If you just moved to Eugene in preparation for your first term at the University of Oregon and you haven’t had the time to scout out anything outside campus, we’ve got the perfect guide for you.
Downtown Eugene can be a strange and intimidating place — it’s a melting pot for all different types of “unique” individuals. It’s also a hub for homeless people, an oasis for those who love to drink 40s at 11 a.m. on a Tuesday. And yet, a few brave business owners have been able to forge awesome little pockets in this wasteland for the rest of us Eugenians to enjoy. Here is a little list of Eugene’s downtown “diamonds in the rough.”
The Barn Light: Barn Light owners Dustin Kinsey and Thomas Pettus-Czar came to Eugene from Kansas with a mission: to create a cool place where people could simply relax and enjoy the company of their friends. If you’re looking for a change of pace from the common rambunctiousness and belligerence of the campus bar scene then look no further than The Barn Light. The on-tap selection, trendy décor, and contemporary tunes bring a Portland vibe to downtown Eugene.
Lazar’s Bazar: Counter-culture shops are considered a staple here in Eugene, and Lazar’s Bazaar could probably be considered the Mecca of Eugene counter-culture. This place has everything a new Eugenian could possibly need — stickers, posters, tapestries, incense, smoking supplies, lava lamps and everything in between. If you’re looking for a unique gift, or just want to be entertained for an hour you should hop into Lazar’s Bazaar.
Shoryuken League: The Shoryuken Lounge is all about variety. Humungous flat-screens line the walls and traditional arcade machines smatter the floor and its hours of operation are both kid-friendly (before 5 p.m.) and 21 and over (after 5 p.m.) The barcade features a number of unique drinks, including 19 different Pokémon-themed cocktails — bottoms up Charizard! The best part? Five bucks at the door will get you unlimited play until they close.
The Bijou Metro: Formerly a funeral home, the Bijou is the perfect example of an independent theater. The staff chooses films they believe are the best in their respective genres. The largest current location is on the corner of 13th Avenue and Ferry Street, however they have now expanding a new theater downtown on 42 West Broadway Street. The new location provides more intimate seating and themed weeks where the staff plans to showcase particular genres of film, like horror or kung fu.
Voodoo Doughnut: There isn’t a place on the planet quite like Voodoo Doughnut. From the “Captain my Captain” (a donut topped with Captain Crunch cereal) to the infamous Bacon Maple Bar, this unique donut shop has just about any bizarre and comical type of donuts you could possibly dream of. This is the perfect place for a late-night downtown drunchy, or just a cool place to cap even the most intense sugar craving.
DuckLife is the Emerald’s magazine for incoming freshmen, made available during IntroDucktion. This story has been reprinted from the magazine in its original form.