About Our History
In 1997, 7 gentlemen, all with varied backgrounds, joined together to purchase a vacant eyesore property that formerly housed a Shell gas station. The gas station sat upon the site of the Dover building constructed in the mid 1800’s, subsequently submerged in the 1913 flood, and torn down in 1961. The Shell station was built in 1965. This historic, but dilapidated site would prove to soon tell the tale of an iconic Irish pub. On May 15, 1998, The Dublin Pub opened its doors with 29 employees. Like deer looking in headlights, the staff grew to 60 in two weeks. That day marked the beginning of a long and famous story. One that would include many laughs and joyous moments, as well as some very sad ones – this one is for you, Jay Tieber!
A story that includes weddings, proposals, anniversaries, first dates, many children, probably a few divorces, and memorials. The story headlines many famous moments including the night when Sheryl Crow (who we call Sheryl now – she loves the fish & chips) took the stage, or when Quentin Tarrantino came to town to see “How the West Was Won”. Other famous people such as George Takei (Sulu from Star Trek), R. Lee Ermy (Sargent from Full Metal Jacket), Ty Pennington (Extreme Makeover – came three nights in a row), and Ted Nugent even came in for lunch in 2014. The Violent Femmes, Blue Oyster Cult, Terri Nunn & Berlin, Bad Haggis, Gaelic Storm, The Prodigals, Enter The Haggis, Seven Nations, The Elders and local Irish favorites such as 9 Castle Close, Homeland, Father Son & Friends, Dulahan, FinTan, Jameson’s Folly, Johnny Tarr, The Tuesday Night All Stars, Viva La Strings, & Brother Bruce Live in Galway have all taken the stage at The Dublin Pub. In 2014 The Dublin Pub was recognized as one of the “Top 10 Irish Establishments in the US”, by TomHoran.com. We have been bestowed the title of “Largest St. Patrick’s Day in Ohio”, based on consumption alone – we sell roughly 600-800 bottles of Jameson in one day (depending on which of day of the week SPD falls on). THE HISTORIC CHURCH ADDITION In 2013, we unveiled plans for a new addition which would add 2200 sq. ft. of interior and patio space.
The new addition would be unlike anything ever built in Dayton – an addition constructed from nearly all reclaimed historic material from up to 20 separate historic structures including The Huffman School, The Stockyards, a few houses built in the 1850’s, and a downtown office building. With the help of James Kent and Jeff Wysong, a 108-year-old church was salvaged and rebuilt as the new addition. Construction of the church took place with Mark Shannon, who originally built The Dublin Pub, teaming up with Steve Tieber, designers Mitch Perry & Mitch Powers, and the technical expertise of Architect Doug Fisher, and a master plan was launched to construct a new addition composed or recycled and salvaged wood dating 150 years to 500 years old. The new addition has brought new life into the pub as well as new life into The Historic Oregon District & Downtown Dayton.
