Hobnobber Guide Book
City/town information
Eau Claire and the Chippewa Valley, could easily be called the “Hipster Epicenter of Wisconsin”. We are located at the confluence of two stunning rivers which have created little pockets of business and residential areas each with their own souls tucked into a beautiful valley. In this place everyone can be an artist, a musician, a dreamer. It’s a place where counterculture and alternative lifestyles are viewed as positive things. Pay close attention and you’ll see kindness everywhere. It's the way cars stop for pedestrians. Strangers greet each other with hello and a smile. Teenagers hold doors open for you way longer than they ever should have. With this kind of society and culture, you are certain to find amazing things to see and experience. We encourage you to get out, go for a walk, a drive, an exploration of this amazing city and find your own little treasures.
8 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Eau Claire
Eau Claire and the Chippewa Valley, could easily be called the “Hipster Epicenter of Wisconsin”. We are located at the confluence of two stunning rivers which have created little pockets of business and residential areas each with their own souls tucked into a beautiful valley. In this place everyone can be an artist, a musician, a dreamer. It’s a place where counterculture and alternative lifestyles are viewed as positive things. Pay close attention and you’ll see kindness everywhere. It's the way cars stop for pedestrians. Strangers greet each other with hello and a smile. Teenagers hold doors open for you way longer than they ever should have. With this kind of society and culture, you are certain to find amazing things to see and experience. We encourage you to get out, go for a walk, a drive, an exploration of this amazing city and find your own little treasures.
Coffee
SHIFT Cyclery & Coffee Bar
615 Graham AveWho said bikes and coffee don’t mix, um nobody.
https://www.eaushift.com
This was a favorite hangout for Mat’s Grandma, the hippest grandma in Eau Claire.
https://www.racydlenes.com
Racy D'Lenes Coffee Lounge
404 Riverside AveThis was a favorite hangout for Mat’s Grandma, the hippest grandma in Eau Claire.
https://www.racydlenes.com
Not affiliated with ACDC, unless you ask Zoey. Excellent selection of macaroons.
https://www.ecdc.coffee
11 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
ECDC - Eau Claire Downtown Coffee
205 S Barstow StNot affiliated with ACDC, unless you ask Zoey. Excellent selection of macaroons.
https://www.ecdc.coffee
Breakfast
Slow service but very much worth the wait. Great brunch spot and do try the Lemon Crepe.
https://www.nucleuscafe.com
12 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
The Pickle
341 Water StSlow service but very much worth the wait. Great brunch spot and do try the Lemon Crepe.
https://www.nucleuscafe.com
Classic Eau Claire eatery. It’s a total dive and that’s what’s so good about it.
Chick-A-Dee's Family Restaurant
1928 3rd StreetClassic Eau Claire eatery. It’s a total dive and that’s what’s so good about it.
Once part of a small local chain of American restaurants, this place is your prototypical dinner.
https://randysfood.com
Randy's Family Restaurant
1132 West Macarthur AvenueOnce part of a small local chain of American restaurants, this place is your prototypical dinner.
https://randysfood.com
Dinner
Excellent Thai Food and Jessica’s favorite Asian food in all of Eau Claire, maybe even the World.
Rice Palace
210 South Barstow StreetExcellent Thai Food and Jessica’s favorite Asian food in all of Eau Claire, maybe even the World.
Great Hmong Food. If you don’t know who the Hmong are or what they did for our country, please look it up. In the meantime don’t let the street view scare you. This place is legit good.
6 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Egg Roll Plus Hmong Restaurant
1611 Bellinger StGreat Hmong Food. If you don’t know who the Hmong are or what they did for our country, please look it up. In the meantime don’t let the street view scare you. This place is legit good.
We ate here every Tuesday night for 15 years, no lie. Whenever we are in Eau Claire we have to stop in. It's typical Mexican fare with exceptional staff.
https://cancunmexicangrillwi.com
6 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Cancun Bar & Grill
805 S Hastings WayWe ate here every Tuesday night for 15 years, no lie. Whenever we are in Eau Claire we have to stop in. It's typical Mexican fare with exceptional staff.
https://cancunmexicangrillwi.com
This is our go to joint for deep fried cheese curds, so big, so delicious. Be aware, this is a college hangout so it will be loud and a party-like atmosphere.
https://www.dooleyspub.com
6 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Dooleys Pub
442 Water StThis is our go to joint for deep fried cheese curds, so big, so delicious. Be aware, this is a college hangout so it will be loud and a party-like atmosphere.
https://www.dooleyspub.com
Have you noticed all the Mona Lisa murals around town? They are a form of guerrilla marketing by Lisa Aspenson for this restaurant. Anyhow, it’s on the formal side so feel free to dress up. Don’t miss the ‘secret’ patio in the back.
https://monalisaeauclaire.com
17 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Mona Lisa's Restaurant
428 Water StHave you noticed all the Mona Lisa murals around town? They are a form of guerrilla marketing by Lisa Aspenson for this restaurant. Anyhow, it’s on the formal side so feel free to dress up. Don’t miss the ‘secret’ patio in the back.
https://monalisaeauclaire.com
Old school Italian, buon appetito. If you want Italian, this is the place. Really, go here.
https://www.draganettis.com
Draganetti's Ristorante
3120 E Clairemont AveOld school Italian, buon appetito. If you want Italian, this is the place. Really, go here.
https://www.draganettis.com
Cajun fare right down to the Jambalaya and Blacked Catfish. The only thing missing is a voodoo doll.
https://www.stellablues.biz
8 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Stella Blues
306 E Madison StCajun fare right down to the Jambalaya and Blacked Catfish. The only thing missing is a voodoo doll.
https://www.stellablues.biz
A legit steak house, dark, elegant, meaty. Order an old fashioned sour or a red wine to go with your steak.
7 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Houligans Steak & Seafood Pub
415 S Barstow StA legit steak house, dark, elegant, meaty. Order an old fashioned sour or a red wine to go with your steak.
Mostly American with some unique dishes. This is also a saloon that was built in an old Livery. Be sure to check out the ‘game’ room.
https://www.theliveryec.com
16 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
The Livery Restaurant & Saloon
316 Wisconsin StMostly American with some unique dishes. This is also a saloon that was built in an old Livery. Be sure to check out the ‘game’ room.
https://www.theliveryec.com
A great healthy Asian food option. You can get Mat's favorite which is the Vegetarian Bowl or try out their many other combinations. You can even build your own and finish it off with a fresh smoothie!
Hawaii Poke Bowl
949 West Clairemont AvenueA great healthy Asian food option. You can get Mat's favorite which is the Vegetarian Bowl or try out their many other combinations. You can even build your own and finish it off with a fresh smoothie!
Grocery Stores
Picture it Sicily in the… Just kidding but do picture a Super Walmart except all the merchandise is just more food. This is a gigantic grocery store with very good pricing.
https://www.woodmans-food.com/altoona
9 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Woodman's Food Market
2855 Woodman DrPicture it Sicily in the… Just kidding but do picture a Super Walmart except all the merchandise is just more food. This is a gigantic grocery store with very good pricing.
https://www.woodmans-food.com/altoona
We really enjoy shopping here due to its wide variety but mostly because they have Wallburgers… Just get on the floor and do the New Kids' dance.
https://www.hy-vee.com/stores/detail.aspx?s=3748
Hy-Vee
2424 East Clairemont AvenueWe really enjoy shopping here due to its wide variety but mostly because they have Wallburgers… Just get on the floor and do the New Kids' dance.
https://www.hy-vee.com/stores/detail.aspx?s=3748
Buy the cookies, all of them. Also, check out the deli, it is amazing. Oh and the liquor store is fire, like seriously.
https://www.festfoods.com/stores/eau-claire
6 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Festival Foods
3007 Mall DrBuy the cookies, all of them. Also, check out the deli, it is amazing. Oh and the liquor store is fire, like seriously.
https://www.festfoods.com/stores/eau-claire
Music & Nightlife
Live local music most weekends. When the bands aren’t playing check out the uniquely curated juke box, trust us on that one. This is also Mat’s favorite place for watching Packer games with friends.
Mousetrap Tavern
311 S Barstow StLive local music most weekends. When the bands aren’t playing check out the uniquely curated juke box, trust us on that one. This is also Mat’s favorite place for watching Packer games with friends.
Best DJs in Eau Claire. It’s a straight friendly gay bar with fabulous energy and good people.
Scooter's
411 Galloway StreetBest DJs in Eau Claire. It’s a straight friendly gay bar with fabulous energy and good people.
Superb selection of craft beers. This place was built in, you guessed it, a fire station. They occasionally have bands in the parking lot.
https://www.firehouseec.com
The Eau Claire Fire House
202 Gibson StSuperb selection of craft beers. This place was built in, you guessed it, a fire station. They occasionally have bands in the parking lot.
https://www.firehouseec.com
Technically a hotel bar but hey this is Justin Vernon’s place. It’s classy with live Jazz and other genres of music.
https://www.theoxbowhotel.com/lakely/dinner
13 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
The Lakely
516 Galloway StTechnically a hotel bar but hey this is Justin Vernon’s place. It’s classy with live Jazz and other genres of music.
https://www.theoxbowhotel.com/lakely/dinner
This would be Mat’s ‘Cheers’. It's a dirty old bar that should never be burned down. Order the Grand Illusion, collect the cards and get yourself a T-shirt
Grand Illusion
418 Water StreetThis would be Mat’s ‘Cheers’. It's a dirty old bar that should never be burned down. Order the Grand Illusion, collect the cards and get yourself a T-shirt
Unmarked façade without any light beer. Play pool, pinball, and rub elbows with UWEC students, fun loving professors and beer loving townies. Some would say this place is a religious experience.
The Joynt
322 Water StUnmarked façade without any light beer. Play pool, pinball, and rub elbows with UWEC students, fun loving professors and beer loving townies. Some would say this place is a religious experience.
2nd best DJs in Eau Claire and yes, Mat was a DJ here for years. This is a true college dance club. If you’re over 28 you’ll feel old here. Go anyway
She-Nannigans
415 Water St2nd best DJs in Eau Claire and yes, Mat was a DJ here for years. This is a true college dance club. If you’re over 28 you’ll feel old here. Go anyway
So much fun in one stop. This place had token operated vintage video games, multiple bars, and dinner too. You can play board games while you wait for your food and then head down to the basement for some Dig Dug and Frogger or even play pool and pinball.
The Reboot Social
220 South Barstow StreetSo much fun in one stop. This place had token operated vintage video games, multiple bars, and dinner too. You can play board games while you wait for your food and then head down to the basement for some Dig Dug and Frogger or even play pool and pinball.
The smallest tavern in town. Seriously it's like 300 square feet. You have to go just to say you went.
The Waiting Room
The smallest tavern in town. Seriously it's like 300 square feet. You have to go just to say you went.
Breweries
Hands down our favorite in town. Excellent river views. Grab a table, sip some suds, and play a board game with your crew. If you brought your bikes, ride them here… walk them back ;-)
https://www.thebrewingprojekt.com
12 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
The Brewing Projekt
1807 N Oxford AveHands down our favorite in town. Excellent river views. Grab a table, sip some suds, and play a board game with your crew. If you brought your bikes, ride them here… walk them back ;-)
https://www.thebrewingprojekt.com
This place has traditional Bohemian and German lagers and a Kinder market in the winter. More great river views.
https://www.lazymonkbrewing.com
8 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Lazy Monk Brewing LLC
97 W Madison StThis place has traditional Bohemian and German lagers and a Kinder market in the winter. More great river views.
https://www.lazymonkbrewing.com
Not Eau Claire, but certainly the most well known beer in the Chippewa Valley. Very much worth the visit. It’s kind of a Mecca for some. P.S. Save some Summer Shandy for Jessica.
https://www.leinie.com
35 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company
1 Jefferson AveNot Eau Claire, but certainly the most well known beer in the Chippewa Valley. Very much worth the visit. It’s kind of a Mecca for some. P.S. Save some Summer Shandy for Jessica.
https://www.leinie.com
Another fine example of microbrewing. Located just outside of Eau Claire over in our neighbor Altoona, this place is great for learning from the knowledgeable staff.
Modicum Brewing Co.
3732 Spooner AveAnother fine example of microbrewing. Located just outside of Eau Claire over in our neighbor Altoona, this place is great for learning from the knowledgeable staff.