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!
2801 West Farmington Road, Peoria, Illinois
(309) 676-4021
21 References
