Scooter's Bar Journal » Downtown http://www.scootersbars.com A journal of the many places I have raised a glass or two... or twelve Thu, 02 Apr 2026 20:35:01 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Thyme Kitchen and Craft Beer http://www.scootersbars.com/2023/12/thyme-kitchen-and-craft-beer/ http://www.scootersbars.com/2023/12/thyme-kitchen-and-craft-beer/#comments Sun, 31 Dec 2023 18:14:00 +0000 scooterj http://www.scootersbars.com/?p=13096 (Downtown, Peoria, IL)

Scooter’s 1741st bar, first visited in 2023.

Thyme Kitchen and Craft Beer, Peoria

My last bar in 2023 was the venue we selected for our NYE dinner reservation.

We had pork belly appetizers, then I started out with prime rib but when I found out I got the last piece and it was already cooked much farther than I like, they comped it and I switched to fish & chips (which were fantastic).

While this place has a quite respectable selection of craft beer — as tey should since it’s pat of their name — their massive collection of spirits is far more impressive.

I had an Alpha Klaus (porter) by 3 Floyds Brewing and a blackberry thyme bramble (gin-based cocktail) but apparently they ran out of thyme.

Thyme Kitchen and Craft Beer, Peoria

Thyme Kitchen and Craft Beer, Peoria

Thyme Kitchen and Craft Beer, Peoria

Thyme Kitchen and Craft Beer, Peoria

Thyme Kitchen and Craft Beer, Peoria

Thyme Kitchen and Craft Beer, Peoria

Thyme Kitchen and Craft Beer, Peoria

Thyme Kitchen and Craft Beer, Peoria

Thyme Kitchen and Craft Beer, Peoria

No thyme, no thyme, no thyme, no thyme
No thyme, no thyme, no thyme, no thyme
I got, got, got, got no thyme
I got, got, got, got no thyme
I got, got, got, got no thyme
Thyme Kitchen and Craft Beer, Peoria

Thyme Kitchen and Craft Beer, Peoria

Thyme Kitchen and Craft Beer, Peoria


736 SW Washington St
Peoria, IL 61604
US
[launch map]
+13097132619
Visit Web Site

]]> http://www.scootersbars.com/2023/12/thyme-kitchen-and-craft-beer/feed/ 0 Martinis On Water Street http://www.scootersbars.com/2023/12/martinis-on-water-street/ http://www.scootersbars.com/2023/12/martinis-on-water-street/#comments Sat, 30 Dec 2023 18:12:00 +0000 scooterj http://www.scootersbars.com/?p=13026 (Downtown, Peoria, IL)

Scooter’s 1735th bar, first visited in 2023.

Martinis On Water Street, Peoria

We saw this place — one of two venues occupying an old train station (the other a BBQ place) — while were were driving around the previous night and thought it looked worth a visit. We were heading back to our rental house to make dinner and this was just a short side detour so we decided to make a quick stop.

The beautiful and cavernous space has a rectangular bar island in the middle, with several different styles of seating areas surrounding it.
There’s a nice-looking pool table, and also a piano. Though I didn’t see it during our visit and only found about it later, there’s an almost equally spacious covered outdoor patio as well as open-air outdoor seating.

I had a Mochatini and a Dark Chocolate martini.

Martinis On Water Street, Peoria

Martinis On Water Street, Peoria

Martinis On Water Street, Peoria

Martinis On Water Street, Peoria

Martinis On Water Street, Peoria

Martinis On Water Street, Peoria

Martinis On Water Street, Peoria

Martinis On Water Street, Peoria

Martinis On Water Street, Peoria

Martinis On Water Street, Peoria

Martinis On Water Street, Peoria


212 Southwest Water Street
Peoria, IL 61602
US
[launch map]
+13096555003
Visit Web Site

]]> http://www.scootersbars.com/2023/12/martinis-on-water-street/feed/ 0 Bearded Owl Brewing http://www.scootersbars.com/2023/12/bearded-owl-brewing/ http://www.scootersbars.com/2023/12/bearded-owl-brewing/#comments Fri, 29 Dec 2023 18:13:00 +0000 scooterj http://www.scootersbars.com/?p=12973 (Downtown, Peoria, IL)

OUT OF BUSINESS

Scooter’s 1732nd bar, first visited in 2023.

Bearded Owl Brewing, Peoria

When we found out that this brewery was closing for good this weekend, its position on our list moved from “suggestion” to “priority”. So when we realized it was right around the corner from where we ate dinner, and saw they were having a cocktail takeover party meaning there would be something for everyone in our group, we made it our next stop.

Because of the farewell party the place was absolutely packed.
Unfortunately they were out of nearly all the cocktails, so the two in our group who don’t like beer ended up not getting anything.

I had the Yülogy (winter warmer).

Bearded Owl Brewing, Peoria

Bearded Owl Brewing, Peoria

Bearded Owl Brewing, Peoria

Bearded Owl Brewing, Peoria


112 State St
Peoria, IL 61602
US
[launch map]
+13097133676
Visit Web Site

]]> http://www.scootersbars.com/2023/12/bearded-owl-brewing/feed/ 0 Kelleher’s Irish Pub & Eatery http://www.scootersbars.com/2023/12/kellehers-irish-pub-eatery/ http://www.scootersbars.com/2023/12/kellehers-irish-pub-eatery/#comments Fri, 29 Dec 2023 18:11:00 +0000 scooterj http://www.scootersbars.com/?p=12965 (Downtown, Peoria, IL)

Scooter’s 1731st bar, first visited in 2023.

Kelleher's Irish Pub & Eatery, Peoria

We decided to pick this place for dinner because it had a good menu and looked pretty. :) The bar area was pretty crowded (in part due to a Christmas pop-up bar operating in the back) so we wait in the covered entryway next to the fireplace.

I had fish & chips and a Brasserie Noir (2017) by Goose Island Beer Co. — Bourbon County Brand Stout aged in Brasserie Noir red wine barrels.

Kelleher's Irish Pub & Eatery, Peoria

Kelleher's Irish Pub & Eatery, Peoria

Kelleher's Irish Pub & Eatery, Peoria

Kelleher's Irish Pub & Eatery, Peoria

Kelleher's Irish Pub & Eatery, Peoria

Kelleher's Irish Pub & Eatery, Peoria


619 Southwest Water Street
Peoria, IL 61602
US
[launch map]
+13096736000
Visit Web Site

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