Quad Cities Bars

Since last post, I traveled to Orion to visit the Sidetracked Saloon , which had been Stooges until recently.  I’m not sure if the flat screens in the corner are new, but if they are, it’s the only change I noticed.  I’m sure it’s a fine bar, but, with the tall ceilings and rectangular layout, the only impression I came away with was of being in an appliance box when I was a kid. In mid-December, The Quarry in west Davenport re-opened as Thirsty’s On Third , and they are doing some remodeling work.  The owners seemed real nice, and I wish them luck.  It’s a nice little dive enclave they have down at Pine and Third, with Thirsty’s, The New Opendore , Scott’s Shovelhead Shed , and the New Wooden Nickel . Another nice group of bars, a little more upscale, is in the College Hill area of Rock Island.  Within the last three years or so, Legend’s Corner , The Grotto (in the Black Ram restaurant), Cool Beanz , and Against the Grain have joined Kavanaugh’s ...

R Bar has opened on Utica Ridge in Davenport, and has already made my Top Ten upscale bars.  One of my favorite bars in the region is 129 , and I saw a lot of similarities (129 is owned by the ex-wife of R Bar’s owner), including wine racks and cracked glass lighting.  They've got nice use of barnwood in the alcove behind bar and the entryway, and a small patio with cool fireplace.  The focal point is what used to be a humidor (this used to be a Baker Brothers cigar store), and is now the wine room, but I think having this enclosed space takes away valuable real estate from the bar. I was taking a run by the old Bon Air in Moline to see what progress was being made on their remodel, when I found Deep Pockets by surprise.  This place gives a much nicer choice for shooting pool on the Illinois side than Leisure Time with 11 tables, including a front table designed for championship matches.  They have a nice long bar with 3 or 4 flat screens, so you don’...

I’d mentioned last post that the East Village Café was remodeling, but hadn’t made clear what the new name was going to be, or even if there would be one.  The sign just says “Brew”, but Brew In The Village is the full name, and was added to my list the week it reopened.  I’m not quite sure if it was completely finished, but I think a sort of rustic joint where you can get a cup of coffee or a Vanilla Porter will make a nice addition to East Davenport. Monkey’s Riverdale Pub closed briefly to become My Place – The Pub , after an ownership change and slight remodel.  I’ll probably have to take a look at my favorite and least favorite dives lists, since Monkey’s was on both (depending on the time of day), though both were as honorable mentions.  Those additions bring my total to 538 . As for what’s on the horizon:  Congratulations to Richard and Denise Day, who just broke ground on Green Tree Brewery in LeClaire.  If all goes well, they...