Photo: QueensPost
Dec. 21, 2012 By Bill Parry
Murphy’s Bar, located at 48-20 Skillman Ave., is expanding.
Mike Murphy, the owner of Murphy’s Bar, has reached a deal to take over the property next door, Rincon Latino, an Ecuadorian nightclub that’s been there 17 years.
Murphy will team up with his manager Stephen Murphy (not related) to combine the two properties and create a bar and seafood restaurant.
The name is still the subject of debate between the two, who’ve worked on and off together for twenty years. “Between us we have over fifty years of experience in the restaurant and bar business.”
Mike, who also owns another pub/restaurant in Long Island, said that the seafood restaurant was always in the plans. “This is just stage two of the master plan,” he said.
Location Murphy’s expanded into (Photo: QueensPost)
When Murphy’s Bar reopened after an extensive renovation last year, he started a raw bar on the weekends.
“The neighborhood response was actually quite overwhelming,” Mike said. “I knew then that then neighborhood would welcome a seafood restaurant.”
The menu will be 80% seafood with healthy steamed and organic vegetables.
The pub will remain open during the renovation and they hope to have the restaurant open by St Patrick’s Day.
“We’re shooting for St. Patrick’s Day so we’ll have green lobsters for everyone,” Mike said.
Murphy will be looking to add more staff. “This will be successful for us and for the neighborhood,” he said.
Stephen and Mike are actively involved in the community and helped create The Skillman Project, which is an association of Skillman business owners who market the Avenue.
Mike lives in Maspeth while Stephen lives less than a block away (49th Street). “He’s got the shorter commute,” said Mike, “but I’m always here before him.”
