Van Buren Room — Restaurant in Dayton

​Let me be unequivocally clear: I am not easily impressed. In a world saturated with fleeting trends and pedestrian attempts at "mixology," my palate has grown, shall we say, discerning. For nearly a decade, I have considered the Van Buren Room my sanctuary, frequenting its bar several times a week, and in all that time, my initial assessment has only been reinforced: this establishment is not merely the best in Dayton, but a standard-bearer against which all others, near and far, should be judged. And invariably, they all fall short.

​To speak of the cocktails is to speak of true artistry. I've watched bartenders across the region haphazardly slosh spirits and pre-made syrups into a glass and call it a day. At Van Buren Room, you are witnessing craftsmanship. The spirits selection is a masterfully curated library, the juices are fresh-pressed, the syrups and infusions are conceived and executed in-house with an alchemist's precision. Whether you desire a classic Old Fashioned made with reverential accuracy or one of their own audacious, perfectly balanced creations, the result is always sublime. They don't just make drinks; they compose experiences in a glass.

​Yet, the liquid perfection is only half the equation. The service—oh, the service. I have walked out of countless establishments due to the sheer indifference of the staff. Here, it is an entirely different world. The team at Van Buren Room operates with an effortless grace that is the hallmark of true professionals. They are attentive without being intrusive, deeply knowledgeable without a hint of condescension, and possess an almost supernatural ability to anticipate a need before it's even fully formed in your own mind. They remember your name, your preferred spirit, and how you take your martini after a long day. It is hospitality in its purest form, and it is a lost art everywhere but here.

​For almost ten years, I have searched for a flaw, a dip in quality, a moment of inconsistency. I am still searching. The Van Buren Room is a bastion of unwavering excellence. It is a refuge for those of us who believe that a well-made drink and genuine service are not simple commodities, but cornerstones of a civilized evening. To the team, my deepest and most sincere gratitude. To everyone else: the benchmark is set....

Great atmosphere and cocktails that are to die for. The space is low lit with intamate booths and a full bar to sit at as well. The space itself is quite small, so don't be surprised if you have to wait at the door for space to open up.

The cocktails and bartenders are some of the best in Dayton, using high quality ingredients all the way down to the ice. The cocktails are a bit on the moderate side as far as price, but with that you get best quality everything! Signature cocktails are $11, but you can find classics for $10 and under, so prices to me are reasonable for a nice sipping drink! You don't come here to get hammered. Sip and be social, and enjoy the craft of a real cocktail...

We have come to this amazing place for a while. However, tonight, we went for my bday, and the bartender was more than rude. He didn't want to take time to communicate with his customers on their questions, etc. we paid $25.80 for 2 drinks, but I will say the drinks he made were amazing. This gentleman just needs to work on his customer skills. REMEMBER THE CUSTOMERS are the ones who give those tips, sir. The picture with the gentleman is the rude bartender. This is the 3rd place we stopped at, so it's not like we were those drunks, etc. we were willing to spend good money, but if you treat customers like this, it's...