With past guests ranging from Clint Eastwood to B.B. King, Howard’s Club H has been rocking out since 1974.
Located at 210 North Main St., Howard’s wasn’t always the laid-back hipster bar everyone knows today. Howard’s original location was across the street where the Wood County Library is now and was equipped with lantern-style lighting and dirt floors.
What was once a horse stable, Howard’s current location has been a part of Main Street since 1955. Charlie, who wished to be referred to as “Tuna,” has been bartending at Howard’s since 1974 and said many famous faces have come through the bar for a drink or two.
“Back in the day, Bowling Green used to be a pretty good size oil town,” Tuna said. “Celebrities of the ’60s and ’50s used to pop in all the time. Leonard “Spock” Nimoy from the original Star Trek, B.B. King played here once, Clint Eastwood and even Clark Gable have all visited Howard’s.”
Known for booking alternative rock and blues bands, Howard’s is always looking for talented young musicians to grace their stage. Jovin Fish is a Bowling Green resident and also plays in the band “Tuna and the Fish.” He said he enjoys the laid-back atmosphere and the cheap drinks his favorite bar provides.
“I’m here all the time hanging with Tuna and just playing shows,” Fish said. “I guess you could say I am a regular, but honestly, I just like the vibes Howard’s puts off. Not too many bars in Bowling Green are like Howard’s, and that’s why I continue to chill here.”
Between Wednesday and Saturday, admission to Howard’s may end up costing $5-$10, but the money is well worth the live entertainment and cold drinks.
Happy Hour is 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and drink specials are changing every night. The bar offers 25 domestic and import beers on tap and a wide range of well and top shelf liquors.
On Sundays, customers can enjoy a Tuna Mary. Made famous by Tuna himself, this brunch in a glass is filled with tuna, tomato juice, olives, celery and vodka. Donna Parsons was the former manager at Howard’s and said she comes in every Sunday afternoon for a Tuna Mary.
“The Tuna Marys are simply delicious,” Parsons said. “They’re served blended and chilled with some cheese and crackers and shrimp on the side. You can’t go wrong for $3.25. I recommend them to people all the time.”
If students are looking for a laid-back bar with pool tables, tunes and drinks, Howard’s Club H is the spot to unwind.