As part of the Regular Guys morning radio show currently heard weekday mornings on Rock 100.5 FM, Southside Steve Rickman has simultaneously endeared himself to some while offending others with his boasts of sexual conquests and skits like homeless karaoke. But when he’s not on the air uttering his “Yeah c’mon!” catchphrase or hosting events such as Wild Bill’s Fight Night or Hooter’s swimsuit competitions, this shock jock can often be spotted at Southside Steve’s, the namesake bar he opened in McDonough in April.
“I’ve been wanting to open a bar for about 15-20 years and this was always the concept,” says Rickman. “All I wanted to do was give people on this side of town and anywhere else a good Southern-themed bar where you’re not going into a disco, you’re not going into a bunch of rap, you don’t have glitterballs or the thug or drug mentality.”
From a large outdoor deck to an equally spacious roadhouse-style interior, Southside Steve’s definitely reflects the interests of its owner and his ilk. From souvenirs chronicling his Atlanta radio career on one side to numerous tributes to Burt Reynolds on the other (including a TV that constantly shows “Smokey and the Bandit”), Southside Steve’s is the type of place where you can put your feet up and enjoy a cocktail or bucket of beer and bar food such as chicken wings or jalapeno poppers. Other menu items include the Sheriff Buford (three fried chicken strips with fries), Papa Claude’s Brunswick Stew (served by the bowl or as Two on a Plate over two hot dogs), the Southside Steve Special (fried bologna on Texas toast with lettuce, tomato and chips) and the Pe-Tee-Tong (an 8-ounce burger on an English muffin with lettuce, tomato, onion and Steve’s “special sauce”).
And as you might expect, the staff members are predominantly young, swimsuit model-esque hotties wearing Daisy Dukes and tight “Yeah c’mon!” T-shirts.
“We wanted a Southern-themed bar set in 1977, which is why ‘Smokey and the Bandit’ runs constantly,” he says. “Half the bar’s Georgia and half is Texas. We only serve Coors on the Texas side because you’re bootlegging if you drink anything else, for those familiar with the movie.”
With indoor and outdoor stages, a dance floor and plenty of free parking, Southside Steve’s offers affordable entertainment five nights a week. Wednesday is bike night, when a rowdy, yet friendly, crowd of motorcyclists gathers for raffle prizes and live music on the deck. On Thursdays, DJ Kidd from 95.5 The Beat spins top 40 and rock for ladies’ night. Fridays and Saturdays are the only nights with a $5 cover, with acts such as house band Eleven Standing Still and Justin performing on the indoor stage on Fridays and DJ Dan Jason spinning on Saturdays. And Sunday deck parties offer free live bands at an outdoor party to wind down the weekend
Whether you live in the area or are just looking for a laid-back place with a little eye candy and live entertainment, Southside Steve’s is a casual alternative to an often pretentious intown bar scene. Plus, Rickman himself is often there, especially on Wednesdays, for those who want to put a face (and ponytail) with the voice they hear each morning.
