Dayton, Ohio: Your Destination for Martinis, Music, and More!

Dayton, Ohio doesn't have the reputation for having a lot of hot night spots. In fact, Dayton's nightlife suffers from inevitable comparisons to larger nearby cities Columbus and Cincinnati. It doesn't help that some of Dayton's most unique haunts-1470's nightclub, El Diablo swing and salsa lounge, the Thirsty Dog microbrewery, and former Brown Street indie coffeehouses EFX and Daily Grind-are gone, but that doesn't mean newer locales aren't developing loyal followings.

The best nightlife in Dayton can currently be found at Therapy Café (452 East Third Street in the Cannery building). Hands down, this is a joint that truly lives up to its promotional tag of being "Dayton's most stylish lounge." Part bar, part restaurant, part jazz club, Therapy's focus is on serving some of the most inventive martinis anywhere. The décor is a fresh mix of East Coast urban sophistication and Asian-influenced functional design. Entering the lounge, you feel as if you've entered either a Manhattan loft or an L.A. piano bar. Blond wood and exposed metal ductwork mesh well with understated seating on low benches and café tables. If you want to grab a fun, festive drink, a little intimate conversation, or listen to music, a night at Therapy is just what the doctor ordered.

For a smaller scale outing, the Le Monde Lounge at Café Boulevard (329 East Fifth Street in the Oregon District) offers an elegant, old-fashioned hipster vibe that makes you wonder if Dean Martin is about to swagger into the room. Le Monde has a less frivolous drink menu than Therapy Café, but the signature cocktails still show a whimsical side. The only oddity to the space is its size: With a severely limited floorplan, Le Monde is not for the claustrophobic. Their weekend live jazz performers actually occupy a stage elevated above the bar into a recessed loft balcony. This makes for a unique listening experience, but the musicians aren't afforded convenient face time with their audience. Even so, the lounge is a great choice to cap off a date on a weekend night or to enjoy an early evening drink after work during the week.