LUCKEY’S CLUB

It’s 9 p.m., on a Sunday, one hour before the weekly burlesque show starts at Luckey’s in downtown Eugene. The Buena Vista Social Club soundtrack is playing as the stage is set and sound engineers pore over equipment.

But you wouldn’t be able to tell that anything big was about to go down. Although the bar has a storied history, it’s sparsely populated tonight. There’s a small group playing pool near the bar and a handful of people just walked in.

“Do you guys have Animal Planet?” a member of the bar’s newest patrons, one of the four clad in dreadlocks, asks. “I know you guys are supposed to be a sports bar, but anything’s better than watching Keno.”

Brad Erichsen is the only bartender on duty at the moment. He assures the Animal Planet aficionado that Luckey’s isn’t a sports bar. In fact, he says Luckey’s doesn’t have a type.

“We’re definitely not the college type of bar,” he said. “We have a more mixed crowd. The kind of people you’ll find here really differs from one night to the next.”

Although Erichsen is the only man on duty behind the bar, that’s not typical. Whether you’re in the “Barmuda Triangle” or near campus, there’s almost always more than one person working. Whereas campus bars like Max’s, Rennie’s and downtown establishments such as the Horsehead and Jameson’s will have more than one person behind the counter, Luckey’s stands alone.

Erichsen said what separates his bar from most any other in the area is the atmosphere.

“We very rarely have to deal with too much shit,” he said.

The eight-year Luckey’s veteran has seen the bar weather. Everything from the Great Recession to the Oregon Ducks’ rise as a national brand.

But none of that has changed Luckey’s one bit. It’s still the kind of place where the calendar behind the bar, where pool trophies line the shelf on the opposite side of the bar, shows the page for September even two days after Halloween.

“We make attempts to lure the college crowd,” Erichsen said.

And although that’s evident by the preparation for tonight’s burlesque show and the monthly GLAM nights that happen here, it’s still the hole-in-the-wall dive bar downtown Eugene has always known.

Luckey’s is located at 933 Olive St. It’s open from noon to 2 a.m., every day.

COWFISH DANCE CLUB:

At 5 p.m., on any given night, a neon sign on Broadway between Willamette Street and Olive Street is illuminated, signifying the opening of Cowfish, and the awakening of downtown Eugene’s nightlife.

The doors are unlocked and the music is turned up, but “Where is my mind?” by the Pixies is white noise compared to what will be blasting later. One by one, the barstools become occupied by a variety of regulars, twenty-somethings sipping on microbrews with their noses buried in textbooks, or middle-aged men with spiked gray hair and gauged ears ordering their usual PBR.

Go in around 5 p.m., and you’d never guess that four hours from now, the place will be packed, vibrating with energy, unrecognizable.

Most don’t notice the eclectic decor, from the neon velvet paintings that line the walls to the daisy chandeliers that dangle from the ceiling. As it glows under the black light – including the club’s quirky, yellow mascot, who lives in a large saltwater aquarium behind the bar: A little cowfish, no longer than a few inches, swims at such a slow pace, it appears to be floating among its sprightly tank-mates. Its name, according to the bartender, is “Cowfish.”

Bartender David Trussell, who has worked for several bars in the area, said Cowfish stands out among the rest, not only because it’s the only dance club downtown that hosts nightly DJs, but also because it has the friendliest staff.

Last year, Cowfish was voted “best same-sex pickup spot” and “best singles scene” in Eugene Weekly, as well as “best dance club” in the Emerald. It’s popular because it offers something to anyone and everyone – like Eugene, its crowd is diverse in age, occupation, sexual orientation and just about everything else.

When asked what the best night to come in is, Trussel responded, “Any night.” Cowfish offers daily drink deals, namely a happy hour from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. that includes $1.50 Pabst, $2 well drinks, $3 microbrews on tap and one rotating drink special.

Connect with Cowfish’s Facebook page and you’ll see it has regular events, such as costume parties and theme nights, including a drag show called FreekNite every second Friday of the month. If you’re looking for adventure, Cowfish is undoubtedly the place to be.

SIDELINES BAR AND GRILL:

If you don’t make it to the big game, there’s still a chance for you to watch it on the sidelines – albeit far from the majesty of Autzen Stadium. Sidelines bar and grill offers a roaring sports crowd, free games and food specials that should please any bar-goer in downtown Eugene.Before Sidelines opened, it was known as John Henry’s, an entertainment/dance club famous among the downtown crowd for its weekly ’80s nights and monthly GLAM Night. Sidelines harbors a different type of crowd: the sports fanatic.“We ran it for about a year as John Henry’s,” Brian Debos, partial owner of Sidelines bar and grill, said. “After about a year we decided that we don’t really like to be a nightclub.” Sidelines currently draws in every sports fan with a roof thoroughly aligned with sports flags, 17 TVs and every sports package offered through DirecTV.
Since the remodel, Sidelines has also invested in offering several games for customers to play — all free of charge —, a kitchen with daily food specials and an added 10 more beers on tap.

Debos said that giant Jenga and shuffleboard rank the highest among popularity, but bar pong and Connect Four come in a close second. Sidelines just redid its bar pong table, and it’s presented atop a remake design of the Oregon Football Field.

Sidelines is also open every day of the week. In comparison, John Henry’s was only open Thursday through Saturday, with burlesque on Sundays and a few optional Wednesdays.

Debos said since the switch, Sidelines has seen an increase in sales because it is now able to open every day of the week and for longer hours.

Currently, Sidelines is open Monday-Friday from 11 a.m., to 1:30 a.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m., to 1:30 a.m. The earlier hours on the weekends is to cater to the sports fans that are ready for gameday, according to Debos.

“When they (the Ducks) score a touchdown you can’t even really hear anything,” Debos said. “We have a good crowd down here.”

During games, Sidelines offers 75 cents off all drinks, making a domestic beer, such as Budlight or Coors, $2.50, and a microbrew, such as Deschutes or Pyramid $3.50.

Sidelines also offers food specials throughout the week. According to Debos, Thursday’s teriyaki bowls and Friday’s $6 burgers bring in the most customers.

Sidelines will also be releasing a new menu this week, with 14 new options.

Sidelines Bar and Grill is located at 77 W Broadway. It’s open Mondays from 3 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.; Thursdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m.