Jimmy’s Bar

Jimmy’s is pretty much an institution. I’ve been going there for more than 20 years, back then to hear live music out on the patio (Bodside Zukes, anyone?), most recently on Christmas night to grab some drinks and a bite of food. I honestly didn’t remember that they had food at Jimmy’s and expected to be told that there was just popcorn and maybe some fish on a cracker available, but they had a food menu (on Christmas, no less) and our bartender grilled us up some hot burgers that hit the spot.
The parking lot is a little precarious in my opinion. Every time I back out of there, no matter which side I parked on I feel like a car is going to come out of nowhere and rip the bumper off the back of my car as I back out. But it’s never happened to me and I’ve never heard of any crazy parking lot accidents there, so maybe I’m just being paranoid.
The bar can get crowded as it’s not large, but there are also times when it’s pretty chill. It’s not far out of downtown, so if you’re looking for a bit of a «Cheer’s» kind of bar, give Jimmy’s a try.

Not just a college bar, but truly a local pub. A true assert to the community and great people.

Jimmy’s is alright. Kind of a cramped place if there is any crowd and a bit expensive for what it is. Also they seem to cater to their regulars more than they should. I waited 15 minutes for a beer. Not a huge deal but the bartender helped an obvious buddy 2 times in that time.

It is pretty classy but still a good place to get drunk. The drinks are extremely strong. So that’s a plus. Like most bars in Peoria, they will serve you until you drop. And I have there several times. Never drive home from there. Cop city

Came here on a busy Saturday afternoon… Great atmosphere and obviously happy regulars… Had to ‘fight to get noticed and get food and drink. Irish Nachos were OK. but nothing special – homestyle fries with cheese dip. Are the American flags displayed properly?

F*ing Jimmy’s. This place gets me piss drunk every damn time.

«Snug.»
“Cozy.”
“Packed like sardines.“
These are all lines you will here within two minutes of being inside one of Peoria’s most revered and historic pubs. Everyone who goes to Jimmy’s is in for an intimate drinking experience and by the end of the night, the guy or gal you’ve been rubbing shoulders with will be your new drinking buddy.
Big Bradley U. haunt, so there’s a wide variety of ages here at this west Peoria pub. Smoking and live music area outside!

Strong drinks and great environment!

I like college bars a lot. Not as much as I did when I was in college. But college bars are a far cry from the bars for people who wish they were still in college. Good college bars are all about cheap drinks, enjoying them with your best friends (who all live in the same city), and the unbridled enthusiasm of youth and hormones. Even a few older weirdos like me won’t ruin a good college bar.
Jimmy’s meets all these criteria. To boot, they have a friendly old bouncer that looks like your Irish grandpa. I bet he’d just as soon toss you on his lap and tell you a story as he’d check your ID. Even better, he doesn’t flash the «ID» sign language in your face. Certainly you know this gesture. Nearly every no-​necked bouncer from Atlantic to Pacific employs it. Pinky, ring, and middle finger glued to palm, with the thumb and index forming a two inch gap. This is how the bouncer both requests your ID and shows you the size of his dick. Fortunately you won’t have to deal with this at Jimmy’s.
I normally don’t like a bar more than 30−40% full, but with Jimmy’s it’s welcome. Remember, college bar. Hot, sweaty, and people hanging from the rafters. Bartenders wear white shirts and ties. I can hardly imagine an outfit more inappropriate for someone tending bar. What a fraud Tom Cruise’s character in Cocktail was. Anyone who wears such an outfit and isn’t completely covered in sweat and bar detritus at the end of the night should be fired.
There’s a semi-​ventilated patio out back where smoking and karoake are permitted. There was some guy smoking a cigar there. Surely there is no better way to spot a poseur than to see one smoking a cigar in a bar. He’s had the foresight to cut the cigar beforehand, or to bring a cutter. He expects people to take note of his different smelling tobacco, and he thinks that women and edgier men will admire him for his obstinate approach. That guy does not deserve any bar, but especially not one like this.

Good atmosphere, friendly bartenders, and strong drinks. What more can you want?

Hands down the strongest drinks in any bar in Peoria. I know I am on a two drink minimum when I go. I prefer this place when the weather is nice and you can sit outside. In the winter it is way too crowded and loud which Im sure if you are 22 is fine, but not if you expect to be able hear anyone. OHHH and only one womens bathroom… yes one.

OK if you want to get a strong drink come here. On Saturday’s it can get crowded and it’s a smaller bar so if you can’t handle that then I’d try somewhere else.

Best bar in Peoria!
When I went to school at Bradley everyone wanted to turn 21 so they could get past Vince into Jimmy’s! My girlfriend at the time came to town and I said you need to be careful at Jimmy’s. I told her they had the best Long Island ever but it will knock you on your a$$. She said she was a big girl and knew what she was doing…20 minutes last and ¾ of the drink gone she fell off her stool.
Being there as a Bradley student is the best though it does get very crowded. The pretzels & cheese is the best bar treat around.
There was never a bad night at Jimmy’s! I cannot wait to return!

This place isn’t bad. It gets pretty cramped on Saturday nights. The patio /​beer garden area outside was a bit too smoky for me. The drinks here are STRONG! Wow! The prices are reasonable too.

Jimmys has the stiffest drinks I have ever had. Even a heavier drinker can get quite intoxicated under $ 10.

Come here if you want a stiff drink and good bartenders. Great prices, and fun place to hang out with friends. You can literally get blasted for under $ 20 bucks. The beer garden is cool, can get packed sometimes when Bradley is in, but still one of the best bars in Peoria.

If you want a stiff drink, GO. If it is food, even decent bar food you are searching, stay away. The food at Jimmy’s is frozen patties and chips with an Irish name on the menu. There are better lunch spots in Peoria, but if you are looking to get hammered for cheap and hang out with the college kids, it sounds like the place to be.

I pretty much concur with everything Nelson S. said. Go Braves! I don’t think they’re making the drinks as strong as they used to when I was in college (¾ of the drink was booze and it was served in a pint glass for $ 5 or $ 6) but I think they’re still pretty strong. My fave was and is a vodka redbull. I only need 2 to be wasted. The free popcorn is a plus and the tots with cheese are delicious as well. The back patio is great and even heated in the winter. Just watch out because Jimmy’s is in a train car and get quite crowded.

THE BEST PLACE TO GET DRINKS IN PEORIA!!! DRINKS ARE STRONG AND HARD! This place is small but and it’s packed with BRADLEY students. Go BU! They also have popcorn, always good. The back patio is a cool place to hang out. The bartenders are good and you must try their Long Island Ice Tea, the best LIT on this side of the Mississippi, I guarantee.
One drink. Two drink. Floor, that’s why I love this place. :-)