Our Story
Murph’s Bar was established as a Hunting Lodge and bar at the turn of the century. It has gone through many transitions since then, though always an Irish bar. It still maintains some of its original character, such as the Ladies entrance buzzer at the back of the bar, since back in the day, women were not allowed in through the front door. You can find the buzzer at the entrance to the Ladies restroom.
Greg and Theresa Walton took over Murph’s in 2003 and began renovations. They approached their friend Pat McGowen, a local artist in his spare time, to help. Pat is responsible for the aesthetic of the bar and design on the ceiling, a nod to the original Hunting Lodge. He is also responsible for the Penny Bar. The bar is covered in 24,000 pennies. They quickly realized that if a patron filled a pint jar with pennies it would equal the price of a pint, so they had the regulars pay with pint glass full of pennies. While the Elvis paraphernalia was given to Greg who loves Elvis, the boxing stuff is a nod to his grandfather, Jack Paxson, who was a local boxer. Murph’s interior is truly an eclectic mix.
Francesco Bellastelli, a native of Puglia, Italy came to the US in 2013 with his wife Lisa. He has cooked in restaurants in Germany and Italy. His cooking style is Casareccia (homemade), just like his mamma, which is a perfect fit for Murph’s, as it is “a comfortable place to be”.
In 2015, Francesco came into the bar with his neighbor and his cousins, who happened to be regulars at Murph’s. He wanted something to eat as he drank his beer and began a discussion with Greg. Greg explained they used to have a kitchen that sold bar food, but had not used the kitchen for a few years. To make a long story short, Greg asked Francesco if he wanted to rent the kitchen.
That conversation was the start of the friendship between the Waltons and Bellastelli families. This partnership would not work if they did not have the respect, trust and good friendship.
And that’s how an Irish Bar came to serve great Italian Food!
