Dayton Nightlife

The Schuster Center for the Performing Arts is the new gem in the Gem City. Opening in 2003, it replaces the Victoria Theatre as the home for the Dayton Symphony, the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, the Dayton Ballet, and the Dayton Opera. Plus they have other theatre there too!

I just saw a showing of the Abba musical (3 hours of my life I can never get back, thanks to my ex girlfriend.) The musical stank, but the theatre is awesome. Everything is new and glimering. Plus, it is just a relaly nice place to watch a show. It's not like the Met, in New York where you are lucky to even see the stage, or some of those theaters in Times Square where you have that constant smell... you know what I mean... and you have to sit so far back that Nathan Lane actually looks like the skinny guy in the Producers!

It is 2004 and we have Tom Jones (Panty loving 70's pop star), Dave Chappelle (comedian), and Dora the Explorer, live! Oh yeah, there is also the symphony and an Opera called Carmen, but did I tell you about Tom Jones? I did? Oh, that's too bad, because... It's not unusual to be loved by anybody. It's not unusual to be.......

Dress Code: Depends on what is going on. Most nights a suit jaket and tie is the type of thing. Ocassionally there will be black tie, and some of the more affluent folks still like to dress fro the opera.

The other theatre in Dayton has kind of lost its luster due to the opening of the Schuster Center. But, there are still a lot of things going on at the place, and from wht I have been told, there are plans to keep both of them open.

In fact, this weekend (May 14, 2004) it's Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple", staring.... some guys I have never heard of... Oh, here we go. Lord of the dance, that guy is everywhere! I think there must be multiple kingdoms, each with their own lord of the dance. I am soon hoping to get appointed lord of the home for wayward Australian fashion models named Elle. Yeah, I am not holding my breath either.

But seriously, the place still has some cool things to do there, and did I mention that it is haunted?

Dress Code: It's a theatre, a place for fine arts. If you have been there you probably already know how to dress. If not, I'll give you a hint, less than a tux, more than dockers and a sports jacket.

Jokers is my favorite Comedy club in Dayton. I actually worked there from time to time back in the days. It has since changed management is is better than ever. The talent is great, service great, and very friendly. Plus, there is parking and it is in a very safe place. There is a police station no more than a block away. Check out the website for prices, upcoming shows, directions, and menu. And as always, don't forget to tip your waitress....

Dress Code: I think clothing is all that is required, and that has been known to go by the wayside from time to time too.

There are lots of places to go on East 5th Street in downtown Dayton (called the Oregon District), and there is something for everyone. Bars, clubs, restaurants, tattoo parlors, comedy clubs, thrift shops, movie theater, record store, coffee shop, you name it. Not bad for a small city.

From September through May, the Fieldhouse is the bar of choice for the UD population. At least it was for me. Look out, this place can get pretty crowded. Get there early (9ish) to secure a booth for yourself. From June through August when school is out its alot less packed. The crowd doesn't start to pick up until about 10:30 11pm.

Thursday nights at the Fieldhouse are extra special since it is dollar draft night. Pay $4 for your first beer in a stylish pint glass, then keep the glass and refill it for $1 all night. Great for the poor college student. Even better for the returning alumni trying to recapture their youth.

The Fieldhouse specialty is known as the fishbowl. This is a drink, literally in a fishbowl, that is made to serve at least 10 people. DO NOT get cute and try to drink it by yourself or with one other friend. We don't want to clean your puke...and you WILL puke.
Fishbowls come in pink, purple, blue and green I believe. I prefer pink.

Oh, and I think maybe there's a kitchen and they make pizza or something...but it's not like I ever did anything there but drink.

Dress Code: Casual. Don't come here all 'whored' out like you're going to Tim's (located up the street). The bar is for the older, more sophisticated, college drunk.

The Oregon District in downtown Dayton has a strip of bars and dance clubs that are pretty fun on Friday and Saturday nites geared to the 21 year olds mainly if you're into rowdy loud atmospheres that is. There is a nice restaurant and Jazz bar which has an adult atmosphere on this strip with a great saxaphone player. As I remember it's called Palazio or starts with a P if that's helpful. Food and drinks there are pricey and it is hard to get seating so get there early. Also this is an "upscale" club so dress appropriately.

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I arrived for dinner and stayed a little ways into the evening. I watched football and had dinner as the bard warmed up and the bar filled up.

This is a great traditional Irish pub with an open design, great sight lines from the bar to the band, plenty of TVs, and a friendly staff. Stop in for an Irish dinner of bangers and mash or fish and chips and stay for the live music.

The night I was there, I saw a Celtic rock band called "Homeland." While they started warming up around 8pm, they weren't scheduled to start playing until 9pm.

The crowd here is really diverse, and really fun. The live music tends to be very good, with some of Dayton's best local blues acts through on a regular basis, and also good reggae, rock, and bluegrass occassionally. I've heard great things about open mic, but have never been due to my work schedule. Often there are people dancing. The bathrooms are clean and well-stocked, there's a pool table upstairs and darts downstairs, with a patio during the warm months. Also, the food (lunch or early dinner) is good...I've had it twice and wasn't disappointed. Oh yes...and $3 Long Islands on Fridays! Various drink specials throughout the week too.

Dress Code: Dress however you like...there are stairs and an old wood floor though...so don't get stupid with short skirts and ultra-high heels. Asking for trouble!