Jo Fed's has been hosting Thursday night jam sessions for a while now, but I just checked it out last week. A couple friends and I showed up around 10 p.m. The restaurant was closed, so we just followed the jazz notes downstairs into the basement.
The scene was mellow, and several people shared a table with their trumpet or bass, waiting for their moment to join in. In turn, each would stand up out of some shadowy nook to share their musical insight.
The place has great ambiance, and the service was attentive but kicked back. We each had a pint of local favorite Ninkasi and shared an order of fries. It was a great Thursday night, even if I was out past my regular bedtime.
Keywords: Dress casual, Bar, Good wine list, Restaurant, No smoking, Happy Hour, Cheap (US$ 5 - US$ 10), Pacific Northwest, "In" place / People watching, Eating late
This is an old jazz club in Eugene, but I like it because of hte new wine bar. it looks out on 5th Street, across from the historic 5th St Market. There is only room for maybe 20 people max, 3 high tables and some room on the bar. The wine and food selection is great and it has a bit more of an elegant feel to it, even though it's casual. It'd be a great place if you're asked by your (first) date: Where would you like to meet? Sophisticated, but not stuffy; elegant, but not snooty; mid-priced and good people watching.
Keywords: Just you alone / As a single, Good for first date, Bar, Good wine list, No smoking, Pacific Northwest, Moderate (US$ 11 - US$ 20), "In" place / People watching, With business partners, As a senior citizen, As a couple, Lunch