There’s no denying the charm in lounging on the patio at Taylor’s, sharing a pitcher of beer and an order of mozzarella sticks as the spring sun punishes freshmen who came to Oregon believing the lie that it rains nine months out of the year.
But bars on 13th Avenue and Kincaid Street are exactly where you’re going to find yourself waiting way too long for a beer if that’s where you decide to let Mom and Dad treat you during graduation weekend. That’s why we came up with this list of bars and breweries that sit a stone’s throw away from the University of Oregon campus.
And if your parents are lucky enough to be alumni, these spots will surely be new to them: None of these places was around before 2005.
The Barn Light
924 Willamette St.
This is as far from campus as we’ll be taking you. The Barn Light is located smack dab in the middle of downtown at the intersection of Broadway and Willamette. It was the first shop to give downtown Eugene that decidedly Portland vibe, complete with drinks served in Mason jars and a sizable collection of board games. And if Mom and Pop are coming in from out of state, the obligatory Voodoo Doughnut is just across the street.
The Bier Stein
1591 Willamette St.
You won’t find a better place to grab a beer with Mom and Dad than the Bier Stein. That’s mostly because this place has the largest selection of craft beers in Eugene. The fridges that line the building’s north side contain brews from all over the world, from Germany and Austria to the good ol’ U.S. of A. Don’t forget to check out the pizza panini.
Elk Horn Brewery
686 E. Broadway
If you’re looking to break the bank, look no further than the intersection of Broadway and Hilyard Street. Where there was once a two-story Carl’s Jr., there’s now a brew house complete with a menu that features such items as catfish an’ fixins, golden beet grilled cheese or waffle chicken sammies.
The Cannery
345 E. 11th Ave.
Conveniently located less than a block away from a Dutch Bros., The Cannery is the kind of place where the ‘rents will feel right at home. The seating is ample and there’s even a pair of heavy wooden picnic tables outside to share a brew on. The place is known for its reubens, but the real magic dwells in the wait staff — you’ll never meet a more affable group of people who aspire to help you get crunk.
Sam Bond’s Brewing Co.
540 E. Eighth Ave.
If you’ve taken full advantage of being drinking age in Eugene, you’ve definitely checked out Sam Bond’s Garage on Blair Boulevard. Fortunately, the same ragtag spirit that resonates throughout the Whiteaker-area mainstay finally has a location close to campus. Sam Bond’s Brewing is tucked away on Eighth Avenue and Ferry Street, behind the construction of The Hub. There’s plenty of good local beer on tap. Best of all, the menu is almost exclusively composed of — what else? — specialty pizzas.
 
 
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