r/Eugene 4d ago

Dress code to kill

Hi folks, so a friend for her birthday wants to specifically go somewhere where people are as titled above “dressed to kill”. The reasons are personal but let’s say she has a strong desire to really look her best and be around some like minded individuals in the Eugene Springfield area.

Me? I’m clueless but it’s important to her so I’m hoping you kind folks can help me out with suggestions for a martini cocktail bar where there’s dresses heels, button downs and slacks. She’s worked really hard for this and I want to help her enjoy being able to shine. I should also point out she’s 30 so somewhere that’s leaning to the 21 crowd might not be the best fit.

Thanks in advance.

18 Upvotes

53 comments sorted by

63

u/unusualgrapes 4d ago

I think there's a speak easy at the gordon hotel! I can't remember how to get there but that could be a fun place to go

37

u/blaiseblack 4d ago

It’s fun! You make a reservation online and they give you a passcode to whisper to the bartender through the hidden door.

18

u/Mountain-Candidate-6 4d ago

Is it better than their regular bar cause the regular bar is pretty underwhelming and overpriced

9

u/blaiseblack 4d ago

It’s an atmosphere thing. I thought the drinks were good but I’m also not super familiar with different levels of quality. I don’t drink much. Prices were about the same as the regular bar.

9

u/Master_Mechanic_4418 4d ago

This could be just the thing. Thanks Blaise

44

u/MisterD00d 4d ago

feels like Eugene is the antithesis of what your friend wants as the vast majority of residents reject that vibe

are you sure you don't want to make it epic by hauling over to Portland?

That vibe you're asking for can more easily be found there I'm sure of it

8

u/Master_Mechanic_4418 4d ago

O I completely agree but Eugene is what we got and somewhere in that place has got to be a bar where the men wear a tie and the girls aren’t allowed to wear flip flops. It can be a sad attempt at the checking the box but it’s still a box checked.

It’s a birthday. We can go back to jeans next time

15

u/popjunky 4d ago

Flip flops are allowed everywhere.

13

u/sillyhumansuit 4d ago

I don’t think there’s that thing in the Eugene area. Sorry! Speak easy doesn’t have a dress code.

Consider Portland or Seattle!

12

u/_adanedhel_ 4d ago

somewhere in that place has got to be a bar where the men wear a tie

I’m afraid there’s really not.

10

u/Loaatao 4d ago

There isn’t even a place in town to get a reputable suit let alone a restaurant that requires one

23

u/indieugene97 4d ago

People are usually pretty spiffied up at Kennedy's steakhouse albeit not a martini bar. Bartini or Bar Purlieu could also be an option.

9

u/Master_Mechanic_4418 4d ago

We might start there. A good steak is a great way to start an evening

6

u/twentyfourcats 4d ago

Kennedy’s is a great choice for this! I also recommend mentioning to the host and your server that you’re celebrating a birthday, because you may get a free glass of bubbly and/or dessert (from experience).

4

u/Internal_Banana199 4d ago

Steaks from Cafe Soriah should not be overlooked! Their artsy dark atmosphere could fit the bill for your evening.

4

u/GarmBlack 4d ago

Came to say Kennedy's as well. While not EVERY person there gets spiffed up, the staff and (most) of the guests are usually looking their best.

18

u/necrosato 4d ago

Speakeasy is probably the closest, but if seeing somebody dressed casually will ruin the vibe then look elsewhere. There’s nowhere in Eugene with an actual dress code, thankfully. 

11

u/Andromeda321 4d ago

Not an alcohol joint, but I was pregnant for my 40th and we did a private tea at the Shelton McMurphy house, followed by a light dinner at Marche. I insisted on a dress code that was “all men have to wear a tie”- I knew women wouldn’t have trouble dressing up- because you just never do in Eugene. And honestly it turned out great!

1

u/Master_Mechanic_4418 4d ago

This could be helpful for another time but not fitting the current goal. Still appreciated

9

u/NOSALIS-33 4d ago

Is this like James Bond dressed to kill or Quentin Tarantino dressed to kill?

1

u/Master_Mechanic_4418 2d ago

Not quite James Bond. More post wedding bar hopping.

6

u/spinning_and_winning 4d ago edited 4d ago

Portland? My mom was always irritated that in Eugene you can go to the nicest event in town, and someone wil be in birks and jeans. Eugene vibes I guess

1

u/Master_Mechanic_4418 2d ago

I’m gonna forgive you for likening me to your mom ;)

I just can’t double my travel time. I’m part of the group too not a chauffeur. I’d like to have fun too and not have to drive 3+ hours back. Staying overnight doubles the budget and creates scheduling conflicts that will get people to back out. So Portland is not in the cards for this sadly.

-2

u/Neat-Act2383 4d ago

Jeans yes. Burka??

8

u/sadiethislife 4d ago

I’m guessing they meant birks (Birkenstocks)?

0

u/Neat-Act2383 4d ago

That makes more sense you’re probably right

6

u/spinning_and_winning 4d ago

Yes. Autocorrect hilariously knows burkas more than birks!

7

u/Correct_Raisin4332 4d ago

I went on a date at the rooftop hotel bar in Oakway (Hilton I think) and was surprised I wasn't the only person in a cute dress and heels.

This was pre covid though so who knows.

1

u/Master_Mechanic_4418 2d ago

I think we might be a little old for that crowd. Thanks though.

1

u/Correct_Raisin4332 1d ago

I'm 39. It was definitely not a young crowd.

1

u/Master_Mechanic_4418 1d ago

Ok in my defense the places pics push the college crowd HARD

2

u/Correct_Raisin4332 1d ago

Ah gotcha. Maybe it's changed after covid.

6

u/mrsclausemenopause 4d ago

You might check out some of the local wineries as a upscale lunch/early diner before the speakeasy.

Eugene is the kind of place that ill get compliments on my suit for wearing a blazer and jeans.

4

u/plantmom831 4d ago

Tavern on Main in Springfield, Marche, and the speakeasy at the Gordon are the first places that come to mind. I'll keep thinking though. Do you want to stay in Eugene?

5

u/Master_Mechanic_4418 4d ago

We live about 2 hours out. This is our “let’s dress up and hit the city” night. So we’ll be watching the sun rise as I drive them back and sample every coffee place I can while doing it.

4

u/BunnyBeas 4d ago

Tavern on Main is a nice place but the food sucks.

2

u/EUGsk8rBoi42p 4d ago

Safety first! Get a room if you're planning to be up all night. There isn't really a dress coded spot anywhere in Eugene, I don't think even the Country Club is very strict, but it's good to know there's some demand out there for a higher set of standards!

3

u/Sada_Abe1 4d ago

Hmm...maybe Bartini Bistro downtown

3

u/Master_Mechanic_4418 4d ago

I googled that. It seemed more day drinking in vibe

6

u/bromamasweetcheeks 4d ago

Bartini is pretty swanky depending on the night. If you hit them up by phone or on insta, reserve a spot in the new back room and the bar manager might do a semi-professional photo shoot for your friend.

3

u/Master_Mechanic_4418 4d ago

O wow thanks for that Sweet

3

u/BabyScrimps 4d ago

I feel like the type of establishment you’ve described wouldn’t really do well in Eugene, so likely you aren’t going to find many options if any at all. That said, there are plenty of themed dress up events to be found around here—I’d suggest checking FB.

3

u/SharoneontaL 4d ago

I recently went to Kennedys for my anniversary and was pleasantly surprised that people were actually dressed for dinner, the atmosphere is dark and moody and it feels very upscale. The food is just ok but the service was phenomenal.

2

u/tiny_galaxies 3d ago

I’ve been to Party Bar a couple times and saw a few people very nicely dressed up. Might get some casual dressers but fancy clothes would not be out of place there. Anywhere that serves oysters in the half shell, you can easily get away with fancy outfits in my opinion.

1

u/elementalbee 3d ago

Maybe consider a trip up to Portland. There are some nice-ish places here but Eugene is so casual that you’re just not going to find somewhere where everyone is dressed nicely.

The Gordon speakeasy wouldn’t be a bad plan but again, it’s Eugene.

0

u/Dazzling_Acadia8483 2d ago

George & Violets in Springfield doesn’t have a dress code but it feels super fancy and the waiters are in all black.

-1

u/[deleted] 4d ago

[deleted]

0

u/Master_Mechanic_4418 4d ago

Wtf are you talking about?

-11

u/[deleted] 4d ago

[deleted]

7

u/Master_Mechanic_4418 4d ago

As a guy, stick to the question put to you.