The Jackalope Lounge isn’t quite a typical dive bar — it’s its own animal. Located adjacent to Eugene’s Amtrak station on Willamette St., it has all the ingredients of a rundown bar: affordable drinks, pub food, worn pool tables, an assortment of eclectic tunes spilling from the jukebox and a clientele and staff on a first name basis.
But like the mythical creature from which its name is derived, The Jackalope Lounge isn’t a faceless dive bar that can be lumped together with all the rest. Like Eugene itself, The Jackalope has a dingy, but welcoming atmosphere, and some intangible qualities that make you remember it when you leave (even if you don’t remember leaving).
It’s almost never packed — but it’s never empty either. Even on Saturday evenings, when the pool tables and dart boards get crowded, it’s always quick and easy to get a drink from the genial staff, and rarely do you need to shout to be heard.
“The Jackalope has the feel of a bar that’s in someone’s basement,” said patron Rob Ladwig. “It’s small enough to get to know people.”
And Ladwig speaks the truth. As I stand awkwardly at the bar questioning patrons and staff for my review, I find quickly find myself immersed in a conversation about books and authors with Ladwig and a friend.
My reviewing and interviewing is forgotten and instead of quotes I’ve compiled a list of books that my new acquaintances suggest I read.
And that’s The Jackalope wrapped up in to-go box.
“It’s a good community bar,” said bartender Bridget Gowey. “It’s laid back.”
Price-wise The Jackalope is comparable to other downtown bars, but it gets a leg up (or antler up) by featuring specials every day of the week — including the weekend — and these specials last from when the lounge opens up until midnight, giving patrons plenty of time to save a buck or two.
The food is normal pub fare, and Zagat probably won’t be banging down the door anytime soon, but the portions are sizeable, and make sharing not just a possibility, but an inevitably. And, just like the drinks, there’s a daily food special too.
Combine the people, the place, the food and drink and you get The Jackalope Lounge, and it’s a pretty nice concoction. If The Jackalope Lounge were a mixed drink it’d be whiskey and coke; nothing fancy, but a proficient way to have a good time.
And to show that it’s not just me and my potentially outlandish taste in bars, check out user reviews on Yelp.com and you’ll notice the words “favorite” and “best” popping up quite frequently.
The Jackalope doesn’t profess to be anything it’s not; it’s not glamorous, but trusty, like a cowboy’s horse in an old western. If your expectations include having a laid back night with a couple of drinks and an unfinished game of pool or two, The Jackalope Lounge could be just the place.