IRONTON — There was never any doubt what Larry Gilmore was going to name his bar.

Spending his entire career in explosives and owning Georgia-based Controlled Blasting, Inc., Gilmore wanted to share his passion with his customers. And what a passion that is.

Boomer’s Sports Bar is open for business and does it have the conversation pieces. “Boomer” has also been Gilmore’s nickname for most of his blasting career.

The bar, which opened May 26, could pass as its own museum documenting the history of explosives and controlled blasting. From the blasting caps, warning signs and blasting machines scattered behind the bar and on the walls, to the old empty dynamite boxes above the bar, Boomer’s displays Gilmore’s career love.

There is even a bust of Alfred Nobel perched high above the bar observing every patron entering. Nobel invented dynamite in 1866.

“Opening this bar has allowed me to display my lifelong work,” Gilmore said while showing the variety of blasting charges he has on display. Gilmore is an Ironton native and an Ironton High School graduate.

Located at 1123 S. Third St., the nearly 2,500 square-foot-bar is situated on the outskirts of downtown Ironton. Besides the main bar with its black and gray motif, Boomer’s contains a self-contained back room for parties and a spacious patio in the rear with room for a grill and cornhole games.

The bar is managed by Gilmore’s wife Mary, who brings more than 26 years of bar and restaurant experience to Boomer’s. Patrons are served by Boomer’s all-female staff.

Gilmore knows he has the right person running the place.

“I wanted to make and give something better to Ironton,” Gilmore explained on why he bought and totally rebuilt the building Boomer’s calls home. “I wanted something that my wife could call her own and be her own entrepreneur. She has the ability to make this business go to the top.”

Music is piped in through a digital jukebox and four flat-screen televisions are situated in key areas of the bar. Amenities include a pool table, Silver Strike bowling machine, Megatouch video game and seating for 18 at the bar, along with tables spaced evenly throughout the facility.

Boomer’s offers specials every day of the week including karaoke on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and live music on Friday and Saturday nights.

Wednesdays are also service industry appreciation night with 99-cent margaritas and 99-cent domestic drafts.

Thursdays are “Thirsty Thursdays” where customers can take advantage of $2.75 well drinks and $1.75 domestic bottles and drafts.

Happy Hour is from 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Boomer’s has a limited menu including its signature cheeseburger. All food is made to order and is priced between $2.50 and $5 including a side. Not forgetting tradition, the bar also has pickled eggs and pickled sausage available at the bar.

Boomer’s is open Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Friday from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Boomer’s is closed on Sundays.

Boomer’s Sports Bar; 1123 S. Third St., Ironton, Ohio 45638 (740) 237-4235.