Won’t You Be Our Neighbor? … Again?

Downtown Housing Tour takes place 1-5 p.m. Saturday, May 7.

Downtown Housing Tour takes place 1-5 p.m. Saturday, May 7.

It’s the start of the downtown event season! This week includes the kickoff for The Square Is Where as well as First Friday and the first in the DP&L Summer in the City signature series. In preparation for the May 7 Downtown Housing Tour, the Downtown Dayton Partnership is pleased to present two more resident profiles. The “typical” downtown resident is anything but — with ages spanning from young professionals to families to empty nesters, people are turning to downtown living not as a rite of passage but as a lifestyle choice. Residents choose urban living for its density and proximity of amenities, entertainment, and vibrant scene. Here are the profiles of two types of downtown residents, one at the beginning of his career, and a couple heading into their golden years. One rents an apartment in the bustling Oregon District, and the other is one of the first buyers of the new Monument Walk high-end townhomes nestled next to downtown’s performing arts district. You can see both locations on the free housing tour on May 7. Download the map and brochure online, or pick up a copy at participating tour locations and downtown businesses.

“There Comes a Time,” by Burt (and Alice) Saidel

Alice and I are Daytonians. We love Dayton and have made a great life raising our children, contributing professionally and civically, and relishing the rich arts life that surrounds us.

Burt and Alice SaidelI am a Dayton native. I left after graduating Fairview High School to attend Haverford College, graduate school at Western Reserve University, and military service in the Air Force in Turkey and Italy. I returned to practice dentistry for 50 years, much of that as a partner with my father, Dr. Jack Saidel. That was always my intention and I have fulfilled it happily.

Along the way, I met my beautiful wife as a Smith College co-ed and convinced her to marry me. We did just that in Athens, Greece. After Turkey, we spent an idyllic year in northern Italy. These experiences have carried us since those halcyon days.

We designed and built our home on Nottingham Road in Oakwood. It is, to us and to many, a truly beautiful creation. We embodied much of the architectural beauty we loved in Europe and our French country-style home has been an inspiration to us.

MonumentWalk_Elevation_RevNow, we have entered the age when down-sizing is becoming a cogent decision. Both of us have dealt with the concept of a smaller residence. We realized that Dayton’s arts are the center of our life’s activities. This made downtown Dayton a major choice for us. Our move downtown puts us at the epicenter of the arts, music, dining and friends.

We had requirements to match our new lifestyle. I am a major woodworker contributing many works of my art as donations to synagogues, churches, schools, symphony orchestras. I need a workroom, a wood shop.

Monument Walk sitting roomWe also need space for our relatives and children. We regularly fill our big home with their presence for family events. We also host many artists performing here for the opera, Vanguard concerts, etc.  We knew a two- or even three-bedroom apartment would be too confining. Many visits to condominium-type dwellings yielded nothing that came close to our needs. We came upon an interesting concept, vertical rather than horizontal, that was advanced by Charles Simms in his design for Monument Walk.

The multi-floor aspect made a workroom, adjacent to the garage, an answer to the work space. Some rooms are possibly multi-purpose for visiting sleep-over guests. An elevator, planning for our inevitable infirmities of age, answered another forecasted need.

Monument Walk kitchenWe know the Simms family well. Charlie, as the younger member, and his father Charles are experienced builders and good friends. And we know with Ann Simms looking over their shoulders, everything will be perfect.

Many of our friends now living downtown have rushed to greet and pre-welcome us. All are enthusiastic about the joys of central urban living. More amenities are needed and will be coming downtown. More fine dining options are a definite addition.

We hope we both live longer, love-filled and healthy lives in the core of our beloved city. Come and see us — but not for a while yet!

 

 

 

Making the Most of Live-Work-Play: Jon White

Jon WhiteCincinnati native Jon White wasn’t happy stuck behind the wheel of his car. When the 31-year-old landed a job in Dayton, he initially tried to commute from his new job in Dayton back to his home in Cincinnati. But spending hours on the road took its toll on Jon, and he decided to find a new home that offered more freedom and flexibility. “I didn’t feel healthy commuting like that every day. I wanted to live close to work and close to entertainment,” Jon said. The location at Dayton Towers apartment complex Access to entertainmentchecked off Jon’s requirements for proximity for 9-to-5 and 5-to-9 activities. “I bike to work just about every day,” he said. “and I still have easy access to the highway if I need to travel somewhere, and it’s a quick trip to access the bike trails for recreation.”

Jon said he doesn’t miss yard work and home maintenance his Cincinnati residence required. The city planner for the City of Dayton also enjoys a more sustainable, eco-friendly way of life. “I have about a mile-radius carbon footprint,” Jon said. “I bike to work, I walk to bars and restaurants, my grocery store is just a mile away; you could live downtown without owning a car. I’ll go for a while without getting in my car. I fill my gas tank maybe once a month. It’s a simpler lifestyle for sure.”

Jon said one of the initial surprises he experienced upon his move to Dayton Towers and the downtown environment was the volume and diversity of people he met, both in his own apartment complex and his new downtown neighborhood. “It’s a change of pace if you’re used to a suburban environment where you drive everywhere, pull into your garage, and call it a night,” he said. “Here where the IMG_0739-HDRpopulation is more dense, you’ll see more people, and when you walk or bike instead of drive, you have more interactions.” Within his own apartment building, Jon said he has met a wide range of ages and backgrounds of people who choose the convenience and excitement of downtown living. “There are families with kids, senior citizens, University of Dayton and Sinclair College students, young professionals like myself — people from all walks of life live here,” he said. “There’s a real sense of community.”

Link bikes provide transportationMingling with other Dayton Towers residents is how Jon met his group of friends, who enjoy Dayton Towers’ proximity to Oregon District businesses as well as theaters, art galleries, recreational activities, and other amenities within easy walking or leisurely bike riding distance. Of course hanging out on the patio or balconies is a popular choice with the amazing city views. Regardless of how he now spends his additional free time as a downtown resident, Jon said he’s happy with his choice to ditch the commute and dive into the live-work-play environment his downtown address provides. “It’s a lifestyle I prefer to have.”

Help us Pick a Fight with Cancer!

Even pacifists agree that cancer needs its butt kicked. More and more people realize how cancer affects family members, friends, co-workers etc. It’s hard to find someone that cancer hasn’t touched in one way or another. So we are asking you to help us Pick a Fight with Cancer.

This Thursday, May 5th at the Engineers Club of Dayton, Mike Nichols will be hosting the Pick a Fight with Cancer Wine tasting from 6 – 9 pm. 1695573135-wine-tasting

This great event is to celebrate those who have survived cancer, those angels cheering on from heaven and to support the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.

Mike Nichols states: “Wine tasting event honoring the FIGHTERS. What better venue to lead the charge to support blood cancer research than the historic Engineers Club of Dayton. This historic venue was founded by innovators such as Edward Deeds and Charles Kettering whose inventions changed our world. We ask you to join us for an evening of hope to help render this disease powerless.  With every sunrise there is hope and a world of possibilities.”

Along with food and delicious wines to sample, craft beer will also join the party. Giveaways and auction items will attend as well to help round out this wonderful soirée. Dr. James Budde from the Rahn Dental Group has provided a zoom whitening gift for one of our attendees. Square One Salon has graciously donated an Aveda Gift basket, Elsa’s South will provide several treats, dance lessons from Arthur Murray, skin creams from Tel Aviv, Israel and gifts from Rodin and Fields have been donated as well.

Boxing-Fisticuffs-Kensington-Park-Toronto-01Tickets are available at this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pick-a-fight-with-cancer-tickets-22797351492 or if you would rather pay at the door, tickets are $30 for one person or $50 for couple (couple meaning significant other, family member or bring a friend!)

 

So come out, join us and the FIGHTERS as we celebrate their triumphs and lend our support in picking a fight with cancer!

Grover Plays Free Show at Trolley Stop

Screen Shot 2016-04-26 at 7.32.21 PMInsider tip! There is a FREE show at Trolley Stop this Friday April 29th, 2016 with two incredible bands, Grover and Common Center. Plus that fabulous patio? It’s a no brainer for Friday night fun!

On the fringes of the jam band scene, local rock quartet Grover, blend funk, soul, and jazz, in a down and dirty rock band that comes across unpolished and “garage” as much as they do highly-skilled, almost veteran.

Common Center is a group of individuals from Covington, Kentucky that gather to form a collection of sonic exploration. Their all-original material arises from a vast array of influences morphing together to create a unique sound previously unheard, but longed for, by the ear. They combine powerfully upbeat as well as tranquil themes with mystic, other-world intertwining melodic elements from instrumental and vocal harmonies.

Enjoy a beautiful evening with some of the region’s funkiest talent!

Performance Schedule: 
Common Center – 9:30pm
Grover 11:30pm

Grover performs free at the Trolley Stop (Photo by Dayton Music Connection)

Grover performs free at the Trolley Stop (Photo by Dayton Music Connection)

Dive Bar Tuesday – Diplomat Lounge

Welcome to the Diplomat Lounge!

Welcome to the Diplomat Lounge!

After an extended hiatus, we are back! Of course, that is one of the best things about any good dive bar you go to. Any bar, really. They become more than a place to just get a drink after work; you get to know the bartenders. You start to discover that other patrons are from a town near yours, or enjoy Game of Thrones as much as you do, or weep quietly every Sunday after a Browns loss. Whether you go to the best wine bar in town or a venue where their craft beer is Budweiser Lime-A-Rita, you are going for more than the product they are offering. You are going for the comfortable feeling it provides. Of all the bars my friends and I have gone to so far, the Diplomat Lounge has felt the most comfortable.

The Diplomat Lounge (2766 Wilmington Pike, Kettering, OH., 45419) was located a little further down the road on Smithville Rd., just past where it splits from Wilmington Pike. There was some major construction in the mall area they were located, changing an old Kroger and the surrounding stores into a small neighborhood. The Diplomat moved down the street and has been there since. Where many of the other bars we have gone to were more focused on pool, this is a place where darts appear to be king. They offer BYOP dart tournaments once a month on the second Saturday of the month (the next one will be May 14, 2016), and Luck of the Draw tournaments on Sunday nights. Have no fear, pool players. There are a couple of tables for you in the back half of the bar. But there are darts on both sides.

Diplomat Lounge Pool Tables

Back room pool tables, and the doorway to the “secret patio”.

When I say both sides, the bar cuts the space in half. If you are not familiar with the space, you may think that it is a little small, until you realize there is this great space on the other side of the bar as well. This is where the pool tables are, and it is a slightly darker, more intimate space. You are tucked away from the storefront windows and people coming in and out of the bar. Service was on both sides, which would be great on a busy Friday or Saturday night when you are trying to get a beverage while tossing darts or warming up your pipes for karaoke. The weekends may have all the action, but there are liquor and beer specials all week. Every night there is a liquor with a little discount and a beer that is just a dollar. My personal choices are fifty cents of tequila on Tuesday and $2 cans on Monday. Feel free to drop in and check out their other daily specials.

If you are looking for a menu, this is not the place. They do have a menu for their specials on their Facebook page, but that is the one menu we found. Their food options are limited to pizzas and chips (perfect fuel for long nights of drinking), but there are plenty of other food options nearby if you want to eat before you show up or stop somewhere after you leave. There was not a cocktail menu to be seen, and if you ask the bartender they will share the beer list with you. It offers little in the way of craft beers or cocktails, but it that really why you are going here? No, no it is not.

Diplomat Lounge Liquors

They have a few bottles for you to choose from…

Two things to note when you plan on making the trip to the Diplomat. The first is that motorcycle riders are welcome here. If you have been looking for a place to stop with your bike on a ride around town, we have found another place for you. Though you most likely knew it already. It is about three miles from 675 or 35, just a hop, skip, and jump. The other thing to note is that once you have discovered the back room, keep going because there is a patio! It is a great enclosed space that has a cozy feel to it, the outside world being held at bay by a wooden fence. One other thing I have found in every bar we have gone to is that each has a little surprise inside.

The Diplomat Lounge is a great place to hang out for a few hours, enjoy a few drinks on a quiet patio, and leave the world behind. If you are so inclined, they are creating summer dart leagues right now! What are you doing Tuesday nights that is more important? And who knows, maybe this is the comfortable after work spot you have been seeking. You know there will be some dart fans or motorcycle riders there to meet.

The Diplomat Lounge is located at 2766 Wilmington Pike, Dayton, OH 45419. They are open 1 PM to 2:30 AM Monday through Friday, and 12 PM to 2:30 AM Saturday and Sunday. You can visit their Facebook page for more information, or call (937) 293-2508.

The Music Power Conference

The Dayton music community is coming together in a way that we’ve never seen before. Local music experts are volunteering their time and knowledge to benefit musicians and bands in the area through the first ever Music Power Conference, being held this May. The sole purpose of this conference is to bring all those together, who are contributors to the music scene (artists, venues, media, agents, producers, etc.), and to work on a common goal: “To enhance the visibility for artists with higher venue attendance, and to facilitate a process of reaching the consumer in a proven strategic marketing effort and not in a hopeful manner.”

This one day, all-day event is absolutely packed with music business keynotes, panels, clinics, workshops, and one-on-one mentoring. Attendees with have the tremendous opportunity to learn new ways of approaching audience development, and overall become more successful in the music industry, both locally and at large. For local musicians, this is a “don’t miss” event!

Speakers and sessions include:

Music Power Conference May 9, 2016

The Music Power Conference is being held in Centerville on May 9, 2016

  • Tim Ramanofsky, Grammy Nominated Producer and Founder of T-Bone Record (conference speaker)
  • Sean O’Mealy, GM of WNKU Radio (will discuss the power of listener supported radio for local artists)
  • Eron Bucciarelli-Tieger, musician (will discuss fairness in music licenses for artists and venues)
  • Neilson Hixson, owner of Oddbody’s Music Room (discuss the art of venue promotion and booking)
  • Janey Schreyer, attorney (will discuss legal issues for artists and venues)
  • Jayne Sachs, local Singer/Songwriter (will discussTV & Film Placement for artists)
  • Libby Ballengee, Dayton music journalist and promoter (will discuss tips for getting people to your show from the ultimate fan)
  • Mike Hiles, Social Media Strategist
  • And more!!

How to go?

Monday, May 9th – 2016
8:00 am to 6:00pm

St. Leonard
8100 Clyo Road
Centerville, Ohio 45458

Cost for full day with lunch: $75 pre-registration rate

For the full conference schedule, click here: http://themusicpower.com/2015/12/08/2016-conference-schedule/

To register for this event, click here: http://themusicpower.com/2016-conference-registration/

Organizer, Manfred Schreyer from Taffy’s of Eaton, describes why YOU should attend!

Subterranean’s Regional Revue is best bet for weekend entertainment!

Springtime is coming and Subterranean is preparing an incredible night of pure shenanigans to rupture your mind & thaw out your soul. Subterranean’s Regional Revue is going to be one of epic proportions. This indoor festival features a unique lineup of hidden gems of amazing talent tucked throughout the region!
12658012_462483603961695_3586584671320778117_o
You won’t find another event that provides a cast of characters as distinct and special as this one. SubT’s Regional Revue showcases explosive & funky Cincinnati natives, The Almighty Get Down, the young & vibrant Electric Orange Peel out of Columbus, and Michigan-based movers and shakers, That Freak Quincy, Cincinnati’s jammy Peridoni, and new local Dayton Band The Willy Clark Band. If that wasn’t enough to entice you, the Heavyweight Champ of the saxophone, Ron Holloway, will be featured as the artist at large to accelerate and amplify the musicianship, fun, and excitement.Live Painters, food from Brick Haus BBQ, and various Dry Good vendors round out this incredible night so make sure you are there!


When? Saturday April 16th. Doors 4pm. Show 5pm – 2am
Where? Oddbody’s Music Room
$10 pre-sales $15 DOS. Get tickets: http://ticketf.ly/1QC7nr0

Schedule: Doors 4PM
5:00PM-6:00PM The Willy Clark Band
6:15PM-7:15PM That Freak Quincy
7:30PM-8:30PM Electric Orange Peel
8:30PM-9:00PM INTERMISSION (Cake and more!)
9:00PM-10:15 PM Peridoni
10:30-12:15AM Subterranean w/ Ron Holloway
12:30AM-2AM The Almighty Get Down
 

The Boxcar Suite Celebrates New Life on the Limb EP

12779290_788187994614930_900709669285513899_oOne of the city’s most beloved local rock bands, The Boxcar Suite are celebrating the release of their newest EP, Life on the Limb, by throwing a huge April Fool’s Day Party with their friends the Nick Frye Band. Join in on the revelry Friday April 1st at The Trolley Stop. Show starts at 9pm.

If you’re not familiar with The Boxcar Suite – it’s long overdue that you get familiar with them! They are likened to Tom Petty, Neil Young, but definitely that Dayton rock’n’roll edge. To get a taste of their newest music, check out their Room Full of Cowards video below.

You can also check out and even snag your own digital copy of the EP on the band’s music site here. And certainly if you get a chance, the best way to experience this band is live!

How to Go: Friday April 1st. Trolley Stop. 9pm. $5 cover.

 

Take a fresh look at ‘Bridges of Madison County’

The simplistic set design keeps the attention on the actors.

The simplistic set adaptation keeps the attention on the actors.

Megan Cooper

Megan Cooper

In yet another remarkable instance of Dayton’s big-city-small-town dynamic, we witness the wealth of arts found in large metros that’s still accessible for all potential audiences. Now through March 20, the touring cast of The Bridges of Madison County will be performing at the Schuster Center in Dayton as its makes its limited run around the country. Dayton is fortunate to land one of these few performances, and tickets start at just $25.

Val Beerbower

Val Beerbower

Those who are familiar with the story of Bridges will find the musical closely follows, but takes some creative departures. Here with their reflections and comparisons are Megan Cooper and Val Beerbower, cultural arts enthusiasts.

VB: This adaptation from book to musical bypasses some of the conventions used to adapt the book to the 1995 film starring Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood. The musical pulled out story lines from other characters, including the neighbors, who offer a little comedic relief. We also get to know lead female character Francesca’s family better through the musical, which gives the story more depth.

Other characters' storylines are more prominent in this musical adaptation.

Other characters’ storylines are more prominent in this musical adaptation.

MC: Reviews of the film are lopsided because people loved the acting and the actors but weren’t wild about the script. Fortunately, the musical avoids this fate because they introduced these additional storylines. Additionally, the musical provides a little extra closure between the characters you don’t get in the film. One could argue that if you didn’t care for the film, you should see the musical, thanks to these adaptations.

VB: The musical styles selected by the composer (Jason Robert Brown, The Last Five Years, Parade, Songs for a New World) reflect another kind of adaptation. Italian-born Francesca is somewhat of a misfit as a housewife on an Iowa farm, and her solos are sweeping arias that are more opera than musical. It’s an interesting way to juxtapose a character using the songs themselves as the medium.

Bridges of Madison County the musical is in Dayton through March 20 on its limited US tour.

Bridges of Madison County the musical is in Dayton through March 20 on its limited US tour.

MC: Agreed, the music was phenomenal. You might not catch yourself humming the tunes the next day, but they are very well composed and do a great job of conveying the story. The music moves the plot along rather than create a distraction. Likewise, the set design was very simplistic and not distracting. The set cleverly employed the actors to move the staging around, and the actors’ movements coupled with strategic lighting cued you into whether they were an active part of the scene or simply adding background.

VB: It was unusual that in the musical – a story about a photographer shooting covered bridges – you didn’t really see a single physical bridge in the play. But it worked because your focus was on the actors.

MC: Don’t worry, there are still plenty of covered bridges to see in the Schuster’s gallery spaces. The current display, “The Bridges of the Miami Valley,” presented by the Visual Art Center of Preble County, showcases an array of paintings, sculptures, and other locally produced works of art depicting the Dayton region’s covered bridges.

The Bridges of the Miami Valley is the current visual arts display in the Schuster Center.

The Bridges of the Miami Valley is the current visual arts display in the Schuster Center.

The Visual Art Center of Preble County put together this gallery featuring local artists depicting famous covered bridges in the region.

The Visual Art Center of Preble County put together this gallery featuring local artists depicting famous covered bridges in the region.

Dive Bar Tuesday: McGillicutty’s Pub

Entrance to McGillicutty's Pub

Welcome to McGillicutty’s!

When the biggest bar holiday of the year comes knocking, you sit down with your team and have a serious conversation about the bar where you are going to celebrate. A lively discussion commenced and the finalists were chosen. The finalists all had certain merits in the dive bar designation. The Final Four bars we decided on were Flannigan’s Pub, Harrigan’s Tavern, Mack’s Tavern, and McGillicutty’s Pub. We look forward to visiting all of them in good time, but the one we went for this week just ahead of St. Patrick’s Day was McGillicutty’s Pub. It has been a staple in the community for over twenty-two years, and ready to go for a celebration of all things Irish.

What struck me first about McGillicutty’s Pub (1980 E Whipp Rd, Dayton, OH 45440) was their lack of pool tables. It is officially the first dive bar we went to that did not have one. But they did have one of the biggest virtual golf games I have seen, and plenty of electronic dart boards to spend some time with. There are plenty of televisions as well, perfect for coming in over the weekend and watching your bracket either slowly rise to the top or crumble into a thousand pieces as the Cinderella teams start to emerge. It is off the beaten path enough you should be able to find a seat with your twenty-two ounce beer without a problem.

Carolina BBQ Hot Damn Wings at McGillicuttys

So. Good.

The food menu is extensive. There is something for everyone, and it is all made to order in the kitchen. There is a wide variety of specialty pizzas, small appetizers, sandwiches, and wings. We did not get a chance to sample everything, but we know some people who did. The pizza was delightful, but I do not want to take anything away from the wings. The wings were delicious. The award winning Carolina BBQ Hot Damn Sauce was amazing. On Monday nights, the wings are $0.50 each, and we could not get enough of them. They were good enough to get one of our party that will not eat meat off the bone to dissect a wing so she could enjoy it. The sauce is on the spicy side, but not so spicy they will make you miserable. Even if they were, there is enough to drink to cool off your mouth.

The beer and cocktail menu…well, does not really exist. The beers they have on tap lean as far as this bar goes to the craft side of the spectrum: Blue Moon, Fat Tire, and some seasonals. They also have some classics on tap like Yuengling, which they were offering for $3.50 for thirty-four ounces on Mondays. They have tried offering more craft beers, but as we found out from our server and co-owner, the regulars like to stick to the basics. They have quite a few bottle offerings as well, including twenty-two ounce bottles of Bud Light for Sundays. Cocktails are more bespoke than anything else. They have their own unique specials, including a punch that sounds like a throwback to punches of yore: a variety of rums and available fruit juices, served so the whole table can enjoy such delights at a fair price. If you are there on Sunday, ask for their award winning Bloody Mary to get you through the morning.

Mug of beer at McGillicutty's

Just getting started…

Is this an Irish pub that will be doing Kegs and Eggs? No. If you really want one you can start off your day there on Thursday (10 A.M.) with an Irish Breakfast. Then you will be ready for green beer and specials on some of their more Irish fare. The Reuben sandwich and pizza will be discounted, and there will be an Irish stew added as a special for the day. The staff will also be working hard on their specialty cocktails like the Shamrock and Lucky Charm for those that may need to switch it up from beer for a drink or two. It will be busy on Thursday, and with some luck, their large patio will be available for all the revelers clad in green.

McGillicutty’s Pub is decked out in green and ready for St. Patrick’s Day, but it is a place to come and enjoy some camaraderie any time of the year. Everyone we spoke with was very friendly and willing to answer any question. Their Facebook page is the place to go to find all of their specials and to keep up with the events going on at the pub, like their drop in dart leagues (Saturday night) and karaoke (Sunday night). And if you are looking for a challenge, there is a record for drinking their thirty-four ounce mugs. One bold patron was able to consume eighteen in a day, with help from a friend to get him home after the feat was accomplished. While we will definitely be back for the wings and the light atmosphere, we will leave that record for someone else to break. Sláinte!

Dive Bar Tuesday: Time Out Cavern

 

Time Out Cavern Stairs

Descending into the very familiar.

There are many criteria on which you can judge a bar. Some people look for a certain selection of liquor, focusing on bourbon or wine or craft beer. Others go because of loyalty; your friend owns it, or bartends there, or they support a certain team you like. There is something to be said for the talent that they have hired. Finding the lady who makes your Manhattan with just the right amount of sweetness, or the gentleman who has a glass of wine poured and waiting for you at your favorite seat, is worth its weight in Pappy Van Winkle. All of these things are lovely, but the real deal is when a bar becomes as comfortable as a well worn sweater. Whether it is a high end bar where you can get a pour of that Pappy or a place where “Pappy” is the nickname of the guy that is ALWAYS sitting at the end of the bar, getting to that point where everyone knows who you are makes the best watering hole. Walking down the stairs into the Time Out Cavern (5543 Far Hills Ave, Dayton, OH 45429), every step feels a little more like home.

Yes, you are walking down, like you are going into someone’s basement. The mirrors and metal signs on the wall span the gamut of styles, from old Apsen Edge (the Coors answer to Bud Platinum or Miller 64) to modern Stella Artois images. At the bottom of the staircase you turn to your right and you would swear you were in your friend’s kick ass basement. There are two pool tables (used for tournaments on Wednesday and are FREE to use on Sunday), two dart boards, a nice long bar, a jukebox filled with excellent tunes, and enough mirrors and beer signs on the walls to explore for majority of your stay. There is definitely a rich atmosphere that throws back to a simpler time in the American bar scene. If you are paying enough attention, you will notice that many of them revolve around the Kentucky Derby.

The owner, John “The Man” Seaman is a lover of horse racing. If you stop by while he is there, you may catch a race on one of the many televisions around the bar. He is such a lover of the sport that every year Time Out Cavern throws one of the best, if not best known, watching parties in the city. They ship in bottles of the official bourbon to serve in the official glasses of the derby that year (which they bring by the case). Of course there is the popular Mint Julep as the star of the night, but they mix up a few house specialties as well. They have a raffle where you can win one of those official bottles, as well as swag from Kentucky Derby’s past. Fancy hats are a must, but there is a low ceiling and not much lighting, so not too fancy.

Time Our Cavern Pool Tables

Welcome to the Cavern! Make yourself at home.

Their beer selection is typical to what you would find in a proper dive bar with a few exceptions like Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Samuel Adams Winter Lager. You can settle down with a Rolling Rock as well, or 22s of Budweiser or Heineken. The cocktail specialties they have are not limited to the Kentucky Derby; while they do not keep an up to date menu for them, they do have a secret menu you can ask for. I am going to go on a limb and say it is one of the few bars of its kind where you will find a Brandy Alexander on the menu. You can also find their signature shot, the Time Out, a combination of raspberry and orange vodka, orange juice, and a splash of sour and grenadine. While they have a good variety of flavored vodkas, whiskeys, and other liquors, their favorites seem to be Jameson and Patron. I am going to go even further out on that limb from earlier and say it is the only dive bar we will cover that you can get a Bénédictine and Brandy, also known as a B and B. It is one of John’s favorite drinks, and definitely a rarity to find.

One thing that really struck me was Bubba’s Corner. It is a baby bar within the bar. On a busy Friday or Saturday night, I could see it being used as a second stop for a beer or a shot of bourbon. It is a shrine than John keeps to an old friend of his who used to like watching the Derby with him. That would be Bubba’s spot in the bar to watch it. When he passed away, the spot was kept for him to keep watching the majestic horse race. In that area there is also a plaque with a dedication to Cpl. Richard Gilbert Jr., a Marine who gave his life in service of his country. He was a regular there, and it is a touching tribute to the sacrifice he and his fellow Marines and sailors made. They have a loyal base of regulars, and that is a sign of a great place to get a drink.

Descending into the Time Out Cavern takes you back. And it sucks you in. Why go back up into the world when there are good beers and plenty of drinks? Well, maybe if you are hungry. They do not serve food there. Plus it is a Browns bar, and we all know how friendly those fans are (Speaking as a life-long Browns fan). Talking to one of the bartenders, I learned that the main entrance near Meadowlark is where the new customers enter; regulars usually park in the back and use the back entrance. Enter where you want, just as long as you enter. A good time will be had by all.

Time Out Cavern is open 2:30 PM to 2:30 AM, Monday through Saturday and 7:30 PM to 2:30 AM on Sunday.