I just realized that I haven’t had a post from Mike’s Tavern in 2014 yet! We must correct that right now...to the MBIP mobile!
I'm meeting my friends Michelle and Todd at Mike's tonight. Last Saturday there was a birthday party for Todd at the Tartan Inn, but I couldn't go because I had to work and then go out and do my Saturday Night Cheeseburger thing for MBIP. So I thought I'd pick up Todd a gift at Urban Artifacts before work to make up for missing the birthday party.
Let's go in, I've only got about five minutes to find something because I'm on my way to work. Yes, my life is a constant deadline, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
There's so much cool stuff in here it can be overwhelming to find something. Time to focus, We're down to four minutes!
Wow, check out the Hamm's Bear, I'd get that, but it wouldn't fit into my car. Okay, we're down to three minutes and I'm starting to panic!
Urban Artifacts owner, Jon Walker came to the rescue! I told him that Todd was a fireman in West Peoria and he found this cool vintage fire department model. The birthday present problem is solved and now it's off to work I go!
And through the miracle of the internet, the work day is over and now is the time on MBIP where we head off for a couple of beers!
Hello West Peoria!
And hello Mike's Tavern!
Let's go in and get out of this cold weather. Have I mentioned how much I fucking hate winter?
Hey, where's Todd and Michelle? The place is empty except for...
Bartender Brian who skillfully serves up a can of Budweiser.
Since today is Valentine's Day, I brought in a heart to share with all of you.
And I thought we'd fill it up with hot nuts from the Nut Hut, the mixed nuts go on that side...
And the cashews go on the left side. That's just the way it's done.
And here we go, nothing says Happy Valentine's Day like a heart filled with hot nuts! Happy Valentine's Day to all of you!
Nate and Andrew have shown up at the bar so we drink a shot to this Valentine's Day miracle of a heart filled with hot nuts, cheers! But where the hell is Todd and Michelle?
While we wait for Todd and Michelle, I'll take some of the standard shots I always take here at Mike's Tavern. Here's the dusty beer can collection behind the bar.
A long shot of this bar which has been standing here for decades.
Here's the quartet of taps behind the bar.
And I have to get a shot of the Budweiser Trolley that spins over the bar just under the tin ceiling in here.
Here's something that's quickly becoming a part of history: a pay phone. Something the cell phone is making obsolete, nice to see a working chunk of history here in Mike's Tavern.
Okay, the Valentine's Day nuts are all gone, where the hell is Michelle and Todd?
And as if on queue, here they are! Don't you love it how things work out here on MBIP!
Happy birthday, Todd, Happy Valentine's Day to everyone and Happy Rockefeller to the rest of you. We'll see you all tomorrow...and hey, let's be careful out there!
Mike’s Tavern
626 W. Cedar
West Peoria
(I have the phone number to Mike’s but most people don’t because it's a secret, so there!)
Related Posts: Two Beers @ AmVets Post 64, Two Beers With A Very Rude and Somewhat Sophomoric Mr. Ice Machine and The Garden Gate Tap.
Surprise link, click on it...I dare you!
Bonus Valentine Day Heart From Dave Morris!
MBIP reader and facecrack pal, Dave Morris sent me this Valentine’s Day heart with this message: “This had to have been made just for you!” Ha, how true, especially since it started snowing again today! Have I mentioned how much I fucking HATE winter? Thanks Dave!
Bonus Valentine's Day Art From Jaws the Cabbie!
Here's a piece of Valentine's Day art sent in from Jaws the Cabbie! Thanks Jaws, Happy Valentine's Day to you and everyone out there!
