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Pub brings Emerald Isle to life
When you mix Irish cuisine, drink and folk music, it brings the culture of the Emerald Isle to life.
Don Peitzman / parkerchronicle@ccnewspapers.com
Boyd Brookhart, general manager of The Aran Isle Pub and Grill, 17904 Cottonwood Drive, holds a pint of Guinness and darts, two mainstays of an Irish pub. The bar, which opened in December, has a full dining menu and serves food until 2 a.m.
By Chris Michlewicz
When you mix Irish cuisine, drink and folk music, it brings the culture of the Emerald Isle to life.
The Aran Isle Pub and Grill has built a loyal following in Parker since opening in December southwest of South Parker Road and Cottonwood Drive, but the luck o' the Irish has nothing to do with it.
Owner and head chef Derek Smyth hails from Dublin, the country's bustling capital, where he attended culinary school.
Smyth toted his expertise across the shores of the Atlantic Ocean to serve traditional Irish food such as Shepherd's Pie, bangers and mash, and an open-faced prime rib sandwich called the Dublin Lawyer.
The Aran Isle Pub and Grill carries Ireland's finest liquors, including island scotches with a distinct smoky flavor, a rare find in local bars. It also has a selection of the most renowned Irish beers on tap, including Guinness, Smithwick's and Harp, said Boyd Brookhart, general manager.
The pub's name was derived from a set of small islands off the coast of Ireland called the Aran Isles. Smyth's grandfather lived on the islands and took on the task of making weekly beer runs to the mainland. He would take a small rowboat across the channel only to return with two full kegs of Guinness.
The walls at Aran Isle are adorned with photographs of buildings of ancient Irish folklore. The pictures give visitors a glimpse of the stone architecture and landscape of Ireland's countryside. Hanging side-by-side with the photos are framed jerseys from Irish sports teams.
Customers can order from an array of food from the Plata Mor, or main dish, menu. Brookhart recommends the Guinness-beer-battered fish and chips, or grilled salmon served with a lemon pepper butter sauce, steamed vegetables and garlic mashed potatoes. The kids' menu features pizza and fried macaroni and cheese.
An assortment of bar favorites such as chips and salsa, popcorn and corn dogs is available from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
The Aran Isle draws a large crowd because of its daily attractions such as karaoke night, ladies night and pub quizzes.
"We're having a blast down here. The people have been great," Brookhart said. "We're the only place in Parker that I know of that allows girls to dance on the bar."
The neighborhood pub has taken on a more relaxed atmosphere after undergoing renovations. It was redecorated with new furniture and received several layers of primer and paint to get rid of the smell from years of smoke, Brookhart said.
Regulation-size dartboards have become a big draw, and the bar has open tournaments for serious dart throwers.
Frequent patrons can join the Mug Club. A membership costs $25, but it takes a dollar off every beer thereafter. Regulars can take advantage and have the membership paid for in a short time, Brookhart said.
The Aran Isle Pub and Grill serves 20-ounce pints of beer while most bars and restaurants offer 16-ounce glasses.
Become a friend of the Aran Isle by linking up with its myspace Web page at myspace.com/aranisle. Those who sign up will receive regular bulletins about upcoming events and specials.
The Aran Isle Pub and Grill, 17904 Cottonwood Drive, is open from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to midnight on Sunday. Call 720-870-7750 or visit www.aran-isle.com for information.
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