There’s certain places that I feel I need to stop in every couple of months here at MBIP and Mike’s Tavern is certainly one of those spots. I just checked the archives and I haven’t been there there since August! Time to rectify this situation...

Here we go, the MBIP mobile is headed towards...

West Peoria, home of...

Mike's Tavern, a legendary Peoria dive bar and the place where I concluded my 365 day bar crawl.

Let's go in and see what's shaking at Mike's Tavern.

Always great to be inside of Mike's and I think I see a couple of familiar faces there at the bar...

It's Michelle and Todd, MBIP pals and semi-regulars here on my Thursday two-beer nights out on the town. Always great to see both of them!

Bartender Matt serves up the first beer of the evening. Matt has been featured here on the first post back in December (see related posts below) and he was the bartender for the last day of the aforementioned 365 day bar crawl.

Always love to see The Little Nut Hut back there behind the bar.

I ordered up a round of nuts for Michelle, Todd and I.

And here's Matt serving them up...

What's a better sight than three cups of overflowing hot nuts? Not too many, i'm here to tell you!

Nice to see some Kitchen Cooked items suspended over the bar.

There's a new layer of dust on the beer bottle and can collection behind the bar. I always love to see the can of Billy Beer down there, can you spot it?

At this point it should be noted that we are halfway through our three cups of hot nuts. Okay, as you were.

As I've noted before, most classic Peoria bars have a Busch Beer sign/clock behind the bar and Mike's is no exception to this rule.

And here's the row of legendary school desks behind the bar, serving as a makeshift coat rack tonight.

As always, the night belongs to Michelob, we're just passengers along for the ride.

Meanwhile, in the back room, Michelle is putting about 379 songs on the jukebox.

Not to be outdone by Avanti's, Mike's now has a Corporate Office. Can government bail-out money be far behind? Stay tuned!

Newly brunetted Gavra has just shown up with her friend Josh. Gavra's bartending at The Tartan Inn and you should stop by Saturday afternoons and early evenings and say howdy do and have a beer during her shift.

A shot from the end of the bar.

Here's Todd and Michelle with Bertha in the center. Bertha said she only had two minutes to stay, so I had to snap this photo fast!

Here's the Mayor of West Peoria, Jim Dillon. I hadn't seen him in quite a while and it was nice to catch up with him.

Despite her two minute time limit in the bar, Bertha found time to sneak my camera away and take this shot of me speaking with Don at the bar. Once we found out what she was doing...

Hilarity quickly ensued. And nothing's better than when hilarity ensues in a quickly manner, it's just the best thing since distilled vinegar.

And the hilarity continues as I meet these three women at the end of the bar who told me to bill them as "The Mirage Party."

These peanuts from The Little Nut Hut are making me thirsty...

To quench that thirstiness, Matt serves up beer number two with the traditional two finger salute. We'll see you all tomorrow...and hey, let's be careful out there!

Well it's about time to close...
I hope you've had as much fun as we have!
Don't forget the jam session Sunday!
Mandy Tension will be by, playing his xylophone troupe!
It'll be a lot of fun!

Surprise link, click on it...I dare you!

This Just In: Phil Collins...he still doesn’t care!

P.S. Cool Halloween Costume Idea

All Smiles Dental Care will make you up your very own set of novelty teeth that fit perfectly onto your teeth for a one-of-a-kind Halloween look. I went (see the picture below) and had a blast! The post will be up next Wednesday, but I thought I’d give them a shoutout today since Halloween is right around the corner. Check it out here. And stay tuned to see how my teeth came out on next Wednesday’s post! Oh and this is the friendliest and most fun dentist office in the world and it’s locally owned and operated. You’ll see this Wednesday. In the meantime, stop by and get some Halloween teeth for yourself!

P.P.S. Random Stan the Man Picture

I stopped in to Stan’s Wines and Spirits shop to get some beer and have a chat with Stan. Always great to see him and have a lively discussion. And of course to buy some beer! Cheers to Stan, he is da man!

Bonus Jaws Vampire Art

In response to my Halloween teeth bonus post, Jaws the Cabbie sent in this piece of art of him as a vampire. Scary stuff, Jaws...owoooooo!