Moonshine Off Grayson seemingly came out of nowhere this July — and the Pearl area is better off for it.
There’s something instantly familiar about the homey bar at 125 W. Grayson St. #120, from its worn-in honky-tonk vibes to a playlist centered around familiar cry-in-your-beer country. It may not hurt either that the new nightspot is from a familiar face: Abel Mota Jr. of South Side seafood favorite El Cevichero.
“The past two years have definitely been the hardest of my life, but I know it’ll all be worth it tomorrow when I finally get to open my new bar with my bro, fam and friends,” Mota wrote on his Instagram page on the eve of Moonshine Off Grayson’s debut.
If the large crowd gathered at the bar on a Wednesday evening in August was any indication, mission accomplished.
Situated on the corner of Euclid Avenue and Grayson, the nightspot is part of a bustling mini-hub that also contains Stout House Grayson, Milk Pizza Shop and Lone Star Burger Co. In a way, the multi-use space feels like a respectful rebellion against the nearby Pearl’s poshness — a place with no Michelin stars in sight but plenty of cheer and affordable food and booze to go around.
“All of y’all are welcome but you gotta act right,” a sign says upon entering Moonshine Off Grayson.
The space is deceptively large — a horseshoe-shaped bar greets customers upon entry, and all the bartenders during Wednesday’s visit were wearing cowboy hats. The sounds of cocktail shakers and patrons singing their hearts out in the karaoke corner added to the festive vibe.
“I love seeing guests’ impressions of the space, whether it’s their first time, or when I see a familiar face return,” Moonshine Off Grayson bartender Sixto Bravo said.
Bravo added that the bar has a little something for everyone: “Live music, delicious cocktails or competition at the pool table. This makes everyone feel welcome.”
The crowd continued to grow during the recent visit, although the bar’s ample seating at tables, booths and an outdoor patio managed to accommodate the influx.
As he shook up a Blue Skies moonshine cocktail — the bar’s take on a piña colada — Bravo noted that traffic hadn’t let up since Moonshine Off Grayson opened.
“One day, we even had a line that stretched all the way over to Stout House Grayson,” he said.
The drink menu is straightforward: $14 signature cocktails, $12 moonshine drinks, $9 wells, $6 beers and $6 for those eager to slam daiquiris. Adding to the country-bar feel, the signature drinks feature on-theme names like the gin-soaked Pretty Little Outlaw. A separate drink menu cheekily advertised new additions by saying, “Saddle up for our new pours.”
During the visit, food was available to order from Pete’s Hot Chicken. And with Milk Pizza and Lone Star Burger Co. right out the front door, the fried chicken-averse also had options.
Johnny Cash’s famous mugshot was an apt addition to the art pieces adorning the walls, almost as if the Man in Black keeps a watchful eye on patrons. A memorable tapestry with the phrase “Love Never Dies, darlin,” complete with a dancing cowboy and cowgirl skeletons, appears to be custom-made, since it bore the Moonshine Off Grayson logo.
A picture of a crooning Elvis rounded out the art on the brick wall to the left, with all three aforementioned pieces appropriately placed under a neon light.
Additional country music memorabilia decorated the bar, offering an Easter egg hunt for fans of the genre. At one point in the night, the staff stopped the karaoke action so guests could sing “Happy Birthday” to a patron sitting at the bar.
Up on the back bar, a taxidermied raccoon smoking a cigarette and clutching two beers appeared to serve as a mascot.
“His name is Cooter,” Bravo explained.
Moonshine Off Grayson isn’t trying to be anything fancy. And that’s why it works.
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