For those of us disheartened by McMenamins’ recent decline in atmosphere, service and tastiness, a pub just starting to make a name for itself may offer hope.
The Villard Street Pub, located on Villard Street between Franklin and 15th, brings back the comfortable and good-spirited ambiance once distinctive of Oregon taverns. Eugene pub-goers, all hail the return of good food and great times.
The pub, which opened early in 2006, is finding distinct identity among Eugene’s pub scene.
Despite its urban surroundings, the pub generates a Northwest mountain lodge feel. Not, however, as though you would expect to see a man dressed in a fur-lined coat and snow boots come tromping in, carrying a rifle and a dead quail.
Wildlife-themed wall sculptures by Ken Scott and eclectic antiques, such as wooden skis and antique signs, decorate the inside. (Mixed in with some University of Oregon paraphernalia, of course.)
Outdoor seating at the Villard Street Pub accommodates those wishing for privacy at small tables or those interested in a community experience by the two fire pits.
The various flat-screen televisions placed around the pub show national and University sporting events, which either attract sports enthusiasts or conveniently offer a distraction from awkward silences.
Not as “hoppin’” as campus bars like Taylor’s and Rennie’s Landing, and lacking the family-friendliness of McMenamins, the Villard Street Pub caters to a specific crowd of older University students and upwardly mobile graduates looking for a laid-back night with quality company and a few good drinks.

Customers of this breed demand genuine smiles and playful conversation from the service to charm their minds away from the anxiety of school and work. Villard Street Pub definitely delivers.
Also, the bartender serving up some refreshing mojitos and local beers actually knew the names of some customers and made an effort to remember fresh faces.
However, to most pub patrons, the importance of a relaxing atmosphere and friendly service falls behind good food and drink.
The “hangry” feeling of extreme hunger resulting in a temperamental attitude that one may walk into the pub with will immediately dissipate with one bite of the Tommy Skipper Reuben. This sandwich creates a delirious state of happiness. I rarely feel perfectly content to let my food dribble down my face, but sauerkraut and Thousand Island dressing cascaded down my chin and I was sure to hastily shove these remnants back in my mouth vowing to not waste one delicious bite.
Judging by the disappearing act a fellow customer performed on his food, the Teriyaki Glazed Burger is equally as enjoyable.
The pub’s reasonably priced menu, $6-$10, features the typical items you would expect to find at an Oregon pub: sliders, flavorful burgers and sandwiches, salads and wraps.
The drink selection includes a variety of imported beers and local favorites (bottled and on tap), wines and cocktails.
One piece of advice for ordering: When contemplating whether or not to spend one dollar and substitute fries for homemade chips, just splurge. Despite the freshness of the pub’s chips, nothing beats its fries with a decadently crispy outer layer and mushy potato inside.
So long McMenamins; I no longer resort to your poor service, unimpressive atmosphere and dwindling food quality; my heart, and subsequently my stomach, now belongs to the Villard Street Pub.