COUNTRY UP

The Kokomo Country Palace Sees Success Throughout First Year Of New Ownership

Misty Griggs, owner of The Kokomo Country Palace, says she couldn’t be more pleased about taking over the popular bar.

“I’m super excited about it,” Griggs says. “I’m very scared but also very happy at the same time. I’m eager to take over and grateful for the opportunity. Friends have been great about supporting us and have been encouraging us to do well. We recently joined the Chamber and they have been very helpful and supportive in promoting us as well.”

Griggs took over the establishment in October of 2022 from Rodney and Jen Collins, who opened the bar in May of 2018.

“It’s been hard work but I enjoy it,” she says.

Griggs says it’s also been a lot of fun to take over the place, which is known as Kokomo’s only true country bar.

“We’ve already made some changes with the food, with more still to come. The hours of the kitchen are more consistent, and the food quality is amazing,” Griggs says.

Griggs has already received many sincere and positive comments from many of her loyal customers.

“Many of them have been coming in more often, which has made me very happy,” she says. “You have the long-time regular people who have been coming in for a while, and there are new people too. That’s exciting. It’s moving things in the right direction. This has been a popular spot in Kokomo, and I want to maintain that while also making some positive changes, and get people to want to keep coming back for great food, drinks and entertainment.”

Griggs says the drink specials have been a positive draw for a lot of customers.

“On Mondays we have Margarita Mondays,” she says. “On Tuesdays we have Sex on the Beach drinks for $4. On Wednesdays we have I Need a Beer Wednesdays, where you can get beer out of the can for $1, and domestic bottles for $2. On Thursdays we have Long Islands for $5.”

Griggs notes that some of the customers’ favorite drinks include the Sex on the Beach, Applesauce shots, and whiskey.

Customers have also commented favorably on the food served. Many of them have told their family and friends about the food served at the bar.

“We serve pizza as well as tacos, nachos, sandwiches and salads,” Griggs says. “My husband, Danny, runs the kitchen and he loves to cook. He makes some great food. People have responded favorably to the pizza menu and the other things we are serving. Our sandwiches include Stromboli, Mr. J’s Chicken, and a great Ham and Cheese, which are very popular.”

Customer favorites include the Palace Hot Dog, Pulled Pork, and Mac and Cheese.

Griggs has her own personal favorite menu items. “I love the taco salads, nachos and queso,” Griggs says.

Griggs notes that the DJ dance parties have also been very popular with customers.

“Big Sexy Robb is the line dance instructor with classes taught on Mondays and Thursdays. Wednesdays we have Karaoke and live entertainment on the weekends. There’s also darts, pool tables, corn hole and a boxing machine.”

Griggs tells customers that The Kokomo Country Palace is also a great place to have a party, reunion, open house or gathering with family and friends.

“It’s a wonderful spot to have a really big private event,” she says. “There is a lot of room for a big group of people. I hope we will be able to do that a lot in the future.”

One popular event last summer was the Veterans Aid Ride, a motorcycle event with the Armed Forces Motorcycle Club, which raised money for military veterans. Logan Rush, Tyler Poe and the Volunteer Railroad, and Hippies and Cowboys provided the entertainment.

In August The Kokomo Country Palace featured America’s Loverboy, a Las Vegas-style, fully choreographed dance presentation with male dancers. It was a fundraiser for the Kokomo Humane Society, where guests could bring in cans or bags of pet food and receive a free raffle ticket for prizes.

Griggs hopes to see more new faces at The Kokomo Country Palace.

“We look forward to seeing more people here,” she says. “Come in and have some fun.”

For more information on The Kokomo Country Palace, located at 2011 North Market Street in Kokomo, call 765-4597991, check out their Facebook page, or email them at kokomocountrypalace@ gmail.com.