Eugene's Whiteaker Neighborhood: Breweries, Murals and Late Bites
The Whiteaker, or "the Whit," sits just west of downtown Eugene and is the heart of the city's arts and counterculture scene. Murals cover the walls, breweries and tasting rooms fill old warehouses and the food ranges from tacos to izakaya. If you are in town this November for a Ducks game or the Holiday Market, plan an afternoon and evening here. This guide covers what to see, where to eat and drink and where to stay nearby.
Why visit the Whiteaker this month
November is a busy month in Eugene, and the Whit is an easy add to almost any trip:
- Saturday, Nov. 14: Oregon hosts Michigan at Autzen Stadium. The Whit is a natural spot for a pregame brunch or a postgame pint.
- Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 21 and 22: Eugene Saturday Market's Holiday Market opens for the season at the Lane Events Center, a short trip from the neighborhood.
- Rainy afternoons: Taprooms, cafes and bakeries make the Whit one of the best parts of town for a cozy, indoor day.
Kickoff times and market hours can change, so check goducks.com and the Holiday Market page before you go.
Breweries and tasting rooms
Much of Eugene's brewery scene is clustered in the Whiteaker and the nearby Market District. A few favorites:
Ninkasi's Better Living Room
Ninkasi helped put Eugene on the craft beer map, and its pub, the Better Living Room, is in the Whiteaker. Come for the flagship beers and stay for the seasonal releases.
Claim 52 Brewing
Claim 52's Eugene taproom at 232 Lincoln Street is a family friendly stop with a kids play area and an outdoor patio. It is known for hazy IPAs and fruited sours.
Beergarden., Wolf Spirit and more
Beergarden. hosts live music, trivia and game nights. Wolf Spirit and the Oakshire Public House round out a great crawl. Wine fans can stop at Territorial Vineyards and Wine Company or Oregon Wine LAB.
Please plan a safe ride home. Rideshare and the LTD bus make it easy to leave the car behind.
Where to eat
The Whit's food scene is small but very diverse. Local chefs opened their dream kitchens here, and the result is a little of everything.
- Tacovore: creative tacos in a casual, colorful space.
- Izakaya Meiji Company: Japanese small plates for a relaxed dinner.
- Chao Pra Ya Thai Cuisine and Evergreen Indian: two longtime neighborhood favorites.
- Slice Pizzeria: pizza by the slice, with karaoke on select nights.
- Fisherman's Market: fresh seafood, featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Seating fills up fast, so consider takeout to nearby Sladden Park.
- Food carts: the lineup changes, so wander and see what is open.
Coffee, bakeries and sweets
Wandering Goat Coffee
Wandering Goat roasts its own beans and has a relaxed, artsy feel. It is at 268 Madison Street and is open every day from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
New Day Bakery
A neighborhood institution since the late 1980s, with bright walls that make even a gray day feel sunny.
Sweet Life Patisserie
On the edge of the Whit at 755 Monroe Street, Sweet Life is Eugene's go-to dessert stop. It is normally open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. It is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, and reopens Friday, Nov. 27, at 3 p.m.
Murals, music and late nights
Walk the murals
Every corner of the Whit is colorful. Start on Blair Boulevard and wander the side streets. Painted storefronts and large murals are part of what makes this neighborhood feel so different from the rest of town.
Live music
Sam Bond's Garage is a Whiteaker staple for live music, with genres from rock to folk on most weekends. Many tasting rooms and restaurants also host intimate live shows.
Blairally Vintage Arcade
Blairally, at 245 Blair Boulevard, mixes classic arcade games, drinks and live shows. It opens at 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and at 2 p.m. Friday through Sunday, and stays open late.
Skate and stroll
The Washington Jefferson skatepark, near the edge of the neighborhood, is billed as America's largest covered outdoor skatepark. It is fun to watch even if you do not skate. When the rain lets up, the riverside paths are close by.
Getting around
Parking in the Whiteaker is limited. Local tourism officials recommend the LTD bus, the PeaceHealth Rides bike share or rideshare. The neighborhood is less than two miles from downtown and the Market District, so it pairs easily with a downtown stay.
Where to stay near the Whiteaker
Staying downtown puts you a short ride from the Whit, close to the Holiday Market and an easy trip to Autzen on game day.
Downtown 3BR house with a backyard fire pit
Charmer Downtown 3BR Home w Free Parking near UofO sleeps six in three bedrooms with two baths. It is two blocks from downtown, with an open kitchen and dining area, a fenced backyard with a fire pit and BBQ grill, laundry and a dedicated workspace. Free parking is a real perk when you head out for the night.
Washington Alley 2 bedroom apartment
Downtown Washington Alley 2 Bedroom Apartment sleeps up to six with a king bed, a sofa bed and a bunk bed. It has a full kitchen with a gas range, a washer and dryer and a walkable downtown location. Parking is tight, so it is a great fit for guests who plan to bus, bike or rideshare.
Both homes book directly at moxievacationrentals.com.
Our cancellation policy, in plain terms
Cancel 60 or more days before check-in for a full refund. Inside 60 days, the stay is non-refundable, but you can make one move to a similar-rate date within 12 months, subject to availability and blackout dates. Host may approve certain dates case by case.
A simple Whiteaker day
- Morning: coffee at Wandering Goat and a pastry at New Day Bakery.
- Midday: walk the murals on Blair Boulevard, then lunch at Tacovore or Fisherman's Market.
- Afternoon: a tasting flight at Ninkasi, Claim 52 or Beergarden.
- Evening: dinner at Izakaya Meiji, a show at Sam Bond's and dessert at Sweet Life.
Hours change with the seasons, so check each spot before you go. For more ideas, see our Eugene craft beer guide.
Related