Kessie Kessie
Slammers Sports Bar, part of Red River Lanes, is a historic and beloved spot in north Fargo. Like many others, the dive’s community is close-knit. They’ve shared years of memories, drinks, and laughs—some for a few years and some for decades. Slammers is a local legend when it comes to its regulars, low-key events, and, of course, delicious pizza.
It’s evident that Slammers has a rich yet somewhat complex past, with some uncertainties about the exact details, we know the building that houses Slammers has been around since the 1950s. At some point, the establishment operated as Pizza King, while we don’t know exactly which years held this iconic restaurant, you can see that there’s a coupon for the restaurant in a 1981 issue of NDSU’s Spectrum student newspaper! Inevitably, about 30 years ago in the 1990s, Slammers Sports Bar officially opened, marking the shift from pizza to pounders… kind of—while the vibes are different, Slammers does offer some delicious handcrafted pizzas!
Facts
Slammers Sports Bar has gotten dressed up a few times since its takeover, with the most recent renovation in 2018 and again during the COVID-19 pandemic. These renovations modernized the space but didn’t take too much away from the “divey” feeling.
An interesting aspect of Slammers is its family ownership. The current owner is part of the family that has been part of Slammers and Red River Lanes since its inception. This family connection translates to its employees and regulars—like they say, they’re all like one big family!
From long-time loyalists to new college-age patrons, Slammers has a diverse group of patrons throughout the week, Bar Manager Ro estimated that there are about 50 or so regulars and a good 20 or so college students, among others, in the bar every week.
While currently limited due to construction on the bowling alley, the bar’s menu features in-house made pizzas, chicken cordon bleu balls, and customer favorites like the cajun sausage pizza served around Mardi Gras, a dish that’s part of the rotating specialty pizzas
Wednesdays at Slammers are for trivia, starting at 6 p.m. sharp, and bingo attracts crowds every week on Sundays
The bar has a touching connection to its past owner, Charlie Jones, who passed away in an accident in May 2022. He is remembered fondly by staff and regulars alike.
Secluded in the northern part of the city, Slammers Sports Bar may appear as just another bar in a bowling alley, but step inside and you might be able to detect a special energy—where a bond between regulars and staff seeps into every corner of the joint, creating a special atmosphere that helps to set Slammers apart from other bars in the area.
Slammers Sports Bar & Grill
707 28th Ave N, Fargo
701-235-1912
Facebook | /SlammersFM
Dive Directory
Make sure to check out this other local dive!
Moorhead
Vic’s Bar & Grill
1608 Main Ave, Moorhead
218-236-7714
Facebook | /vicslounge83
