By ED SALVAS
The sign that greets customers entering Patrick’s Pub at 116 Third Ave. in the Neptune City Shopping Center declares it’s “For the Hungry and Thirsty” and many longtime residents may find those welcoming words familiar.
The same words greeted customers at Cronin’s, a longtime bar and restaurant on Route 66 in Neptune that was owned by Maura Fitzsimmon’s father. She and her husband, Kevin, own Patrick’s Pub which is named for their youngest son, and is the family’s latest venture in the restaurant business in the area. Since 2003, they’ve owned Brennen’s Steak House in Neptune City which is named for their older son.
Patrick’s Pub opened in February and features a large dining area with 16 tables and a bar with 28 seats as well as a private room that can hold up to 25 people and has soft leather chairs, and a large screen TV that can also be used by Gamers. The main room has 22 TV screens for viewing sporting events. Patrick Fitzsimmons says they were packed during the recent World Cup Soccer matches.
“It was going great while the U.S. was in,” he said.
The menu at Patrick’s Pub features “traditional comfort food,” according to Patrick who said the Pub is open daily 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. and includes many specials like $5 burgers on Monday and Prime Rib on Wednesday as well as live music and karaoke on Thursdays. They even have a few items carried over from their former restaurant, La Cantina, which occupied the space a few years ago.
Fitzsimmons says the location is especially good because it’s right next door to the Stop & Shop supermarket.
“There’s always a lot of foot traffic in and out,” he said.
There’s a daily Happy Hour from 3 to 6 p.m. and for people more interested in playing their own games, there’s a pool table, shuffleboard and darts. There’s also a Patrick’s Pub Facebook page. For Patrick Fitzsimmons, having a pub named for you is exciting, but he adds he can’t drink with his customers. The 20-year-old Neptune High School graduate won’t be 21 until November.
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