Dive bar enthusiast Louis Connelly, owner of Louis Connelly’s Bar for Fun Times and Friendship, is the new face behind Kickstart Bar and Grill, a neighborhood bar where everyone knows everyone.
Kickstart is located at 5960 Highway 51, about 10 minutes from Millington, Tennessee, and a 20-minute drive from Midtown Memphis.
Connelly told the Memphis Flyer that Kickstart has that original dive bar feel.
Inside, the bar is decked out with wall-to-wall décor—beer signs, vintage license plates, old photos, and iconic album covers—all adding to a nostalgic atmosphere. Many of the regulars have, in a sense, grown up in the bar, with generations of patrons making it their go-to spot.
The enthusiast plans to expand the menu, which currently offers only pizza and nachos. They recently acquired a new pizza oven, replacing the one they had been borrowing from a regular. Their goal is to add fryers to serve fried snacks that pair well with cold brews.
They’re also exploring options like a hot dog rotator to bring sizzling dogs to the menu and are considering inviting food trucks to the bar in the future.
According to the article, Connelly aims to preserve the bar’s traditional vibe while making improvements to bring it up to code and a more professional standard.
One thing that won’t change is the existing ban list established by previous owners. Connelly plans to honor it to keep the bar a welcoming and safe place for generations to come.
Kickstart Bar and Grill is open Sunday through Thursday from 2 p.m. to 1 a.m., and on Fridays and Saturdays from 2 p.m. to 3 a.m.
