My passions for wine and jazz are roughly equal. So when I discovered a spot in Eugene, Oregon that combines both, I hopped in my car and headed south . Nero Wine Bar , located in the heart of Eugene’s Whiteaker Neighborhood, is well worth the drive.

Nero is a riff on the jazz kissa scene that originated in Japan in the 1920s. Jazz kissas were cafe hangouts where people, many of whom couldn’t afford imported records or the equipment to play them, would sip tea or coffee while listening to their favorite music, especially American jazz.

While alcohol service in Japan’s early jazz kissas was likely limited, these days you can find wine, beer and spirits-fueled jazz kissas all over the world, from London to São Paulo, and now, in Eugene.

Nero’s owner is Boris “Bo” Wiedenfeld-Needham,

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