Belz Construction to build out New Irish-themed Pub in Midtown

Wednesday, October 06, 2010 Dublin House, a new Irish pub, is setting up shop on Madison Avenue just west of Overton Square.

Jody Clark, who has 30 years of experience in the restaurant and bar business, is the owner. She hopes to have Dublin House open by mid-November to early December at 2021 Madison Ave., the location formerly occupied by Melos Taverna.

The site is cattycorner from The Blue Monkey and Molly's La Casita.

Clark is still working on the menu, but she said Dublin House will offer six to eight beers on tap and 10 to 15 bottle selections. She also plans to apply for a liquor license.

“The menu will have finger foods, heavy cheeses and different kinds of meats,” Clark said. “There’s going to be pork and there’s going to be beef and chicken, but it is going to be a lot more finger-friendly, shareable food.”

Traditional Irish fare will be offered as daily specials on the menu.

“I do know that we are going to be running fish and chips,” she said. “But right now, I’m about to walk in somewhere and sample some pork products.”

Clark is leasing the property from A N Investments LLC. The men, who are partners in the TJ Mulligan’s and Dan McGuinness restaurants, bought the property in 2005 from The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.

Belz Construction is the general contractor on the project. The city issued a building permit this week to improve the 2,600-square-foot building, according to The Daily News Online, www.memphisdailynews.com.

Clark said her plans are to keep the character of the masonry building intact.

“I love the historic value and the artistic values of Midtown,” she said. “I’ve always been a fan. Overton Square is perfect. I can’t wait to get it open. It’s going to be a fun, homey place where friends can meet and hang out.” 

“I have some very good Irish friends that I have known for a lot of years,” Clark said. “I love that environment because it’s friendly. It’s homey. It’s relaxing. It’s cozy.”
 
She said an Irish-themed restaurant will be a new addition to the nightspots along Madison Avenue from Minglewood Plaza to Overton Square.
 
The restaurant will employ between five and 10 people initially. Clark said some of the positions have been filled but not all. Dublin House is the second Irish pub this month to announce plans to open.

source: The Memphis News, Oct 2-3, 2010, Vol. 3, Issue 40