As the hour became late and the temperature dropped on Saturday night, the sidewalk on Olive Street and Broadway filled with an energetic crowd of 20-somethings in search of the right dance floor and drink to warm up their bodies.
Dead Sexy Pizza was just opening and Pedicab drivers were starting to linger near the crosswalk as the music became louder and the crowd grew larger.
“It’s chill around here. People are just out here to have a good time,” said Scott Green, who was working at the Albee’s NY Dogs stand.
A colorful light projector and strobe light flashed from the hotdog cart as 94.9 Jamz played from his radio.
“Just want to liven it up and make it more fun for people, you know,” Green said.
A group of women began dancing to his music in the middle of the street as they paraded their friend — wearing a pink plastic crown on her 21st birthday — to Davis’ Restaurant and Bar.
Within a four block radius, there are more than 15 bars, each with its own style and genre.
“For me, it’s trying to find the places you wouldn’t normally go,” said University senior Lucas Gillett, who had just finished watching the University football game. “If you have nothing else to do, go downtown because there will be something going on down here.”
Some go downtown when they’re in the mood to get dressed up. Others just prefer the neighborhood for its more diverse crowd. While nightlife on East 13th Avenue near campus revolves around the college lifestyle, many said downtown represents a Eugene identity separate from the University.
“It’s a good mix of all different types of people. There’s no scene,” said Lane Community College student Sarah Throwsky, who was heading to the Horsehead.
Lucy Stirling of Portland had just eaten at Mezza Luna Pizzeria after seeing the Pixies perform, and was now looking to find a house party.
“Eugene’s fun. It’s a small town, but it’s a fun town to wander around,” Stirling said.
University alumna Jessica Watson was making her way to see local country musician Tyler Fortier at John Henry’s.
“I just love to come to downtown. This is where you get a good feel for what Eugene actually is,” Watson said. Her friend, Martin Anderson, had just made it into town from Seattle.
“I’ve been here for 10 minutes, but it’s a good feel,” Anderson said.
Not everyone agreed, though, that downtown Eugene is “happening.”
“It’s dead,” was the blunt reaction of Aislynn Blair, who had just finished listening to Eleven Eyes at the Oak Street Speakeasy. Blair used to be a regular in the downtown nightlife, but nowadays she usually stays at home to put her child to sleep and play cribbage with her partner.
“When I came here two years ago, it was very lively,” Blair said.
Joe Skinner of Davis’ Restaurant and Bar security agreed that the downtown area has quieted down within recent years. But having been a bouncer for 17 years in four different states, he is happiest with his current job.
“A lot of bars down here are trendy. It’s a very fun and safe place to dance,” Skinner said as he checked IDs.
Skinner put his large leather coat over the shoulders of shivering Dani Roberts, who was having a cigarette. Roberts usually works on Saturdays, but she had gotten the night off.
“It’s fun. Everyone’s accepting and open. That’s how downtown is,” she said.
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