One of Dayton’s most prestigious clubs just raised the bar -- literally

The  upper lounge at the 29th Stories Lounge in the Dayton Racquet Club in downtown Dayton.  Photo: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo: Amelia Robinson

The upper lounge at the 29th Stories Lounge in the Dayton Racquet Club in downtown Dayton. Photo: Amelia Robinson

The highest bar in Dayton is now even higher.

The Racquet Club, located at 40 North Main St. on the 29th floor of the Kettering Tower, opened a lounge above the bar a few months ago, Jocelin Dean, the club's membership director said.

Thanks to the addition, the club's 29 Stories Lounge is now 29½ stories tall, Dean said.

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It is a feather in an already-high hat.

“We already were the tallest  building in Dayton. We already have that distinction of being the tallest (bar),”  Dean said.

>> RELATED: 3 things to know about Kettering Tower

The lounge’s space had held bleachers overlooking the club’s squash courts.

“It was just dead wasted space,” Dean said. “We figured there had to be a better use for it.”

A hallway wall was also moved to open up the front of the bar, and new seating was added.

The renovations are part of $250,000 in work undertook at the club during the past three years.

Dean said additional changes will be made based on member feedback and use.

“It is a space that is always being tweaked,” she said.

The club is working with members to determine the right funiture and function of the space, Dean said.

The club's 29 Stories Lounge was completed in 2011 to address member requests for a more causal setting to take clients and for after work socializing and networking.

Such a space had been suggested since shortly after the club — the brainchild of Virginia Kettering — opened in 1971.

>> RELATED: Inside the Dayton Racquet Club: towering venue ‘squashing’ misconceptions, drawing new members (May 10, 2013)

The 29th Stories Lounge is restricted to members and their guests, but Dean said there are several public events held annually.

“Anybody who is curious to see what the bar looks like can always contact me for a tour,” she said.

Racquet Club membership ranges from $60 to $200 a month, depending on included features.

>> RELATED: Dayton Walk of Fame member Virginia Kettering

The  upper lounge at the 29th Stories Lounge in the Dayton Racquet Club in downtown Dayton.  Photo: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo: Amelia Robinson

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Credit: Photo: Amelia Robinson

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