Shorty’s: The Legend Continues…
For nearly 70 years, 1300 7th Street has been the home of Bedford’s go-to hub for drink, food, and fun. Whether it was under the previous name of the Fox’s Den or the current Shorty’s Bar & Grill moniker, generations of Lawrence County residents have made lifelong memories within these walls.
In the 1950’s, Shorty’s first opened under the name “The Fox’s Den”. The establishment was a bit smaller than today’s iteration, but its goal has always remained from the start: serving the community of Lawrence County. Whether it was feeding hungry workers on their lunch breaks to get them through their shifts, giving folks a place to relax after a stressful day, or putting on a hell of a party on the weekends with live music, we’ve continually provided an outlet for our patrons to make the most out of their free time.
While the world keeps on changing, Shorty’s has preserved its place in Lawrence County. When the previous owner decided it was time to sell, she was given the option of selling to a group that wanted to clean up Shorty’s, take away its reputation for late nights and raucous fun, and sanitize it into just another bland local family-friendly bar and grill. However, she insisted the bar go to someone who would honor its history rather than overhaul it. That someone was Jim Deckard, who purchased Shorty’s in July 2023 and immediately set to work preserving its legacy while thoughtfully improving and expanding the business.
A Bedford Tradition Since the 1950s
Shorty’s Bar & Grill has been a local landmark in Bedford, Indiana for the better part of a century. These doors first swung open in the 1950s and haven’t closed since. Through name changes, ownership shifts, remodels, and generations of regulars, one thing has remained the same: Shorty’s is Bedford’s hometown bar—steady, familiar, and always ready with a cold drink.
The County’s Only Smoking Bar
Shorty’s proudly holds a unique distinction: we’re the only smoking bar in Lawrence County. We believe this is an important part of what Shorty’s has to offer our customers: a classic barroom atmosphere that is largely being left behind. A smoky barroom, a cold beer, a hot meal, and live music…a classic scene straight out of Johnny Cash song. You can still find it any time you like at Shorty’s.
Good Food, Done Right
We partner with Mattie’s Meats, who run our kitchen and serve up the kind of classic American bar fare people crave. Our menu is built for hearty appetites and hardworking days. Whether you’re on lunch break or fueling up before a night out, Mattie’s keeps Shorty’s fed and happy.
Serving the Backbone of Lawrence County
Shorty’s has long served the folks who built, shaped, and sustained this community. For generations, workers from just up the road at Indiana Limestone Inc. have made Shorty’s their gathering place. Indiana Limestone has been used to build some of America’s most iconic structures, including the Lincoln Memorial, the Empire State Building, and the Pentagon, and we’re proud to be part of the daily lives of the people who helped create these American icons.
We’re here for the hard workers who keep Lawrence County running. This bar has their fingerprints all over it.
“The Dens”! The old bar’s 70’s baseball team.
Where Bedford Lets Loose
Shorty’s is a place to . Come for the food and drinks, stay for the atmosphere, and don’t be surprised if the night gets a little rowdy—in the best way possible. We host live music, community events, and the kind of unforgettable evenings that people talk about for years.
Shorty’s is a place to let your hair down, unwind, and be yourself. Come for the food and drinks, stay for the atmosphere, and don’t be surprised if the night gets a little rowdy—in the best way possible. We host live music, community events, and the kind of unforgettable evenings that people talk about for years.
Whether you’ve been coming here for decades or you’re stepping through the door for the first time, Shorty’s offers the same promise:
Good food. Good people. Good times.
