I’ve always meant to stop in and check out the Brass Key Lounge in East Peoria.
One of the things that this bar is known for is that Gary Richrath from REO Speedwagon loved this place and would hang out in here when he was back in his old hometown. I’ve heard of many Richrath sightings, so let’s go check it out tonight.
Yes, in the words of REO Speedwagon, let’s get back on the road again!
——
Bar Number 59: Brass Key Lounge, Monday, March 9, 2026
Here we are at the Brass Key Lounge. This place is in East Peoria, just across from Davis Brothers Pizza.
Let’s go in and take a look inside of here.
Wow, this looks like a cool and interesting bar in here! Let’s grab a seat and get settled in!
Tracy was the pretty and friendly bartender on duty and here she is delivering me an ice cold can of Pabst Blue Ribbon!
I’ll drink this beer in honor of Chad Wallace, since PBR is his drink of choice, cheers, Chad!
There’s so much to look at in here I’m kind of on sensory overload right now!
However, this place is known for having tributes to East Peoria legends, so let’s focus on those for now.
——
East Peoria Legend Number One: Joe Girardi
Joe Girardi is a baseball legend who grew up in East Peoria. Here’s a nice tribute to him behind the bar.
Girardi was an All-American player in college and started his career with the Peoria Chiefs. He then went on to play professionally for the Chicago Cubs, NY Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals.
He then went on to be a baseball broadcaster and got into management as well.
I have a Joe Girardi connection as my sister Terry taught him in mid-school at the Father Sweeney School when he was a youngster!
——
East Peoria Legend Number Two: Gary Richrath
Gary Richrath is a well-known East Peoria legend. There was just a tribute show to him at the Peoria Riverfront Museum last weekend.
He formed and was the lead guitarist in REO Speedwagon and when he came back to his hometown he often stopped in here at the Brass Key for a drink or two.
Here’s signed posters, a t-shirt and not one, but two signed guitars that Gary donated to the bar through the years. Very cool!
——
East Peoria Legend Number THree: Sam Kinison
Sam Kinison wasn’t born in East Peoria, but his family moved there when he was just three months old, so he’s officially an East Peoria native.
Sam became a famous comedian and he returned to Peoria often and on one of those visits I got to meet Sam! You can read all about that here. I love this poster of him in here.
——
East Peoria Legend Number Four: Carrie Foster
Check out this East Peoria cheerleader jacket hanging on the wall. The cool thing about this jacket is that…
The owner of that jacket just happened to be seated at the bar when I took that photo and she looks like she could still be a cheerleader!
This is Carrie Foster who not only donated that jacket but she’s the owner and operator of one of my favorite places in East Peoria, The Twistee Treat!
I met Carrie there a few years ago when we started our Corn Dog Tour and it’s great to see her again! She told me that Twistee Treat is opening up for the season this coming Friday, so be sure to stop by and say hi to Carrie! Great to see her again!
Here’s a shot of the bar from the back of the room.
I love all the stickers behind the bar and check out the great selection of yearbooks from the past back there!
Gaming machines line the back wall and they have a table of free stuff for the taking that they add to all the time! How cool is that?
Owner, David Zickar took this place over in December of 2013 and he thanks you for stopping by via this sign on the door!
——
The Drinks
I had a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon in honor of Chad Wallace and since i was driving I had a Michelob Ultra Zero for my second beverage of the evening.
——
2410 E. Washington Street
East Peoria
309-694-9011
——
Bar List, Rules, Banner Art & Donation Link.
——