Tuesday, April 27th, 2010—Bar 107

Day 107—Monday, April 26th, 2010

Sully’s

First off, I want to thank Peoria Journal Star writer, Phil Luciano for giving the 365 Bars site a shoutout in his column today. You can read about it here: Phil’s Downtown Walkabout. Thanks Phil, and if you keep reading, you’ll see more Luciano in today’s bar crawl.

Okay, another walk down memory lane for me this afternoon in Peoria, Illinois. I’m going to go to Sully’s, a bar that Mike Sullivan was the original proprietor and owner. He sold it years ago, but it maintained the same Sully spirit through the decades. And now it’s been about twenty years since I’ve been in here, I’m having lunch with the aforementioned Phil Luciano, so let’s make tracks!

My dad was dropping me off, but we were a little early, so we decided to stop off for some ice cream at Emack & Bolio's, the best ice cream Peoria has to offer. It's located at 4534 N. Prospect Road in Peoria Heights. Here's an article by Steve Tarter that was published in the Journal Star when the store opened over a year ago: Ice Cream Heats Up The Heights.

Here's the owners, Jim and Tim. Two owners whose name's rhyme. It kind of makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Or maybe it's just the five Advil's I just took.

They feature lots of specialty ice cream products as well as cones, sundaes and you can get it to go as well. They have flavors and varieties you won't find anywhere else in town. Plus the owner's name's rhyme. I just can't let that go!

This is artwork done by my brother, Jim "Swami" Wombacher. I'm proud to have it hanging in the store.

Here's a trio of hooligan's you don't want to meet in a dark alley. Phil "The Bruiser" Hennessey, Tim "Brother Glover" Hennessey and Gerry "The Junkyard Dog" Wombacher.

Okay, enough ice cream, time to have a few afternoon brews.

Lots of colorful neon decorate the windows.

Sully's has a nice outside dining area out front for when the weather's nice. I'd sit outside, but I'm allergic to sunshine. That happens when you've worked the night shift since 1985. To quote Keef Richards, "The sunshine bores the daylights outta me."

Here we are, just like the other day at Jimmy's, it's like a walk down memory lane!

It's me and the Looch! Phil Luciano and I had a great four-course lunch of, that's right, four draft beers. In addition to writing for the Peoria Journal Star, Phil is one half of the morning radio team of Markley and Luciano on 102.3 Max FM—Everything That Rocks. They're live on the air from 5:30 am to 9:00 am. Check the show out here: Markley and Luciano.

Danielle was the lovely bartender for the afternoon.

Peoria's Irish Embassy.

Jared was enjoying lunch at Sully's. He works across the street for Chase Bank. When I inquired about a business loan for this site, he just laughed and said, "You better hope people hit that PayPal button!"

Ya gotta love a pub that has a machine that offers the three staples of life: Candy, chips and cigarettes.

Chris and Aaron were working on a booth that will be featured in the middle of the bar. Cheers, guys!

And a blast from my past, John Martin!

Peanuts!

Chris and Dawn were on there way out, but I corralled them for a photo before they left. Chris is the Program Director at 1049 The Wolf radio here in Peoria. Check it out: 1049 The Wolf.

There's comfortable booths on either side of the bar.

Alright, somebody hoisting a shot in the middle of the afternoon. These are my kind of people! Ed and Kelly were taking a little break in the day at Sully's.

Rudolf the Irish Reindeer...

I used to close this place at four in the morning, now I can't make it past four in the afternoon! Goodnight everybody!

Review

Sully’s bar was founded in 1973 and has the distinction of being Peoria’s oldest downtown bar. The bar is loaded with chock-a-block memorabilia, antiques and pictures. There’s a horseshoe bar in the back and booths and tables are on opposite sides of the bar. There’s a front dining area with lots of tables and in the spring and summer months, outside dining and drinking are available at the comfortable tables on the outside patio.

Sully’s is well known as a pub that has a full bar with a multitude of domestic and imported beers. It’s also a restaurant with a full menu of pub grub including mozzarella sticks, potato skins, sandwiches and burgers. They also have a variety of wings and it’s rumored that their Reuben sandwich is one of the best in town.

Sully’s is open late on Friday and Saturday till four in the morning. I remember closing the joint back in my crazy-ass youth, but now I go in the daytime. Let the next generation close these joints down now, I’ve done my time!

Sully’s

121 SW Adams, Peoria, Illinois

309-674-0238

Monday, April 26th, 2010—Bar 106

Day 106—Sunday, April 25th, 2010

Burger Barge

Okay, today I’m going to a bar that I’ve never been to in Peoria...well, actually it’s in East Peoria, right next to the Paradise Casino. It’s a place called the Burger Barge and my friend Rick Halberg suggested it. I’m meeting him there and heading over to Acme Comics where my pal Bob Gordon is going to drive us over the river and through the woods to the Burger Barge. Here we go! (P.S. Anyone who's emailing me or has a blog that I comment on, I want to let you know I'm on limited internet access for the next couple days. My folks don't have a computer or internet access, so if I don't get back to you or I haven't been commenting on your blog, that's why. I'll be back full time by the weekend.)

Here we are at Acme Comics, the only collectible store in Peoria at 2218 West Glen Avenue.

The store is packed with comics, dvd's, books, baseball cards, models, records and just about anything fun and collectible. I could spend all day in here, but I've got a bar to go to.

And I think I spy Bob right over there.

And yes, there he is, the owner and operator of Acme Comics, Bob Gordon!

And through the magic of the internet, here we are in East Peoria at the Burger Barge.

It's a funky and fun looking place.

Somebody give this guy a burger, it looks like he needs one!

And here's the Tiki Bar inside, looks like a fun joint.

Here's bartenders Turkey and Becky, they were friendly and fun from moment one.

Here I am with the lovely owner Gigi. She said she had a book in her office she had to show me. Perfect!

And here's my buddy Rick Halberg. Rick plays bass and adds vocals to the band Sister Groove. Check them out here: Sister Groove.

The Three Stooges, together again. Moe, Larry...cheese!

Candygram.

Jason and Jill were enjoying lunch at the end of the bar. I asked them the best thing on the menu and without hesitation they said, "everything."

Steve's a regular here who was wearing the Burger Barge's colors.

The back of his shirt says it all!

Here's the lively and fun dining room. Lots of tables to sit and enjoy food and drinks. Plus a couple big screen TV's.

There's surfboard tables in the back patio lounge area.

This giant party is the Twin City Crush party. Check out their facebook page here: Twin City Crush.

There's a great river view from the outside beach area.

Okay, back to the bar for some grub, I'm starvin' like Marvin over here!

We started out with the Breaded Luciano Cheese Blobs. Could these be named after my friend and PJS writer Phil Luciano? Upon closer inspection, I think so!

Our three cheeseburgers! Doo doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo...they look delicious!

And they are! I attempt to devour mine in one Bluto-like bite. Goodnight everybody!

Review

The Burger Barge has been dry-docked in East Peoria for eight years now and the Captain of the ship is Gigi Irwin. She’s the owner and a friendly hostess who knows all her regulars by their fist name, it’s that kind of place. I found out that first timers are treated the same way and the bartenders, staff and patrons are all friendly and fun. There’s a large dining room in front with a large screen TV, colored lights and assorted tacky and wacky bric-a-brac on the walls which make for a fun and festive atmosphere in the joint. There’s a nice Tiki Bar to enjoy drinks and menus from the eclectic menu. The Burger Barge has an excellent river view and there’s a large  outside porch plus a little beach area with chairs and tables to fully enjoy the view on a nice day.

There’s a full bar at Burger Barge with a large selection of canned and bottled beer available. Cans go for $2.50 and bottles are a buck more. On Mondays cans of beer can be had for $1.75 a pop. The menu is huge, with burgers being their specialty. There’s 17 varieties to choose from and even a vegetarian one for those who don’t eat meat. Also on the menu are their Barge Sandwiches served on Pelican Bread and piled high with all kinds of ingredients. There’s also five assorted pork sandwiches, stuffed baked potatoes, hot dogs, fish sandwiches and appetizers. I recommend the Luciano Cheese Blobs (named after Peoria Journal Star writer, Phil Luciano). After all, I’m having lunch with him today.

Burger Barge

1401 N. Main St. East Peoria, Illinois

(309) 674-9191

Sunday, April 25th, 2010—Bar 105

Day 105—Saturday, April 24th, 2010

Jimmy’s Bar

I haven’t been to Jimmy’s Bar in over 16 years! I used to practically live here when I was in my wild youth. I had lots of crazy nights in here with my friends and it’s going to be a blast to go back. I really hope Jimmy Spears, the owner is there, because he’s one of he best and friendliest bar-owners in town. My friend Moon is picking me up and the two of us logged in lots of hours in this joint in the ‘80’s and early ‘90’s. Sherman, set the Wayback Machine to my youthful, drunken days!

My friend Moon picked me up and we're planning on meeting Chris Cassidy down there as well. The three of us once lived in a house and someday I should write a book about those crazy days. Moon's real name is Jeff Stokowski and he manages a loan office in Pekin. Check out their website: Wise Finance.

Here we are at Jimmy's Bar. A real blast from my past.

Wow, this is like walking into my past. It hasn't changed at all and that's a good thing!

And here he is, Jimmy Spears! I told Jimmy he's one of the few bar owners that never threw me out of his bar back in the day. He laughed and said he needed to go look for my tab from the '80's. Uh, oh!

Just like old times I'm already I'm seeing old friends. From left, Joe and Connie Waugh, Moon and the aforementioned Chris Cassidy. Joe's family operates another legendary Peoria business, Waugh Foods, Inc. Check them out here: Waugh Foods. Chris manages Three Sisters Park, whose Summer Camp concert is also legendary and coming up soon. Read about upcoming events here: Three Sisters Park.

Of  course we had to have a Butch's pizza. I haven't had one of these in years, still delicious and locally made.

Time to pick a winner!

Just some of the vast selection of beers to be had at Jimmy's.

Cheeseburger! Jimmy's has a full kitchen and great homemade food.

Lots of stools and table opposite the long bar.

Here's my old pal, Jim "Webby" Schwindenhammer. In addition to Webby, I've also shared many drinks with other folks from the Schwindy clan including, Mark, Tito and Lee Ann. And hi to Webby's wife Karen (who's from the Waugh family, things go round and round here!)

Here's some vintage photos of the original building.

Here's the massive beer garden in the back. Occasionally live bands play here.

Joe, Jimmy and Connie up at the bar. They're saying, "I hope he goes back to New York soon, he still picks his nose in public!"

The St. Patrick's Day countdown. Jimmy's is known for unbelievable St. Patrick's Day and Superbowl parties.

Here's Jimmy with his brother Mike.

Here's Tara, who's bartended here for over 12 years now.

My old buddy Ron Roling joins the impromptu party! Here he is with Webby. Ron's a lifelong musician and his band Cobalt Canopy is in the running to play Eric Clapton's Crossroads concert. Check it out and vote for them here: Cobalt Canopy.

I came back to Peoria to celebrate my birthday and Jimmy had a nice surprise waiting for me!

He also presented me an official deluxe Jimmy's sweatshirt with their classic logo on it!

And he had another wrapped present waiting in the wings.

A steering wheel cover! Just what I always wanted! Now all I need to do is to get a car to go with it. And a driver's license. Thanks, Jimmy!

After the party, Jimmy found my bar tab and gave me a special escort to the door. Goodnight everybody!

Review

Jimmy’s bar has a been a popular fixture on the Peoria bar scene since 1982. It’s a friendly locally owned bar and Jimmy is one of the nicest and coolest barkeeps in Peoria. The bar is cozy and loaded with Irish mementos and bric-a-brac. I remembered it as having a fun and friendly vibe and that hasn’t changed through the years. One addition Jimmy has added since I was there last in the ‘90’s is one of the nicest beer gardens in the back of the bar Peoria has to offer. There’s lots of comfortable chairs and tables and for those of you that smoke, feel free to fire up!

People always ask me since I’ve gone to so many bars now, what I think really makes for a good bar. I always tell them it’s not really the bar itself, but the people inside and that the bartender is the captain of the ship. What I always loved about Jimmy’s was that often I would just go there alone and when I walked in it was like a party in someone’s basement filled with friends old and new. I was wondering if that had changed through the years and it hasn’t. It was great to walk in and find lots of my old friends hanging out in there and swap stories, drink beer and eat pizza. Thanks, Jimmy and to everybody who was there today, it was really great to see you all. Let’s not wait another 16 years!

Jimmy’s Bar

2801 West Farmington Road, Peoria, Illinois

(309) 676-4021