Generally, the bars in the Eastern aren’t a source of trouble. The yo-boys are too cool to drink in a bar and stay on the corner drinking bottles of malt liquor. Many of them aren’t old enough to be served in a bar, either. The bars are for those willing to pay a dollar or two for a mere twelve ounce can of beer.
The bars, like Shirley’s Honey Hole, are where the older heads hang out, listen to old R & B, and complain about kids these days. At these places, everybody does indeed know your name; cocktails are served with a heavy pour in those small, heavy duty, short, thick, stemmed glassware; and on holidays you know there’s always a good spread to enjoy. Father’s Day is a always a great time to do business checks on bars in the Eastern.
According to Annie Linskey in the Sun, two men “walked up to the bar on the 2300 block of E. Oliver St. from North Patterson Park Avenue and fired without warning.” Six were shot, one fatally.