Yeah, I can hear the reactions to that headline. “A bar is opening? So what?”
But as Chantal of Duke City Fix wrote earlier, this is different, with higher stakes for Albuquerque and Central Avenue, aka Route 66.
O’Niell’s Irish Pub is located on the east side of the Nob Hill district, which is distinctly less prosperous. O’Niell’s also faces Central Avenue, while many other restaurants and bars in that area inexplicably face away from the street. Chantal thinks O’Niell’s will be a pivotal moment in the resurgence of East Central Avenue.
Anyway, O’Niell’s is having a “soft opening” Friday afternoon. If you’re in the Duke City tomorrow afternoon and want to wet your whistle, it’s an ideal place.
If you haven’t been down to O’Niell’s Pub yet, you’re missing out! Look and feel of the old pub — food is, if anything, better than before! I was down there opening day and they have it so together that it felt like it had been open for months. It was a great loss for the Albuquerque pub scene when they closed — be sure to get down there soon to welcome them back!