Rocky Point returns with some food, but no political affiliation

Quincy – After five years of having its doors shut, Rocky Point Club is reopening, rebranding, and rebuilding from the Flood of 2019 that destroyed everything.

Located at 3603 Bonansinga Drive, right on the bay of the Mississippi river, Rocky Point has seen its share of flooding, but the President of the club, Roy Riddle said this was the longest the club has ever been closed. 

“We’ve never been closed for a long time, except for ’93 when we were closed for probably about a year,” he said. “But with all the other factors going on this time with covid, the economic impact, we got money from FEMA but not near enough to pay for this restoration. Luckily, we had money socked away for a rainy or floody day.”

Reopening

Between the volunteer efforts of the members, a lot of smart shopping, and a whole lot of elbow grease, Rocky Point Club was able to celebrate their grand reopening on September 1, 2024.

Riddle said they are still not quite there yet. To get Rocky Point back in full swing, they need to purchase a new fire suppression and exhaust system which costs $26K. This system is needed to serve the famous fried fish and chicken dinners that Rocky Point was known for.

Currently, they are raising money for this system through a couple of different efforts:

• Grilled dinners are available every Monday evening from 5pm to 7pm which consists of burgers, brats and rotating picnic sides.
• Open-faced chicken sandwiches are served every Friday with mashed potatoes, noodles and gravy all for 8 bucks.

And the cold drinks are some of the cheapest in town, with draft beer served in cold mugs for $2 – all of which is open to the public. You do not need to be a member to enjoy the club, but if you wanted to add that to your repertoire, the membership is only $20 and gets you discounted prices on event rentals. Looking for a place to throw a party, but don’t want to host? Rocky Point has room, river views, and a fully stocked bar.

While offering grilled dinners is a step toward the famous fried fish and chicken goal, Riddle said he is hoping for a benefactor to come along. If that doesn’t happen, he is hoping to have this money raised within the next six months, depending on peoples’ generosity. Crossing my fingers for my fried fish Valentine’s Day date.

Rebranding

The club was branded the Democratic hub sometime in the 1950s but has decided to rebrand to be inclusive of all political affiliations.

“As far as politics go in this club, whatever you do the first Tuesday in November, that’s your business.,” Riddle said.”

He explained that Twin Oaks just to the north on Bonansinga Drive was the Republican club, and they referred to themselves as the dysfunctional river family. While politics are discouraged from being discussed in the bar, the history is still something they want to hang on to. 

An old Mountain Dew sign sits in the back with the “Rocky Point” name and the words “Democrat Club” under it. Riddle said they are planning on refinishing it and hanging it up to remember where they came from and because of the cool story behind it.

The sign had been stolen in the flood of ’93 when some boaters came up with the water being so high and took it right off the pole. A man came into the bar thirty years later and returned it. He said he bought it at a garage sale. Riddle asked him what he spent on it and the man said 60 bucks. Riddle offered him $100 for it, successfully getting the sign back to the club.

The call for inclusiveness is evident in the club’s history, as it was the first club along our local section of the river to allow women to become members, essentially doing away with intentional sausage fests. Bar life without diversity, or without women, is a dumb and outdated concept and Rocky Point was way ahead of its time.

Floods are often a representation in many religious stories as a symbol of renewal, of the end of the old ways and the ability to start fresh. Maybe the floods of Rocky Point’s past have paved the way for a new beginning?  One without political affiliation.

Either way, cheers to the Rocky Point Club for rolling through the punches and building back stronger and better than ever.