Omaha Driver Entertainment Guide

Located at 17111 So 138th St. in Springfield, Nebraska, is Soaring Wings Vineyard. One of Nebraska’s best vineyards, Soaring Wings hosts an outdoor concert series that runs through the end of September. Bring your lawn chair. Sit and enjoy the spectacular view of the Platte River Valley while listening to some soothing music. The Winery has a rustic hospitality room where you can purchase the winery’s award-winning wines or beers. The winery is open year round, with special events throughout the year.  Octoberfest will be held September 24th and includes a huge BBQ.  Check out Soaring Wing’s website for details. Don’t drink and drive. Happy Motoring!

Located at 501 N. 13th Street, just a block West of the Qwest Center and a block South of TD Ameritrade Park, is “The Matt”, the Old Mattress Factory Bar & Grill.  Renovated from an 1883 grocery store, the Mattress Factory preserves and extends the rich history of Omaha’s North Downtown area. And, if you are looking for a high-energy sports bar, with good food and plenty of seating, the Matt is your kind of place.  Even when the facility is full the noise level in the dining area is very reasonable permitting patrons to have conversations without yelling. On the menu you will find traditional fare, including hot wings, burgers, BBQ and pizza. But you’ll also find heart healthy choices such as soups and salads.  The Matt is open daily for lunch and dinner.  They also have a huge party room on the second floor that can be rented for special occasions. When you are downtown for an event, stop at the Mattress Factory.  You won’t be disappointed! Happy Motoring!!

Located at 120 S. 31st Street, at Midtown Crossing, is Parliament Pub. An English inspired bar with a rock-n-roll theme, Parliament Pub is spacious and relaxed place to lounge and kick-back after a long day or week. Parliament has a large selection of specialty cocktails, beers and wines. It also has an outdoor patio with one of the best views of Turner Park and the downtown Omaha skyline. Sheltered from the Dodge Street and Farnam Street traffic by the Midtown Crossing building designs, Parliament has a casual, enjoyable pace that is hard to find in the heart of the city. Sit on the patio in the evening and watch children play in Turner Park as the sun slips behind the buildings to the West and the beautiful midtown lights flicker on; it’s enchanting. Happy Motoring!

Located at 50th & Underwood Streets is the Dundee Dell. An Omaha icon, the Dundee Dell is well known for its Atlantic cod fish and chips.  The Dell feels just like an authentic Irish pub. You’ll be surprised by their extensive menu and strong array of domestic, imported and specialty beers.   The Dell is a quaint, yet lively, after work or school gathering spot.  The Dell now has two private party rooms for rent; supporting party sizes from 6 to 40 people. My wife and I enjoyed this poem prose from the 1939 Dundee Dell menu: “To those who can drink, yet continue to think, And pleasures Deserved glean from each; May their pleasures be many, Their sorrows not any, Life’s happiness always in reach.” Cheers, and Happy Motoring!

After a brief stop at the Crescent Moon with my co-workers, Chris and Zach, my wife Jodeen and I headed to Village Point in West Omaha to check out brix.  Located just off N. 170th Street, brix is a one-of-a-kind wine, beer and spirits store that offers a wine bar lounge area, learning events, and casual shopping. Pronounced “Bricks”, the establishment takes it’s name from the measurement scale used in evaluating the sugar content of foods and beverages. With over 900 in-store selections to choose from, as well as expensive and in-expensive offerings, brix markets to a broad spectrum of consumers.  Our greeter and assistant, Brenda, was knowledgeable and friendly.  We lounged for awhile and enjoyed a glass of wine.  Meat and cheese trays can be purchased for approximately $10.  Store hours are located under the brix site link above.

Looking for inexpensive auto parts? Try searching for them on eBay. Often you can find new parts on eBay at a fraction of the cost you’d pay through a dealer.  Happy Motoring!