MURRELLS INLET — A new restaurant promises to deliver shamrock beats along with its Irish eats.
McEisley’s Tavern is set to open on U.S. Highway 17 near the MarshWalk this summer. Although the building is still being renovated, the green, white and orange stripes of Ireland already fly out front beside an American flag.
And soon, the sounds of pianos will fill the tavern most nights.
Donna Collins, owner of McEisley’s, said she plans for the restaurant to have a warm, authentic tavern atmosphere. The menu will feature Irish classics such as bangers and mash (sausage covered in onion gravy and served over mashed potatoes), shepherd’s pie, and fish and chips.
Collins said she hadn’t expected to open a restaurant. She had made a career working for nonprofits, including the American Red Cross. But an enduring love of live music, something she didn’t often experience when she lived in western New York, sparked the idea of opening her own venue.
After moving to the Myrtle Beach area four years ago, she became particularly drawn to dueling piano events. The concept for McEisley’s — part Irish tavern, part dueling piano venue — blossomed.
“I’m kind of towards the end of my normal career path, if you will. I’ve still got a lot of working years left in me, and I thought, you know, now’s the time to do it,” she said.
She worked on the business side of nonprofit organizations, which made her feel confident about handling a restaurant’s finances. But she needed someone to conduct the music end of things.
Her friend Greg Laughlin, who’s been a professional pianist for 30 years, came onboard as a business partner.
Laughlin spent roughly a decade traveling and playing piano with the U.S. Navy Band. After leaving the military, he landed in Norfolk, Va., where he became immersed in the world of dueling pianos.
He’ll be in charge of organizing entertainment events, booking musicians and doing a bit of dueling himself.
”It’s definitely a concept that people in Murrells Inlet have wanted for a while,” Laughlin said. “And this seemed like a good opportunity to open up a fun place, you know?”
Dueling pianos will be held Wednesday through Saturday starting at 8 p.m. Performances will be request-based, meaning the audience picks which songs the pianists play.
On Tuesdays, live bands, music trivia or karaoke will be held. During football season, Sundays will be reserved for showing games on the tavern’s large TVs.
She said she envisions the tavern as a place where people can enjoy themselves and feel at home.
“There’s enough stress in every day life,” she said. “From 4 o’clock on, let’s take that stress away.”
McEisley’s is on track to open in mid-August.