If you’re at all familiar with the area, you’ve probably seen “the boot” on Main Avenue—and by boot, I mean the iconic Rick’s Bar. It’s been known as a rock music joint, a biker bar, the home of great food, and even just the local dive bar; regardless, Rick’s is one of the original dives of the FM area that has stood the test of time—without hardly changing a thing.

Rick himself bought the bar in 1979, and before Rick’s, the building was known as Lauries (unsure of the spelling), a cowboy-themed bar. After deciding “cowboy” might be out, Rick branded the bar as a rock place, although there wasn’t that much “branding.” Spike, the night manager, started at Rick’s in 1984, and Renee, the daytime manager, in 1991. For a short time, Rick’s became known as a biker bar and that trademark, along with being known for the rock gigs, has followed Rick’s throughout the years. But, more so, Rick’s is known for just being, Rick’s—not much changes, nothing flashy or trendy in the bar, but it has always worked, and still does. Regulars and newcomers are drawn to its unpretentious atmosphere, attention snagged by either the allure of a live band or the deals for drinks and food.

Rick’s vision was simple yet profound: to create a place that felt like home, a spot where people could come together, share a drink, and enjoy good music.

Facts

Many staff members, including Spike, have been with Rick’s Bar for over 30 years! Not only that, but Rick said the bar has seen generations of families come through its doors, with children of regulars growing up and becoming patrons themselves.

Just about the only evolution to Rick’s has been its music. Originally a country bar with a mechanical bull inside, transitioned to hosting live classic rock shows, and now hosting bands and live DJs.

Fame has graced the bar rail at Rick’s. Celebrities like Megan Mullally, Robin Zander from Cheap Trick, and Janie Lane from Warrant have visited Rick’s!

2721 Main Ave, Fargo
701-232-8356
ricks-bar.com
Facebook | /Ricks-Bar

sIn the early years of the operation, Rick and his wife (well, mostly his wife he admitted), cooked chili at home and would bring it to the bar to give out to patrons. The popularity of the dish rose so much that he decided to add a small kitchen to the setup. That’s how Rick’s began serving food at the bar, and every Saturday you can still get a cup of chili for free starting at noon until it’s gone!

Probably the most unsuspecting yet “this totally makes sense” thing about Rick’s is the lunch special. For $9.95, you get a whole plate of the daily special, which rotates daily but is always reminiscent of a classic Midwestern dish. With the taste of homey-comfort food at a more than fair price, the weekday lunch specials are packed with locals—as Rick explained, it’s a good, cheap, and quick lunch; since most of the patrons don’t have the luxury of a long lunch break, they need something filling, affordable, and that’s not going to take an hour and a half to order, eat, and pay for!

Every week they post the week’s specials on Rick’s Facebook and update the dry-erase board inside, but they also have a sheet that they still fax out to those who have requested it—talk about old-school!

While the bar has evolved some, its core philosophy remains the same. Rick believes in sticking to what works, maintaining a sense of familiarity and comfort for its patrons. Rick’s Bar, a decades-long journey, looks almost the same as it did when it opened and feels it too.