An iconic local tap room with a storied history supporting the local music scene has been purchased by a new owner.

McDuff’s Pub was purchased by physical therapist and local real estate business man Will Pena in November from previous owner Nick Zirn.

And, the new owner is excited to continue the pub’s 40-year-plus history of being the local destination for good brews, good food and good live music.

“I had been looking at this for a couple years,” Pena said.

Restaurant and pub ownership is something new for Pena.

“I’ve been working with patients my whole career. I’m not a restaurant owner, but I’m learning,” he said.

Before purchasing McDuff’s from Zirn in November, Pena was on site since the summer familiarizing himself with operations at the pub, and managing a bit here and there. 
He said he brings some of his work experience to bear on the issue as well, having been a director at several major hospitals in NYC before moving to the area a couple decades ago. He said the key is consistency and customer service.

“As long as we are bringing in people we all win,” he said.

Pena hired on nephew Willy Shuster to help manage McDuff’s and increased the number of days the bar will be open.

But perhaps the biggest changes the public will notice is update of the interior, and a total remodel of the lower level bar and performance space.

“It needed a makeover,” he said.

Pena gutted the entire interior for the remodel except for the classic bar that past patrons may remember there. The total renovation is expected to take a few weeks but once complete the new owner envisions the space as once again being one of the premier local performance stages.

“This is going to be a music venue,” he said. “We want to bring it back to its glory days.”
Customers have taken notice of the new changes. Pena said the feedback he has been getting from regulars and new customers has been favorable and he has been getting a good deal of support from the public.

Besides the surface level improvements Pena wants to get the word out that the pub also sells food including big wings and big burgers from its full kitchen. “People don’t know we sell food,” he said.

“It’s exciting to know we are building something,” the new owner said.

A grand opening is planned once the downstairs is complete, and Pena will be using social media to post announcements and to advertise live music, taste testing and other events.

In the meantime, the bar is staging several bands in January, February and March.
Visit McDuff’s events page at https://www.mcduffspub.com/events for a full schedule.