By Jacob Mathias

In just a few days, long-time south side business Rhody’s Middletown Tavern and Grill will change hands and become Two Harps Pub — Stevens Point’s only Irish pub.

Nicholas Moore, a longtime customer and occasional bartender at Rhody’s, takes the keys from former owner Rhody Mallick on July 1 as he opens Two Harps. The harp is the national symbol of Ireland and the inspiration for the pub’s name.

“I figured this town could use an Irish pub because it’s got enough Polish ones,” said Moore.

Moore comes from a long line of Irish descendants with whom his family still has ties and where he’s visited frequently. Pictures of his Irish family, man of whom were sailors, will soon adorn the walls of the pub. Originally from Upper Michigan, Moore moved to Stevens Point after his father retired from the Air Force.

After a stint in Denver, Col. as a forester, he moved back to the area and now works as a forester for the Sentry World Golf Course where he will keep working while running Two Harps.

Along with classic Irish beers such as Guinness, Smithwick’s and Harp, Moore plans on serving local and state brews including Point, O’so, Central Waters and Great Northern Distilling. He also plans on bringing in Irish imports such as Boddingtons and Beamish.

“We’re not going to be your gimmicky plastic Irish. I don’t like that kind of bar,” said Moore. “What makes an Irish bar is your bartenders, your servers, good food and proper pint…you go into a good Irish pub, you can always tell because the bartender is always happy to see you, they only listen to you and they humor you…it’s your local psychiatrist.”

The menu will feature typical pub fare including numerous appetizers, burgers, pizzas, wraps and a Friday fish fry as well as a few Irish features including a Guinness poutine and an Irish-themed pizza but Moore says not everything is going to have Guinness or whiskey in it. The local favorite burgers, handmade from in-house ground beef, will stay on the menu.

Mallick is retiring after 44 years in the tavern business and plans on golfing, travelling and visiting family.

“I won’t have to spend the winter here. I like it here now but in about four more months I won’t,” said Mallick.

Two Harps Pub is located at 2301 Church St. and opens July 1 at 11 AM with the kitchen open until 9:00 daily except Fridays when it’s open until 10 PM for the fish fry. The bar is open until 2 AM.