One of the places that I have done the most posts on here at MBIP is the Sky Harbor Steak House.
This was one of Peoria’s most original Steak Houses that had great food but it also had a wonderful piano bar that generated some of the best music in West Peoria and beyond.
Sadly they shut down about two years ago, but happily something new has moved in to the space. It’s been transformed from Sky Harbor to High Harbor and you can read and see a TV segment about that here.
But for now, let’s look at Sky Harbor from my over nine years of visits and MBIP blog posts from there.
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SKY HARBOR OUTSIDE AND IN
Sky Harbor had a distinctive look like no other Peoria restaurant, inside and out.
The stone walls, the hanging chandeliers, the blue leather banquettes and the piano bar gave this place a unique and warm retro atmosphere.
What a unique and original Peoria restaurant and home for live music.
THE KLUSENDORF’S
Daryl Klusendorf’s Dad started Sky Harbor decades ago and Daryl, Mrs. Klusendorf and his son Ryan kept the legacy alive.
They truly made you feel like family when you came here and are some of the nicest people on earth. I’m proud to call them my friends.
THE FOOD
You can’t have a restaurant without tasty and delicious food and Sky Harbor had a wonderful menu and fabulous dinners.
Here’s just a sampling of some of the delicious dishes I sampled through the last eight years!
THE PIANO BAR AND THE MUSIC IN SKY HARBOR
Sky Harbor was a friend to a lot of local musicians and one that stands out is Jimmy Binkley. A piano playing legend who played his last set at Sky Harbor.
In 2016 there was a tribute here at Sky Harbor for the legendary piano man and you can see that post by clicking here.
Thanks to all the wonderful musicians who played and entertained here through the years!
You all made for years of entertainment here at Sky Harbor and I feel lucky to have seen it.
THE PEOPLE
Sky Harbor was always filled with interesting people and here’s a small sampling of some of the wonderful people that I met and hung out with through the last eight years.
It was a favorite spot to stop at with my parents, pictured above.
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SKY HARBOR - FOR SALE
Sky Harbor is now High Harbor. Daryl eventually sold the spot and you can watch Darryl and Mrs. Klu talk about it in this video.
I’m going to always miss Sky Harbor, but I’m glad Daryl sold the space to someone who sounds like he’s going to keep the place somewhat true to the history of Sky Harbor.
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High Harbor Today
When it became High Harbor, I contacted them via facecrack and made an appointment to meet someone there at 1pm. I confirmed the meeting in the morning and she said she’d be there. I dutifully went waited about an hour and no one showed up.
I went home, sent her a message and she said things got out of hand, but she could definitely meet me there in a week. So a week goes by, I message her to confirm and she says she’ll be there. Once again I went and once again no one showed up! I decided then and there to quit trying. I haven’t been there since then and that was well over a year ago, so I thought I’d dive over and see what they’ve done to the place. Let’s go!
Everything looks exactly the same. They haven’t replaced any of the signage and it looks exactly like it did the last time I was here over a year ago.
The only thing that lets you know it’s now High Harbor, is this floor plan over here.
Let’s go to the doorway and see what’s happening over there.
The lights are on, let’s see if someone’s inside.
Nope, the doors are locked and I took one photo from the window in the door. It doesn’t look like much has been done to the place.
The “No Smoking” sign at a place called High Harbor is irony at its finest hour!
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CHEERS
Cheers to Sky Harbor. The place may be gone, but I’m grateful for the memories!
Much love and happiness to the Klusendorf family!
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Related Posts: Meanwhile, Back In Peoria’s Past: Visiting Santa Claus @ Northwoods Mall, Peoria Drive-In Theatre, A Pepe Taco Timeline.