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With Columbus to the east and Cincinnati to the south, you’d think Ohio's fourth largest city wouldn’t shine so brightly. But “Gem City” has a luster all its own. Travelling through the area? A night out in this town is worth the stop. The friendly and good-looking guys who call this city home know how to party.

Getting here

Dayton International Airport is about 12 miles from downtown. Taxis are the best way to get downtown.

Getting around

Many people choose to see the city by car, as traffic is less of a hassle that in most cities. However, Dayton has a good network of buses and streetcars that make navigating downtown a breeze. See RTA for details.

Neighborhoods

Downtown. The city’s compact gay district is located downtown where North Jefferson intersects 2nd and 3rd streets, a few blocks from the Miami River. Most of the bars and clubs are within this block or nearby. The exception, Argos men's bar, is a bit further out, to the east.

Resources & Media

The Greater Dayton LGBT Center has programs and events to enhance the lives of sexual minorities in Dayton and the Miami Valley - including the Pride Parade and celebrations each June. Their new offices are in the center of the scene, at 24 N. Jefferson St.

The Dayton LGBT Film Festival screens seven features and a program of shorts for three days in October, at Neon Movies (119, E 5th St).

The GayDayton website and the Dayton Gay Life Blog have area LGBT listings and information. The Dayton City Paper is a gay-friendly alternative weekly with news, reviews and events.

For map locations and website links to the businesses below, and more, see our gay Dayton listings pages.

 

Bars & Clubs

Argos (301 Mabel Ave), Friday and Saturday night neighborhood men's levi and leather bar.

Club Evolution (130 N.Patterson Blvd), LGBT bar/nightclub near the ballpark; DJ, dancing, karaoke, talent shows, host divas.

Masque (34 N Jefferson) young, 18-plus enthusiastic crowd arrives from all over the region, talent shows and drag performances, two dance floors, variety of House, R&B, pop, and retro mixes, good sound system. Sexy male dancers on stage and under the showers, drag shows, comedians, circuit DJs.

MJ's Cafe (20 N Jefferson), drag entertainment every Friday and Saturday night, sometimes with guys between shows; Thursday and Sunday karaoke, "Tap That Tuesdays" male strippers, special theme parties.

Right Corner (105 E 3rd), small neighborhood gay bar of many years, older crowd.

The Stage Door (44 N Jefferson), diverse mixed music bar, Sanctuary Saturday dancing, goth/industrial nights, 18+ events, theme parties.

Therapy Cafe (452 E 3rd), LGBT and mixed restaurant and bar, dance floor, Latin Sundays, special shows, hookah lounge.

In Springfield, up I-70 just to the East of Dayton, Diesel Bar & Night Club (1914 Edwards Ave), karaoke, dance and drag show club, attracts a mostly male gay crowd.

 

Shopping

The Second Street Market (600 E 2nd St) is an open stall market located east of the downtown core. Located in an old wearhouse building it offer great locally grown produce, local products and some great antiques.

The Greene, the outdoor shopping mall in Beavercreek, has somethign for everyone. Chain stores as well as upscale shops, sidwalk cafes's, Art gallery's, and movies. There's even a comedy club.

Q Gift Shop closed their store on Main Street.