People always ask me if I have a master list of where I’m going to be going to and my answer is always: “No.” Tonight’s a perfect example of that. I went about my daily activities and then around four in the afternoon I started Googling around for bars near Peoria and I came across a bar in Pekin that I had never heard of called, Russley’s Watering Hole.
And so, boom, just like that, Russley’s Watering Hole will become bar number 212 on our way to visiting 365 bars.
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Bar Number 212: Russley’s Watering Hole, Sunday, September 13, 2026
Hey, check this out, how in the world did they know I was coming to Pekin tonight?
Here we are at Russley’s Watering Hole in Pekin, Illinois. Let’s go inside and see what’s happening in there.
Wow, they have a large square bar that greets you as soon as you walk in here! Let’s grab a seat and get settled in for the evening.
Tara was the pretty bartender on duty and here she is serving me up a can of Budweiser with a beautiful smile! We’re off to a fantastic start in here!
Alex and Randy were seated at the bar and I had a nice chat with them about bars, Peoria, Pekin and various other topics. Two nice guys and it was great to meet both of them.
There’s the back of the bar with the words of warning: “Do Not Hump.” Duly noted!
Here’s a shot from the other end of the bar. This is a large and impressive wooden bar in here!
There’s a row of gaming machines opposite the bar and a nice, state-of-the-art dartboard over in this corner.
They have two pool tables in here in separate rooms up in the front of the bar area.
There’s a Russley’s banner on the wall and the drink specials are posted on this sign over here.
There’s graffiti all over the bar and it would take weeks to read all of it!
Check out the leaning tower of dollar bills, nice!
Somebody loves this bar and I think I do too!
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The Drinks
I had two cans of Budweiser on this Sunday the 13th!
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17 N. 4th Street
Pekin, Illinois
309-347-0414
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Bar List, Rules, Banner Art & Donation Link.
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