Sweep Left was originally opened in 1976 by three Husker football players, and the tradition has been continued as the historic bar recently came under new ownership and its original focus as a sports bar with a football theme has been maintained. Open 7 days a week, Sweep Left offers a full menu of drinks and food with featured Game Day Specials and complimentary, homemade hot & spicy pretzels. Mary Jones is the owner of Sweep Left.
Tell us a little about your business. – In August, I reopened the legendary Nebraska sports bar “Sweep Left” in its original location at 815 O St. Our goal is provide a fun and friendly atmosphere for all sports fans. We have 12 HDTV’s and a 110” HDTV projector for all the great sports action. We serve a variety of food items, including handmade ½ lb. burgers, as well as other high quality sandwiches. However, our specialty is made-to-order pizza, which I encourage anyone to stop in and try!
How did you get started in the business? – I have been in the bar and restaurant services industry for most of my life, with the past 13 years prior to Sweep Left owning another bar in town. So, I’ve been doing this type of work for more than 25 years. As far as Sweep Left, like most around here, we are huge Nebraska sports fans and want to help support our University and sports teams.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Getting Sweep Left opened and ready for business. It took a great deal of time, money and effort to get the bar open for business in less than our planned 90 days, and we did it in 75. I am very proud of that accomplishment and am thankful to all the friends and family who were involved and helped us to open ahead of schedule.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Sleep or ride my motorcycle. As you can imagine owning a business, let alone a bar, requires working extremely long hours. So I like to rest on my day off, but if I am fortunate to get a quick break I always try to go to an away Husker football game with family and friends.
What are you the most proud of? – I am most proud of how I try not to judge people. I welcome everyone from all walks of life. I sincerely hope that all my customers feel that way when they walk through the front door.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – There are two sides to every story. Sometimes it’s easy to forget, but I find it to be incredibly valuable to remember.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Honest, sincere, compassionate, caring, giving, loving…one is simply not enough!
If you had a theme song, what would it be? – I Am Woman by Helen Reddy.
If you could have a super power, what would it be? – Cloning. Too many times I need to be in too many places at once.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – By phone at Sweep Left, (402) 742-0129, or you can visit the website at www.sweepleftbar.com or find us on Facebook.