Proto Build Bar

After moving to Dayton a few months ago, I wasn’t very confident in their coffee and beer scene, but woah has this place thrown my pretentious issues out into the wind. I honestly have never come across such a unique concept for a coffee shop or bar in my life. You’re telling me I can drink coffee… wash it down with some beer if I stay long enough… and then drunkenly 3D print something? SIGN ME UP.
Proto Build Bar is an awesome coffee shop/​bar hybrid in the Webster Station neighborhood of Dayton. It’s literally a diamond in the rough because there’s nothing nearly as cool around it (unless you like abandoned buildings and broken windows). Basically, you can walk in and grab a warm cup of joe or an ice cold craft beer. Really just depends on the kind of day you’re having.
The environment in the shop caters to what every hipster loves and desires: concrete tables, couches that were probably refurbished from an antique shop in your grandma’s hometown, television sets that only display fuzzy retro video, a giant claw machine that costs too much to operate, pop art all over every wall-​like surface, and a funky photo booth.
And of course, you can make stuff. Really cool, original stuff. Like… physically make stuff. Are you getting this, you guys? There are a few 3D printing machines, and about a third of the shop is dedicated to making your «nerd-​hipster-​why am not a cool designer» dreams come true. The fruits of every customer’s 3D printed labor is on display throughout the store, and they even have a whole section of parts and kits you can use to get yourself started. They of course provide the computers for you to digitally sketch the thing you want to make.
I should stop here because I can go and on about this awesome place. Just do yourself a favor and go here. Go here now. Oh, and the coffee is amazeballs. OH, and there’s a giant button to press if you cannot stand the song playing overhead. Ok ok, I’m done.

One of my favorite places in Dayton. Great atmosphere, friendly, welcoming and creative. If it had existed when I was a teenager, high school would have been 50% more fun.

I had been wanting to go here for ages. 3D printing sounds so cool, of course I want to do it myself! We arrived around one thirty or two on a Saturday and it was empty other than a couple of employees. Coffee, whiskey and a cream soda were purchased. We agreed all were delicious but, in the end, everyone returned to order their own cream sodas, so I think I picked the winner. The tea selection is one option and there is no decaf tea available, which is a bummer for me. We didn’t eat, so food wasn’t a problem, but I did note there was no vegan option. It would be great if they could offer something as simple as a hummus and vegetable pita something or other. But, really, the place isn’t about food. Or booze or coffee or tea. They’re nice and there to keep you company. But might just be nice for a snack for those long print times. Gotta keep my sugar up.
We looked around and poked at things for awhile. There’s a great, giant claw machine and my boyfriend won a giant ball that he later, gallantly, gave to a child. After looking at a million designs on the thingiverse website, I settled on printing the bust of Theodore Roosevelt. A fellow with a beard and glasses (crap, I’m bad with names) helped us for a really long time. He answered all our questions and was quite personable. I had no idea what I was doing (and, though the mission of the place is to teach people how to print for themselves, I still do not know) he was helpful in resizing Teddy when my only deciding factor on how much I wanted to spend on him was «not a million dollars.»
We also soldered skull pins with light up eyes. I’d never used a soldering iron before and, it turns out, I might not be the best at it. But it was fun and, in the end, the girl who helped us succeeded in talking me through to glowing eyeballs. Success!
Teddy took an hour and a half to print, so we hung out on some big, comfortable couches and talked until things were done. There weren’t that many other people around. A few but it wasn’t super crowded. We debated on the future of the Build Bar, as 3D printers become more common. Maybe there will be an automotive specialist to help print specific car parts which is now, I understand, kind of difficult to do. I think they’ll start printing their own food to add to the menu. I hope they offer different materials in the future. I’d like to print jewelry that isn’t plastic. And imagine the market for people printing their own wedding rings together. I bet that would be insane.

Dayton, I’m jealous. As an Indy girl, I’m pretty partial to my city, but Proto Build Bar is one thing Indy doesn’t have. Actually, it’s something no where else has! Proto is the first of it’s kind. I have a hunch not for long though.
We ventured in and after ordering our drinks/​food, which include sandwiches from local shops, local brews (YAY Rhinegeist) and coffee, our friendly barista Aubrey took us on a tour. Customers are invited to check out the 3D printers, search practically anything, and watch it create before your wondering eyes. If you can dream it, you can probably print it. Nestled nearby are 8 stations to work on electronics. Bring your own or purchase small kits (guitar pedals, sound organs, watches) to tinker on. Each station is equipped with a solder machine, power supply, laptop, and small electronic hand tools. Make or fix all the things you handy people, you. And if you don’t know how to make or fix all the things, the staff will give you a quick tutorial!
Other areas of couches and small tables create an environment to sit and chat if you’re not into building, welding, or trying to win a giant bouncy ball.
This is a must check out!

As a 3D printing enthusiasts I love this place! The makers stations and Makerbot printers they have are great. Their staff was very friendly and helpful. I had a model printed there and it was an overall pleasant experience.

Hipsters making plastic tchotchkes and drinking clever beer. They were into this before it was cool. Cool beards though.

Walked in early on a Friday evening. Was met with an air of innovation in the heart of a city known for leading tech discovery. What a concept bar! Complete with good coffee, adult beverages and snacks and gourmet sandwiches, this concept bar brings a great meeting space together with technology. A bank of 3D printers are available to print originally designs or pick from a wide ranging library of designs. Or if electronics are your interest, you can rent a workspace and solder at your hearts content. They have parts and kits for sale and the staff is very helpful. Or if you just want to hang, comfy couches are arranged in areas so you can just chill. Definitely a place to check out for a unique date night or a homeschool learning experience perhaps. Now to finish off my Mocha and catch up on how our 3D glider is coming…

I went here as part of a work outing around Christmas time. I’m not much for the bar scene. I find it’s usually loud, crowded, warm and generally uncomfortable. Proto was a pleasant surprise as it was the exact opposite of that. It was actually really relaxed comfortable and had plenty of space to spread out.
Food wise, they have a combination of alcoholic, caffeinated, and regular beverages so pretty much everyone can find something they like. There are a few food offerings but they do tend to run out and if you want something more than a sandwich I would suggest coming here after you’ve had dinner. I stuck with the craft beers and ciders they had available and they did not disappoint.
The build aspect is absolutely fascinating. Since I was with a larger group we didn’t actually do the «build» part of this bar’s experience but I did get to watch other patrons working on their various projects. This place is completely laid back so it didn’t matter that my group was there to just relax and have a few drinks. That said, I’m excited to try the various 3D printing and electronics projects they have and I plan on bringing my regular game group here soon. There is a separate «menu» of the different things you can create listed and it’s all reasonably priced. There are also preprinted figurines you can buy as a souvenirs. Overall this is a wonderfully geeky place that you can bring your friends and family to have a unique night out.

Ok, this place is pretty cool and unique. They really do have a bunch of 3d printers and computers that you can use to design and print anything you want. They also have some basic electronic parts and little kits you can buy and build there in the bar. They have a little café bar that serves drinks and coffee; I recommend grabbing a drink and then chatting with the staff and other patrons, who will all be excited to tell you about their projects.

This place is fun and creative. My fiancée and I decided to stop by. We fell in love with the music, atmosphere and friendly staff. This place is super innovative, I think people should come support Dayton local businesses. We only had cocktails which consist of mainly beer and wine but the coffee, homemade cookies & pastries, and wraps looked delicious!

Walked in and thought it was an interesting looking bar and soon found out it was more of a coffee shop. Confusing enough it says bar on the side of the building. Staff looked surprised to see my guest and myself and did not greet us until we walked toward the bar area, that’s when we soon discovered it was more about coffee and less about a cocktail. The staff started to explain the concept and it sounded a bit confusing and pretentious and the guy really had a condescending tone. Won’t be back till they work on that for sure. Too many other places in Dayton are doing it better. Good luck with the hipster concept

This is a very cool place and the cappuccino is excellent! You can build things or just hang out and have a cup of coffee on the comfy sofas.