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Beloved Kettering Gaming Bar D20 Closing After Nearly a Decade
Co-founder Andrew Sparks cites personal health issues and pandemic challenges as reasons for shutting down the popular hangout.
Apr. 12, 2026 at 7:53pm
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The vibrant, pop art-inspired visuals of D20: A Bar with Characters captured the spirit of the gaming community that found a home within its walls.Today in DaytonD20: A Bar with Characters, a beloved table-top gaming bar in Kettering, Ohio, is closing down after nearly 10 years in business. Co-founder Andrew Sparks cited multiple challenges, including staying afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic and Sparks' own personal health issues, as the reasons behind the decision to shut the bar down. Sparks expressed gratitude for the loyal patrons who made D20 a 'safe haven' and 'family' for the gaming community over the years.
Why it matters
The closure of D20 represents the end of an era for Kettering's vibrant gaming and tabletop community, which had found a home and gathering place at the bar. It also highlights the ongoing struggles that small businesses, especially in the hospitality industry, have faced in the wake of the pandemic and other economic pressures.
The details
D20: A Bar with Characters first opened its doors in Kettering nearly 10 years ago, providing a space for tabletop gamers and enthusiasts to come together. Co-founder Andrew Sparks said the bar has faced multiple challenges in recent years, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and Sparks' own personal health issues. Sparks shared that he and his business partner, Chrissy, were working over 100 hours per week and that the demands had taken a toll, leading Sparks to reevaluate his involvement in the bar industry.
- D20: A Bar with Characters first opened in Kettering nearly 10 years ago.
- In 2022, co-founder Andrew Sparks fell ill, which shifted his view on the bar industry.
- After considering their options over the past year, the D20 team has decided it's time to close the bar.
The players
Andrew Sparks
Co-founder of D20: A Bar with Characters, who cited personal health issues and the demands of running the bar as reasons for its closure.
Chrissy
Co-founder of D20: A Bar with Characters, who worked alongside Andrew Sparks to operate the bar.
What they’re saying
“This place grew to be a safe haven for a lot of people who had nowhere else to go; it became a family in a lot of ways; it wasn't just a bar. It was never just a bar, and that wasn't because of us. It was because of the fanbase, the people who came here. We appreciate it, all the love and support over the years.”
— Andrew Sparks, Co-founder, D20: A Bar with Characters
What’s next
Sparks shared that some people have expressed interest in buying the bar, but the D20 team is still working out the details of a potential sale.
The takeaway
The closure of D20: A Bar with Characters marks the end of a beloved community hub for Kettering's gaming enthusiasts, highlighting the challenges that small businesses, especially in the hospitality industry, have faced in recent years. The bar's impact as a 'safe haven' and 'family' for its patrons underscores the importance of such community-driven spaces.
