By Jared Curtis
Stevie C’s
Keeping the dive bar scene alive
Much like Main Street being the meeting place in small towns, dive bars are the lifeblood in the nightlife scene. Unfortunately, as with many Main Streets, these atmospheric watering holes are a dying breed.
Owners can open new, flashy bars any day of the week, but all the money in the world can’t turn a new building into a place that has been serving patrons for decades. So it’s nice to walk into an establishment like Stevie C’s, take one look at the classic set-up — low lighting, long bar up front, bigger back room holding pool tables and other games — and know you’ve found a classic dive bar.
“This is our 25th year, but the building has been a bar for more than 50 years,” said manager Brandon Cavanaugh, whose father Steve is the bar’s owner and namesake. “My dad started the bar in Johnston, the opportunity arose in Grimes, and we’ve been here ever since.”
The bar, which is a step back in time and located on Main Street, next to the barbershop, attracts a wide range of clientele.
“We’re a family neighborhood bar, and we have multiple generations of customers with a good mix of matriarchs and new faces,” Cavanaugh says. “I grew up here, so this is like my second family.”
Happy Hour runs daily from 5 to 7 p.m. and offers patrons 50 cents off everything. Stevie C’s also runs daily specials every day. On Monday, enjoy $2 Natural Lights. Tuesday offers $3 mini pitchers and $6 regular pitchers. Knock back $3 you call it Rum and Vodka drinks on Wednesday. All shots are $3 on Thursday. Start your weekend on Friday with $4.50 Jagerbombs. Saturday offers $1.50 draws and cure your weekend hangover on Sunday with $2.50 Screwdrivers and Bloody Marys.
“We’re known for are stiff drinks, and we serve all of our cocktails in 16 ounce glasses,” Cavanaugh said. “We’re not a flashy bar; we are more of a beer and Rum and Coke type place.”
The bar also offers a daily lunch special ($4), featuring a number of sandwiches (grinders, burgers, tenderloins). They are known for their brickoven pizzas.
“The pizzas are really popular. They are handmade, and we make them the old school, thin crust style,” Cavanaugh said.
Although they are “off the beaten path,” Cavanaugh is working with the city and hopes a change for Main Street will soon follow.
“We are working on revitalizing Main Street as the ‘Governor’s District.’ There are a lot of things starting to fall into place, and we are proud to be a part of it,” he said.
Don’t let the drive to Grimes discourage you from visiting this treasure. This nightlife reporter is a dive bar aficionado and can easily say that Stevie C’s rivals other classic dives in the metro.
“We’re a cozy dive bar with a relaxing atmosphere, and we offer great drinks for the right prices,” Cavanaugh said. “If you’re wanting to have a good time with some great people, look no further.” CV
Caption: Manager Brandon Cavanaugh mixes up a White Russian at Stevie C’s, 204 S. Main St., Grimes. Hours are 10 to 2 a.m., daily. 986-9004.
