Inside: Pepperbottoms in St. Clair Shores

Status: If Chuck E. Cheese’s is the place where a kid can be a kid, then PepperBottoms Beats & Eats is the place where adults can release their inner child.  

On Saturday, co-owner Kelly Pendleton treated the crowd (and one lucky guy) to a “blow job” on the bar. And while there was whipped cream involved, it’s probably not what you’re thinking (see photos).

“It’s kind of an all-around-type of place,” says Pendleton, who owns the six-months-old PepperBottoms with her husband Shawn. “We want the sports-and-party atmosphere all at the same time. There’s something for everybody.”

Formerly a Salvation Army, the massive 10,000-square-foot bar on Harper Avenue in St. Clair Shores features games you’d find in an arcade, fire-breathing bartenders, a DJ and a dance floor.

The good times begin daily at noon, and cover is just $2 on Friday and Saturday nights. Ladies are free until 11 p.m.

Gear: Looking to kick back at a bar with friends without breaking the bank on the latest designer fashions? Then throw on a pair of jeans, a cotton shirt and head to PepperBottoms. Just one rule -- all hats must have a brim.

Mood: PepperBottoms’ Po’ Man’s Card states: “If you are in PO’ session of this card: It means you’re a broke A$$ BIATCH. With this card you won’t have to pay cover charge and you will get 10% off of your grub Sunday thru Thursday 11AM-7PM. At PepperBottoms it pays to be broke!!! Enjoy! Have fun and get crazy!”

If the card is any indication, this is the kind of place that doesn’t take itself too seriously, though the customers are another story.

“We’re based on customer service,” says Tim Foehl, head of security. “If our staff’s not nice, we don’t have them.”

Seemingly random objects, like a donated church piano along one wall, an inflatable alligator hanging from the ceiling and chalkboard walls in the restrooms provide PepperBottoms an eclectic feel, while beer-and-sports posters hung unsystematically adorn the sky-blue walls.

“It’s high energy and fun,” describes Heather Partyka, who has worked at PepperBottoms selling drinks since November. 

What patrons may not know is that almost all of the items at PepperBottoms -- including the bar stools -- are gifts, donations or trash finds.

“The décor is just a hodgepodge of different kinds of things,” says Pendleton, who chose the name PepperBottoms after having an online contest.  

For 27-year-old Billy Holmes of Harper Woods, the close proximity of PepperBottoms to his house, coupled with the “excellent service” has drawn him back on several occasions.

Pick me up: Though not a full menu, PepperBottoms offers Cajun creations with spicy flair.

“We try to gear our food towards the New Orleans/Louisiana-style food,” says Pendleton, who has been in the bar business for more than 20 years.

You’ll find everything your taste buds desire behind the 92-foot-long granite bar top in the center of the bar. A tiki bar with shot wheel helps the indecisive and the adventurous.

Entertainment: Take your pick from at least five pool tables, three dart boards, shuffleboard, basketball, bowling video games, an Internet jukebox, foosball, Golden Tee and more. Flat screens surround the bar for your viewing pleasure, and rotating DJs play top 40 hits for those in the mood to dance.

Thursday night is ladies and ‘80s night with DJ Joe. Ladies get half-off drinks from 7 p.m.-2 a.m.