Nov. 30, 2017 By Tara Law
An Irish Gastropub with a strong local atmosphere will soon open in Astoria.
Jack Jones will open at 38-01 Ditmars Blvd.–the former location of Vogue Lounge–in December and the space will also contain a “Siopa Beag”— a small grocery store.
Jerry Foley, the co-owner, said that he has dreamed of opening a bar since he was a 12-years old, when he was a bartender in a small Irish village in County Cork. He is opening the bar with his brother and a friend, who is also from another “blink and you’ll miss it” Irish village, Foley said.
The bar is named for Foley’s deceased uncle, a world traveler who would return to the village bar with tall tales. People had to be in a bar to hear his adventures, he said, since his uncle “wasn’t a man for short stories.”
Foley hopes to recreate the kind of village bar he grew up with. Foley envisions a place “where you can walk in and everyone knows your name.”
A sense of place will also be reflected in the liquor and food. The bar will serve “as much local food as possible,” Foley said, as well as local craft beer and liquor. The food and cocktail menu will shift as items are available in local markets.
The opening menu is being finalized, but will contain traditional pub fare and comfort food.
The bar has a full liquor license. The owners will announce an opening date once the proper inspections are completed.
The space is 1,100 square feet and will seat 35 to 40 people.
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Good luck and may your dreams come true! ???????????????