Benson, Nebraska

Benson has something for literally everyone, and a lot of history living in that neighborhood!If you love dive bars, Benson has you covered with The Sydney toward the end of the main drag, Burke's for their amazing Apple Pie Shots, and Full House for karaoke and good, cheap bar fare.If you're in more of a mood for a fancy night out, Benson has what you're looking for too. Eat a high class meal at Au Courant, have some wine or craft beers at Krug Park, and end the night with a high end cigar at Jake's!Benson has great food that won't break the bank, too, though - not to worry! Grab a bite at Burrito Envy, enjoy some sushi at Yoshitomo, pick up a slice of pizza at Virtuoso, or have the best breakfast ever at Jojo's Diner.There are also a few breweries right in Benson as well, which is super cool - we are very lucky to have them! Infusion is always brewing up something special, along with their standard list of beers they always have (Vanilla Bean Blonde!) Benson Brewery has a great list of their own brews as well, along with super tasty food, to boot!If entertainment is what you're on the search for, there is no shortage of it in Benson. Catch comedy shows, bands/artists, and even Omaha professional wrestling at The Waiting Room. Bring your quarters and play the day away at Beercade. Catch a show or performance at Reverb or The Sydney. There are too many fun things to do, see, eat, drink, and experience to even list half of them here - there is so much to do in Benson! I highly recommend this little neighborhood full of excitement and entertainment.

One of my favorite neighborhoods in Omaha. This one has one of my favorite music venues, the waiting room, my favorite homemade ice cream shop, ted and Wally's, my favorite bike shop, Omaha bicycle company, my favorite art gallery, the pet shop, my favorite bar/arcade, beer cafe, as well as my favorite restaurant, Yoshitomo. Plus some good thrifts stores, galleries and boutiques. An extra bonus is that it has a spot behind pet shop gallery where you can recycle your glass! They always put on "benson first Friday" which is always the first Friday of each month where they showcase local and visiting artists with drink and food specials. Omaha is home to many hip neighborhoods but if you're looking for a good time and to be entertained for hours benson is probably the best for it!

The revitalization of Benson several years ago has been nothing short of amazing. It was a separate City from Omaha for 30 years before being annexed. The business district from my childhood is nothing like it is today. It was neglected and nothing close to a center for nightlife. Fast forward to today and you'll find two breweries, hip bars, a fantastic music venue, great restaurants, and even some retail. This area has one of my favorite restaurants (Taco Co) and breweries (Infusion). What really sets Benson apart is it's authenticity and grittiness. It wasn't created by developers like Village Point and Capitol District. I've been here dozens of times the last few years and will no doubt continue coming back when we want to have some great beer, food, and fun.

Benson is now one of Omaha's most vibrant entertainment districts. Who would of thought, especially walking by the many empty storefronts and scuzzy bars that populated Maple Street back in the '90s?From amazing music venues and great restaurants to stellar brew pubs, classic watering holes and bustling coffee shops, Benson has it all. There are even a few retail shops finally popping up, adding to the day time traffic. And have you been during a First Friday? The neighborhood is packed with people getting out and enjoying, well, art. You won't find that at Village Pointe. Benson's future is bright as well. A new street scape to widen the sidewalks is in the works. The historic Benson Theatre is also under renovation. All the area needs is a full service grocer and a bodega and it'll be just about perfect.

Benson! My first Omaha love. Benson has gotten better and better thought-out the years. When I first moved to Omaha in 2000 this was my first neighborhood. I lived at 61st and Maple atop a Tattoo shop. Every one who worked in the tattoo shop was amazing and super nice. I loved eating at the Pizza Shoppe and walking down the street during the daytime. At this time there was really no bar in the area that felt safe or comfortable for me. Fast forward to 2012 and on and this is an incredibly fun area loaded with tons of fun restaurants and bars. The Barley street tavern was a second home to me. The things that Benson First Friday BFF has done to improve this neighborhood are incredible too. There are so many fantastic places in this area now is I difficult to find a favorite.

There are a lot puf things that make this area cool. Beats and bars and food. Almost always you can catch live music. Some good some not. Great location to walk and have a fjord time

This district covers any and all moods you could possibly be in. Whether you are looking to rock out at a great music venue, go to a mellow dinner at a top notch restaurant, or hang out with friends sipping a creative bloody mary concoction this is the place to be . . looking for a pick me up? The coffee shops here are gems too. Bottom line: Benson gets a solid 5-star rating across the board!

I have lived right in the heart of Downtown Benson for the past seven or eight years (it's a blur) and watched it grow form empty store fronts and beat down bars to what it is today. Today there are proper dive bars, upscale bars, fantastic restaurants, the best music venues, and a lot of art and culture happening on any given night. There is something for everyone on this strip, but it's really a treat for people who like a lot of different things.

It is well on its way. The neighborhood continues to gentrify and that's a good thing. Still a little rough in parts in my opinion. 5-10 bars or so on a two block stretch with a restaurant or two sprinkled in.

I live and work in Benson. I love the community. I also adore marq manner who is the face of Benson. My only wish is that they had a bar with a Grateful Dead/hiply ambiance !