“We are not necessarily competing with each other, but we are in competition with Cincinnati and Columbus and some of the (Dayton) suburban areas,” Dublin Pub owner Steve Tieber said.
Sandy Gudorf, President of the Downtown Dayton Partnership, said the initiative demonstrates the cooperative spirit in the district. Alone, she said it would be harder for the local owned bars to compete with chain bars like those at The Greene in Beavercreek.
The district’s art galleries, restaurants, dance clubs and bars will work together more in the future, she added.
Rebecca Richards said she liked the idea while eating lunch Tuesday with her family at the Trolley Stop.
“I think it would make more people want to come to the Oregon District and be exposed to other places,” the 30-year-old Dayton resident said.
Tieber said the program will reduce the cost of a night on the town, noting that Newcom’s Tavern, Ned Pepper’s and Sloopy’s dance clubs stopped charging a cover for admission about a year ago.
“It a result of listening to what the costumer wanted,” he said. “You might be out 20 bucks before you buy four beers.”
Oregon Express is not participating. Wiley’s Comedy Club will offer the wrist bands to its customers, but will not honor them due to the different cost of admission at the comedy club compared to the bars, Tieber said.
The impact on local bands performing will vary. Tieber said the music venues will lose about 10 percent at the door, but will more than make up the profit through food and bar sales.
“The greater picture is that we are creating a situation that will entice people to come to the Oregon District,” he said. “Dayton in general has to think about how to keep people in the city.”
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