In 1984 Fred & Ginny Thomas purchased the current location which had previously been Doc Hollidays Saloon (Henderson’s first and only disco). At that time Fred & Ginny operated an establishment in the basement across the street at 136 Second Street. They moved to 117 Second Street with their established name of Fred & Ginny’s Lounge. In 1986 they changed the name and the theme of Fred & Ginny’s to O’Darbys Irish Pub and that is when the restaurant idea took shape. The front of the establishment was an Irish themed restaurant operating from 11am until 10pm and the back remained a night club with music and dancing on weekend nights.

Rodney graduated college and came back home to help with the “family” business in 1985 and soon he and Fred came up with the concept of a “Beer Garden” which was built where the sports bar currently stands. After a few successful years of indoor/outdoor dining (featuring the now infamous 50 cent burger night in the Beer Garden) – they decided to once again rebrand the business and came up with the concept of Henderson’s first Sports Bar. In 1991 (the day after Rodney & Liz’s wedding reception in the Beer Garden) they started the demolition of the beer garden to make way for Rookies Sports Bar. The Sports Bar portion of the building opened on April 17, 1992. Featuring bar food and “sporting” 36 televisions – it was an instant success. It quickly became the “Cheers” of Henderson where friends and family came to meet, eat and watch the CATS. Fred was never one to be settled so in 1994 – he purchased the adjoining property and added a large family dining area and that is when the menu took shape (featuring Certified Black Angus Beef, fresh seafood and fish, salads, sandwiches and more).

In 1996 – Rodney and Liz took over running the “Family Business” so Fred & Ginny could officially retire and enjoy some freedom. The night club and sports bar flourished until a decision was made in 2013 – to shut down the night club and move the restaurant to the original building to make room for an Event room that could host parties, weddings, meetings and more.

In 2018 after graduating from the University of Kentucky, Quinn made his way back to Henderson to become the third generation owner and operator of Rookies Sports Bar.

Rookies was the first downtown restaurant and toughed it through some lean years until “Downtown” Henderson became the destination it is today. As we like to say “We were Downtown-when Downtown wasn’t cool’. Even with all the new establishments we are proud to say we are still the place where friends and family meet and of course where Everybody knows your name….