We’re up to the second bar in this saucy series and the next bar to be added to this esteemed list of classic Peoria bars is Kenny’s Westside Pub.
Sean Kenny first opened the doors to his Irish Pub on St. Patrick’s day back in 2013. The first location was on Farmington Road in West Peoria and I went and visited it about a month after it opened and a photo and a link from that visit is right below this paragraph.
Back then he just had a sign hanging loose outside and a little neon in the window to let West Peoria know that Kenny’s had arrived. Here’s a link to that post and my first visit to Kenny’s Westside Pub.
Sean added some nice touches to the pub, he had a late-night kitchen, a unique menu and he started featuring live music.
Kenny’s was situated in this location for three years and I like to think of those years as the Minor League years where Sean really learned the fine art of running a pub, a kitchen and handling and promoting live entertainment. After three years he was ready for the Major Leagues and he made a move to downtown Peoria in the spot that used to house a place called the Locker Room.
I was lucky enough to get a preview of that move and you can see that post by clicking here.
Sean’s been in that spot now for about four years and he’s turned it into a drinking, dining and entertainment Mecca in downtown Peoria. This St. Patrick’s Day marks the seventh anniversary of Kenny’s Westside Pub, but it’s got the feel of a pub that’s been in downtown Peoria forever. From the moment he opened the doors, Kenny’s Westside Pub was an instant classic Peoria pub!
Let’s go and take a look at the second bar of the MBIP Drinky Dozen classic bars of Peoria: Kenny’s Westside Pub!
Here we are at Kenny’s Westside Pun on Jefferson.
I love the outside signage and the kitchen is open late. And he doesn’t just serve your average pub grub, all the food is made from scratch and Kenny’s has unique and delightful fare on the menu. Check it out here.
I think I see two familiar faces there at the corner of the bar, it’s my friends Amber and Joe! What a pleasant surprise to see them here…okay, really it’s not, they drove me here! Thanks for the ride Amber and Joe and I see yet another familiar face just around the corner…
It’s the man that Kenny’s is named after, Sean Kenny!
Always great to see Sean’s smiling face and I have to give him big props for helping keep Peoria’s downtown a thriving area. The bar, food and wonderful drink selection draws people from Peoria to Kenny’s, but the live music and his professional lights and stage brings people and musicians from all over the country.
Sean books musical talent that you’d expect to see in Chicago and New York clubs and he’s given Peoria a taste of big city bands and live music.
As you can see the bar has a classic dark Irish feel with just the right amount of lighting that even I look somewhat good in here! Everyone is beautiful at Kenny’s and as you can see from the lit-up inventory in here, you can get anything you want as far as a tasty beverage is concerned!
If you’re feeling lucky, there’s gaming machines located discreetly in the back of the bar.
There’s booths and tables in the large dining area opposite the bar and the walls are covered with art, vintage signs, photos and the weekly specials.
Here’s some posters for upcoming live shows. You can see the full schedule of bands right here.
There’s also open stage every Wednesday if you’re a local musician looking to do some pickin’ and grinnin.’
And speaking of open stage…
Check out what happens with these antique wooden doors open up…
This is the concert area for Kenny’s Westside Pub and it rivals any stage and light show that I’ve ever seen in a pub or bar. And I lived in New York for 19 years!
It’s nothing short of spectacular!
The stage and lights are part of what draws top-rated bands and entertainers to Kenny’s Westside Pub from all over the country and beyond!
As cool and breathtaking as these photos look, they don’t do it justice, you really need to see this in person!
I love the Kenny’s wooden table-tops and there’s a full service bar back in this room, so you don’t need to leave the live music to get a refill.
Check out the foot rail, Sean told me that it’s solid copper and there’s not another foot rail like that in Peoria. It’s unique touches of fine detail that Sean is always adding that makes Kenny’s such a unique experience.
Upstairs in the attic is Sean’s office that doubles as a green room for the musicians to hang out before the show. I’ve never been up here and it’s too cool!
Sean has different angles of the stage on computer monitors and the shows are broadcast on screens in the bar area, so you can watch the show in there if you don’t want the full volume effect. Talk about state of the art!
I could spend hours up here looking at the posters, stickers and photos on the walls! It’s like the hippest museum I’ve ever seen!
The kitchen is full-service and huge! It’s a stainless steel chef’s paradise! And speaking of kitchen…
Dinner is served!
Amber, Joe and myself split an order of Kenny’s famous chicken wings, creamy and rich mac ’n cheese and the newest sandwich on the menu, Sean’s Dublin Dip, which is a roast beef sandwich served with au jus from their homemade Irish Stew.
It’s all made fresh in-house and it looks and smells delicious!
What a feast, the food here is fantastic and as the sign says, it’s available till the wee hours of the morning!
“Born on St. Patrick’s Day in 2013.”
That was the day that Sean Kenny introduced an instant classic Irish Pub and live music venue to Peoria, Illinois!
Thanks for the hard work and for delivering a fantastic downtown destination for wonderful food, drink and live entertainment, Sean! Happy early anniversary and cheers to decades more!
—————
112 SW Jefferson Avenue
Peoria
309-6761693
—————
Related Post: The Drinky Dozen: January- Mike’s Tavern.