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