Saturday, December 25th, 2010—Bar 350
Last Chance Bar and Grill
I needed to find a bar on Christmas and my brother thought he knew of a bar that would be open on Christmas. He had lunch a week ago nearby where he lives and works at a place called the Last Chance Bar and Grill and the bartender said they’d be open. I couldn’t count on this being a mistake, because our family is getting together tonight and there wouldn’t be a lot of time to find another one. So I checked in with The Chief who runs the fine Peoria Bar Blog: The Peoria Bar Review. He not only said it would be open, but that he’d meet me there and have a Christmas drink. So come along for the Christmas meeting of the East Coast and the Midwest Bar Crawlers!
Here we are, an aptly named bar for a joint that's open on Christmas day.
And not only is it open, there's people in here. But there's still plenty of seats at the bar. Let's settle in.
Terry the owner usually doesn't bartend, but since it was Christmas he volunteered so his bartenders could enjoy Christmas. A nice guy handing out a Christmas miracle.
And I'm not alone, since it's Christmas I have family with me. From left, my big brother Tom, my Dad and Yours Fooly performing the first ever annual wearin' of the Budweiser on my Dad. and check out my t-shirt it's a design "Boris" did for Gidget's cool show on Woody Radio. If you'd like your own Gidget shirt, you can order one from the 365 Bar Store, just click here: Gidget shirt. There's also one "Boris" designed for his "Secret Weapon" show on Woody radio, check it out here: "Secret Weapon" t-shirt. Nice work Daddio!
A shot of the festive bar from my stool.
Here's a wide shot of the long bar.
There's large wooden tables opposite the bar.
They have a large selection of specialty beers available at the bar.
There's two pool tables in the back game room.
There's also a state of the art dart board.
There's a wooden railing beneath the windows in the back room.
There's a beer garden in the back and I see some guys back there. Are they thirsty, giant elves? Let's go see.
Ron and Bob were enjoying beers back here. It turns out that at one time Bob was neighbors with my Uncle Bill Wombacher. More proof of what a small world it is. Cheers, guys!
My dad came back to say hi to Bob and to swap stories about my uncle Bill.
There's tables back here and what's the round object on top of the table?
An ashtray! Even though it's enclosed back here, since it's a beer garden you can smoke back here.
And my brother Tom takes advantage of this, another Christmas miracle!
There's a ceiling fan up above to keep the air moving back here.
Here's Don with a Big Al's sweatshirt. I asked him how the women are out at Big Al's these days and he told me he doesn't go there, they come out here. Hmm...I need to get out here some night and check that out.
I brought a couple of "Boris" designed Crawlapalooza t-shirts from the 365 Bar Store to hand out as gifts. Here's Bob with his.
Meanwhile, Terry takes care of business back at the bar.
This is definitely one of he longest bars on the bar crawl so far.
Uh, oh, Santa's hat is on the Jägermeister machine. I think he's passed out in the back, I hope he got all his toys delivered.
It turns out the Chief from the Peoria Bar Review couldn't make it, so he sent his friend, the lovely and pretty Amber. She's really cool and we had a nice conversation. Hey Chief, you seem like a great guy and some day we really need to meet, but you can send Amber in your place any day of the week!
And she works in the funeral business, so she was very helpful in trying to revive me after I passed out over-celebrated. Goodnight everybody!
Review
The Last Chance has stood in it’s place for years. Owner Terry bought the joint seventeen years ago and has put on additions including the back game room and the beer garden where you can smoke cigarettes, which sadly is a rarity in this Nazi-smoking regimed world we live in now. There’s also two pool tables in the back room along with state of the art darts.
They have a huge selection of beers and a full bar. They also have a kitchen and a diverse menu. They’re famous for their tenderloin sandwiches and the bar opens at 6am and they are known as having one of the best breakfasts in town.
It’s also on the Peoria Bar Review list of Peoria Institutions, so you know this place is a winner.
2713 W 2nd St.
Peoria, Illinois
309-243-5036
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Bonus Christmas Photos!
My parents have about everything they need, so we all chipped in got them something you can always use...booze!
And look, Kari, you were right, I got socks! Merry Christmas/Clackmas everybody!