On Oregon Highway 58, halfway between Eugene and Oakridge, Ore., stands an old roadhouse bar and cafe called the Dexter Lake Club, which was established in 1949.
The Dexter Lake Club has built a long history as a popular cafe, bar and live music venue. The large neon sign that sits atop the high roofline is an iconic symbol along Highway 58. The sign, along with the thick roadhouse vibe made it a perfect location to film scenes for the popular movie Animal House in 1977. Weekly, you’ll find dedicated Animal House movie fans seeking out this famous landmark to take pictures and remember the movie.
The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the staff is friendly and attentive. The cooks prepare hearty meals made from scratch, and there is live music most nights of the week. It’s also located very close to Dexter Lake, a recreational lake about 35 minutes southeast of Eugene. Dexter Lake offers year-round fishing, seasonal water skiing, sailing, swimming, picnicking and hunting.
This restaurant and lake are both great places to visit if you’re looking for a good adventure with a Eugene feel to it. There is a lot of history and interesting facts about the Dexter Lake Club and is definitely worth checking out on a beautiful spring or summer day!