The Bayard Rooster

10/08/2025

Sad news....Art Malcom has lost his battle with cancer.
Art was our "unofficial bouncer" at the Rooster. Every Sunday he prowled the property, making sure no liquor was brought in from outside, that nobody was "out of line" and causing a scene, and especially looked out for the ladies....just basically had our and everyone else's back. A good man who will be missed. He and Hootie will once again be together. Rest in Peace my friend..🙏

06/18/2022

A true Southern gentleman, William "Wild Bill" Goodwin Jr., tragedy passed away after a domestic accident earlier this week.
He, and his inseparable wife Donna, were both well known and loved by many in the biker community.
Below, at Donna's behest, are the arrangements for Bill.
Heartfelt condolences to Donna and the entire Goodwin family.
Rest in Peace my friend.
Steve

01/18/2022

Just learned today that Mike passed away...😥
Mike and Cindy were loyal patrons, and friends of the Rooster for many years.
Since the bars closing, I kept in touch with Mike at Ace Hardware on San Jose....near Julington Creek.
I wondered why I hadn't seen him in a while and was stunned to see this post today.
Apparently Cindy had reached out to me on Messenger, which I'm not on, to let me know.
She's asking for Rooster Family Friends to join her at The Shed, on Targonski Blvd, to celebrate Mike's life.
So, so sad....Mike and Cindy are a wonderful couple and he leaves a big void in many lives...😥

You're invited to Mikey's Celebration Party - Click here to RSVP

07/03/2021

It's with the heaviest of hearts that we're reopening the Rooster page.
A dear friend to many and Rooster Family Member, Dyna Dave Switzer, was tragically killed Thursday evening while doing what he loved. Attached is a brief summary of events.
The sincerest of condolences to his lovely wife Catherine and to all members of the Switzer family.
We ride for the love of wind in the face, but danger is around every corner.
Rest in Peace my friend until we ride again on the other side.....🙏

10/18/2020

FYI
Every month, the Rooster page continues to get additional "Likes", and the 4.7 out of 5⭐ rating we had at our closing, has actually RISEN to 4.8⭐'s!!
We miss YOU as much as you miss US..❣
DRINK UP BI***ES!!

07/30/2020

Karma is a Bitch!!
Neil Targonski, who's family owned all of the property that houses the Rooster, a neighbor of the bar and friend, just sent me this.

06/05/2020

Now that Prohibition has ended, I hope that Rooster Family members stop by and visit "Tip Top Tavern" on 6522 No Main Street
Jacksonville , Fl 32208.
Tiffany and Donnie were very supportive and helpful during the "real" Bayard Rooster shutdown.
Please consider stopping by and thanking them for being "extended Rooster Family members". ❣

05/14/2020

*Note to new viewers of this page*
If you have any interest in knowing what happened to "The Bayard Rooster" and wonder why there is now a bar called "The Legendary Bayard Rooster", scroll down to the post put up on March 25th, 2020 then follow the time-line of posts and customer comments.
The Bayard Rooster was FORCED TO CLOSE through a series of back room, underhanded dealings between the property owners and others.
The posts and comments speak for themselves.
But "The Rooster", by any name now, bears NO RESEMBLANCE to the Rooster that closed permanently on 4/30/2020.
Thanks
Heather Logan & Steve Benaski - former owners

ps: karma intervened and both the landlord AND the sleeze bags who started this mess, all got their just desserts.
The property has been sold and we look forward to someone with character to resurrect the Rooster.
Also, while this ENTIRE ordeal was horrible, there was actually a silver lining in the dark cloud.
Due to months of forced Covid closures of Florida bars, had this episode NOT happened, we ultimately would have lost the bar anyway. There is no way possible that we could have stayed afloat with zero income for that extended period of time.
The forced closure, while a financial disaster, would have been far worse if we tried to hold on until the State allowed bars to reopen.
While twisted, the story actually had a somewhat "happy" ending.
Steve

05/11/2020

05/06/2020

There is a God!!
Even with all their "5⭐" reviews (from a renamed page with dates from 2013)
The "Legendary Bayard Rooster" has a "-1" out of "5" rating on the bogus page!! 🤣😂😅🤣

Yup. You know you suck, when you're not even open yet and have a "-1" Facebook rating!!
Finally! Something on their page that is actually theirs and they worked for it! 😂