As I said in my post yesterday, one of the things that I like best about blogging is meeting people and making new friends. Recently I met Scott Turley, who comments here and on facecrack at The Basket Case. He just got back from vacation and said he got me a present from there and suggested we meet tonight at Martini's bar on Water Street in downtown Peoria. So that’s tonight’s destination, let’s go to Martini's and see what Scott brought back from Florida!
Just like Warren Zevon, my ride is here. Captain Kirk is behind the wheel for Elite Taxi. No D.U.I for me! As you can see it's spitting rain out here, let's get inside of the warm and dry cab.
And it's off into the wild, dark yonder we go!
Here's a dark shot of Martini's, illuminated by neon in the windows and a street lamp, let's get a closer look at this place.
Look, they're open, let's go...
Through the double doors and see what's shaking inside.
Wow, it's really nice in here and plenty of seats at the bar. This is why I love going out on Sunday nights! Let's go snag a seat and get a beer.
Cole, the friendly bartender quickly delivers a bottle of Budweiser. He's a nice guy and a great bartender.
Here's a shot of the front of the bar from my perch. A few minutes after I took this shot...
These folks arrived with guitars and started an informal jam session. I didn't want to disturb the music, so I didn't get their name's, but the man in the center gave me his card and he's Jerry, from the Joe and Jerry Show. They perform here and at other spots around town.
I love the colorful stained glass that's built into the wooden, square bar in the middle of the room.
This place used to be a train station back in the day, hence the big picture of a train. I asked Cole if the clock was from the old station and he wasn't sure, so let's just act like it is and move on down the line.
Here's the patent-pending shot of the taps for Spike and you other beer enthusiasts out there. They have Guinness on tap here, something you don't find at a lot of bars in Peoria.
Bottles of Ketel One vodka stand at attention waiting to be made into a martini of your choice. They live up to their name as they have a selection of over 100 martinis to choose from in here.
Martini glasses are hung beneath the bottles of vodka waiting patiently to be filled.
A golden brass rail lines the circumference of the square, dark wooden bar.
Chandeliers hang from the high ceiling in here and give the place an elegant ambiance.
Here's the stage area where bands play. They have live music here four nights a week.
Tuesday night's specials are displayed on this board, which is kind of weird because it's Sunday. But actually it's kind of timely because this post is going up on Tuesday, so it all works out in the long run.
You can't really see it in this photo, but I see something really cool in the middle of the island in the bar and Cole said I could go back and take a picture of it.
I love old cash registers and this one's a beauty! Cole wasn't sure what year it's from, but I love the detail on it.
Beautiful!
And now it's time for the weekly swizzle stick test, Cole serves up the double gin and tonic and it appears that we have yet another swizzle stick fail, but hold on to your flashlights, campers...
Here's the aforementioned Scott, with his gift from Florida, a palm tree swizzle stick!
Houston, we have a swizzle stick in da house! Thanks to Scott for the wonderful addition to my swizzle stick collection. He also brought some cool old articles about bands and things from Peoria's past, and I'll be scanning those in soon and presenting them here. Stay tuned!
A swizzle stick collection grows in Central Illinois! Thanks again to Scott for the swizzle stick and to Cole and Martini's for a fun Sunday night out on the town. We'll see you all tomorrow.
Martini's
212 SW Water Street
Peoria
309-655-5003
Further reading: Peoria Riverfront, Peoria Night Out and Peoria Jazz.
Bonus Swizzle Stick From Jaws the Cabbie!
We got two swizzle sticks this week! One from Scott and this virtual swizzle from Jaws the Cabbie. Thanks, Jaws, it's...perfect! Cheers!
