Lincoln doesn’t really need another sports bar, unless it’s going to fill some sort of niche.

The new Spikes Beach Bar & Grille does just that.

Located one block north of 23rd Street and Cornhusker Highway, Spikes is going after the city’s recreational volleyball players with 12 outdoor and four indoor courts.

Spikes began outdoor league play in June and kicked off its full-service bar and restaurant at the end of October. The sports bar currently is signing up teams for indoor winter leagues, with play beginning the week of Jan. 9.

Spikes is the brainchild of Dave Sutko, who formerly organized volleyball leagues at State Fair Park and Coaches. He co-owns the new bar and grill with Mike Korsakas, Derek Breemes, Bruce Bailey and Ty Burkey.

Manager Deron Breemes said the idea behind Spikes is to draw patrons with volleyball and then wow them with the food.

“That’s definitely our situation,” he said.

Spikes’ menu features typical sports bar food with a few twists. The appetizers, for example, include jalapeno poppers, but here they’re filled with bleu cheese and bacon rather than the standard cream cheese.

Breemes said the big seller has been the pizza, available in 7- or 14-inch sizes. The 14-inch pies are just the right size for six-player volleyball teams.

Diners can make their own pizzas or go with one of the six specialty pies, including a Thai pizza that features the restaurant’s secret Asian sauce, or the hot Buffalo chicken with a Ranch sauce.

Specialty pizzas are $14.95 (14 inches) and $6.95 (7 inches). Single-topping pizzas are $11.95 (14 inches) and $5.95 (7 inches). Additional toppings cost extra.

Breemes also said the restaurant touts its Big Kahuna Nachos. The full-size plate — a 14-inch pizza pan loaded with tortilla chips, ground beef and assorted goodies — runs $12.95. A half-size order is $6.95.

The menu also includes half-pound burgers, assorted sandwiches, wraps and salads.

The wraps are the sports bar’s attempts to appease health-conscious volleyball players. Among the choices is a portabella wrap ($5.95)with balsamic marinated grilled portabella mushrooms rolled in a wheat tortilla with lettuce, onions and tomatoes.

I tried the Beach Bum sandwich ($6.95), a hoagie filled with Cajun sausage, onion, green and red peppers and smothered with Swiss cheese.

My companion ordered the half-pound Bayou Burger, which was topped with pepper jack cheese and Cajun mayo and served on Kaiser bun.

Burgers and sandwiches are served with a choice of sides: fruit salad, cottage cheese, waffle fries, onion petals or baked beans. A non-iceberg lettuce salad or soup is available for a dollar more.

We weren’t expecting much because Spikes is a sports bar, but we were pleasantly surprised. The sandwich and burger both were good. We also enjoyed the bacon and bleu cheese poppers ($5.50).

Like most sports bars, Spikes has multiple TVs, pool tables and dart boards, so non-volleyball players can enjoy themselves here as well.

The big draw, however, will be the volleyball. It’s what sets Spikes apart from its competition.

Reach Jeff Korbelik at 473-7213 or jkorbelik@journalstar.com.

Dining out

Spikes Beach Bar & Grille

2300 Judson St.

Atmosphere: Casual

Specialty: Sandwiches, pizza

Payment: Cash, major credit cards; no checks

Hours: 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-1 a.m. Sunday (kitchen closes at 11 p.m.)

Phone: (402) 477-1175

Web site: www.spikesbbg.com

Notes: Parking, alcohol, takeout, daily specials, indoor/outdoor volleyball leagues