First Friday - A November to Remember Edition
November is here, and Downtown Dayton is embracing the season with plenty of ways to celebrate, explore, and enjoy everything the city has to offer!
Event details
* this page may be updated if event is repeated in the future *
November First Friday in Dayton
November 6 First Friday
November is here, and Downtown Dayton is embracing the season with plenty of ways to celebrate, explore, and enjoy everything the city has to offer! As the days get shorter and the holiday season approaches, downtown is filled with opportunities to experience local art, live entertainment, seasonal menus, unique shopping, and exciting events. There’s no better way to kick off the month than during First Friday from 5–10 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6. Whether you're looking to discover something new, enjoy a night out with friends, or get a head start on holiday shopping, Downtown Dayton has something for everyone to enjoy this November.
As you explore downtown, remember that the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) is in effect daily from noon until midnight all year-round! Guests 21 years and older are invited to purchase a DORA beverage from a participating business to sip and stroll while taking in all that Downtown Dayton has to offer.
ART, DANCE, MUSIC, AND FILM
The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth St.: Ongoing Exhibitions: "Stacy Kranitz: Ain't No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down" "Ella Kraimer: Appearances" Sep 25, 2026 - Jan 23, 2027. The Contemporary Dayton is proud to present Stacy Kranitz: Ain’t No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down, the culmination of a landmark multi-year project that challenges long-held stereotypes of Appalachia by Pulitzer Prize–winning photographer Stacy Kranitz. Featuring over 40 photographs drawn from historical archives, Kranitz’s own images, historical texts, installations, and an accompanying film, the exhibition examines how Appalachia has been represented—and misrepresented—across generations. Together, these works reveal a region shaped by myth, exploitation, resilience, and the uneasy tension between representation and reality. The Contemporary Dayton is proud to present Ella Kraimer: Appearances, a world-premiere exhibition of large-scale photographs. Kraimer transforms herself into a cast of fictional personas through striking self portraits, using secondhand garments gathered from thrift stores across the country. Layered with irony, humor, and cultural critique, she explores the blurred boundaries between authenticity and performance, memory and invention, self and society.
Toxic Brew Company, 431 E. Fifth St.: Art and Brews: Fresh local art on the walls with new beers and drink specials with plenty of Non-Alcoholic options
Hilton Garden Inn Dayton Downtown, 18 W Third St.: Every Wednesday the Garden Grille and Bar is featuring free live music by a local artist, overlooking the historic Dayton Arcade. Located on the second floor of the Hilton Garden Inn we elevate your Wednesday afternoon. Bring work to happy hour, move your last meeting to our bar or meet some friends for a long overdue get together. Happy Hour 3p-6p and award-winning cocktails and mocktails. (November 4th, 11th and 18th, 2026).
The Brightside, 905 E Third St.: Feelin' Alright! A Celebration of Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs & Englishmen. Step back to 1970 and experience the raw, electrifying energy of Joe Cocker's legendary Mad Dogs & Englishmen Tour brought to life by some of Dayton's finest musicians on Friday, November 6th at The Brightside. Doors 7pm / Show 8pm. Event will conclude at approximately 10:30pm.
DINING AND DRINKS
Dayton Beer Company, 41 Madison St.: Happy Hour runs 3-5 p.m.! Enjoy $1 off all DBC core beers.
Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Ave.: Enjoy Happy Hour specials from 3-6 p.m.!
Lily’s Dayton, 329 E. Fifth St.: Happy Hour at Lily's Dayton, 4:30-6:30!
Mikey’s Late Night Slice, 503 E. First St.: Try the Pizza of the Week: The Meathead! Featuring pepperoni, sausage, and meatballs. Party Hour gets you half off food and drinks from 4-5 p.m., and Happy Hour runs 5-7 p.m. with $3 Wells, $2 off drafts, and $2 off wine. Open until 3 a.m. on Fridays. Whole Pie Carryout from 4PM-8PM carryout a whole pie starting at $25.50!
Oregon Express, 336 E. Fifth St.: Happy Hour 4-7 p.m. with ½ off drafts and apps, $2 off liquor!
Pins Mechanical Co., 416 E. First St.: Happy Hour from 4-7PM, with $2 off draft beers and $4 off specialty cocktails.
Olive Mediterranean Grill, 44 West third St.: The Olive Branch Exchange: Bring a Friend, Eat for Half. Your meal is on us (well, 50% of it is). At Olive Mediterranean Grill, we believe great food is best when shared. That is why we are launching The Olive Branch Stop by our downtown Dayton location with a guest who has never dined with us before. When your first-time guest joins you for a meal (dine-in only) or a pick-up order placed in the restaurant, you will receive 50% off your entire check. To qualify, the new customer must be present with you inside the restaurant at the time of ordering.
Salar Restaurant and Lounge, 400 E. Fifth St., 937-203-3999: Kick off your First Friday with happy hour at Salar from 4-6 p.m. with cocktail specials, $5 house wine pours, $1 off of all beers, and bar bites specials. Enjoy dinner, too, available for dine in or carryout.
Sueño, 607 E. Third St.: Happy hour at the bar runs from 4-6 p.m.!
Table 33 Dayton, 45 W. Fourth St.: Enjoy some late-night pizza! The oven is on and the bar is open 9p-12a on Fridays & Saturdays.
Tender Mercy, 607 E. Third St. (Lower Level), Happy Hour runs from 4-6 p.m. featuring half-off select Signature Cocktails, beer, and wine.
Toxic Brew Co., 431 E. Fifth St.: Art and Brews: Fresh local art on the walls with new beers and drink specials with plenty of Non-Alcoholic options
Troll Pub Dayton, 216 Wayne Ave.: Every Friday at the Troll Pub is part of W.T.F Happy Hours: Wednesday, Thursday & Friday from 4-7 p.m. featuring 1/2 Priced Pints & 1/2 priced apps, and $4 Fireball Shots.
Trolley Stop, 530 E. Fifth St., 937-461-1101: Enjoy Half-off Happy Hour every day 3-7pm! $3 wells and half off select appetizers.
Winans Coffee & Chocolates, 221 N. Patterson Blvd.: Happy Hour from 4 - 7 pm $1 off any glass of wine from our menu. $2 off each glass if you bring a friend!
SPECIAL SHOPPING DEALS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES
After5, 111 E. Third St.: Mention First Friday at checkout to take 20% off of your total purchase!
Corporate, 119 E. Third St.: AUGUST 7TH, 15% OFF IN-STORE + COMMUNITY NIGHT FROM 5PM - 8PM
Gem City Jewelry, 110 North Main Street, Suite 125: Early Holiday Sale! With Christmas approaching fast we will be running specials on everything in the store starting November 1st, with our biggest Sale of the year being on November 28th, Small Business Saturday where we will be having a special trunk sale with everything in the store 20-50% off. Dont miss this day and tell anyone you know who may be looking to get a nice piece of jewelry. We will also be doing giveaways throughout the day with drinks and snacks, and a grand prize to one special winner at the end of the day.
Vidia’s Closet, 27 S. St. Clair St.: When you shop this women’s clothing boutique in the St. Clair Lofts on First Friday, you can take 20% off your entire purchase! Shop in-store and enjoy a complementary glass of wine.
Downtown Dayton Partnership.
