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The historic Loveland building now housing Paxton's Grill once had a reputation as a biker bar. Now the only bike around the bar is the Schwinn hanging from the back wall.
Leather clad motorcyclists once parked their hogs outside Tequila Jack's, sat around the old-fashioned copper-topped bar and kicked back a brewsky.
Nowadays, the restaurant/bar has a decidedly family atmosphere, with plants hanging from the ceiling and a wall of nature photos tacked up where the dart boards once hung. The wooden bar has been sliced by a third, making room for a few more tall tables and chairs. Three televisions are tuned to sports.
The atmosphere is casual and inviting. The weekend nights are crowded and smoky, but always entertaining..complete w/ cover bands. It's a friendly joint, where people know each other and where band members talk to the crowd. The main room is on the small side, making for an intimate concert.
The food is, for the most part, the usual bar fare, although gumbo is on the menu, and specials for Mardi Gras include cajun catfish and red beans and rice. The french fries are particularly tasty, listed under the side dish category "spare tires." About five or six microbrews and imports are on tap for $3.50 a pint, and the full bar serves up a killer margarita.
Since Paxton's is right on the Little Miami Scenic Trail as it crosses through Loveland, it is a natural stop for the thirsty, hungry, exhausted bikers, runners and rollerbladers passing by. The place is casual enough you won't feel out of place plopping down in your biking shorts and t-shirt for a burger. By the same token, it can be a relaxed night on the town (well, a night on the town in Loveland).
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