This veteran-friendly bar in Smithton offers character, fun and plenty of food
The American Legion Post 937, located at 102 N. Main St. in Smithton, has seen many businesses come and go over the years.
Previous proprietors for the bar and/or kitchen include Mikey’s Pub, Mr. BBQ’s Rib Shack, Schmitty’s Bar & Grill, Ela’s Gasthaus, Opie’s Sports Bar and multiple others.
Today it’s known as The Roost Bar & Grill and is owned by Terra Smith and Dave Reuter.
The couple acquired the bar from the owners of the site’s last business, CJ’s Pub & Grill, in mid-September.
The Roost opened on Sept. 27, and seven months later, Smith said that she and Reuter are still settling in.
“People still don’t realize we took over,” she said.
Part of that could be because Smith was already a familiar face at CJ’s.
She’s tended bar at different places in Smithton and Waterloo since the COVID pandemic and started working at CJ’s in March 2024. Later in the year, she was approached by one of the owners and asked if she’d be interested in buying the business.
Smith said she’s a people person, so it appealed to her. She also said that Reuter always wanted to have a bar. They accepted, and papers were signed.
Plenty of menu options at The Roost
For their new business endeavor to succeed in the area, Smith felt that serving food had to be part of it. She and Reuter also took over the kitchen, which is located in a separate building just behind the covered patio area.
Smith spends mornings cooking and is relieved later in the day by two kitchen employees. They all work on a full menu:
Appetizers: Toasted ravs, mozzarella sticks, pretzel bites, smoke bacon gouda bits, mini tacos, jalapeño poppers, pretzel bites, pork rinds, buffalo chicken potato skins, beer battered onion rings and chicken wings
Entrées: A variety of smash burgers, turkey club, chicken sandwiches, chicken wraps, chicken tenders
Salads: Chicken salad (Caesar or buffalo), chef salad, house salad, side salad
Sides: Fries, onion rings, tater tots
Pizza: Specialty – chicken bacon ranch, deluxe, meatlovers; Build your own – pepperoni, mushroom, onions, hamburger, sausage, bacon, ham, green peppers, black olives, chicken
Mexican Mondays: Hard/Soft tacos, fried tacos, quesadillas, loaded nachos, chips and salsa, chips and queso, dessert tacos
Fish Fridays: Catfish fillet plate, cod fillet plate, pound of cod or catfish; sides of hushpuppies, mac & cheese, stewed tomatoes, cole slaw
For the kiddos: Chicken tenders and one side
Aside from the Mexican Mondays and Fish Fridays, folks can enjoy Wing Wednesdays and Pizza Thursdays. And look for buckets of beer on the weekend and the occasional Sunday food special.
Adult beverages on offer include beer, cocktails, bourbons and other whiskeys and wine.
Smith said they support local breweries and offer a rotation of beers from brewers including Shoehorn Brewing (Belleville), Millpond Brewing (Millstadt) and Stubborn German (Waterloo).
Specialty cocktails are available and include monthly specials. This month the Thunderstorm Shot and Blue Rain Martini are the featured cocktails.
In addition to the kitchen staff, four others tend bar. Smith fills in when someone has a day off or is out sick. Between Smith and Reuter, who still works his full-time day job, at least one of them is always onsite.
A bit of fun to go with the food
Adding to the great eats and libations for lunch and dinner, The Roost also provides live entertainment on weekends.
Established local bands and musicians like Boulderdash, Steve Ewing and The Saloonatics are often booked. In fact, Smith said The Saloonatics played for their grand opening in September and are already committed to performing on The Roost’s one-year anniversary.
The covered patio area has plenty of room for bands and patrons who enjoy dancing or just hanging out. A tiki bar is also available outside and offers beer and simple cocktails, according to Smith.
When the weather’s too cold or stormy to set up on the covered patio, bands perform inside the bar area.
Reuter said it gets pretty crowded inside on those occasions – “loud and rambunctious” was how he put it – but folks do enjoy themselves. People love to dance and will take over the entire space, he said.
Now that the warmer weather is coming, they will book larger bands starting in May.
On days when no bands are scheduled to play, a TouchTunes machine is available to keep the music going. Indoor bar activities include video games and darts. The new dart league just started, and video gaming will be available in the coming weeks, according to Smith.
The veteran friendly bar with character
The Roost resides in a great older building that has a lot of character. I’m a fan of exposed brick, which The Roost has in abundance.
Part of a wall on one side is covered in wood slats. A small section has a subway tile that was installed vertically rather than the horizontal pattern often done. There’s an attractive fancy clock on that wall.
The flooring, of all things, might be my favorite part. It’s easy to see where people often sit based on the wear and tear of the surface. (Hint: Check out the area along the bar.)
Reuter had some pieces that added to the fun bar vibe, including a couple of Elvis decanters, an old Red Dog neon sign and a “Reuter’s Roost” street sign.
I’m a fan of the “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere” sign that looks like it’s made from multiple motorcycle license plates.
Some of the structural features were added or installed last June, when “Bar Rescue,” a reality series in which the host helps transform struggling bars, came to town to give CJ’s a makeover. (CJ’s became Smithton Station for a short time. That episode of “Bar Rescue” is set to air May 4 on Paramount.)
“Bar Rescue” removed the pizza oven, replacing it with an extended bartop, according to Smith. The exposed brick walls were cleaned up and the ceiling painted. The building’s exterior was painted a darker grayish blue. It will soon be repainted in a light gray.
Changes were made – or unmade – since the “Bar Rescue” update, but the one piece of décor that remains is the fancy brass clock.
It is pretty nice.
Unfortunately, the upstairs is unable to be used as part of the business.
Reuter said that when the patio area was added in the 1990s, the fire escape was removed, rendering the upper level unsafe in case of fire.
It’s too bad, really. That floor was once used as a dance hall and event space, equipped with a kitchen area and restrooms.
Reuter and Smith rent the place from the American Legion, and the establishment is veteran friendly.
In fact, one of their regular customers, a veteran, is so well established at The Roost that if someone is in his usual seat when he comes in, the occupant will vacate the spot for him.
The Roost is appropriately named as it feels like a fun and welcoming place to gather and hang out for a good time.
About The Roost Bar & Grill
The Roost Bar & Grill is located at 102 N. Main St. in Smithton. Hours are noon to 1 a.m. Sunday-Monday, Wednesday-Thursday and noon to 2 a.m. Friday-Saturday. They are closed on Tuesdays.
For more information, including band schedules and specials, check out facebook.com/theroostbar or call 618-212-2036.
