One of Northwest Indiana’s top sports bars has remained a family business for more than three decades.

Mike and Judy Bridges, of Griffith, purchased Barron’s Lounge in 1983 and renamed it Bridges’ Scoreboard.

Now, their sons Jeff and Scott Bridges co-own Bridges’ Scoreboard Restaurant and Sports Bar.

“I think our parents take pride in the fact that we’re still going after 34 years in this industry,” said Scott Bridges, of Griffith.

“You’ve got to really stay on top of things to maintain regulars, and hopefully, add to your regulars. Both of us want to succeed at doing this and keep it going.”

Here is the dish on this local nonsmoking establishment:

On the menu: Head chef Adrian Ministro, of Griffith, runs the kitchen with Jeff Bridges, of Griffith, who does much of the cooking.

“We have great specials every day for people on a budget,” said Scott Bridges, who came on board in 1987.

About the owners: Scott Bridges graduated from Griffith High School in 1981 while his brother graduated from there in 1985. After earning a corporate fitness degree from Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Bridges tried out for NFL teams and took a management training program.

“I said, ‘If I’m going to put all these hours in, I’m going to do it with my parents.’ I left Foot Locker, came here and have been here ever since.”

His brother waited tables while at Ball State University and later left Purdue University Calumet in Hammond to join the family business.

A mission statement: “We try to make things fun. Obviously, we focus on sports here,” Bridges said. “We want people to feel at home and comfortable. A lot of people know each other. We always talk to the servers and bartenders about turning that person that stops in and tries us out into a regular. We’re also a big family restaurant.”

Decor: “There’s a lot of sports memorabilia on the walls. It’s a really good place to watch a ball game,” said Bridges, noting several viewing packages are available including NFL Sunday Ticket, MLB Extra Innings and Big Ten Network on 28 big-screen, high-definition televisions with surround sound.

Specialties: “Our wings are meatier than a lot of other places. The burgers aren’t frozen patties. It’s a good-size burger. It’s choice meat. For the Italian beef sandwich, it’s the tenderness and taste of the beef. The lake perch is lightly breaded and has made that a big staple of ours,” said Bridges, noting that fried chicken for banquets also is popular.

We’re different because: Free n’ Fun Bar Bingo is offered free for ages 21 and older at 6 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays with a cash jackpot paying $3,000-$10,000. Local bands perform on some Fridays and Saturdays. Kerri Mauch from Griffith presets QQ Trivia on Wednesdays.

There are occasional appearances by celebrity athletes such as former Chicago Blackhawk Bobby Hull, former Chicago Bear William “Refrigerator” Perry and former Chicago Bull Dennis Rodman.

“Customers really enjoy getting a chance to meet some of these guys and seeing what makes them tick,” Bridges said.

Prices: Start at $3.49 for salads and soups, $4.49 for apps, $5.99 for sandwiches and more, $7.99 for jumbo wings, $8.99 for burgers, $10 for pizza and $12.99 for dinners.

Logistics: Bridges’ Scoreboard Restaurant & Sports Bar is at 121 N. Griffith Blvd., Griffith. Kitchen hours are 10 a.m.-midnight Fridays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays and 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays. Bar generally is open until 3 a.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 1 a.m. Sundays-Thursdays.

Delivery to Griffith-area companies is available from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Call 219-924-2206 or go to www.bridgesscoreboard.com.

Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.