Photo: QueensPost
March 11, 2011 By Christian Murray
Molly Blooms, a bar modeled on the life and times of Irish playwright James Joyce, opened its doors at 43-13 Queens Blvd. on Thursday.
Ciaran Staunton, a long-time Sunnyside resident, named his new establishment after the fictional character in the Joyce novel Ulysses. The bar’s design is based on the Victorian-style pubs built in Dublin that Joyce and his fellow writers frequented in the early 20th Century.
The bar’s design features ornate lights fashioned after the gas lights used in the 1800s. Other features include the traditional painted wall paper, a dark wood bar, and rich tufted fabric of the era. The exterior is painted black with gold trim.
Staunton, who owns O’Neill’s at 729 Third Avenue in Manhattan, comes from a strong Irish background. He came to the US in 1982 from County Mayo, formed the Irish lobby in 1995 (focusing on immigrant issues) and was a participant in the Irish peace process. His wife, Orlaith, who helps him run O’Neill’s, comes from County Louth.
The bar has a garden patio, where trees have been planted, along with creeping ivies and an assortment of potted plants. Presently it has a canopy up, which will be removed in about a month once the weather improves. In winter, this area will be heated.
Staunton said the bar is going to specialize in craft beers that come from the smaller brewers, such as Coney Island lager and a Brooklyn lager—for about $5 a pint. He said that his aim is to be a little different than other bars, where nationally recognized selections are typically offered on tap. Staunton will be offering 12 craft beers; a selection of 25 bottled offerings; and the traditional Guinness and Smithwicks mainstays to choose from.
He said the bar will offer about 10 different wines which will range in price from $6 and $7 per glass. Meanwhile, the bar will expand into single malts – from scotch to aged whiskeys.
Staunton said the kitchen will be open in about 2 weeks. The menu will be fairly short. “We won’t have 25 items on the menu but a small menu provided by professionals.”
He said the kitchen will serve traditional breakfast fare in addition to scones, oatmeal, cereal along with coffee and espresso in the morning. The kitchen will also offer a variety of salads, wraps and traditional hamburgers. Dinner will feature innovative daily specials, such as garlic roast chicken.
His focus will be to provide craft beers from local brewers, offer baked goods and produce from local residents and remain family focused. “We are a local business and our success is based on the support of the community,” Staunton said.
He said: “We have already booked three parties from local families.”
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35 Comments
Pram stroller suggesting a stroller inclusive with a bassinet and a toddler seat?
I like to stop here for a cocktail after work. ooooh. It’s a nice place.
FOOD IS DELICIOUS, BUT MY ONLY COMPLAINT IS THAT I CANT GET A CHICKEN QUESADILLA BEFORE 4PM.
MYSELF AND MY FRIEND CAME HERE ESPECIALLY FOR THE QUESADILLA .
AS THEY ARE THE BEST ON THE BOULEVARD .
WE CAME HERE AT 3PM ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT WE CANT HAVE A QUESADILLA UNTIL 4PM.
I THINK THIS IS MADNESS.
I REALLY DONT UNDERSTAND IT , I THOUGHT OUR SERVER WAS KIDDING WITH US.
I CAN GET IT AT 4PM BUT NOT 3PM ??? PLEASE EXPLAIN !!!
OTHER THAN THAT THE BARTENDER WAS GREAT REALLY MADE YOU FEEL WELCOME.
PLACE IS VERY COSY WILL RETURN AFTER 4PM THO !!!
irish bar with no magners????? why??
So glad this opened up. Went in a few weeks ago. Staff still getting their footing, but the place was gorgeous and $5 for a beer not bad at all. Decor is lovely. Now we just need someone to re-open The Chipper!
I was there over the weekend, this place brake’s all the rules of the usual Irish bars in the area, the days of the dark gloomy bars or over, this place has a touch of class. I’m looking forward to bringing my family for dinner in the garden when the restraunt opens.
The barmen were very friendly and had a warm welcome, great selection of beers on tap and with $5 for a glass of wine you can’t go wrong. A trip to molly blooms is a must
RIGHT! It just struck me that it’s the same people who had Bloom across the Boulevard.
That Bloom was so great, and it was such a shame when it burned down. I miss the fish and chips place that was on that corner – where the Dunkin Donuts is – too. That place was good.
Best of luck to you, Ciaran – I’ll be in sooner than later for a pint and a burger!
I am excited to come and visit the new bar. Ciaron is such a go getter and always puts his best foot forward! Congratulations and much success.
cousin Kate
It so nice to walk up the blvd and see such a beautiful place with respectable people enjoying themselves inside. Even if I never go in, I’m so glad it’s there. (I did go in two nights ago)
I miss the days of Taylor’s Hall before all the “quaint” places started to go down hill. Molly Bloom’s is a wonderful addition to the Blvd.
I’m also interested in checking out Salt & Fat when that opens across the street. There is another gorgeous new coffee shop on 49th @ Skillman, which is too tight for my double stroller, but I’m still glad it’s there!
Cheers to improving the Blvd & Skillman Ave.
What are their hours. And do they have a website?
Looks like a grand place.
looks great would make u want to go in 4 a irish coffee
sixpoint diesel and other great beers on tap… I will be back soon for sure.
Went to MB’s last night — it’s great!! Beautiful bar, amazing garden/patio out back, friendly bartenders and owner, and great selection of beers on tap. It’s NOT your typical Sunnyside Irish pub 🙂 Wishing them much success. I’ll definitely be back!!
The staff is so welcoming and the decor is lovely. This is definitely a wonderful addition to the blvd. It is a great place to meet friends for coffee, lunch and after work drinks!
I got to check this place out! I hope it is good as it sounds.
How about someone to send in a food critiic to check out their food and service for the neighborhood. Lets have a professional opinion. This web site does a great job of letting our town know what is happening and what is going on in the area. Our hats of to the Sunnyside Post web site for the 1010 news of sunnyside . all news all the time plus some great advertising as well
Awesome new bar. Nice to see a place in the neighborhood with a varied selection of good beers on tap. And the garden out back is surprisingly spacious! Lots of open space, just enough tables and chairs to be comfortable but not overwhelming, and warm enough in March that I could sit without a coat on and get some fresh air. And walk home! Delightful.
I went for a drink with some friends last night. They did a great job with the place – it does stand out from the other bars in the area. I don’t think I realized we were missing a spot like this until I went. They have a beautiful garden out back that was heated and covered. Servers were all super nice, the wine was $5. Best of luck to them, but I doubt they’ll need it.
Isn’t it also a restaurant? I’m not much of a drinker, but I sure am an eater and another choice is always great! And hopefully those going here from Sunnyside will be walking if they are drinking. I agree, drinking and driving do not mix. But I’d rather walk home from here than take a cab home from the city.
I hope they do well.
Good Luck!
I am glad all of you are so happy with this new bar/ restaurant. But do you think that maybe we have enough bar in our town. Drinking and driving do not mix. I personaly would love to see our town with a more diverse selection of business open in our town. I am thrilled with the love that the owners have designed their business which sounds great but not every resident in our town is a drinker. I wish them the best of luck espeically with all our for rent signs in the boulevard.
Nice to see a new bar in the neighbourhood, best wishes to Ciaran & family, its one beautiful bar.
Let’s do something there on June 16th!
There has been one bar or another in that spot for many decades. Only the names and decor have changed. Hope the new place it’s a good pub and wishing the owner much success.
This is good news! I like to hang out at O’Neill’s, so I’m looking forward to stopping by Molly Blooms. It would be nice to go out in Sunnyside more often instead of going into Manhattan every time.
Finally! A neighborhood place with some interesting beer selections on tap. Looking forward to checking it out — and I’m so happy to hear that they’re making use of the back patio. I think that was half of Flynn’s downfall. They stopped letting people back there, said the landlord wouldn’t allow it anymore. Isn’t this the old location of Flynn’s? Hmm… wonder what changed. Anyway, good news. There aren’t enough places in SS to sit outside!
This is awesome. Younger people (and not only) of Sunnyside need this kind of businesses and we will definitely support it. We need to have more authentic choices in our area. Why do we need to go to williamsburg (where people are rude and FAUCET WATER is expensive) to have more culture and more choices? Go Sunnyside!!!Go “Molly Blooms”!!!
This sounds great.
Hooray for nice neighborhood businesses investing in Sunnyside and giving us locals more good spots to go to — instead of more eyesores.
Sounds like they really went the extra mile with this one. Can’t wait to check it out!
Sounds like a needed and great addition to the neighborhood.
Anyone know the hours?
There was also The Orchard – I liked that place. What happened to the owners?
Does anyone remember the old Bloom’s? It was on the corner of 42 and Queens Blvd then moved a few doors down before burning down in a huge fire.
so glad to hear there will be a focus on local craft beer on tap here. That’s something that’s long been missing from the sunnyside bar scene and I’m sure it will attract local beer lovers.
Sounds right up my alley! Can’t wait!
I was there for the opening last night, and can attest that this place is a truly distinctive and classy addition to the neighborhood. It’s not just another Irish pub. The decor is gorgeous and the atmosphere is warm and inviting.
Ciaran (who, incidentally, has been a tireless force in trying to improve business and commercial revitalization in Sunnyside) has done a fantastic job with this establishment, and I look forward to trying the food offerings once the kitchen is up and running as well.
It sounds great