I’ve heard about a bar in downtown Peoria that is supposed to be one of the oldest dive bars in town. The name of the place is Earps Hide-A-Way, located on the south side of Peoria and I’ve never been there. So that’s tonight’s destination for some beers and to see if we can finally score a swizzle stick in this town, off we go into the wild blue yonder, via the Elite Taxi, of course!
And speak of the devil and here they are. Elite Taxi is the best service in town. They get you where you're going fast.
I told you they're fast, here we are already. Earp's Hide-A-Way, wow, it's a big, barn-like building, let go inside and see what's happening in here on a Sunday night.
It looks like a nice, no-frills joint. And it also looks like we're the only ones in here. I don't even see a bartender, is this bar self-service?
But then suddenly, there's friendly Cindy the bartender offering up an ice-cold bottle of Budweiser. Now we're in business!
As I took this shot from my perch at the bar, I saw something familiar right next to the cash register...
A Little Nut Hut, this is the fourth one we've found in Peoria. I need to do a post on them and find out who services them.
And here's the soon-to-be patented taps shot for Spike. Note that they serve up 16 ounce drafts!
Here's some poker machines opposite the bar. I have to confess, I'm not a big fan of these things, they're big and bright and in my opinion kind of wreck the mood of the room, so I try to ignore them. So let's pretend they're not here and move along.
Now here's a machine I can wrap my head around, a free popcorn machine. And the popcorn is not only free, it's hot and nutritious. So there!
Always love to see a Michelob clock in a bar.
Earp's has weekly drawings for five hundred bucks and more in here. Woo and hoo!
There's a pool table in the back room...
And this lit-up Budweiser car hangs over the table. Vroom, vroom!
Directly behind the bar is a back room where live music is played. Every Thursday they have live bands and open mic nights in here. The owner, Jimmy Earp is a musician who often joins in or leads the bands. We'll have to stop back to check that out.
Here's a longshot of the wooden bar.
A lone disco ball hangs from the ceiling next to an overhead fan.
Okay, it's that time of night, the moment of truth where I order a double gin and tonic and see if we get a swizzle stick. As always, I've fuzzed out the drink to delay the answer and build excitement. Drumroll...
No swizzle stick for you! Instead we get a black straw. Well, the search continues for a swizzle stick in Peoria.
I finished that drink and had a nice conversation with Cindy about the bar and she confirmed it is one of the oldest bars in town. It's been standing in this location as a bar since the 1800's and once had a brothel attached to it. Thanks to Cindy for being such a great hostess, but as I glance out the window...
I see my ride is here, time to call it a night.
Homeward bound! See you all tomorrow!
Earp’s Hide-A-Way
1507 S Laramie St.
Peoria
309-673-6974
The Weekly Virtual Swizzle Stick From Jaws the Cabbie
I may not score a swizzle stick very often on my weekly Sunday outings, but I always get a virtual one from Jaws the Cabbie. Here's this week's, which is a nod to his post from Sunday. Thanks, Jaws!
