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Oregon Express celebrates 25 years
It’s a rare thing indeed for a bar in town to be able to celebrate 25 years under the same ownership.
The Oregon Express is one of the proud few that falls into this distinct category and will be celebrating accordingly next week offering free pizza with a drink order for patrons from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15, through Friday, Sept. 19.
The bar located at 336 E. Fifth St. in the Oregon District opened its doors with it’s current owners at the helm on Sept. 16, 1983. The story goes like this: When co-owner Joe Bavaro was laid off from General Motors, he decided to join forces with his brother-in-law, Terry Adkins, and wife, Susan.
In honor of this 25 year milestone here are 25 reasons the Lounge Lizards love the Oregon Express (or the “OE” as those familiar with refer to it).
Mmmmmm … Oregon Express pizza … Photo by Jim Noelker/Dayton Daily News
The pizza. This is some of the best pizza in town - the Reuben pizza is one of the Lizards very favorites.
The vision. As Bavaro states, “Back then [in 1983], there wasn’t much down here [the Oregon District], but we saw the potential and over the years, it has just kept getting better and better. We’re proud of the fact we’re still in the Oregon District.” We may not be proud, but we’re certainly happy the bar has stayed firmly grounded as one of the Oregon District destinations.
You never know who you’ll bump into. “Black Sabbath (minus Ozzy) once stopped in for a bite, Cheech and Chong dropped by following a gig at Wiley’s Comedy Club, and Jim Nabors, who played Gomer Pyle on the Andy Griffith Show, also has been sighted. One night in the mid-‘80s, Woody Harrelson made an appearance to hear a friend who was playing at the tavern, and ended up singing a few songs. And the Deal sisters, Kim and Kelly, played the Oregon Express’ stage before going on to fame with The Pixies and The Breeders.”
It’s the same bar we know and love. Resisting the temptation to remodel and possible ruin the bar’s vibe, the OE has the same worn-in comfortable feel that had folks coming in after it first opened it’s doors. Why change when what you have works?
The regulars. ‘Nuff said.
The entertainment. Karaoke on Monday evenings; live trivia on Tuesdays; live music on Wednesday through Saturday evenings, with Dayton’s longest-running blues jam on Thursdays and indie rock night on Saturdays. There’s always something to see and hear no matter what day or time of day you walk through the doors.
The stiff drinks. When you order a gin and tonic or anything else for that matter, there’s no doubt you’ve been served just that.
The staff. They’re friendly, accommodating and the kind of folks who check in with you right before you realize you wanted something. Now that’s service.
The train. If you don’t know what we’re talking about, plan a visit to the bar and see it for yourself.
The patio. The bar’s second-floor patio offers a view of the city and the Oregon District that we love to take advantage of whenever we’re passing through.
The theology. Although we’ve never been ourselves, the bar’s occasional “Theology on Tap” events have been going on for nearly eight years. Can you feel the spirit? As long as you’re looking for it, find religious inspiration wherever you can we say.
It defies description. Is it a bar? A restaurant? A music venue? A tavern? Yes, it’s all that and more.
The building. It’s over a century old and has great character and according to the bar’s MySpace page, “has been home to many different trades, including a corner grocery market, an optical shop, bootleg joint, various neighborhood pubs.”
The lunch. The OE is open for lunch starting at 11 a.m. Monday through Friday.
It’s unpretentious. It is what it is and that seems to happen with less frequency than ever now-a-days.
The beer’s cold. Just as it should be.
Did we mention the pizza?
Location, location, location. It’s in the Oregon District and within walking distance of shopping, art galleries, a movie theater, other restaurants, a coffee shop, other bars and a record store.
The bathrooms seem to have been there since the beginning, which — although not our favorite thing about the bar — helps the well-worn vibe along even further.
Bar eye candy. Have you seen that bar? It’s beautiful. If you haven’t take the time lately, look again. Now that’s what we call a bar!
Happy hour. Sure almost every bar has one, but we’re always happier that it’s there when we are.
Rest your feet. There’s a perfect ledge to park those barking dogs on if you choose to pony up to the bar, plus you’ll feel even classier when you look down and see it’s marble.
The “OE Favorites”: The Big Apple-tini, The Frenchy, The Bellisimo, The Bikini-tini, The Big Apple Caramel-tini and the Ultimate Margarita. What’s not to like.
Entertain friends. Where else could you play “I Spy” in a bar and keep people guessing … 25 neon signs (keep looking, count again), 30 bottles of beer on the top of the wall, one Corona parrot, one Bud Light Spuds MacKenzie which was probably obtained shortly after opening and more. There’s a lot to look at in this bar and a lot to like.
We love celebrating major milestones, especially when they happen to one of our favorite bars. Congratulations Oregon Express!
And for those, here’s a map and more information if you’re looking for it.
Permalink | Comments (16) | Post your comment | Categories: News
Comments
By Bob
September 10, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
Sure seems longer than that. Was it called something else before that?By Shavedirty
September 10, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this
Well, HAPPY BIRTHDAY OREGON EXPRESS!!!!! I worked at the OE for 4 years while I went to Sinclair and beyond to Antioch. I started in the kitchen and ended my stint as a bartender . My girlfriend was also a bartender. When I worked there in the early 80’s we were a big college bar, mostly UD students and it was always packed out, but the owner at that time was Mike & Max Winsler. They were the ones who covered the side area and built the top porch area. They also bought in the paintings - mural as I remember…. Lots of great times during and after hours - Congratulations! FYI- we use to call it the Orgasmic ExcuseBy Chris M.
September 10, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
My band played the Oregon Express many times from ‘91-‘94. Though we were young and dumb, Joe, Terry, and the bar staff were always kind to us and treated us like family. Congrats and Rock On, OE!By 448 Kiefaber
September 11, 2008 1:53 AM | Link to this
Bob is right, the Oregon Express dates at least to 1980, probably before. I was living in the UD ghetto when we first went and I moved out of the Ghetto August 1980.By Link
September 11, 2008 2:23 AM | Link to this
We ran the Dayton Poetry Slam out of the O.E. for three wonderful years and it still feels like home every time I walk into the place. Happy B-Day and congrats to all the crew!By Kate
September 11, 2008 7:04 AM | Link to this
This story is SO WRONG! The Oregon Express has been there since at least 1980 and maybe a couple of years before that. Mike Wenzler is the one who started it and he is the one who put in the train. How on earth could you run a storylike this that is so factually incorrect??? Get your facts straight DDN, The Oregon Express is more like 30 years old.By Kate
September 11, 2008 7:07 AM | Link to this
This story is not correct. The Oregon Express was opened by Mike Wenzler in at least 1978. How could you run a story so factually incorrect?? Get your facts straight DDN. This is very misleading and not true at ALL.By Kate
September 11, 2008 7:10 AM | Link to this
This story is SO WRONG! The Oregon Express was opened by Mike Wenzler around 1978. How could you run a story so factually incorrect?? Get your facts straight DDN. This is very misleading and not true at ALL.It is much older than 25 years and the Adkins’ had nothing to do with the decor or the train.By shiv
September 11, 2008 7:13 AM | Link to this
Happy 25th aninvery to Oregon Express and many more to come. Under the watchfull eyes of our friends Joe and Susan Oregon Express will have a bright future. My deepiest and heartfull congratulations to Bavaro familyBy birthday girl
September 11, 2008 7:33 AM | Link to this
I celebrated my 21st birthday at the Oregon Express in 1977. If memory serves, it opened in eitehr 1976 or 1977.By Cat
September 11, 2008 7:45 AM | Link to this
My son is 32 years old and I partied at the Oregon Express at least and I know I was there pre-Matthew. Also my brother worked there around around 1978 so. So maybe it’s 25 years under the present owners, but the bar is older than that.By Cat
September 11, 2008 7:46 AM | Link to this
My son is 32 years old and I partied at the Oregon Express at least and I know I was there pre-Matthew. Also my brother worked there around 1978 or so. So maybe it’s 25 years under the present owners, but the bar is older than that.By Read The Article
September 11, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this
For those disputing the facts, please take the time to actually read the article. the very first sentence says, “It’s a rare thing indeed for a bar in town to be able to celebrate 25 years under the SAME OWNERSHIP.” The article did not say that the establishement itself was only 25 years old.By Ballgame
September 11, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
You are asking people to read and understand what they just read. People are morons so you ask to much.By Ballgame
September 11, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this
You are asking people to read and understand what they just read. People are morons so you ask to much.By Shiv
September 11, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this
It does not matter how long some establishment is in business, the article clearly states that Oregon Express is celebrating its 25th anniversy under one ownership that is what matters. My deepiest and heartful congratulation to our dear friends Joe and Susan for achieving such a milestone.Good luck and go for 50th anniversy.