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Our Place is one of my favorite Sunday afternoon destinations.  Our Place always deserves rave reviews as a local establishment that supports bikers.  And, Sunday afternoon is a great time to ride Lake Bistineau and enjoy a steak, baked potato and salad, all for just $12.

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 Visit the Bike Barn at  558 I-49 North Frontage
Sunset, LA

Often bikers are looking for a place to hang out with other bikers in an atmosphere where everyone understands their lifestyle, and where they feel welcome.   The old saying “If you have to ask, you wouldn't understand” is appropriate in this situation. At a biker bar, you don't have to explain.  Everyone knows that you're there because the atmosphere is inviting and understanding of your needs, and you're likely to meet others with common interests.  You might find 1% clubs or Harley Owner's Group Members together in the same place, each respecting the other's right to be there.  Over the years, I have, indeed, met some great friends in local biker bars.

There are some famous biker establishments that make for a great road trip such as Rick Fairless' Stroker's in Dallas, but the Bike Barn Saloon in Sunset, Louisiana is a lot closer, and it's a place where bikers can go just to hang out and enjoy each other's company.  The ride from Baton Rouge is just over an hour at approximately 70 miles, and the destination is as far from the hustle and bustle of the city life as one could ask for.   From Baton Rouge take I-10 west  and turn North onto Interstate 49.  It's on the Frontage Road, and easy to spot.   The large red barn with the steel roof will alert you that you've arrived.  

I first visited the Bike Barn during the 2008 Louisiana State H.O.G. (Harley Owner's Group), rally, and now it's a favorite. When I arrived, I easily parked my motorcycle under the ample, covered parking lot, in front of and attached to the barn, and reserved especially for two and three wheeled vehicles.   The bike parking was easy to maneuver in and around,  and there wasn't any gravel as you might find in many of the biker bars you visit.  Inside, the air conditioning was inviting and the bartenders (called Bike Barn Angels) were cute, smart and friendly.  I toured the facilities and was pleased with the raucous, yet clean and comfortable surroundings.  The large, four sided bar held the grand position in the center of the room, and the pool tables were stashed away in yet a second room.  The bar offers specials throughout the week, and happy hour is Wednesday through Friday from 5-6pm with ½ price mix drinks and $2 beer or $1 tube shots/their choice.  You can also buy a t-shirt or jacket from the Tack Room that is not only useful, but a piece of memorabilia from the visit. They hang, displayed on a large area of one wall, and there is a good selection.

Outside, there's a restaurant and even a tattoo shop.  The Bike Barn offers music on the weekends by local bands like Lil Kenny, Seasoned Soul, Remy and Trilogy, and there's never a cover charge.    Still outside, you'll find Miss Dee's Bike Barn Kitchen, where there's cheeseburgers for just $5, and mouthwatering steak, fried shrimp or “the best pickled quail eggs around” for very reasonable prices.    There is plenty of room for the crowded bar patrons to overflow outside, and the location is far away from anyone who might complain of the noise.  I got the feeling that the owners were happy to have all the bikers partying and having a good time at their establishment, and that they were living their dream.  No doubt, the bikers, too, were happy to be there and share in the dream.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stroker's sits in the middle of downtown Dallas, just off Harry Hine's Blvd.  It's a little hard to find, so take a GPS or google map it in advance to refer to in case you find yourself driving around in circles like I did the first time I went there.  I keep the Stroker's website bookmarked, and ocassionally revisit it to bring back memories of my trips to this fun  establishment.  If you visit the website, among other interesting facts, you'll learn that Rick was born in Dallas, Texas and grew up around motorcycles.  When he was 19, he went to work for his uncle at a chain of paint stores that was eventually bought out by Glidden.  There he worked hard and became the number one sales rep in the country.  He worked 20 years for Glidden, and never missed a day of work, a fact that he is rightfully proud of.   And, after 13 years of owning his own business, Stroker's, he hasn't missed a day there either.   He claims that he works 13 hours a day, eight days a week, and is only closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas days, but he is still working.

It all began in 1996, when Rick tired of big business and the corporate life,  followed his dreams and opened an Easyriders franchise naming it Stroker's.  He bought land just six miles outside of Dallas for the motorcycle shop and two years later opened a bar which he named the IceHouse Bar and Grill, after the historical ice houses where men would go and pick up blocks of ice for their ice boxes (refrigerators) at home.  It was a place where they could drink beer, chew tobacco, play cards and generally just hangout and have a good time before they went home to mama. Rick liked the idea of calling the place an ice house. He said he filled it up with all his goofy stuff that he likes to be around.  In 2002, Easyriders dropped their franchise plan, and Ric was a little scared to lose the famous Easyriders name, but he says it hasn't hurt him a bit. “I'm just a lucky chump from Texas. I am so proud to be successful in a business I truly love”, he says.  If you look at Wikipedia , you'llsee that he still has the Easyriders logo painted on the roof.

There are  plenty of custom bikes on display inside and out,  including my favorite, the Janis Joplin tribute bike.  There's a store full of clothing, bike accessories, Converse shoes,  sunglasses, pins, and just about anything a biker  would want or need.  And of course, in the Service Department you can get a tire changed, get your bike serviced, or other maintenance completed while you shop or enjoy a cold one at the IceHouse. On the weekends, you're likely to find 1,000 bikes or more packed into the large parking lot in the rear of the buildings, and usually there will be a band playing on stage. And since he opened Stroker's Ink in 2007, you might even find time to get a tattoo or piercing.

This is a family business, and his mom runs the IceHouse. On any given day, you're sure to see one of his five children, his wife, brother, sister, mom dad or other family member hard at work making Stroker's run efficiently.  You'll also certainly see Rick. He'll be the one in the 1960's tie dyed t-shirt and long hair.  And although he's a busy man, he always has time for his customers, to chat a few minutes and to take photos. He is famous for saying “I'm the owner, but you're the boss.” And, maybe with that attitude, that is exactly why he is so successful.

 In my opinion, Stroker's is not your typical “I'm in it to make money” kind of business, although I'm sure it brings in plenty. You won't feel like you're being pressured to buy anything, and you'll be treated just like an old friend visiting for a cold beer and possibly a burger.