If you’ve ever walked through Omaha’s North Market District on a humid June afternoon during the College World Series, you already know the vibe. It’s loud. It’s sweaty. It’s exactly what a sports town should feel like. And right at the center of that beautiful, chaotic gravity is The Old Mattress Factory Omaha Nebraska. Most locals just call it "The Matt." It isn't just a bar, and honestly, calling it a restaurant feels like an understatement. It’s a landmark that survived the massive transformation of downtown Omaha, standing its ground while the sleek glass of Charles Schwab Field rose up right across the street.
The building itself is a survivor. Built in 1883, it actually started its life as a warehouse for the Omaha Bedding Company. You can still feel that history when you walk in—the brick is thick, the wood is heavy, and there's a certain smell of old beer and floor wax that just feels right.
What Actually Makes The Old Mattress Factory Omaha Nebraska Different?
People think it’s just the proximity to the stadium. Sure, being a stone's throw from where the "Greatest Show on Dirt" happens doesn't hurt. But plenty of places have come and gone in the Warehouse District. The Matt stuck around because it mastered the art of the "Big Event" atmosphere.
You’ve got over 15,000 square feet of space. That sounds like a lot of room, but during a Nebraska football Saturday or a CWS championship game, it feels tight. In a good way. It’s the kind of place where you’ll find a guy in a tailored suit sitting next to a college kid who hasn't slept in 48 hours, both of them yelling at the same TV screen.
The menu isn't trying to win a Michelin star. It’s honest. We’re talking about "The Mattress Burger" and wings that actually have a bit of a kick. They do a lot of heavy lifting with their catering too. If you’re at a wedding in their ballroom upstairs, you’re seeing a completely different side of the place—high ceilings, exposed beams, and a view that reminds you why Omaha’s skyline is underrated.
The College World Series Effect
Let’s be real. June is when this place becomes the center of the universe. For those two weeks, The Matt isn't just a bar; it’s a pilgrimage site. Fans from Mississippi State, LSU, or Florida descend on the patio.
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I’ve seen the lines. They wrap around the block before the gates even open at the stadium. There’s something specifically "Omaha" about the way the staff handles that volume. It’s controlled chaos. They’ve perfected the "mass-production" bar service without losing the personality that makes people come back year after year.
The Evolution of the North Market District
A decade or two ago, this part of town was... let’s say "quiet." It was mostly industrial relics and empty lots. When the city decided to move the stadium from Rosenblatt to the downtown area, everything changed.
The Old Mattress Factory Omaha Nebraska was one of the few anchors that didn't need to be built from scratch. It was already there, waiting. As the Creighton University campus expanded and the CHI Health Center started pulling in massive concerts and Olympic swim trials, The Matt became the de facto meeting spot.
- Pre-game rituals: It’s where you meet the group because everyone knows where it is.
- The Patio: It’s massive. In the summer, it’s basically an outdoor festival.
- The History: You’re drinking in a building that saw the tail end of the 19th century.
It’s interesting to see how the neighborhood grew around it. You have the high-end hotels like the Marriott and the Hilton now, and the fancy "modern-industrial" apartments. Yet, the brickwork of The Matt keeps the area grounded. It prevents the district from feeling like a sterile, corporate outdoor mall.
Addressing the "Tourist Trap" Myth
Some locals will tell you it’s a tourist trap. I disagree. A tourist trap is somewhere that charges $20 for a lukewarm beer and doesn't care if you ever come back.
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The Matt cares.
They have a dedicated local following that shows up on a Tuesday in November when there isn't a game for miles. The prices stay reasonable for the area, and the service doesn't drop off just because the "out-of-towners" are gone. Plus, the sheer scale of the place means they can handle a Friday night crowd that would suffocate a smaller pub.
Planning Your Visit: What You Need to Know
If you’re heading down there, especially for a game day, you need a strategy. Don't just wing it.
First, parking is a nightmare. Don't even try to park right next to the building unless you want to pay a premium or get stuck in a gridlock for an hour after the final whistle. Use the garage a few blocks away or, better yet, just rideshare.
Second, the food. If you’re there for a major event, keep your order simple. The kitchen is elite at pumping out burgers and fries under pressure. If you try to get fancy with specific modifications during the peak of the CWS, you’re just asking for a longer wait.
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Third, check the schedule. The Matt hosts a ton of private events. Nothing is worse than trekking down there only to find the upstairs is closed for a corporate gig or a wedding. Their social media is usually pretty good about posting those closures.
Nuance in the Experience
Is it the quietest place for a romantic first date? No. Absolutely not. Unless your date involves screaming for the Huskers, go somewhere else for "intimate."
Is the acoustics a bit rough? Yeah. It’s a brick warehouse. Sound bounces. It’s loud. But that’s the point. You go there for the energy. You go there because you want to feel the vibration of a thousand people cheering at once.
Practical Insights for the Omaha Visitor
To truly get the most out of The Old Mattress Factory Omaha Nebraska, you have to embrace the grit.
- Arrive early. For a 7 PM game, if you aren't there by 4 PM, you're standing.
- Explore the levels. Don't just hunker down by the front door. The layout is sprawling. Check out the different bar stations; sometimes the one in the back or upstairs has a shorter line.
- Talk to the staff. A lot of the bartenders have been there for years. They have stories about the legendary CWS runs and the celebrities who have popped in.
- The "Off-Season" is Great. Go on a random Thursday in the fall. It’s a fantastic spot to grab a quiet lunch and actually appreciate the architecture of the building without dodging foam fingers.
The reality of Omaha’s development is that things are changing fast. We’re seeing more glass, more steel, and more "luxury" labels. But as long as the old brick walls of the mattress factory are standing, the soul of the North Market District is safe. It’s a bridge between the city’s blue-collar industrial past and its sports-destination future.
Whether you’re there for the baseball, the booze, or just a really solid burger, you’re participating in an Omaha tradition that’s older than almost everything else around it.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
Check the local event calendar for Charles Schwab Field or the CHI Health Center before you go. If there’s a major event, call ahead to see if they are running a limited "event menu" to speed up service. If you’re planning a large group outing, reach out to their events team at least three months in advance, as the ballroom space fills up incredibly fast during peak seasons.