The Enigma Of Shakers; Amarillo’s Vanished Mystery Sports Bar
I pulled up to a stop sign in Amarillo, Texas recently, and was surprised to notice something that had never caught my eye before; a sign for a sports bar. It had probably gone under the radar thanks to the fact that it sits adjacent to an empty lot. Staring at the sign I began to wonder what the heck Shakers was, and where did the building go?
What Is Shakers In Amarillo, Texas, And What Happened To It?
I'm not sure how the sign finally managed to catch my eye. Maybe it was the font they used or the silhouettes sitting around a bartop having what appears to be a good time. Maybe it was the big red letters announcing the existence of a sports bar where you could also enjoy a little dancing.
What kind of dancing, I'm not sure. Amarillo used to be a pretty hip place where you could find a spot to dance or watch someone else dance...if you know what I mean. Was Shakers one of those places that the City has decided can't exist inside city limits anymore? You know which ones I'm talking about. The ones where marginally attractive women hustle for single portraits of General Washington from all the hard-working blue-collar boys.
What Happened To Bailey's Shed, And What Does It Have To Do With Shakers?
When you look up the location for Shakers on Google Maps, you'll also find that there was also a sign for Bailey's Shed attached to the one for Shakers. Were these two separate bars sharing a building, or one bar with two signs honoring some sports bar heritage?
Unfortunately, both the sign for Bailey's and the building are gone. All that remains is a lone sign on a side street off of Bell for a sports bar that doesn't exist. If anyone has any stories about the place, I would love to hear them. I'm also curious as to why the Shakers sign seems to be impervious to whatever is happening around it.
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