Okay, I’ve tried a couple of times to do the two beers post at Katie McButts, a bar I haven’t been to since the ‘80’s. I’d really like to see the place but the times I’ve gone there they’ve been closed. Which is kind of mystifying, because both times I got there it was around 10:15 PM. That’s pretty early for a bar to be closed. So tonight I called and a guy answered the phone and I asked him if they were going to be open after ten o’clock and he assured me they would be. In fact, unless I was reading him wrong, he was being a little bit of a wise-ass and told me: “We’ll stay open as long as you want to drink in here!”
So let’s go and see if we can finally have a couple of beers at the elusive Katie McButts.
Here we go, straight up Knoxville to see if the third time at Katie McButts is a charm.
It’s about 10:12PM and the place looks pretty dark to me...
Yep, it’s closed. After the guy on the phone assured me it would be open! I have to tell you that usually I do these on Thursday, but this week I did it on Wednesday because my schedule’s kind of nuts this week. So I called on Thursday night, got the same guy and asked why it was closed when he swore it would be open. He just paused and then said, “Yeah, we closed. Sorry.” That was it. A real half-hearted apology. You know what? I’m not even going to waste time going on a rant about this. Time to find a bar that actually cares about the customers as opposed to this fucking place that shuts down the same time a senior citizen home is thinking about going to bed. Buh bye, Katie McWhatever, no more free publicity for you!
As I drove off into the night, I thought of a place MBIP Contributor and pal, Scott Turley threw out the other week...
City Heat! Here’s their sign which faces Glen Avenue...
But the entrance is here in the back. I haven’t been in this place for quite a while. Let's go in and see what's happening in City Heat.
Ha, it looks just like I remember it, a nice, dark neighborhood dive bar. Let’s grab a seat and settle in for the evening.
As soon as I snag a seat, bartender Dawn is at the ready with an ice-cold bottle of Budweiser and a great smile! Okay, things are getting much better now! In fact I don’t even remember Katie’s last name anymore!
Russ was seated next to me and proceeded to give me a demonstration of two-fisted drinking! Russ wanted me to give a shout-out to his pals over at Reliable Carpet Cleaners and whoops, I already did! There you go, Russ!
Russ then asked if I wanted to do a shot of cherries and I have to admit I was a little mystified until Dawn served it up...
And I found out that they’re cherries that have been marinated in Bacardi 151 Rum!
Cheers! These babies pack quite an aftershock, let me tell you!
Fans spin over the bar up near the ceiling.
There’s four beers on tap...you out there Spike? It’s been awhile since we’ve heard from you and I’m a little worried! I like the keg they’re attached to.
Dawn told me this poster has been hanging on the paneled wall and it’s the favorite poster in the bar for most of the patrons, no ifs and or butts about it!
Here’s the nightly specials and a happy birthday notice to Sam J. I wonder if it’s this Sam J?
Here’s Bryan and Lee at the bar. Lee told me that Bryan is an icon in here and everyone at the bar agreed.
I love this Budweiser Clydesdale Trolley at the end of the bar.
There’s a room behind the bar with a pool table and more tables and chairs.
And behind that room there’s yet another room with another pool table and more tables and chairs. The road goes on foreer in here!
I found this vintage cigarette maching over on the side opposite the bathroom.
Looking at that price makes me glad I quit smoking a year ago. And feel free to insert your own, “pull knob under your selection” joke.
Here’s a shot of the bar from the elevated pool room.
Okay, time to get back to the bar for...
The final beer of the evening and the traditional two-finger salute. I dedicate this week’s two finger salute to some bar who’s name I forgot about twenty pictures ago. Cheers and we’ll see you all tomorrow...and hey, let’s be careful out there!
City Heat
2248 W. Glen Avenue
Peoria
309-691-7444
Related posts: Two Beers @ The Variety Club, The Tartan Inn and Champs West.
Surprise link, click on it...I dare you!
I’m Going To Be On WWCT’s “CT’s Lunch With Dani” Today!
I’m going to be a guest DJ on WWCT’s “CT’s Lunch With Dani” today! Tune in around noon today to hear the show and the songs I’ve selected for the lunch hour. Holy fuckballs, can I make it through the whole show without cursing? Tune in to find out! You can listen live by clicking on this link—WWCT - LIsten Live. Sneeze ya on the radio!