Pub expands into neighboring building

By MARCIA NELESEN ( Contact )   Monday, Feb. 11, 2013
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PhotoVideo


Tim Stanley of HJG Builders installs trim behind the new bar in the expanded room under construction as an addition to O’Riley & Conway’s Irish Pub on West Milwaukee Street in downtown Janesville.

Tim Stanley of HJG Builders installs trim behind the new bar in the expanded room under construction as an addition to O’Riley & Conway’s Irish Pub on West Milwaukee Street in downtown Janesville.

What it is: O'Riley & Conway's Irish Pub, 214 W. Milwaukee St., Janesville, is doubling its capacity by expanding about 1,500 square feet next door.

Owners Ed Quaerna and his nephew Joe bought the vacant building from developer Jim Grafft. The building is about the same width as the existing pub but not as deep.

The addition is expected to open Tuesday, March 12, the day after the city council is scheduled to approve expansion of liquor service into the new area.

Future plans include a beer garden in the back.

The Irish Pub opened three years ago. Booths line one wall, and small tables are set in the front area in the current pub, which can get crowded and noisy on busy nights.

Large groups looking to dine are often turned away on those nights.

The Quaernas will move the ice machine and dishwasher from the existing pub to the addition to free up space in the small kitchen.

The new area features dark wood and exposed brick, continuing the décor next door. It has a more private feel than the room next door, featuring a larger booth that seats eight to 10 people and other cozy seating areas.

The area includes a bathroom and second bar, which will have another 24 lines for beer, bringing the pub's total to 56.

The extra space will allow the pub to hold events, such as beer and whiskey tastings. It will also be available for private parties of up to 60 people.

The addition will be open at all times but possibly not staffed at all times.

The owners plan to fine tune the current menu and "ramp it up a bit" at night, adding a beef tenderloin dinner and cloth napkins.

In a historical touch, the Quaernas repurposed an old cashier's window in the new addition.

Joe's great-grandpa used to sit behind it to cash checks on payday.

reader COMMENTS
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(30)
gazettefan
Feb 14, 2013 at 3:21 p.m.
Suggest removal

Does the addition have a tin ceiling? -acoustics problem.

Sigma40
Feb 14, 2013 at 8:16 a.m.
Suggest removal

The Speakeasy is super high priced with with watered down small drinks and horrible food. They seem to be more concerned about making money than providing a nice social place and good food and drinks. O'Rileys staff is all super nice, friendly, food and drinks are great and the prices are good.

JasonTh
Feb 13, 2013 at 9:01 p.m.
Suggest removal

The service issue is not a rare issue there. I've heard from a few friends that they had less than stellar service there, mostly long waits and feeling forgotten. It not a reason to shut the place down, but if the owners are reading they should take heed the opinions of those who are spending money at their establishment.

fschultz
Feb 13, 2013 at 8:20 p.m.
Suggest removal

Speakeasy is upscale, too, wouldn't you say?

Sigma40
Feb 13, 2013 at 12:24 p.m.
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This is a great bar, the only one with class in town. glad its expanding.

jmac420
Feb 13, 2013 at 10:13 a.m.
Suggest removal

Scotch Eggs!

birdman
Feb 12, 2013 at 6:59 p.m.
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Mmmmmmm, Bangers and Mash!

imeanreally
Feb 12, 2013 at 2:39 p.m.
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We eat at O'Riley's every week and just love going there! Each time we have an out of town guest come in, we take them there as well. We have clients that come down to see us just so we take them there for the fish tacos. We've been anxiously awaiting the addition and are thrilled about it!! Congratulations!!

Eagle1
Feb 12, 2013 at 11:47 a.m.
Suggest removal

oh trust me I try everything, I really don;t even order a beer anywhere I go I just tell the bartender to pick one for me. :)

CallitasIseeit
Feb 12, 2013 at 11:31 a.m.
Suggest removal

My wife loves going there to eat or for a drink after a long week. I have to say the difference in service two different patrons get is truly perplexing.

Don't hold yourself to just the Guiness because there a lot of great beers to try there.

Eagle1
Feb 12, 2013 at 11:20 a.m.
Suggest removal

I have taken my wife there on 4 or 5 occasions and she refuses to go back because of the delayed service, too bad since I really enjoy the place once I get my guinness.

Eagle1
Feb 12, 2013 at 11:18 a.m.
Suggest removal

CallitasIseeit, actually on the sunday morning I am referring to they stood at the opposite end of the bar near the kitchen and talked to one of the other patrons.

bennetonf1
Feb 12, 2013 at 11:10 a.m.
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Psssssttt...callit & k&g....take the hint......

CallitasIseeit
Feb 12, 2013 at 10:50 a.m.
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No kilingril, you didn't say everytime, but eagle1 did.

Fifteen for fifteen.

killngrill
Feb 12, 2013 at 10:39 a.m.
Suggest removal

CallitasIseeit;
READ AGAIN!
I stated "almost everytime".
*
"Do you raise your hand to say "hey, over here"
"I" the patron, who could have chosen other places to go, have to ask for service from a service provider?
wOw!

gazettefan
Feb 12, 2013 at 10:28 a.m.
Suggest removal

It's the tin ceiling that causes the noise problem. Does the addition have a tin ceiling?

CallitasIseeit
Feb 12, 2013 at 10:25 a.m.
Suggest removal

I am hardly upset nor wanted to discriminate against the untidy.

I just find it hard to believe that anyone gets a 10 minute wait EVERYTIME they go there, especially when one of 3 or 4 patrons.

Do the bartenders stand and look at you or just ignore eye contact totally? Do they taunt your thirstiness? Do you raise your hand to say "hey, over here" or do you sit at the bar staring at your feet?

Been there one or two times a month since they opened and have never seen it.

killngrill
Feb 12, 2013 at 9:21 a.m.
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I am not trying to upset anyone. Just trying to point out an issue with the poor service.

Eagle1
Feb 12, 2013 at 9:17 a.m.
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killngrill, I have been to O'Reilly's at least 15 times and I have had the same experience every time, even early on a Sunday when there was only 2 or 3 others in the bar and 2 people working the bar, it is a bit ridiculous. I really like the place I like the variety of food and beer but the service could use some help. I have to say as well after being pumped by the owner to try the fish tacos which I love when made correctly I was very disappointed in them as far as ingredients, portion size and price.

bennetonf1
Feb 12, 2013 at 9:08 a.m.
Suggest removal

killngrill....they serve Miller Lite and deep fried cheese curds across the street. Bet you get served there right away!

killngrill
Feb 12, 2013 at 9:04 a.m.
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CallitasIseeit;
Wow; I did not know that they discriminated against people there.
Thanks!

CallitasIseeit
Feb 12, 2013 at 9 a.m.
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kilingril-I have NEVER had that problem even when packed. Six people and not served for 10 minutes? Did you shower that day?

killngrill
Feb 12, 2013 at 8:32 a.m.
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This is great news; however, I hope they get better bar keepers! Almost everytime I go in there, I have to wait 5-10 mnutes to get served! The last time I sat there for almost ten minutes, with only 5 other patrons in the bar, and was never even approached by the bar keep!! So I left.

missmarysunshine
Feb 12, 2013 at 7:19 a.m.
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Congratulations !

saxcat70
Feb 12, 2013 at 4:59 a.m.
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agreed

KTM
Feb 11, 2013 at 5:45 p.m.
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I agree, nice to go to a bar and have a different variety of food. I myself like the Michael Collins club.

dakman
Feb 11, 2013 at 4:45 p.m.
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O'Riley's truly does have some of the best food you can find in town. Janesville pub fare has been boiled down to a cheeseburger, but O'Riley's doesn't seem to make any sort of sacrifice on quality. They actually introduce some variety instead of relying on the same ol' deep fried grease ball prepared in "different" ways.

li713
Feb 11, 2013 at 4:28 p.m.
Suggest removal

I'm glad to see a local business thriving. They have really great food, but the limited space has kept us away quite often. I'm looking forward to getting down there tomorrow for their Mardi Gras menu. I haven't had comparable food anywhere else around here. Keep up the good work!

usr
Feb 11, 2013 at 4:20 p.m.
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This is good news. I really enjoy going to O'Riley's. They have great food and larger variety of beer. The only complaint I had was that it would get very crowded and loud at dinner times. I'm looking forward to the beer garden.

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