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  • Benson Business Improvement District

    The Benson Business Improvement District, established by the City of Omaha in 1977 is responsible for raising funds to maintain and improve the Benson business district.

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  • Benson Neighborhood Association

    The Benson Neighborhood Association (BNA) was originally comprised of five neighborhood associations that were formed within the Benson boundaries between 1910 and 1920.

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  • Creative District

    Benson is now an official Creative District!

    In June 2022, Benson was designated as Omaha’s first Creative District!

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  • BFF Omaha

    We believe that everyone has the right ​to create, experience, and cultivate the arts in our communities. goes here

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What’s coming up in Benson

Welcome to Benson!

Our story starts way back in 1887 with Erastus Benson, a land speculator, investor, and philanthropist. He purchased 900 or so acres of land from Edward Creighton, an Omaha businessman. On March 4, 1887, Erastus platted the land and called it Benson Place, later changing it to Benson. We were annexed into the City of Omaha in 1917.

‘Ole Erastus was quite the entrepreneur and renaissance man. He helped found the first of the regional phonograph companies and invested in a young man named Thomas Edison and his Kinetoscope. In his spare time, our founder wrote songs – more than 20 of ’em are included in the Edison Sheet Music Collection of the U.S. Library of Congress.

His spirit must have somehow settled into our dirt, because the entrepreneur is alive and well in today’s Benson, helping our neighborhood become the place you want to live, hang out, or open a business.

Stop by for a visit – you’ll be back for the experience.

At The Bay’s temporary home in the bcc, we’re offering youth out-of-school engagement activities, including: OPEN GAMING HOURS, FREE OPEN SKATE HOURS, COMMUNITY EVENTS, SUMMER CAMP SESSIONS & SKATE SCHOOL

Benson is Omaha’s quirky-cool nightlife district with frosty beers, indie music and some of the city’s best local restaurants. The Waiting Room anchors the neighborhood with national and local acts that keep the stage buzzing all year. Before and after the concerts, regulars walk up and down the Benson strip hopping among their favorite neighborhood bars, including Burrito Envy and Tequila Bar, The Sydney and Benson Brewery. If retro games and cold pours are your thing, Beercade is a can’t-miss stop. This grown-up arcade bar pairs classic games like Skeeball, Pac-Man and Mortal Kombat with a huge variety of pinball machines. On the First Friday of each month, Benson’s creative energy shines. BFF Omaha transforms the neighborhood into an open gallery walk with visual artists, live performances and hands-on experiences. Dining options are plentiful in Benson. Enjoy a European-influenced tasting menu at Au Courant – a singular Omaha experience. Savor inventive sushi at Yoshitomo, where chef David Utterback redefines what a sushi roll can be. Craving comfort food? Grab a slice the size of your face at Virtuoso Pizzeria, which perfectly chars its New York-style pies. The cool atmosphere, cold beer and hot music make every night out in Benson one to remember.

Edge of the Universe is a fun place to hang out day or night. The themed cafe changes its whole atmosphere and menu a few times a year, and weekly events like music bingo and movie nights keep providing a reason to return.

The Waiting Room Lounge if I’m in Benson at night. There are some fantastic tours that pass by this venue, as well as popular local bands. And, if craft beer is a priority, this concert venue has a fantastic selection on tap.

Beercade at 6104 Maple St. It’s a classic arcade disguised as a really good craft beer bar. You can play pinball or challenge your friends to the likes of “Mortal Kombat.” You don’t have to have a drink in your hand to play.