The Century Bar

1st time going yesterday, and the bartenders were amazing and knowledgeable. They have a huge selection of bourbon/whiskey and will most definitely be coming back in near future

Great bourbon bar! Their list just keeps going! Cool spot. Great service. Cool old building. I'll definitely go back.

I write this review as a longtime patron of the Century Bar and as somebody who has brought countless visitors there as one of the highlights of the Dayton area. We all know there was a big staff turnover and that happens, life goes on, no big deal. But the new management have made several changes for the worse. Some are small details and some are not so small. But when you’re striving to remain one of the top whiskey bars in the country, details matter. Small details: tea light candles have been replaced with tacky LED lights on the bar. I fail to see any point in this. It cannot possibly be a money saving decision - but I can’t imagine why else they would do this. It seems almost like tackiness for the sake of tackiness. The careful music selection that helped set and maintain the mood is a bit more random now. Lately several times I have arrived at the bar and not been greeted or even acknowledged for several minutes. There is no excuse for this. The sours are no longer made with egg whites and freshly squeezed lemons, but with a substitute vegetable foamer and some kind of juice cocktail. This is distressingly close to the whiskey-and-fruit-juice bastardization of a whiskey sour you can find at much lesser bars. I imagine raw eggs draw some health commission scrutiny or additional food licensing requirements and maybe the choice was between this and losing money, in which case I can’t blame them. But a good whiskey bar should be able to make a proper sour and if they can’t, why would I go back? Again, I say this with affection and appreciation for the place and I hope their management start appreciating how details add up to a good (or not so good) experience.

We really enjoyed checking out The Century Bar. The cocktails were excellent, the bourbon selection was extensive, and we loved the vibe. The bartenders were friendly and helpful as well as very good with the cocktails!

Loved this bar. Hundreds of whiskeys. The cocktails and bar tenders were top notch. Atmosphere was incredible - had to squint for a minute after coming in from outside but awesome speak easy vibe.

By far my favorite bar in the world. The century has a long history, and thanks to Joe and crew, this place is now nationally recognized and is in the top 10 bourbon joints on many reviews. The bartenders are all very knowledgeable. I know Joe, who looks like someone you might see on TV serving at a swanky bourbon joint. Joe has very high standards for the people who work there. They don’t just get hired and thrown behind the bar. They get training for months and months. The result is an education experience anytime you go in. The cocktails are spectacular. And you’ll find any bourbon you want there.

Much better after the mass exodus of the previous staff. Unless you were a regular or knew everything about bourbon you were not treated equally. Something happened and the entire staff quit, not sure what but the staff now is friendly and its more like the Century of the 90s. That's just my opinion . I will say the man that ran the bar and did tasting was very knowledgeable and nice. It was the rest of the staff that had an attitude.

My wife and I came here and we had an INCREDIBLE experience!! The drinks were made wonderfully by Cheresse and Molly and they were so hospitable and engaging. If you happen to come in and they’re (wo)manning the bar, you’re in for an excellent drinking experience. Will 10000% come back!

Afternoon Cocktails in this historic bar. Atmosphere is awesome. Bartender excellent. But the Music play list kills the vibe, seriously needs some cool Cafe hip music. (not 1950 grandma's favorites) Our group could have stayed longer, but the music is a buzzkill.

What a beautiful bar this place has so much history and character. We were in the area and stopped by for a drinking. It's a whisky bar so there is an abundance of whiskey options. I opted in for a sweet cocktail, that I enjoyed. This would be a great date night spot and a place I would visit again if I'm back in the area.

Love this quiet cocktail spot on downtown Dayton. It has an old charm like an old speakeasy. Very good selection of spirits. Cocktails are plentiful and prices are reasonable. These guys are good as they can mix up any potion you want or just spit on. Fine taste of a bourbon or whiskey (whisky). Only a few minutes from the Schuster center.

Wow what a perfect spot if you like bourbon and whiskey. Literally every one you could ever ask for. Bartenders were very welcoming and walked you through the menu (my girlfriend is not a whiskey person so they helped her pick one). Really cool inside too, looks like the early 1900s. Would love to come back.

Location: 18 S. Jefferson, Dayton Ohio Website: https://centurybardayton.com/ This is a must-see. Within 2 hours from wherever you are in Ohio and nestled in the heart of downtown Dayton is a vintage mecca for bourbon lovers - although there are other alcohol options, the star is their bourbon collection. My favorite time to visit Century Bar is just as they open ... it's a little sleepy and quiet, and no matter how bright the sun is shining outside, once you close the front entrance door behind you - you are in for a treat once your eyesight adjusts to the dim lighting of this absolutely beautiful interior. The bar relocated to a larger space next door shortly before the 2020 pandemic shut most business down for a spell ... the bar was moved and a brilliant woodworking expert extended it slightly to make it a bit longer to hold this fabulous collection of whiskey. Seating is plentiful during my favorite period - choices of high top tables, counters around bourbon barrels, or settled into my favorite spot - right at the bar. Flip through the leather-bound menu of plentiful options and start your experience with one of hundreds of options. Enjoy a rare find. Find a new favorite. Tips: 1. Be prepared to be overwhelmed with the selection and quality of the collection. Consider a flight to enjoy 3-4 options at once. 2. Get to know your bartender. They employ the best of the best and they all have great insight and knowledge. 3. Take your time. Look around. Appreciate the curated collection of antiques and bourbons. 4. There are no food options. Plan wisely.

Great selection and friendly knowledgeable team!! We were on a trip to Dayton and found this gem!

I have been on a quest. A years-long, meticulous quest for the perfect Gold Rush. Every other establishment in Ohio? Fail. Utterly, completely, fail. Incorrect honey-to-lemon ratios, sub-par bourbon, a general lack of understanding. But Century Bar? Finally. They get it. The perfect viscosity of honey syrup, the precise squeeze of fresh lemon, and bourbon that... oh my god, the bourbon. It was a revelation. And the atmosphere? Don't even get me started. Respectable level of ambient noise, and bartenders who clearly understand the importance of a well-made cocktail. It wasn't just a drink; it was a culinary experience. A perfect culinary experience. I'm telling you, this place? It's the only place. The. Only. Place.

Century is a fun bar downtown! They do check your ID before letting you enter. The layout is one large dining area with plenty of space to stand between the dispersed tables. There was an extensive booklet with tons of creative drinks for all kinds of liquor. You have to order at the bar and wait for your drink but they are quick with it! Definitely a great chill hangout place!

This place is amazing! The decor is beautiful, we were captivated as soon as we walked in. The bourbon list is insane! If you are a bourbon fan you need to stop here. They also have a large cocktail menu that has wonderfully made cocktails like the Bees Knees. Would stop back here in a heartbeat on our next visit to Dayton.

MUST GO -- If you like Bourbon and Whiskey First trip to the century bar. What an amazing selection something for everyone if you like bourbon whether you are an expert or novice. I only ordered 1 drink, another patron recommended the eagle reserve as a great bourbon that did not break the bank. She was right, I went w/ a 2 oz pour and it was worth it. I went with a large party and there was something for everyone and everyone enjoyed their selections. The are was nice and open and a great place to hang out and converse. The service was good and fast. The bartender as expected knew their stuff and helped as needed. Real cool spot.

After coming here for years every time we're in town for an event, it is an absolute shame how far Century Bat has fallen. Drink quality is no longer what it was, super inconsistent, and one of them had to ask another how to make a classic Negroni. Incredibly rude bouncer who capped entry despite being 1/3 as full as it usually is. When the rest of our groups couldn't get in, we left and headed to another bar. Hopefully the 50 pissed off people freezing outside in formal attire have a better experience than we did (update: they all just left too). Such a shame.

Great Selection and better service. Bartender gave great recommendations. Would go again

Great atmosphere and friendly staff, with great drinks! No food here but were support accommodating with recommending other places nearby and even let us order a pizza that we had delivered in. Age the pizza and enjoyed our old fashions, it was great!

Was visiting in Dayton, wanted to go to a bar with a good bourbon selection. The locals suggested this place. Wow!!!! I've never seen so many different bourbons in one place in my life!!!! Plenty of bartenders working the huge bar as well as servers on the floor. While I was at a table with a group, I went to the bar to get my bourbon just so I could look at the variety. Definitely worth a return trip if back in Dayton

350 bourbons, check, great ambiance, check, great cocktail menu, check, great date place or a place you can bring twenty of your friends, check. This place has a historic feel. Don't forget to look up to see the carved maidenheads. Part of the charm of this place is there are no TVs so people there pay attention to each other. It's everything you would want in a speakeasy kind of bar. Staff is very customer friendly. If you like bourbon this place is a must. It is regularly listed as one of the top ten bourbon bars in the nation and we are lucky enough to have it here in Dayton.

I love the ambiance and they have quite an extensive menu of bourbon that I haven't seen since I was in Lexington. The cocktails are fantastic and great staff. I love being able to take my friends from out of town here.

Went with some friends and really enjoyed the experience. Largest selection of bourbon I've seen!

When I first arrived, I was immediately struck by the old-school atmosphere. The bar is decorated with original 19th-century details, and the music playing was from the 1920s and 1930s. It was like stepping back in time. The bartenders at Century Bar are incredibly skilled. They have an extensive knowledge of bourbon and whiskey, and they can make just about any drink you can imagine. I watched them make several drinks that I had never seen before, and they were all delicious. The crowd at Century Bar is a mix of Dayton locals and visitors. The place really comes alive after 9pm, and there's never a line. The bartenders are always checking to see if you need another drink, and they're always happy to chat. If you're looking for an upper-end cocktail bar with a unique atmosphere, Century Bar is the place for you. I highly recommend it! Pros: Extensive bourbon and whiskey selection Skilled bartenders Old-school atmosphere Friendly and attentive staff No lines Cons: None that I can think of! Overall: Century Bar is a fantastic cocktail bar that I highly recommend. It's a great place to enjoy a drink with friends or on a date.

I cannot say how cute this place is. I don't venture to downtown Dayton much but this is a go to spot for sure. It's NOT just bourbons but they make so many drinks with bourbons that there's something for everyone, they even offer a few beers! It's pretty dark inside so you may have to let your eyes adjust when you first walk in. It's a very chill spot and good pre-party spot!!

Not my kind of bar as I'm a vodka bit a whiskey drinker but when you are out and about you go with the flow. This bar however was amazing with the large quantity of whiskeys and great atmosphere. Lucky for me they did have a vodka and of course my favorite bourbon cherries.

Like bourbon much? This is your spot. Routinely ranked in the top bourbon bars in the US - one look behind the bar at the endless bottles to choose from and you know why. Its an old school room with lots of dark wood and dim lighting. The bartender tells me its an incredibly intense internship before being able to graduate to working the bar. They have the classic drinks and a rotating menu of seasonal libations. Or just go for a flight from the wide selection in the 10 page book of booze ! Great all around experience and worth the hype. Dayton has a real gem with this place. Making a note to pop in every time I pass through.

I visited here because I was working in the area and had a little time to kill. Inside, it is pretty dark and cozy. It's pretty large and open inside also. I sat at the bar and there were a handful of other patrons also sitting at the bar since it was early. I was happy to see some classic and seasonal cocktails, many made with rum and gin, not so many with vodka...in fact I don't think i saw any. I ordered el draque which is a rum cocktail. It is well balanced with 2 juices and agave. Very easy to drink and pretty light for the most part. Service was pretty good, as should be for a small intimate place.

So this is a bit different for me coming to a bar like this. This place is a bourbon bar and boast to sell every bourbon legally sold in the state. The bar is laced with bottle after bottle of bourbon. Now that's not to say you can't get a beer here. They have a couple beers on tap (which I ordered). My friends tried a couple different bourbons and seemed to enjoy them. It's street parking and pay lots for this place. We had to park about a block away and walk. If you're into bourbon, this is the place for you!.

Century Bar is absolutely fantastic. The best vibes, awesome seating, beautiful bar and interior and OoOoOoh the menu! I went with a Sazerac which is my go-to and it was perfect, not to mention affordable. I also heard great things about their old fashioned and whiskey sour, so those are on the docket next time I'm in town. Nothing bad to say, but it's better if you go check it out and see for yourself :)

Food, service, ambiance--literally what's not to like? It was a grand time. Bartender took great care of us

Bartender was amazing and so were the cocktails. The whisky list is pages long! I went with New Riff Balboa Rye and Chicken Cock.

Best old fashioned I have had !! The history of that amazing wooden bar sets the stage for a historical setting.

Great choice of bourbon The bartender was very knowledgeable. He made great recommendations

An awesome bourbon bar with excellent bartenders, cocktail menu is so interesting, love the sazarac, my favorite there.

Great bar to stop into! The drinks are very strong, so be careful. Also, they only carry a handful of liquors and spirits outside of whiskey.

Century Bar is a hidden gem in Dayton. It's an absolute must visit if you're a whiskey/bourbon lover. It's a total speak easy vibe from the outside and inside. It is easy to miss because it's not advertised much but I think that's kind of the point. When you walk in, it's super dark and dimly lit. There's speak easy music playing in the background as well to add to the vibe. There's a hug bar and plenty of seating around the area. They have another smaller bar as well on the other side of the bar that they sometimes use. The drinks are phenomenal! The bar tenders really love making cocktails and know what they're doing! You can't go wrong with what you order unless you don't want something strong. I've had a brandy old fashioned, whiskey sour, Manhattan, whiskey coke, etc. It's all super delicious! If you don't love the taste of alcohol, you might want to ask the bar tenders to tame it down. Between the vibe, food, and drinks, Century Bar is a must visit while in Dayton. Such a cool place and staple of Dayton!!

This bar is so beautiful! You should check it for the decor alone. But their spirits selection, specifically whisky and all things related is phenomenal. Sitting at the bar I noticed the whisky sour is one of the most commonly ordered drinks and it did not disappoint!

This place does not look like much on the outside. And it really doesn't look like much on the inside either. But once your eyes start to adjust to the dimness, you might spot a bar that is massively loaded with bottles. 30 feet long, stacked five or six bottles deep. That's a lot of booze. My colleague and I took at seat at the bar and we were handed their leather-bound drinks menu. Cocktails and beers on separate pages, but the long, long list of bourbons and scotches take up six pages. Yep, six pages of high quality hootch. I simply could not decide. It wasn't possible. So I asked our bartender for the first four on the special menu. I was not disappointed. 1. Buffalo Trace 2017 No. 2 2. Eagle Rare Private Barrel 2019 3. Knob Creek Private Barrel "Warped Century" 2018 4. Knob Creek Rye Private Barrel 2018 My colleague chose an Old Fashioned and pronounced it the best drink that he's every had in his life. I am sure that he was not exaggerating. What a find! [Review 11319 overall, 1096 of 2019.]

Walk through the front doors of Century Bar and be transported into a different time - it gives off 1920/1930s-esque vibes.   Everything about this place was mysterious and fun.  The only sign was a sidewalk sign - there was nothing on the building.  Ooh mysterious.  The windows are all blacked out.  Even more mysterious.  A courteous doorman opens the door for you and the first thing you notice, it's very dark and there are candles everywhere.  It feels like you walked through a wormhole to the past. Long chandeliers are hung in the corners of the room. There are regular tables, whisky barrel tables, and seats at the bar for seating.  The candles throughout the entire place give it a romantic, yet old world feel.   I do not believe they serve food - it is just a bar.  I could be mistaken though.  I was a little confused at first, until I yanked a menu off the bar table and bought it back to our table.  I had to use my cell phone flashlight in order to see the menu - it was that dark.   We ordered a passion fruit something-or-other and a painkiller.  We didn't know which was which when we got them, so we enjoyed exchanging drinks back and forth, tasting each, until we figured it out.  Our cocktails were tasty and reasonably priced. It seems like a place to take a date...as everyone seemed to be with a date.  It was pretty loud, so if you want a quiet, intimate conversation go someplace else. I highly recommend checking this place out - HIGHLY.

I wish I could give this place more than 5 stars! Everyone I have met since moving to Dayton knows that this is my favorite place in all of Ohio. My friends and I take anyone that comes to visit us here. We did a whiskey tasting not too long ago which was such an incredible experience! The owner is an awesome guy, the staff and drinks are incredible, and you can't beat the ambiance. Truly the highlight of the city.

So, this is the kind of place that attracts Millennials who went to Xavier or Antioch, or at worst, Miami of Ohio. Let me be honest & say I'm not really fond of dark liquor. In fact, I have been on a Tito's kick for about 7 years until recently when I started drinking g this potato based vodka from Idaho. Then I had a Whiskey Sour from Century Bar. All you need to know is that you should gently blow across the egg yolk before sipping. 5-stars.

If you enjoy whisky or bourbon this is a great bar that has a wide selection to choose from. They have a drink menu to order from, and I'm sure the bartender can whip up something special upon request. For it being a niche type of bar, the decor, ambiance and drink menu is exactly what you'd expect it to be. What I hated most about my experience was the seating. All of the seats are backless bar stools. Either they did not think about a customer's comfort when planning the seating or they just don't want you to stick around for a long time. The bar stools are the same height as the barrel "table". Although I understand the barrels match the theme, it's hard to get comfortable leg room and I found myself slouched over and sitting at an angle the whole time. I was more than ready to leave due to being uncomfortable even though I would've liked to stay and try another drink.

Favorite bar in Dayton. It has a classy atmosphere. That doesn't mean you have to spend lots of money. Even though you still can. The whiskey ranges from cheap to high end to forget about it. It has a terrific atmosphere. It feels like a 1920s speakeasy. There's no annoying country or pop music on the radio, thankfully. It lets you enjoy your drink. There's lots of drinks to enjoy. I had a good Scotch that wasn't expensive. This was about $5 for a pour. It's a bar without bullshit. Just good drinks. Staff is very knowledgeable about products.

If I could only have one drink for the rest of my life - it would be the Century Old Fashioned! An astonishing staff full of knowledge. A great ambiance. Gets a little noisy when the crowds come in (and they do), but worth it.

Love that this establishment remains true to its mission of being a fabulous bourbon bar. I wish that nibbles or some kind of finger foods were available for patrons.

Very knowledgeable bartenders. A huge variety of whiskeys. Quality ingredients. There are other liquors to make other drinks if there's someone in the group that isn't a whiskey drinker. Great place to grab a good drink.

The atmosphere is amazing and the cocktails created were delicious and on point. I would highly recommend the Century Bar to those who appreciate bourbon or just that vibe.

This place definitely gives me speakeasy vibes and I love it! The whisky selection is great and I love coming here for a drink with friends after dinner. Their cocktails are also delicious! I'd call this place one if Dayton's hidden gems.

Great atmosphere! Pretty amazing selections of bourbons! And I had a drink called Queen Sophia that took the bartender almost four minutes to make- not because he was slow at all, but because he clearly took pride in the drinks he made and he was good at it. It was fun to watch him make the drinks, never knew you could put an egg white into drink concoctions!

Wow! If you can't find your bourbon here you can on't find it anywhere. The sheer knowledge of the bartenders is amazing!

An absolutely amazing bourbon and whiskey bar in downtown Dayton. This place has an unbelievable selection of bourbon, rye, and other whiskeys from all over the globe. The staff is super attentive and friendly. They have a great barrel selection program that covers just about every budget out there. Their pour list comes in 1oz and 2oz pours so you can pace yourself and spare your wallet as your try multiple bottles or you can indulge yourself with a healthy pour of your known favorites. They also have a great cocktail menu for those looking for some creativity. They have many classic cocktails that are being done very well, they have a few riffs and spins on other classics, and they even have their own house creations that you won't find anywhere else. Overall it's a great menu. Additionally they also keep a small selection of local beers on hand for those that aren't into whiskey but still want to enjoy a night out with friends. This place is absolutely at the top of my must stops when I'm in Dayton!

Legit bourbon/whiskey bar rivals any in Northern Kentucky! Old fashioned vibe. Long bar, carved wood, Art Nouveau glass

Bar was impressive. Long list of Bourbon, Rye and.other whiskey. Mixed drinks we ordered were average at best. Whisky sour served of glass of chipped ice. Old Fashioned lacked flavor and served in glass of chipped ice. Sazarac overly sweet served warm in odd glass. A dissapointment.

I came here on NYE this past year and loved the ambiance, the service, the whole thing. My second return was plagued by restrictions such as on-menu ordering only (what bar can't make a martini?), curt staff, and overall an unwelcoming atmosphere. Disappointing second experience and enough of a letdown to not return.