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Peggy O'Neill's Irish Pub transformed into sports bar

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BY MARK SCHANTZ

SUNCOAST NEWS STAFF

Published: September 13, 2008

PALM HARBOR - Peggy O'Neill's Irish Pub now sports a trendy new look that has actually been a decade in the making.

Eric Webber has learned a lot about changing demographics of the Palm Harbor restaurant market in the almost 11 years that he has operated eateries in the former old Sutherland Bank building, on Florida Avenue, near Alt. 19.

Trained as a fine dining chef, a decade ago he opened up Sutherland Cafe at the location. It was followed by Eric's Bistro, all in the hopes attracting the fine dining crowd.

Webber said he soon learned fine dinning customers mostly eat out on anniversaries, weddings and birthdays. Certainly not enough times for a 150-seat eatery with a full bar to survive.

A rise in the popularity of the sports bar-type restaurant, and a change in Palm Harbor demographics, saw him adopting the theme of Eric's Hot Corner, a more affordable sporty dining experience.

Then about four years ago he met Irish Pub entrepreneur John Eagan, who had a plan to bring a traditional Gaelic-style tavern to downtown Palm Harbor, called Peggy O'Neill's Irish Pub.

Webber said downtown Palm Harbor was ready for the fine balance between the excitement of a local sports bar and hospitality of an Irish pub.

Each year, as its reputation grew, they added a little more to the Peggy O'Neill style.

During recent remodeling, old bank teller cages in the restaurant were removed to extend the bar area and make it more spacious.

Later this year, the bar will be extended even more, Webber said.

The eatery has plenty of booths and seats in the dinning area, which has also offers a full view of the restaurant and all 34 wide flat screen TV's.

Soon, as more ceiling beams are set in place, the number of television monitors will top 46, said Webber.

In this economy a restaurant has to have friendly service, consistently great food and non-stop entertainment such as every NFL and MLB game, Webber said.

Weber said they remain true to their Irish-American theme in their menu choices, drink specials and the staff's new attire - sporty kilts.

When live music is played on Friday and Saturday nights its rock, because that is what the people want, he said.

He leads open mic Wednesday night's, with his guitar.

Webber said he and his partner recent sold nearby Billy Jack's Burger Shack to concentrate on building this eatery that brought St. Patrick's Day festivities to downtown Palm Harbor.

Webber, who is running for the Palm Harbor Chamber's Honorary Mayor contest, said someday there will be more than one Peggy O'Neills.

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