Every big city deserves a great Irish pub: KC Hooley House set to fill P&L vacancy before March Madness, NFL Draft
December 8, 2022 | Startland News Staff
A quartet of entrepreneurs plans to bring a traditional Irish pub with a modern twist back to the Power & Light District in early 2023 — hinting at a made-from-scratch kitchen menu, alongside handcrafted vintage and new mixologist inspired cocktails.
“Every big city nationally and internationally has a great Irish pub, the city’s pub, a place to be proud of, we look forward to making KC Hooley House that destination for locals and tourists alike,” said Ryan Haverty, co-owner of KC Hooley House, 170 E. 14th St., in downtown Kansas City.
The 9,774-square-foot space is the former home of the Dubliner, which closed in March. Haverty previously operated the Dubliner and teased changes ahead for the venue, which first debuted as an Irish Pub called Raglan Road.
RELATED: Dubliner bids farewell after 10 years in Power & Light District
“Our team is hard at work refreshing the space and we look forward to sharing more details about the concept in the near future,” said Haverty.
KC Hooley House is the vision of four local entrepreneurs: Haverty, Ryan Weekley, Jamie Bethke, and James Eddy, who collectively have more than 50 years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry.
The new pub is expected to serve elevated American classics, as well as a modern approach to traditional Irish favorites, according to Haverty.
The space will feature a large dining area where local and regional acts will perform. A second bar and lounge area will showcase a unique small plate menu with an extensive and entertaining craft cocktail experience giving guests two completely different concepts to enjoy under one roof.
KC Hooley House — along with the neighboring, soon-to-launch Blue Sushi Sake Grill — is set to open to the public as the entertainment district continues to ramp up as it prepares for March Madness and the NFL Draft in Kansas City, according to Power & Light officials.
And the venue is well-positioned within the KC Live! Block at Power & Light — recently the scene of watch parties for the FIFA World Cup and Kansas City Chiefs games, said John Moncke, president of Power & Light District.
“KC Hooley House will add to the Kansas City Power & Light District experience,” he added. “Throughout the last several months I’ve gotten to know the amazing local team behind this concept, and I cannot wait to help their vision come to life next year.”
Featured Business
2022 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Lenexa-based Aloe soothes health insurance enrollment pains with human touch
A patient’s “wow” moment shouldn’t be when he or she opens a medical bill and discovers procedures that unexpectedly aren’t covered by insurance, said Andrew Belt, co-founder of Aloe. “People are frustrated — frustrated because they don’t understand how their coverage works or what’s included, and it doesn’t seem like anyone they talk to understands,”…
LendingStandard plans innovation upgrade with $2.5M investment from Flyover Capital
An investment in innovation has landed Kansas City-based LendingStandard $2.5 million in investment funds following the close of a Series A funding round led by Flyover Capital, CEO Andy Kallenbach said. “These are folks that are well-known in Kansas City and have had software businesses in the past, and that’s a really rare combination,” Kallenbach…
Don’t just play the game: MECA Challenge urges students to innovate ‘school of the future’
Challenging Kansas City students to envision “the school of the future” will usher in a paradigm shift wherein teens can see themselves as customers of school, said Katie Kimbrell optimistically. “[Students] don’t even think, ‘Oh, I could rethink this whole thing that I’m experiencing,’ and choose — or even demand — something different,” said Kimbrell,…
KCultivator Q&A: Kyle J Smith talks serious work, socks with sandals, pickled pig brains
Editor’s note: KCultivators is a lighthearted profile series to highlight people who are meaningfully enriching Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The KCultivator Series is sponsored by WeWork Corrigan Station, a modern twist on Kansas City office space. A place to live, work, and play — three ingredients for a new life, said Kyle J. Smith, founder…