BY KAREN E. BOWES
Staff Writer
FILE PHOTO KEYPORT – McDonagh’s Pub on West Front Street is hoping to convert a side parking lot into an outdoor seating area.
On June 19, owner Jolie Schwartz and her husband, Kenneth, asked the Borough Council to approve the plan, which would allow for no more than 15 tables, Mr. Schwartz said.
“The idea is, it’s such a groovy street, such a cool area, to allow people to hang out outside,” Mrs. Schwartz said.
Mrs. Schwartz described the anticipated setting as “just tables, really beautiful caf seating.”
The downtown pub is one of two local bars that hope to add outdoor seating for the summer months. The nearby Uptown Bar & Grille, Broad Street, also appeared before the council that night. Both are seeking permission to expand their liquor licenses to their outdoor areas.
“We have visited places where they have a guy with a strolling guitar,” Mr. Schwartz said, naming the Dublin House in Red Bank as an example. “Why can’t we have something beautiful in Keyport? It was really a great scene. It was cool. It was really very cool.”
In response to questions of security, the couple said they have yet to have any major trouble with bar fights since opening the establishment last year.
“We have a lot of cops from out of town who frequent the place,” Mr. Schwartz said.
The application also seeks approval to serve alcohol on the building’s second floor, which is currently not part of the bar. The couple said they have no immediate plans to convert the large loft, but would like to have permission, just in case they choose to do so in the future.
“What would it be used for?” asked Councilman George Walling.
“A lounge, something like that,” Mr. Schwartz said.
A handful of residents spoke in favor of granting the expansion.
“There’s no reason why we shouldn’t have outdoor dining in Keyport,” said resident Terry Musson.
The Schwartzes said they hoped to get approvals for both expansion areas at the same time without having to return for another application hearing.
“If I never have to come back here, that would be nice,” Mr. Schwartz said.
No vote was taken on the matter and no timetable was given as to when the matter would be decided.
Mayor John Merla excused himself from the hearing. His brother, Charles Merla, owns part of another liquor license with Mrs. Schwartz.
McDonagh’s Pub, West Front and Broad streets, Keyport, is one of two local bars hoping to add outdoor seating this summer; the other is the nearby Uptown Bar & Grille, Broad Street.