Dome Tap
2305 W Lincoln Ave
Peoria, IL
Map It!
Friendliness: 5
Kitsch Factor: 2
Neighborhood: 2
On tap: Miller Lite, Bud Light, Busch, Michelob Amber Bock
Peoria, Illinois; A mecca of blue collar jobs, and blue collar bars. Home of Caterpillar tractors, Peoria has an untold amount of neighborhood taverns that cater to locals, and as we found, welcome strangers as well.
On a recent Saturday afternoon we stopped at the Dome Tap. We easily found a parking place and made our way to the front door. The sidewalk was a mosaic advertising an old Peoria beer called Gipps.
The dome of the "Dome Tap" was apparently a stained glass structure above the bar, which the bartender claimed to be over 100 years old.
We made our way the to the bar, and ordered a few beers. "Jeep" ordered a Bud light, and I ordered a Busch. Our beers went down cool and quick, and we didn't hesitate when the bartender offered two more. After we bought a round of drinks for the bar (6 drinks, $11.25), everyone seemed to warm up to our presence.
We were soon joined by a local to thank us for buying his beer. He introduced himself as 'Sal'. During our conversation, he referred to the old Black Angus, a restaurant that had been on IL Rt 29 in Peoria Heights. It became clear that he had been involved in the ownership or management of the restaurant. After a few complimentary beers bought by fellow drinkers, we said our good byes and headed out the door.
Overall, we found the bar to be quite friendly, very reasonably priced, and a very nice experience. The staff is happy and friendly, and the customers were very welcoming.
