White Dog Distilling Co. & Bourbon Bar is calling last call on its downtown Middletown tasting room, with owners saying June 14 will be the final day of business. Mike and Debbie Dranschak point to a prolonged Central Avenue closure that they say kept regulars away and left summer business too thin to keep the doors open. The couple has lined up a June 12 farewell tied to local Pride activities and says they hope to keep the White Dog name alive in a new spot, possibly somewhere with a warmer climate.
As reported by WKRC Local 12, the owners told customers in a Facebook post that "People stopped coming downtown because of the mess and never came back," and confirmed June 14 as the last open day. The message thanked patrons for "seven and a half years" of support and described the closure decision as a tough one. WKRC noted that White Dog doubled as a bourbon bar and live music venue alongside its distilling operation.
The business opened in November 2018 and rolled out its own bourbon, rum, vodka, and gin while also operating as a restaurant and sports bar, the Journal-News reported. Early coverage highlighted plans for on-site distilling, bottle sales, and wider distribution beyond the tasting room. Over time, White Dog hosted local releases and community events that mixed its production space with the feel of a neighborhood hangout.
State Records And Downtown Calendar
State liquor remittance files list White Dog Distilling Co. LLC as a licensed permit holder in Middletown, according to the Ohio Division of Liquor Control. That record underscores White Dog's status as a local producer even as public operations wind down. Downtown Middletown's event calendar lists a PRIDE festival on June 12, the same evening the owners chose for their farewell gathering, framing the goodbye weekend within a busy downtown slate.
Farewell Party And Future Plans
The distillery plans a farewell celebration on June 12 and says live music will be part of the sendoff. The owners told WKRC Local 12 they hope to carry the White Dog name into another market. The night is set up as one last chance for longtime patrons to raise a glass before the final closure on June 14. Attendees are encouraged to check the distillery's social channels or downtown listings for any schedule tweaks.
With White Dog's exit, Middletown loses a small-batch maker and a steady live music stop that the Dranschaks built over more than seven years. The farewell weekend offers neighbors a chance to say goodbye. The owners have expressed gratitude for customers' support and asked the community to keep an eye on the brand's channels for any word on a potential reopening elsewhere. Those hoping to attend the farewell or pick up a last bottle are urged to consult the distillery's social pages and Downtown Middletown's event calendar for details.
