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At first tempted to launch just another Irish pub-theme tavern, one Forest Avenue business opted instead to put a novel twist on culinary Americana

by JENNI FER VIKSE • Photos By Marc Estrella

When partners Kevin Harrigan, Al Barry, and Dave Shea opened the Liberty Tavern on Forest Avenue in West Brighton, they weren’t seeking to reinvent the wheel. Instead of opening just another Irish pub on the strip, however, they made a conscious decision to focus on American fare and brews.

“We wanted to bring a little Manhattan look and feel to the avenue,” said Harrigan, 40, who himself is Irish. “We’re focusing on the over-30 crowd, too; we want them to feel comfortable and not have to be surrounded by college kids.”

So why not embrace his heritage in a neighborhood teeming with fellow Emerald Islanders?

“These kinds of places in the area do what they do really well. We didn’t think the neighborhood needed another one, but there was a need for good American food, and we wanted to do something different. There was no reason to try to copy,” said Harrigan. “There isn’t a craft beer bar on Forest Avenue, though, and even though we do more than that, we wanted to accentuate it.”

To solidify the American theme the owners were looking for, they started by giving the place a fresh coat of paint and an American flag mural behind the bar from local artist Scott LoBaido.

The tavern’s menu, created by Shea and head chef Adrienne Terzuoli, rounds out the American experience. On the dinner menu, appetizers like fried pickles are $6 and Kale and Articoke Dip goes for $10; Salads start at $5, while sandwiches and burgers (all made fresh from local ingredients) leave the gate at $10.95. There are also four styles of Buffalo Wings—Traditional, Louisiana Spicy, Boston Garlic and Parmesan, and Carolina BBQ—available for $8.95 for 9 pieces. The lunch menu boasts fresh sandwiches and a Caesar Salad for a thrifty $6. (“The idea is that you can get lunch and a beer for $10,” Harrigan noted.) The kitchen is open daily from noon to 10 p.m., though a late night snack menu is in the works.

Nicole Spread

The craft beers make the tavern stand out from other bars, from the Goose neck taps (Goose Island Brewery in Chicago) to the chalkboard at the left of the bar that lists everything on draught by name, price, and alcohol content. Tap beers start at $4 and top off at $8. Also available are bottles, hard cider, and cans. The business proudly promotes local Flagship beers and seasonal blends from Curious Traveller, Sierra Nevada, Narragansett, and Sam Adams, to name a few.

The bar’s grand opening was October 3 and the response thus far has been great. “Business had been terrific,” said Harrigan, who was a regular at the former Black Dog that occupied that location for years. “We have been welcomed by the locals for certain. People were clearly looking for a better food option.”

New to the bar are ten flat screen TVs, a 120-inch screen, a stage and PA system, cell phone charging stations under the bar, a new jukebox (watch out: it’s also a photo “booth” that may snap your picture), and a new ATM. There are also refurbished restrooms.

Also new are floor-to-ceiling glass windows that open to let fresh air into the bar—a feature that will make for prime parade viewing when the time comes.

The bar hosts live bands every weekend, highlighting cover bands and the occasional DJ. In addition to regular operations, it has also hosted fundraisers for autism and for disabled adults.

“We’ve been lucky in life and we want to give something back,” Harrigan said. “We plan to use the bar as a means to do that.”

The Liberty Tavern
382 Forest Ave. / 718.442.8121 / libertysiny.com