Michigan Friendly Bars in Dayton

Submitted by Avon Barksdale on

I wanted to get this post out of the way during the offseason. I looked through past threads and could not find anything about Michigan fans in the Miami Valley. I am relocating to Dayton in August and occasionally like to venture out for football and basketball games.

Does anyone on the board have any insight on the best places to watch Michigan games in Dayton or its suburbs. I'm sure it's never smart to go watch a game in Ohio if Ohio State is playing at the same time, but I was just wondering if there is any type of U-M presence in the area or a meeting spot for fans on a regular basis?

Snorf1007

May 26th, 2015 at 4:03 PM ^

Where in the Miami Valley are you moving to? I've been in Dayton my whole life. You are correct that Ohio fans are running rampant, screaming two letters at each other, and smashing PBR cans on their foreheads. Football Saturday's start at 6AM at my place. You're welcome to join us.

harperic

May 26th, 2015 at 7:27 PM ^

Pretty great place IMO. If you get homesick for Rick's, try Tim's (don't). Milano's is a great place for subs and beer, but definitely will be a hot bed for OSU fans on gameday.

The fieldhouse is a dive and I doubt is packed with OSU fans on gameday, so you could try that. I definitely put in my fair share of time there a few years back.

As for Michigan friendly bars, you could try the local BW3's as they at least have a lot of games on, but you're probably going to be out of luck. Dayton swings pretty heavily toward OSU, but you should be able to find a few Go Blues! when you are on campus/around town.

Dayton area things you have to check out: you have to go down to Centerville and get some Bill's donuts, you will not be disappointed. The Oregon district is fantastic, great bars (try Dublin Pub). And the local microbrew scene is really picking up steam, Dayton Beer Co., Warped Wing, Toxic Brewing are all great. It's not as mature as the Michigan scene but it's very good.

GoBlueCincy

May 26th, 2015 at 4:08 PM ^

But I know in Cincy there isn't anywhere that I would consider "friendly." Since I was born and raised in Cincy, I went to school with all OSU fans. The easiest way to find a "friendly" place is go to bars during the summer to watch baseball games and what not, and slowly meet everyone. Then drop the "I'm a Michigan fan" on them and watch them quickly turn from friends to foes.

Yes a lot of OSU fans are crazy homers, but not all of them. I have lots of friends who crack jokes at me when I wear my Michigan gear, but at the same time we are able to hang out at bars during Michigan games and give each other a hard time.

By the way, be prepared for a lot of "Harbaugh won't beat Urban" and "scUM" talk. My Uncle is a MSU grad, and since moving to Dayton he doesn't hate Michigan nearly as much as OSU.

jreid85

May 26th, 2015 at 4:13 PM ^

I normally go to BDUBS in Beavercreek and there is always some fans there. I've been here 6 years and haven't found much in ways of friendly bars

Voodlezang

May 26th, 2015 at 4:38 PM ^

I spent most of my football Saturdays at the Bdubs in Beavercreek from 2007-2012, before I moved to DC at the end of 2012. Only once was I hassled by Buckeye fans, which was at the end of The Game in 2011, but my drunk friend was part of the problem. Beyond that though, it was fine. I miss going to that one, I loved that place, the environment is fun.

death by wolverine

May 26th, 2015 at 4:21 PM ^

Do not venture out on game days. I repeat do not venture out. Bunker down at home. Only time to go out ( which is rare) is when OSU loses and Michigan wins. Then it's actually really fun.

BigWoody04

May 26th, 2015 at 4:25 PM ^

Hey man I have a 24/7 account and have been lurking Mgoblog for as long as I can remember, but your post made me finally decide to create an account. I live in Dayton and I normally watch at my house, but one of the best game experiences I have ever had was at Frickers on 725 in Centerville.

It was during the Michigan Kansas tourny game in the sweet 16 a couple years ago. You know the game. I was with some OSU buddies watching the game intensily with the rest of the bar (The Michigan game seemed to be on almost every TV, and there are a ton of TVs). When Trey Burke hit that shot to tie it, I shit you not the entire place erupted like we were in Ann Arbor watching the game with hundreds of UM's biggest fans. I have never seen anything like it. The rest of the game the entire bar was going crazy every time UM hit a shot. After the game, when UM was victorious, Frickers literally started playing the Michigan fight song over the speakers. I was going insane. My friends were a little mad about it saying "Arent we in Fu#king Ohio??" but even they couldnt help to smile when saying it. The atmosphere was that great. Sorry for the novel, thought it would be a good time to share that story.

MartyinDayton

May 26th, 2015 at 4:28 PM ^

Good luck on your move to Dayton!

Best place to go is Chappy's in Moraine -- 30+ beers on tap & many from the Great State Up North. The Suckeye fans won't be too obnoxious.  Do NOT go to Tank's in downtown Dayton.  The waitresses wear "Michigan is our bitch again" tee shirts. And the owner is a tax-cheat.

Be prepared to be yelled at in public.  Frequently some Suckeye moron will scream out a car window when I walk around in M gear.  Delightful, really. 

oldblue

May 26th, 2015 at 4:40 PM ^

Ever since those supposed Big Ten folks cheered for Villanova against Michigan in the 1985 NCAA Bball tourney, I have refused to go back there.

scottva1

May 26th, 2015 at 4:41 PM ^

My brother is in kettering always reppin. I did the same in columbus. Just think about some of the most hillbilly osu fans and they typically are in the miami valley. Only recommendation is getting a Michigan buddy and elsa's mexi-american has the best wings ever. Carolina bbq. Margaritas there will kill you as well.




Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

NatedoggGoBlue

May 26th, 2015 at 4:45 PM ^

I've lived in Dayton pretty much my whole life and haven't found anything Michigan friendly. I'm usually out with a bunch of Ohio State fans though, so I haven't been actively looking for a Michigan friendly atmosphere. Some of my favorites though:

Downtown: Oregon Express, Lucky's Taproom, Dublin Pub

Campus: Milano's, The Fieldhouse, Jimmie's Ladder 11, Flanagan's

Beavercreek: Fox & Hound at the Fairfield Mall (It's by the Air Force Base, so there are a lot of people from out of state that go there. It's not just a bunch of Ohio State people.), Kings Table

Avoid The Greene if at all possible, it is overpriced, the service sucks (anywhere you go), and not a very good environment in which to watch a football game.

Moraine / Dayton Mall Area: Have to agree with a previous poster, Chappy's is awesome and there's a brand new Frickers by the Dayton Mall that's pretty nice inside.

There are a bunch of other places I enjoy going, but not for football games. Good luck with the move and welcome to Dayton! 

NittanyFan

May 26th, 2015 at 11:14 PM ^

That's one Dayton sports bar I know a bit about.  It hosts the weekly Air Force (as you said, it's an Air Force town!), Nebraska & Penn State fan group game-watches --- between those groups and the hometown Buckeye fans, there's just not tons of room for Michigan fans.

Invariably a couple U-M fans there when a U-M game is on-going, but only a couple.

M-Dog

May 26th, 2015 at 5:34 PM ^

Man, I feel sorry for you guys.  I lived in Dayton for 7 years, from the mid-80's to the early 90's. It was a great time to live in hard-core Buckeye country, which Dayton is.  I was constantly walking around with a shit-eating grin on my face.  

We only lost to OSU twice the whole time I was there, and one of them was when Bruce got fired and even I felt bad for him.  

I worked at NCR during that time, and on the Friday before the '86 OSU game (the Harbaugh guarantee game), I looked up at the top of one of the NCR buildings (PCD/Building #30 I think), and there was a giant Block M Michigan flag flying for all the world to see.  It felt like seeing the Stars and Stripes flying over Mount Suribachi.  I knew then and there that we were going to win.

I went to the game in Columbus with some Buckeye friends from Dayton.  I had to hide my Michigan sweatshirt under a coat after we won and then went into several Columbus bars.  It was a quiet trip back to Dayton, but it didn't matter to me.    

Here's hoping that Harbaugh can make it safe (and fun) for Michigan fans to live in Dayton again like he did the first time. 

redman8442

May 26th, 2015 at 7:34 PM ^

lived in Dayton the past 7 years. There are no,I repeat, no Michigan friendly bars around here. I almost got into a fight at a store with an OSU fan just because I was wearing a Michigan hat...

unclelonghair

May 26th, 2015 at 7:59 PM ^

I live in Beavercreek and haven't really found a place yet. The game is on at most places but if the Buckeyes are playing at the same time it's a horrible experience. I will say that being so close to the Air Force base does help because there are people here from all over the country, so it's not just OSU fans.
A poster below mentioned Bullwinkles in Miamisburg. One of the servers/bartenders there is usually wearing a Michigan hat and he always has the game on if he's working. Good luck!

Gisele

May 26th, 2015 at 8:03 PM ^

I'm also in Cincy. The alumni chapter has a gathering downtown but they don't get much of a turnout. Would be cool to see Dayton and Cincinnati fans meet somewhere off 75 and take over a bar for the Utah game.




Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

MichMan_4

May 26th, 2015 at 8:13 PM ^

Hello, I am a long time reader but first time poster, so I want to give a healthy "Go Blue!!!" I just recently relocated down here myself and there seems to be many Wolverine fans here so why don't we get together for a game somewhere down here and cheer for the good guys. There is strength in numbers!!

MichMan_4

May 26th, 2015 at 8:13 PM ^

Hello, I am a long time reader but first time poster, so I want to give a healthy "Go Blue!!!" I just recently relocated down here myself and there seems to be many Wolverine fans here so why don't we get together for a game somewhere down here and cheer for the good guys. There is strength in numbers!!

Wolverine In Exile

May 26th, 2015 at 10:17 PM ^

The official alumni club of Dayton is fairly active (its not a Chicago club by any means), but they usually host 2-3 game watching parties. For other bars outside of the official game watching party, I'd suggest finding a group of friends and hitting up a local place that isn't broadcasting buckeye love. I'd suggest 5th street brewpub (my Michigan Broomball team hit that regularly in the winter season).

tmzenn

May 27th, 2015 at 1:17 AM ^

I am like the others that have posted about Dayton. I have not found any bars that are Michigan friendly. I typically call around to see what bar is willing to show the game on one of their televisions. I normally watch the games alone at home because I am too busy yelling at the television. I think it would be great if we could get a group of people who live here in Dayton to meet up and watch games together. The one thing I don't like about going to a bar to watch the games is the volume tends to be down on the Michigan games so you can't hear the broadcasters. I occasionally meet people who are Michigan fans while out and have noticed more lately now that Harbaugh is our coach, which has been a welcoming change. 

Avon Barksdale

May 27th, 2015 at 9:17 AM ^

I definitely have a list to check out now, and this information has been extremely helpful. I would be all for getting a group together in the season. We might have to revisit as the season approaches.

FlyerWolverine

August 27th, 2015 at 2:14 PM ^

Hello all, If everyone is still interested in meeting up for the game next Thursday I would like to make a suggestion.  There is a fairly new brewery called Eudora in Kettering that would be a great place to watch a game.  The owner is a Michigan fan and in my opinion they have the best beer in Dayton.  There are only 2 TVs but they are nice and you can see at least one of them from anywhere in the bar.  If you want to eat food there they always have a food truck and you can get anything delivered.  It shouldnt be too crowded either depending on how many of us go.  Let me know if you guys are interested so I can let the owner know. 

lewan_long

September 1st, 2015 at 12:48 PM ^

Hello, I’m also living in the Dayton area and also a board member for the UM Alumni Club of Dayton. We do have an official game watching event for the Sept 12 game against Oregon State (at TJ Chumps Englewood, see UM Club of Dayton Facebook for more info).



For this Thursday (and other gamedays where we don't have an official club game watching party), we are interested in having to "grow" a regular group at a designated bar. I'm definitely open to FlyerWolverine's idea of gathering at Eudora for the first game. Please comment here / communicate with the UM Club of Dayton if interested.



Thanks !