Bosses close Flanagan's to give the pub a scrub

Customers can expect a new colour scheme but the emphasis on affordable pub grub and service will remain the same.

Flanagan’s closes for eight weeks on Monday and reopens on March 11 — in time for the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations on March 17.

The last day of business will be this Sunday.

Outback Sports Bar will remain open until Super Bowl XLV on February 6.

The sports bar then closes until March 11 to facilitate renovations to the restrooms.

Management are to install new cables for HD (high definition) sports channel coverage.

Renovation

Chris Garland, general manager, said he could not disclose the cost of the renovations but that it was “a major investment”.

He added: “Flanagan’s has been the same for 22 years and is in dire need of renovation. It’s basically a complete overhaul.

“We’re sticking with the same Irish pub theme but are gutting it back to the four walls and making the kitchen bigger by about 25 per cent.”

The work will be done by local contractors and by Canadian company Bar None.

Mr. Garland said: “It’s a Canadian husband and Irish wife team who do nothing but fit out Irish pubs. Each has its own theme and colour codes.”

On the company’s website, it states: “Bar None specializes in the design and supply of some of the world’s finest Irish pubs, hotel restaurants and commercial interiors.”

The site showcases a variety of traditional and modern interiors from establishments across North America.

Flanagan’s is Bermuda’s only Irish pub. It was created in 1988 by Irishman Jack Flanagan and was also owned by Thomas Gallagher and Mickey Adderley.

In 2007 it was sold to its current owners, who include working partners Mr. Garland, Deon Mills, Anthony Daniels and Robby Bell. Mr. Mills is the assistant general manager and restaurant manager, while Mr. Daniels and Mr. Bell are bartenders.

The business also employs nine expatriates and about 16 Bermudians.

During the renovations, the guest workers will take a break from their employment but Bermudian staff will be kept on, to “help out with the project”.

Mr. Garland said management wanted to wait until the Bermuda International Race Weekend before closing for the refit.

He added: “The market is soft right now so it doesn’t really hurt us too much to close for a few weeks. It also gives our expat staff a break, during which they can go home for a while.

“This is a major job and will involve local painters, tilers, plumbers, electricians and sound system guys.”

Kitchen

The kitchen will be expanded and the restrooms modernized.

Mr. Garland said: “The kitchen is small, so the amount of food that comes out of there, it’s just not a great environment for the staff. This will make it better for them.

“The bar will stay in the same location but we are also going to make it more user-friendly.”

Out on the balcony, customers will still be able to enjoy alfresco dining overlooking Hamilton Harbour, but using new patio furniture, umbrellas and awnings.

Due to the kitchen refurbishment, Outback will only offer bar snacks such as potato chips and peanuts while it remains open until February 6.

Mr. Garland said: “We would have closed completely but with the Super Bowl, we wanted to remain open through that.”

Although Outback has only been open for 18 months, management thought this was an opportune time to spruce it up.

Mr. Garland said: “We will give it a good coat of paint and clean the carpets and tiling but the main thing will be to re-cable the place for HD capability.”

Flanagan’s menu will continue to offer traditional fare but with “a handful of changes and new items”.

Mr. Garland added: “Flanagan’s has gone from a bar and restaurant to more of a restaurant and bar, with the emphasis more towards food rather than drinking.

“We will continue to have a family-oriented restaurant with reasonable pricing and consistently good service.

“We have products here that people want, so there is no point in changing them.

“People want an affordable meal so we have to keep within those parameters of the food sector.

Sandwiches

“People want fish and chips, wings, shepherd’s pie and this also goes well with our sports bar.

“We also have healthy options such as sandwiches and local fish that are popular.”

As for Flanagan’s colour scheme, Mr. Garland said: “The colours are going to go away from the green and cream. It’s exciting, it’s going to be totally different.

“We’re even changing the logo, which will be black and red with a gold trim.”

On Thursday, March 10, the night before Flanagan’s reopens its doors, management plans to hold a private party for “local regulars and bar patrons”.

Flanagan’s and Outback Sports Bar are in Emporium Building at 69 Front Street, Hamilton. Call 295-8299.