Dan Kelly's Bar Gets Its Irish Up Under New Ownership

Dan Kelly has made the decision to retire from his eponymous bar and grill in downtown Minneapolis. Rick Nelson at the Star Tribune reports that Matty O'Reilly, owner of Republic and 318 Cafe, will take over ownership. The name will undergo the subtle change from Dan Kelly's Bar & Grill to Dan Kelly's Pub.

O'Reilly was drawn to the historic bar, woodwork, stained glass along with the working kitchen and room to add space for a stage for live, Irish music.

The ownership changes hands on December 1. There will be a light facelift (a coat of paint and taking down a few of the beer signs.)

Nelson reports the menu will be stacked with Irish comfort foods including a stout-cheddar fondue with apples and house-baked brown bread, battered house-made sausage and chips, lamb stew, shepherd's pie, boxty, a corned beef and cabbage sandwich, plus more.

The bartenders will be pouring over forty different Irish whiskeys and a selection of beers that one would expect from the owner of Republic, known for their expansive selection. There will so be plenty hard ciders. Sweetland Orchard is creating a line of Minnesota-made, whiskey oak aged ciders for the pub.

The refreshed pub expects to open in early 2015.

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