There’s a bar in my neighborhood I drive by every day but have yet to stop in at since I’ve moved back here. It’s called Pitcher’s and tonight I thought it would be the place we stop at for our weekly two beers, so let’s go check it out. One thing that intrigues me about this place is that they claim to have the best pizza in town. That’s a pretty bold statement, so let’s go see how good this pizza really is!
Here we go northbound on interstate 74 towards Pitcher's Bar. I'm finally comfortable driving on the interstate again and feel at ease taking photos while I drive. This means I'll probably get in a wreck before we get to the bar.
Well, we made it here without an accident! Huzzah! I like the outside look of this place, it's got kind of a roadhouse feel to it.
The door says, "open," so let's do as we're told and head inside.
So far, so good. It's nice and dark in here and there's some open stools right at the end of the highly polished wooden bar. Let's go snag a seat and have beer number one.
And here's Shesna, the pretty bartender of the evening happily serving that beer up. Her smile lights up the room!
A shot from where I sit at my space at the bar.
The back of the bar and the lit up bottles behind it from another angle.
Here's the Thursday specials, check out the one dollar domestic drafts, such a deal!
And speaking of drafts, here's the soon to be patented Spike's Taps Shot. I haven't seen a Spike rating for a bit, but now that he's back from vacation, maybe today will be the day. Oh Spike...
Let's take a little walk and check out the front room in here.
The people playing pool just stepped outside for a smoke break, so I took advantage and took a shot of the table up here.
I love these two easy chairs in front of the fireplace in here, it makes you feel like you're in someone's living room!
And while touring the front room, I met these two pretty ladies. Linda, on the left is the owner of this fine establishment and Mandi on the right is in here celebrating her birthday...
So we had to go back to the bar where I bought Mandi a birthday shot. Happy birthday, Mandi!
Linda explained to me that Pitcher's is a baseball themed tavern and gave me a little tour of the place and some of the baseball mementos housed within this bar.
Here's an autographed photo of Stan "The Man" Musial.
An autographed Bob Gibson framed photo hangs nearby. And yes, this is a Cardinal bar. Cub fans beware!
Speaking of the Cardinal's, here's an Albert Pujols jersey hanging on the wall.
There's lots of baseball cards on the walls in Pitcher's and they're all from Linda's brothers personal collection. Very cool.
A vintage black and white photo of Babe Ruth and some other boys of summer.
See, I told you this was a Cardinal's bar!
And of course there's Cardinal's baseball on the TV in here.
After the baseball tour, Linda took me outside to the beer garden in the back of the bar.
Wow, it's a huge beer garden back here. Linda calls this area, "the outfield." It does look like a baseball park back here. Very nice!
The bar here is called known as "the dugout." This is one of the best beer gardens in town. Hey, speaking of the best, I asked Linda about the pizza in here, but sadly the kitchen was closed for the evening. Oh well, just a good excuse to come back here again!
Meanwhile, back at the bar, Shesna serves up beer number two with the traditional two finger MBIP salute! Thanks to Linda for the tour and we'll see you all tomorrow.
Pitcher's Sports Bar & Grill
7719 N. University St.
Peoria
309-691-6272
Further reading: Peoria Night Out, Peoria Journal Star and Foursquare.
Bonus Cardboard Box Man Sightings!
Cardboard Box Man sightings have been few and far between since I’ve moved back here to Peoria. I do most of my traveling by automobile and haven’t seen much of him and his scary-ass mutations. But my friend Lex sent in this recent sighting from Canada, proving he’s still out and about!
And DJ Gidget sent in this link, proving that CBBM is still an internet favorite. And speaking of DJ Gidget, don’t forget to tune into the “Secret Weapon,” on Woody Radio, where she spins the tunes that MBIP Contributor “Boris” picks out.