Damien Mulconry has a couple of rules when it comes to business: “No plazas, no landlords.” He made an exception to both when he recently opened the second location of his Mulconry’s Irish Pub and Restaurant in Greece.
The native of Cork, Ireland, was persuaded by Jay Wegman, managing partner of Wegman Companies, Inc., to open a west side location in Elm Ridge Center, off West Ridge Road. Since 2019, Wegman (no relation to the grocery store chain) and his company has transformed a 335,000-square-foot strip center from a nearly empty retail wasteland to a vibrant mixture of local and national businesses.
Mulconry’s is situated next to Cotoletta, a casual Italian restaurant and bar. Other nearby eateries include Refresh Smoothie Bar, Asian Street Cafe and Bozza Pasta. Damien Mulconry runs it alongside his brother, Peter.
At 4,700 square feet, the new pub has a casual vibe that’s similar to the original Fairport location, which opened in 2008. It has a spacious bar that seats 24 at high top tables and chairs. A cozy dining room that seats roughly 50 has a fireplace and a combination of booth and table seating. A smaller room that seats 24 is available for private parties. A large garage door will open to a spacious patio in the summer. The walls are accented by a mural, artwork and memorabilia that pays tribute to Ireland.
Mulconry’s serves a menu of Irish and American pub fare. Its bestselling dish in Fairport is shepherd’s pie, a comforting dish made with ground beef instead of the traditional Irish lamb, accented with vegetables and topped with mashed potatoes and Cheddar cheese. The Greece location will soon add specials to the menu, including Irish stew on Wednesdays, corned beef and cabbage on Thursdays, fish fry on Fridays and prime rib on Saturdays.
The bar has 13 taps that rotate, but you’ll always find Guinness Stout, Smithwick’s Ale and Harp Lager, as well as Magners Irish Cider. It also has a full bar; a perennial customer favorite is Jameson Irish Whiskey, straight up or on the rocks.
Mulconry’s plans to host trivia nights on Thursdays and live music on Fridays and Saturdays. The music is a combination of everything, Mulconry said, ranging from rock to duos to traditional Irish/Celtic music. Its entertainment calendar is posted on its website.
The biggest question for some: Will Jimmy Fallon, Mulconry’s celebrity friend, pay a visit? The comedian and host of “The Tonight Show” has turned up in Fairport from time to time; the men have been friends since Mulconry’s days working at the Gaf West, a bar Fallon frequented in New York City. Mulconry said he’s hoping for an appearance in Greece over the next month or two, but as always the date and time would be unannounced.
If you go
Mulconry’s Irish Pub, 390 Elmridge Center Dr. in Greece, is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday; 11 a.m. to midnight Thursday, Friday and Saturday and is closed on Mondays. (585) 434-0006, mulconrys.com.
Accessibility: Mulconry’s is all on one level with conventional height tables in both dining rooms. Gendered bathrooms are wheelchair accessible.
Tracy Schuhmacher has been food and drink reporter for the D&C for the past 10 years. Notice an eatery open or close near you? Email her at TracyS@Gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Popular Irish pub opens second location in Greece
Reporting by Tracy Schuhmacher, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
