Where’s the best patio to visit with your dog? The best place to take a date? And which barista makes coffee just right?
These are the winners of the Dayton.com Best of 2018 in the people and places categories.
Best Barista
WINNER: David Warrick, Ghostlight Coffee
1201 Wayne Ave., Dayton Website ⁄ Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Spencer Boden, Dorothy Lane Market
2710 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood Website / Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Tyler Yoxtheimer, Starbucks
2424 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood Website / Facebook
Best Bartender
WINNER: Chad McKanna, Buffalo Wild Wings
262 E. Stroop Road, Kettering Website / Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Randi Hamblin, Kingspoint Pub
4660 Wilmington Pike, Dayton Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Ashley Brown, Sparky's Lounge
822 Watertower Lane, West Carrollton Facebook
Best Dayton Drag Queen
WINNER: Amaya Sexton
SECOND PLACE: Nhiraje
THIRD PLACE: Tina Hightower
Best Dayton landmark
WINNER: National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
1100 Spaatz St., Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Website / Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Dayton Art Institute
456 Belmonte Park North, Dayton Website / Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum
118 Woodland Ave., Dayton Website / Facebook
Best Do-Gooder
WINNER: Rev. Cool Carter
SECOND PLACE: Doug Sorrell
THIRD PLACE: Allison Cox
Best Dog-friendly Patio
WINNER: Dayton Beer Company
41 Madison St., Dayton Website / Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Fifth Street Brewpub
1600 E. Fifth St., Dayton Website / Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Lily's Bistro
329 E 5th St., Dayton Website / Facebook
Best High School Fans
WINNER: Kettering Fairmont High School
3301 Shroyer Road, Kettering Website / Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Centerville High School
500 E. Franklin St., Centerville Website / Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Beavercreek High School
2660 Dayton-Xenia Road, Beavercreek Website / Facebook
Best Historical Neighborhood
WINNER: Oregon District
SECOND PLACE: St. Anne's Hill Historic District
THIRD PLACE: South Park
Best Hotel
WINNER: Marriott University of Dayton
1414 S. Patterson Blvd., Dayton Website / Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Crowne Plaza Dayton
33 E. Fifth St., Dayton Website / Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Mills Park Hotel
321 Xenia Ave., Yellow Springs Website / Facebook
Best Local Athlete
WINNER: Josh Cunningham, University of Dayton
SECOND PLACE: Abby Nugent, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy
THIRD PLACE: Taylor Ewert, Beavercreek High School
Best Local Celebrity
WINNER: Rev. Cool Carter
SECOND PLACE: Alexis Gomez
THIRD PLACE: Ashley Martin
Best Local Chef
WINNER: Elizabeth Wiley of Meadowlark
5531 Far Hills Ave., Dayton Website / Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Art Chin of Greenfire Bistro
965 W. Main St., Tipp City Website / Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Jack Skilliter of Corner Kitchen
613 E. Fifth St., Dayton Website / Facebook
Best Local Comedian (not Dave Chappelle)
WINNER: Scotty Mays
SECOND PLACE: Jeff Zaret
THIRD PLACE: Jessica Graue
Best Local DJ (nightclub)
WINNER: Dayton Mobile DJ
8 N. Elm St., West Carrolton Website / Facebook
SECOND PLACE: All the Right Tunes
19 E. Central Ave., Miamisburg Website / Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Liftoff Entertainment
21 N. Beckel St., Dayton Website / Facebook
Best Local Photographer
WINNER: Chelsea Hall Photography
204 S. Ludlow St., Dayton Website / Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Studio 22
THIRD PLACE: Sarah Babcock Studio
22 S. Main St., Bellbrook Website / Facebook
Best Local Podcast
WINNER: The Gem City Podcast
SECOND PLACE: Hall Around Town
THIRD PLACE: What Had Happened Was…
Credit: Amelia Robinson
Credit: Amelia Robinson
Best Local Rising Star
WINNER: Alexis Gomez
SECOND PLACE: Reyna Spears
THIRD PLACE: Tiffany Clark
Best Mascot
WINNER: Dayton Dragon's Heater
SECOND PLACE: UD's Rudy Flyer
THIRD PLACE: Wright State's Rowdy Raider
Credit: Michael Loccisano
Credit: Michael Loccisano
Best Nationally Known Celebrity
WINNER: Dave Chappelle
SECOND PLACE: John Legend
THIRD PLACE: Allison Janney
Best Place to Meet Singles
WINNER: The Barrel House
417 E. Third St., Dayton Website / Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Dayton Sportcial
THIRD PLACE: Fifth Street Brewpub
1600 E. Fifth St., Dayton Website / Facebook
Best Place to Take a Date
WINNER: The Oregon District
SECOND PLACE: The Greene Towne Center
4452 Buckeye Lane, Beavercreek Website / Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Carillon Historical Park
1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton Website / Facebook
Credit: DeANGELO BYRD / STAFF
Credit: DeANGELO BYRD / STAFF
Best Spot to Take a Photo for Instagram
WINNER: Cox Arboretum
6733 Springboro Pike, Dayton Website / Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Carillon Park
1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton Website / Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Dayton Inspires Mural
Alongside Brim on East Fifth Street in Oregon District
Best View of Dayton
WINNER: Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum
118 Woodland Ave., Dayton Website / Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Dayton Art Institute
456 Belmonte Park North, Dayton Website / Facebook
THIRD PLACE: The Dayton Club
40 N. Main St., Dayton Website / Facebook
Best Wedding Venue
WINNER: Dayton Art Institute
456 Belmonte Park North, Dayton Website / Facebook
SECOND PLACE: Top of the Market
32 Webster St., Dayton Website / Facebook
THIRD PLACE: Canopy Creek Farm
600 Benner Road, Miamisburg Website / Facebook
Most Charming Suburb
WINNER: Yellow Springs
SECOND PLACE: Oakwood
THIRD PLACE: Tipp City
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