First Friday: October - Falling into October Edition

October 2 First Friday: Falling into October Edition

October First Friday

October is here, and Downtown Dayton is welcoming the changing season with plenty to see, do, and enjoy! With crisp evenings, lively streets, vibrant patios, and exciting events happening throughout the city, there’s no better way to kick off the month than during First Friday from 5–10 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4. October is filled with opportunities to enjoy the start of fall and the new spooky season, from seasonal drinks and delicious menus to live music, local art, unique shopping, outdoor entertainment, and countless ways to experience all that’s happening in the heart of downtown.

ART, DANCE, MUSIC, AND FILM

• The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth St.: Ongoing Exhibitions Sep 25, 2026 - Jan 25, 2027 The Contemporary Dayton is proud to announce our two upcoming exhibitions, "Stacy Kranitz: Ain't No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down" and "Ella Kraimer: Appearances," that are part of the 2026 FotoFocus Biennial: The Long View. Now in its eighth iteration, the Biennial activates over 70 exhibitions at museums, galleries, universities, and public spaces throughout Greater Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, and Northern Kentucky. Stacy Kranitz: Ain’t No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down presents the culmination of Kranitz’s landmark, multi-year photographic project challenging long-held stereotypes of Appalachia and how that region and its people have been represented--and misrepresented--across generations. Through her immersive photographs, Kranitz considers how ideas about place, identity, and culture are constructed and perpetuated. Also included in the exhibition is a world-premiere film, produced by FilmDayton. Ella Kraimer: Appearances is a world-premiere exhibition of large-scale photographs in which Kraimer transforms herself into a cast of fictional personas using secondhand clothing, costume, collage, and assemblage. Playful and provocative, the work explores identity, performance, and the ways image culture shapes how we see ourselves and one another. Both exhibitions will be on view at The Contemporary Dayton from September 25, 2026, through January 23, 2027, with opening receptions for both exhibitions on Friday, September 25, from 6–8 p.m.
• Dana L. Wiley Gallery, 1001 E. 2nd St., Suite 2405: Join us Friday, October 2 at 7 PM for an evening celebrating the work of artist Elizabeth Mead and her exhibition, Of and Between Objects and Things. Mead invites us to look again—at the familiar, the historical, and the spaces that exist between what we recognize and what remains elusive. Through photography and sculpture, she reimagines iconic nineteenth-century works, including Hiram Powers’ The Greek Slave and Richard James Wyatt’s Nymph Entering the Bath. Her work creates a dialogue between past and present, object and image, fragment and whole. What begins as an examination of sculpture becomes an exploration of perception—asking us to consider how context, perspective, and the passage of time shape the way we see. Come experience the exhibition, meet fellow art enthusiasts, and spend an evening in conversation, discovery, and inspiration.
• The NEON, 130 E. Fifth St.: Friday Happy Hour Patio Party - with guest hosts Amelia Robinson & Anthony Shoemaker.
• 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

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.: Join us between 2 and 5 PM all October for 20 percent off your bill. Celebrate our 11th anniversary at Olive Mediterranean Grill, special deals, made from-scratch Mediterranean favorites, and a thank you to our Dayton community!
• 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.!
• 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

• Dayton Arcade, 31 S. Main St. Suite 379: Join us for October First Friday at the Arcade! The Dayton Arcade’s historic Concourse will be open on Friday, October 2 from 5–8 PM. Stop by and experience the heart of the Arcade as part of downtown’s First Friday festivities! Shop our Arcade tenants! The Contemporary Dayton, the Garden Grille & Bar, John Landsiedel Art Popup, Luke’s Grab & Go, Lucho, Maria’s at the Market, Pink Moon Goods, Too, Road Runner Espresso Bar, Smales Pretzel Bakery, Table 33, Willow Rust, 6888 Kitchen Visit our popup vendors – full list coming soon! Enjoy live music from Andy Rush in the Concourse from 5-7 PM. Concourse doors will be open 5–8 PM. Come explore, grab a DORA drink, shop local, and kick off your weekend at the Arcade!
• After5, 111 E. Third St.: Enjoy 20% off of everything in the store. Complimentary wine and small cocktails. Music & great vibes. Need an event space? Come out on First Fridays and recieve 10% off coupon for event bookings (must be in person) When you make an in store purchase on First Fridays you receive a card to redeem a complimentary cocktail at The Reserve on Third or a coupon for half off their famous wings or flatbread.
• 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: Birthstone Sale and gold buying events. All September! All Sapphire jewelry is on sale the entire month to celebrate this awesome gemstone. And every day is a precious metal (Gold, Platinum, Silver), buying event where we pay top dollar for your broken and unused jewelry! If you have a loved one with a September birthday, check us out for amazing gifts.
• 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.

Links & Tags

Downtown Dayton Partnership.

Downtown Dayton Partnership - A nonprofit organization that includes information about working, living and having fun in downtown Dayton.