The Century is a historic and charming choice to grab a drink

As the weather cools, those looking to grab a drink may be trading beer gardens and patios for cozy cocktail bars. In downtown Dayton, The Century is a historic and charming choice to grab a cocktail or sip on a premium bourbon. 

Featuring over 900 bottles of whisky from a variety of distilleries on different continents, the bar seeks to “pour education with every drink,” according to The Century’s mission statement. This focus on education is central to the bar’s business strategy. 

Each bartender at The Century undergoes an apprentice program, according to bar manager Kelli Nikanowicz. The apprenticeship hopes to make bartenders well-equipped to not only answer questions or give recommendations but also “to teach the staff about Bourbon’s history and how it ties to America’s history,” according to Nikanowicz. 

The Century, which has been open under the same name at the same location since 1942, has a notable history both past and present. The bar takes pride in its back bar. Originally housed in Covington, Ky. following its creation in the 1880s, a man named Frank Steffen purchased the back bar and moved it up to Dayton in the 1920s, according to Nikanowicz. “It’s one of the most unique of its time,” she says. “A lot of work has gone into keeping it in the fantastic shape that it’s in.” 

Perhaps thanks to this emphasis on not only great bourbon but also a great story, The Century’s popularity and prestige have not waned over the years. The Bourbon Review named it one of the best bourbon bars in the country back in 2020. That same year, the business moved spots, opting for a larger space in the same neighborhood. 

Despite this change, owner Diane Spitzig was set on keeping the bar’s charm. Woodworker Bill Archer moved the 19th-century back bar over the span of several weeks, hoping to make it seem as if it had always been there. 

It’s this emphasis on creating an inviting and informative atmosphere that makes this space so special, according to Nikanowicz. “We don’t have TVs to distract you so it kind of creates an atmosphere where you want to talk to the people around you,” she says. “The bourbon program and our knowledge also create an environment where you might be learning from the questions the group next to you asked. It’s a space where you can come hang out by yourself and grab a drink after a rough Monday.” 

The Century, 18 S. Jefferson St., Dayton 
Open Sunday-Thursday, 3 p.m. to midnight; Friday-Saturday, 3 p.m. to 2 a.m.