengarry Dr., in the Greene Town Center. Much to my surprise, this “casually cool” bar and restaurant offers a “Happy Hour with Louie” from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.  How have I missed this amazing offer for the past four years?!? Have I been living in a cave?! I couldn’t have been more disappointed in myself.  The sweet happy hour deals include $3 drafts, $5 martinis, $4 glasses of wine and select half price appetizers.

I wanted to make sure I made up for tragically wasted years without this happy hour in my life, and studied the menu extensively before making a decision.

This Pom Peche martini, a mix of pomegranate syrup, mango purée, orange juice and Sprite, was simply exquisite!
This Pom Peche martini, a mix of pomegranate syrup, mango purée, orange juice and Sprite, was simply exquisite!

The first solid choice of my night was ordering the Pom Peche martini. The magical bartenders mix absolut apeach, pomegranate syrup, mango purée, orange juice and Sprite together to make this fabulously fresh drink. My martini, served with an orange slice on the side, was sweet, summery and sophisticated.

These drinks were hard to turn down, though, and will be on my list for my next happy hour adventure:

-Diva, made with SKYY Pineapple, PAMA Liqueur, pomegranate syrup, pineapple juice and pineapple;

-Effen Good (I want to order this just so I can say “Give me the Effen Good one.”), a mix of Effen Cucumber, mint, fresh lime juice, cucumber and agave nectar; and

-The Abbey, made with Hendrick’s, fresh grapefruit and lemon juices, pure cane syrup, grenadine, and lemon twist.

While enjoying my drink and feeling young and hip amongst young professionals sitting at nearby tables, appetizers were served. Three of my friends decided to try the bruschetta pomodoro, and were kind enough to share with me. Probably because I couldn’t stop staring — This was the most beautifully arranged hors d’oeuvre I have ever seen.

Served in a giant martini glass, the grilled country pieces of bread are topped with a generous amount of garlic, tomato, oil, basil and parmesan. I’ve studied abroad in Rome and enjoyed tons of delicious Italian plates, and Bar Louie’s bruschetta is still TOP of the line on my list.

My beautiful friends Kim and Anna shared their half-price bruschetta pomodoro appetizer with me. It was stunning, unique and tasty -- Everything I could ever ask for in a hors d'oevre.

My friends Kim and Anna shared their half-price bruschetta pomodoro appetizer with me. It was stunning, unique and tasty -- Everything I could ever ask for in an hors d'oeuvre.

This appetizer doesn’t survive on good looks alone, though. It has a unique taste and decent price (normally $6.99; $3.50 during happy hours) to back it up, and is by itself a perfectly satisfying meal.

Other select happy hour appetizers specials abound. If bruschetta pomodoro isn’t the right choice for you, check out the half-price:
-Spinach & artichoke dip (with tortilla chips);
-Crispy calamari (flour dusted, crispy fried, with cocktail sauce);
-A cheese or chicken quesadilla (with sour cream, pico de gallo and guacamole);
-Trio dips & chips (with salsa, guacamole and queso);
-Farmer’s Market Pizza; or
-Boneless wings.
Share them with your group, or consider ordering one or two items for a meal. You won’t be able to hold back. Or stop admiring the serving platters.

Bar Louie’s daily hours are from 11 to 2 a.m. You’ll feel classy in this restaurant and bar, full of contemporary photography, mosaic tiling, modern lighting and several plasma TVs. The menu, offering appetizers, pastas and entrees, along with beers, cocktails, microbrews, and wines by the glass and bottle, is worth checking out.

If you are looking to wind down after a tough day at work, or just want to start your weekend with a drink and meal with some good friends, stop into Louie’s between 4 and 7 p.m. for three hours of pure happiness.

Jane’s Best Bets (5/25 – 5/30)

By Leave a Comment

Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

Can you believe Memorial Day weekend is almost here?!?!  That means summer is right around the corner!  Be sure to make the most of these last few days in May!

On Wednesday, make your way to the Fraze Pavilion (I LOVE the Fraze!) for the Kettering Block Party.  If you want to sort of meet a former president, then head over to the Dayton Woman’s Club for the Abraham Lincoln Social & Luncheon.  Beer lovers should plan to be at Archer’s as they’ll feature a new craft beer.  Not only will you be able to think green, but you will also be able to “drink green” as part of Green Drinks May at Norton’s in Kettering.  And if you love listening to adorable kids singing their hearts out, be sure to attend the Kettering Children’s Choir 25th Anniversary Concert at the Schuster Center.

On Thursday, check out 42nd Street at WSU’s Festival Playhouse.  On the other side of town, you will be able to see the premiere of the documentary The Other Side at The Neon.  And if you want to be close to somebody, come to Right Next to Me at The Loft Theatre.  The only problem is, you really don’t know who “me” is.  If you are in the Oregon District, walk over to Dayton Theology on Tap at Oregon Express.  For all you old-fashioned book readers, check out a new option, The Nook, at Books & Co. at The Greene as part of their Nook Nights.  “Hungary?”  Make your way to Boston’s Bistro for their Hungarian Wine Tasting, which includes pizza, cheese, and chocolate!  And finally, over at the Metropolitan Arts Center, check out A Wine and Yoga Practice…which I of course think is an awesome idea!

On Friday, celebrate the weekend with Fiesta Friday at Bar Louie.  Or check out Trumpet Studio.  You may be asking, “What may ‘trump’ that?”  I’m not sure, but if you are looking to experience theater, there are several opportunities available, including  42nd Street at WSU’s Festival Playhouse, Right Next to Me at The Loft Theatre, and Mauritius at the Dayton Theatre Guild.  Then, go to bed early so you can enjoy the rest of Memorial Day weekend!

On Saturday, make your way to Dorothy Lane Market for Lobstermania.  If you’re downtown, be sure to participate in the Bike United Tour at Fifth Third Field and support the Dayton Dutch Lions’ campaign for healthy living with a fun downtown bike ride.  Plus, you will receive a ticket to the Dutch Lions’ first ever game at Fifth Third Field, and a Bike United T-shirt.  Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend by attending The Patriot Freedom Festival.  If you’re like me and love summer concerts, be sure to listen to the sounds of The Highway Junkies at RiverScape as part of the Free Summer Concert Series.  And finally, theater options for Saturday include Mauritius at Dayton Theatre Guild, 42nd Street at WSU’s Festival Playhouse, and Right Next to Me at The Loft Theatre.

On Sunday, make plans to attend the 2011 Dayton Heritage Festival at Carillon Historical Park.  It is FREE!  You will be able to enjoy exhibit buildings, special activities, and live music.  You can make it an all-day affair, as there will also be food and drinks from a variety of local vendors.  Plus, there will be fireworks following the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra’s performance featuring Live Americana music!  If there isn’t something there that suits your fancy, then too bad!  Just kidding (although that’s all I’m talking about for Sunday)!   Also, if you want to give back and volunteer there, please shoot me an email!

My Team Last Year at the "Spike Out Blood Cancer" Sand Volleyball Tournament!

Usually I don’t talk about Mondays in Jane’s Best Bets, but this week I’m making an exception with it being Memorial Day.  If you’re not having a cookout, then there are a couple options.  Start the day off early by attending the ‘Spike Out Blood Cancer’ Memorial Day Sand Volleyball Tournament at J.D. Legends.  I played in it last year and had a blast!  Even if you don’t like volleyball or can’t attend, I encourage you to support Steve VanGorder’s Fight for a Cure, which supports the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  There are many ways to help, including making a donation, attending the Beatles Tribute Concert by Ticket to Ride, or purchasing a raffle ticket to win a brand new Camaro!  And if you don’t feel like sweating all day long or listening to Beatles music, consider staying inside for trivia!  There will be live trivia at the Pour Haus as well as trivia at Beef O’Brady’s.

And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week. Drum roll please…

At first the man didn’t like his haircut, but then it started to grow on him.

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar.  There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today!  Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it– it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE!  And finally, if you have a dumb joke to share, I’m all ears!

Have a great week Dayton!