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Date: 11/16/2022
CHICOPEE – O’Connell’s Irish Pub and Grill, a new bar located on 733 Chicopee St., is ready for its grand opening at 5 p.m. on Nov. 18.
Co-owner/manager Blake Bryan said, “Chicopee has a number of restaurants and bars, but I know people have been really interested in this spot for a long time now.” He went on to say, “It’s been closed since pre-COVID-19, it closed three weeks before COVID[-19] hit. We acquired it on Aug. 16, 2022, and we’ve been working insanely hard since then to put a good light on it. This particular location, 733 has been a number of bars throughout generations spanning over 60 years.”
Bryan is a part of an affiliation of a handful of bars in the Western Massachusetts and Connecticut area. They are affiliated with Paddy’s Irish Pub and Irish Ale House in Springfield, Murphy’s Pub in Agawam and over the years other bars in Amherst, Connecticut and Enfield. The pub itself is named after Bryan’s maternal grandfather Emmett O’Connell. He explained that at a young age his grandfather instilled in him to work hard and be kind to all.
Bryan explained, “What we’d like to do is always provide a safe, fun, enjoyable environment for all of our clientele where they can come in and get an Irish-inspired meal or a flare on different types of pizza styles.”
He continued, “They can come, get a seat and watch a game or just sit back after work and enjoy a hand-picked craft beer.”
Bryan told Reminder Publishing people from Chicopee are very passionate about the town, the history and culture. He said they’re wondering why there is an Irish pub in a Polish town, but nonetheless,
O’Connell’s Irish Pub and Grill will give residents a combination of good food, fun and comfort. Right now, Bryan’s goal is for the pub to be inviting people to come in and see what they offer, especially during this holiday season. His long-time goal is to establish the pub as a community atmosphere whether they are doing Toys for Tots, a golf tournament during the summer, the Special Olympics or the Wounded Warrior Project as well as hosting fundraisers.
“We’re trying to strive for a community-based growth,” said Bryan. “Whatever community we come into, we try to pick something that’s for everybody and get them involved.”
In addition to the grand opening on Nov. 18, O’Connells will feature promotions and giveaways throughout the day on Nov. 19.
O’Connell’s Irish Pub and Grill is open daily at 12 p.m. and keeping their options for closing at the moment.